DIY Outdoor Changing Room Ideas

published on 16 March 2024

Looking to add a touch of convenience and privacy to your outdoor space? Building your own outdoor changing room is a fantastic DIY project that not only serves a practical purpose but also allows you to express your creativity and style. From simple, minimalist designs to more elaborate setups, there's a solution for every space and budget. Whether you're changing after a swim in the pool or looking for a private spot to switch outfits at a beach party, an outdoor changing room can be customized to fit your needs. Here's a quick overview of what you'll discover in this guide:

  • Why Build an Outdoor Changing Room? Privacy, convenience, customization, and a chance to showcase your creativity.
  • Assessing Your Needs: Considerations like space, privacy, budget, and functionality.
  • Design Inspirations: Ideas ranging from modern and sleek to rustic and natural.
  • Material Selection: Tips on choosing durable and weather-resistant materials.
  • Step-by-Step Guides: Detailed instructions for building different styles of changing rooms.
  • Customization Tips: How to personalize your changing room.
  • Maintenance and Care: Keeping your changing room in top condition.

This guide offers everything you need to know to create a functional and stylish outdoor changing room that reflects your unique taste and enhances your outdoor living experience.

Space

Look at where you want to put your changing room. Is there enough room there? Measure the area to figure out how big or small your changing room can be. Also, think about things like how much sun it gets and if you need to block any views.

Privacy

How much privacy do you need when changing? If you're thinking about adding a shower or tub, you'll probably want walls instead of just curtains. Also, check if neighbors or people passing by can see in, and use materials or plants that can help keep your space private.

Budget

One of the good things about DIY is that you can adjust the project to fit your budget. Decide how much you want to spend. You can save money by using things you already have, buying simple materials like vinyl curtains or wood, or you can spend more on fancier stuff like stone, tiles, or custom pieces.

Functionality

Think about what you need to make your changing room work well:

  • Seats like benches or chairs for changing
  • Places to hang clothes, like hooks or rods
  • Lights for when it's dark outside
  • A mirror to check your look
  • Spots for keeping things like sunscreen or towels
  • If you can't run power to it, maybe think about solar power
  • Surfaces that are easy to clean and can handle water and sand
  • Fans or vents to keep it from getting too humid

By figuring out what you need in terms of space, privacy, budget, and how you'll use it, you can make smart choices for your outdoor changing room project. There are lots of ways to do it, so get creative!

Design Inspirations

Here are some simple ideas for making your own outdoor changing room. You can pick a style you like, whether it's modern, cozy, or simple.

Modern and Sleek

For a changing room that looks clean and up-to-date, think about using materials like metal, glass, concrete, or flat wood panels. Ideas include:

  • A simple frame made of metal with glass panels that can't be seen through
  • Walls made of concrete blocks with a smooth finish on top
  • Wooden screens with spaces between the slats for a fresh, cabin-like feel

You can add neat features like hidden lights, shelves that hang on the wall, or a shower head for rinsing off.

Rustic and Natural

If you like a warm, natural look, using wood is a great choice. Some cozy ideas are:

  • A changing room shaped like an A with boards made from cedar and hooks that look like tree branches
  • A small changing area in a garden corner, surrounded by plants on the walls and a stone floor
  • Old barn wood put together in interesting patterns like zigzags or diagonal lines

Adding personal touches like handles made of rope, handmade hangers, and old mirrors can make it feel special.

Minimalist and Flexible

When space is tight, keeping things simple works best. Here are some ideas:

  • A frame made of wood with curtains made of canvas - this gives you privacy without taking up much space
  • Panels made of clear acrylic that don't block your view but keep others from seeing in
  • A small spot with simple racks and hooks, closed off by a curtain on a rod that stretches across

The key is to keep it uncluttered for a clean look.

Mixing styles is part of the fun of DIY. You might want to try a modern shape with natural materials. You can also add your own twist with cool lights, art, shelves, or other personal touches. There are many possibilities, so look at photos for inspiration and get creative!

Material Selection

When you're building a changing room for outside, picking the right stuff to use is super important. You want something that lasts, can handle all kinds of weather, is easy to take care of, and looks the way you want. Here's a rundown of some good choices:

Wood

Wood is a go-to for outdoor projects. Cedar, redwood, and pressure-treated pine are great because they don't rot easily and last a long time outside. Teak and ipe are super tough and don't get eaten by bugs. Make sure to use outdoor screws and finishes to keep the wood in good shape.

Metal

Metals like aluminum and steel are good because they don't rot or bend out of shape. If they're powder-coated, they can handle weather better and you can get them in lots of colors. Just remember that metal can get hot and might sweat when it's cold and then warm up.

