If you’re planning to travel in a van for a longer time, having your own shower can be a game-changer. Gym memberships are convenient if you’re near a city, but the real joy of living off-grid is being far away from civilisation. If you’re in the UK, outdoor adventures probably include muddy hikes, nature swims and sandy beach walks. So being able to shower, and end the day clean, warm and dry is such a delight!
Showers do take up space, though, which is a problem when you’re constantly making trade-offs in space when designing your van. As well as aesthetics, there is no point in a van life shower that’s not functional, and these design hacks will help fit a practical and effective shower option. We examine here 7 creative ways to fit a shower, giving you the best design options for your mix of adventure, space and comfort.
Any van component involving water can pose a leak risk, especially with DIY installations. This makes it super important to choose solutions that suit your appetite for maintenance and comfort.
Van shower designs: Essential questions to Ask – the prep-work
The basic components for any van-life shower system include: somewhere for the water to come from (this is either a tank or a bag); a pump system to help the water flow (this can be a manual or electric pump, or gravity can do the work if you have a shower bag that you hang at a height); a shower head (ideally very water efficient); a waterproof area to shower in (this could either be a simple waterproof curtain, a special 4-sided water tight box curtain, or you could waterproof the walls of a van shower with a wet-room PVC material); and finally, a drain or somewhere for the water to go (either a grey water storage tank, a large bucket, or just a hole or area where water can drain into the floor). It’s very important to dispose of your grey water responsibly and there are financial penalties for not doing so.
Basically, you’ll need some water-proof wet space whether it’s a curtain or a PVC wall but not necessarily both. These solutions are for UK van sizes and not necessarily for bigger American sized RVs.
When planning to install a space-efficient shower for your van, there are several important questions to consider. We’ll explore these topics in detail below, but here are a few top-level things to think about:
Indoor or Outdoor – Privacy & Climate,
do you prefer having the shower inside your van, or are you okay with an outdoor setup? What level of privacy feels comfortable for you while showering? This might also depend on the season you are travelling in, if you want to use the van year-round, this might be a less appealing option.
Temporary or Permanent – time savings,
are you looking for a temporary shower solution or a permanent installation? Keep in mind that a permanent setup will require more time and cost for building but can provide greater comfort during your travels. Alternatively, a shower bag is quick and easy to buy but it takes a little more time to prepare for each shower.
Risk of Leak,
curtain options have a high risk of inconvenient splashes. In contrast, but built in options have a higher risk of annoying, slow leaks that require more extensive maintenance.
Drainage Needs – tank collection or not,
do you require proper drainage into a tank, or can you drain to the open road? If you’re not using a tank, you’ll have to be mindful of any products you wash down to ensure they’re not harmful to the local flora.
Curtain Considerations – curtain or waterproofing,
using a shower curtain can be cheaper and more straightforward but remember that it will need a place to dry. Waterproofing the walls of a shower space is more work but less hassle on the road.
The 7 ideas for van shower designs and find the ideal space-saving shower solution for your van life adventures!
The External Shower Solutions
1. Portable Shower Tent Option – saves money & no installation
The portable shower tent is one of the most affordable and user-friendly options for adding a shower to your camper. There are specialised designs for van life that fold out like an awning, creating a self-contained pod and traditional pop-up tent styles.
While using the shower, you can either let the water drain onto the ground or stand in a large bucket to collect the water for easy disposal. However, once the shower curtain gets wet, it needs to dry properly to prevent mould, which can be a challenge, especially for multi-season van lifers in the UK.
Pros:
- Quick and cheap as no installation required.
- No impact on internal van space.
- External components can be replaced without structural changes.
Cons:
- Less privacy compared to more enclosed options.
- Not ideal for winter or cold weather.
- Draining onto the floor limits parking location options.
- Wet curtains and shower tents need proper drying afterwards, which can be inconvenient.
2. ‘Out-the-Back’ Shower Curtain Option – cheap & quick setup
The out-the-back shower is a simple and cost-effective solution. By stringing a shower curtain between the two open back doors of the van, you create a makeshift shower area that offers some privacy while remaining open to the inside.
This setup works well with plumbed showers and shower bags, and you can easily heat the water for added comfort. However, it has downsides; it may not provide enough privacy and is impractical in cold or rainy weather. The lack of proper drainage means you’ll need to collect the water in a tub, and the curtain will need to dry afterwards.
Pros:
- Very straightforward setup.
- Inexpensive option.
- Requires no additional space inside the van.
Cons:
- Minimal privacy due to the open design.
- Not ideal for cold or rainy conditions.
- Lacks proper drainage; water must be collected.
- Shower curtain needs to dry afterwards, which may be inconvenient.
