Summer Showers

Few things end an ideal beach day more refreshingly than an outdoor shower. (Photos by Jeffrey Totaro)

“They’re a perfect extension to your day,” says landscape designer Mark Reynolds. They’ve come a long way since the days of the garden hose or backyard sprinkler—these designs, all located on Long Beach Island, take outdoor bathing to a new level. Outdoor showers have seating, storage, and multiple showerheads; all are built of Western red cedar and Brazilian mahogany. “Part of the beauty of these woods is they have a natural, glossy texture and don’t take much maintenance,” says Reynolds. “They can take high moisture without any damage. Every couple of years we put a clear sealant in it, but that’s it.” Local building codes vary, so be sure to check before you build.

All spaces designed and built by Mark Reynolds of Reynolds Landscaping Inc., Manahawkin, 609-597-6099.

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SKY LIGHT: Eighteen-foot-high ceilings and abundant windows make this tight space feel anything but. Located adjacent to the pool, the spot sits at the tip of a peninsula that juts 1,000 feet out into the Manahawkin Bay.

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SHAPELY SPACE: Built into a 90-degree corner, this 32-square-foot hexagon-shaped shower fills previously dead space on the tiered patio. “Building codes dictate how many square feet you can have,” says Reynolds, “but not what shape it can be.”

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THE MORE THE MERRIER: Communal showering was this design’s driving factor. “Three little girls live here and always shower as a group,” says Reynolds. Four showerheads make that possible. Built off the garage adjacent to the pool kitchen, the shower’s soft cedar floor feels great on sandy feet.

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SALTWATER RINSE: Just steps off the beach, this two-room structure fits both a dressing room and a shower in previously unused space beneath an expansive second-story deck. Swinging bar-room doors separate the two spaces while adding a touch of swagger.

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