The Inside Choices
3. Shower Floor Hatch Design – ace internal space saving option
The shower floor hatch is a clever van shower design that maximises space, making it one of the most space-saving options. This setup requires more effort to install, as it involves creating a hidden shower basin beneath a removable floor cover.
When you need to shower, lift the cover to expose a waterproof shower tray equipped with a hose that can either be plumbed in or hooked into the tap. Water drains through a hole underneath the van, directing it into a tank or onto the floor. Use a four-sided shower curtain with a zip to minimise the risk of water splashing into the van.
Pros:
- Clever design optimises space.
- Waterproof shower tray with effective drainage option.
- Minimal water leakage risk with a zipped curtain.
- Privacy, meaning you can use the shower anywhere.
Cons:
- Requires more effort and plumbing to install.
- The shower area is small and could feel cramped.
- The curtain needs to dry after each shower so if left up to dry, it will minimise the use of the van.
- Likely to have a few splashes of water into the van (this may not be a problem).
4. Full Wet Room Shower Design (Plus Toilet) – all in 1 inside space solution
The full wet room plus toilet is the most comfortable option, closely resembling a home shower. This van shower idea takes some construction skill but is relatively straightforward to install, and creates a hassle-free way to shower on the road.
It includes a complete wet room that houses both a shower and a portable toilet, with a drain either plumbed to a waste water tank or simply let through the bottom of the van out onto the floor.
This design also allows for a permanent and convenient home for the toilet. My partner and I have opted for this setup, using the wet room as a drying space for wetsuits and raincoats after a rainy hike.
Pros:
- Comfortable and home-like shower experience.
- Multi-functional space saves room for a toilet.
- Convenient for drying gear after outdoor activities.
Cons:
- Requires construction skills for installation.
- May take up more space compared to simpler options.
- More likely to lead to leaks that require more structural work to repair.
5. Box-In Bench Shower Option
The box-in bench design is a clever way to integrate a shower that takes up virtually no space as you use the bench to sit on during the day. This setup might involve a large basin or tub-style shower floor with a drainage hole.
You could use a round or square shower curtain, which you would hook up whenever it was time to shower.
Pros:
- Space-efficient design.
- Minimal impact on overall living area.
- Privacy
Cons:
- The shower area will be small.
- Slight risk of water splashing into the living space.
- Curtain will need proper drying, increasing the time the space is not functional after a shower.
6. Curtain in Bench (plus toilet) Shower
This idea is similar to the shower in bench option above, but the clever part is that the space is multi-functional, as it houses the toilet during the day. By installing the toilet on wheels or in a slide-out tray, you can remove it to make space for the shower but minimise the space taken up while the shower is not in use.
The inside of this bench or cupboard space will be a waterproof floor or acrylic shower tray, and you would temporarily hang up the shower curtain while using the shower.
A shower curtain can then be temporarily hung up for use. While this option involves a bit more hassle during setup, it maximises your van shower ideas and utilises the space effectively.
It’s worth considering what type of privacy you want to include for your toilet. This may be less of an issue if travelling alone but something to consider if you’re travelling as a couple.
Pros:
- Extremely space-efficient.
- Flexible use of space for shower and toilet (note: consider toilet privacy).
Cons:
- You’ll have to be mindful of splashes inside a bench area and make sure that there is good ventilation and a chance for this space to dry properly after use.
- The shower curtain will have to dry.
- You will need to give the design real thought, and it will take more skill and construction expertise to achieve.
7. Full Room with Curtain Pull and Take-Out Storage
This option offers a permanent shower space similar to the wet room but utilises a shower curtain instead of waterproof walls.
The advantage of this van life shower design is the ability to include multiple storage hooks or drawers on the walls for bulky items. When it’s time to shower, you remove the drawers or storage tubs.
We suggest a curtain rather than a waterproof wall for this option because the drawer runners and hook features will increase the chance of leaks, and the water tightness will be much harder to achieve (especially for novice van fitters). Using a curtain you can pull across is a cheap way to avoid this issue.
That said, this setup requires good ventilation and may still need some waterproofing paint to protect the plywood or wooden frame from dampness.
Pros:
- Large, comfortable shower space.
- Great storage options within the shower during the day.
- Minimises leakage risk with curtain design.
Cons:
- Requires good ventilation to prevent moisture build-up.
- May need additional waterproofing measures.
Dani does vanlife in her bright yellow Peugeot boxer called “Sunny”. Based in Bristol, UK, with her partner she DIY the complete van conversion of Sunny and then tripped around Europe. She now does vanlife around the UK. Outside van life adventures and trip planning, she works as a project developer in renewable energy. See Dani’s full vanbandits profile.
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