Plastic and Resin

Stuff like vinyl, PVC, and acrylic sheets are great because they don't let water through, are easy to look after, and you can get them in see-through or solid colors. They're tough against weather but can get weak and fade if they're in the sun a lot.

Concrete and Stone

Concrete and stone are super strong against water and bugs. There are lots of ways to make concrete look cool, and natural stone gives a fancy, spa vibe. Just make sure to seal them if they're the kind that soaks up water.

Fabrics

Using outdoor curtains or shades is a smart way to add privacy and style. Pick materials like canvas or polyester that don't get moldy or fade in the sun. If they're waterproof, even better. Make sure they have tough edges so they don't tear.

Think about the weather where you live and what style you're going for when you choose your materials. Always use stuff meant for outside to make sure your changing room can handle the elements and stay looking good.

Step-by-Step Guides

1. Rustic Cedar Outdoor Changing Room

If you want a changing room that looks natural and lasts long, here's how to build one with cedar wood:

  • Materials Needed: Cedar boards (different sizes), cedar posts, screws and nails that don't rust, water sealant.

  • Steps:

    1. Mark a 5ft x 5ft area for the base of your changing room. Make sure the ground is even.
    2. Use 8ft and 6ft cedar posts for the corners. Cement them into the ground.
    3. Attach cedar boards to the posts to make walls and a roof. Overlap the edges of the boards.
    4. Make a door by cutting a 32in wide opening. Add hinges and a handle.
    5. Put in a vent at the top of one wall, covered with mesh.
    6. Protect the wood with a few coats of sealant.
    7. Finish by adding benches, hooks, or curtains as you like.

2. Portable Changing Room

Here's how to make a changing room that you can move around, using PVC pipes:

  • Materials Needed: PVC pipes, elbows, T joints, cement for PVC, outdoor fabric, curtain rods, weights (like sandbags).

  • Steps:

    1. Cut the PVC pipes to make a frame.
    2. Use elbows and T joints to connect them. Glue them together with PVC cement.
    3. Cut and attach outdoor fabric around the frame. Use magnets or velcro to keep it in place.
    4. Hang curtains from rods at the front and back.
    5. Use weights at the corners to keep it stable.

3. DIY Picket Fence Changing Room

For a cute, cottage-style changing area, try this:

  • Materials Needed: Pine boards, pine posts, fence staples, outdoor fabric, waterproof sealant.

  • Steps:

    1. Make fence-style panels from pine boards. Attach them with staples.
    2. Cement two posts into the ground and attach the panels between them.
    3. Wrap and staple waterproof fabric around the outside.
    4. Protect the wood with sealant.
    5. Add hooks, shelves, and decorations as you like.

4. Simple Structure from Old Doors

You can make a changing room using old doors. Here's how:

  • Materials Needed: Old doors, wood boards for support, hinges, handles, sealant, adhesive.

  • Steps:

    1. Prep the doors with sealant.
    2. Set up wood posts in the ground and attach a frame.
    3. Attach the doors to the frame with hinges.
    4. Add walls made from plywood or boards.
    5. Finish with hooks, shelves, and decorations.

5. Modern Industrial Style

For a changing room with a cool, urban look, try using corrugated metal and steel pipes:

  • Materials Needed: Corrugated metal sheets, steel pipes, pipe joints, waterproof lights.

  • Steps:

    1. Set up steel pipes as the frame.
    2. Attach metal sheets to the frame for walls.
    3. Make an entrance and add a door handle.
    4. Put lights at the top for a modern touch.
    5. Add metal or wood benches, shelves, and hooks inside.
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Customization Tips

Making your outdoor changing room your own is all about adding bits and pieces that reflect your taste. Whether you're into bright and bold or more muted styles, there's plenty you can do. Here's how you can add a personal touch to each type of changing room:

Rustic Cedar Changing Room

  • Throw in some colorful curtains, cushions, or an outdoor umbrella for a splash of color
  • Paint designs on the wood with outdoor-friendly paint
  • String up some outdoor lights or lanterns for a cozy vibe
  • Surround it with flower pots or planter boxes
  • Use chalkboard paint for a fun spot to write messages

Portable PVC Changing Room

  • Choose outdoor fabric with cool patterns or paint your own designs
  • Wrap the frame with fairy lights for a magical feel
  • Stick on photos, art, or mirrors with velcro or magnets
  • Put a comfy seat inside, like a bench or a soft pouf
  • Set up a solar-powered speaker for some tunes

Picket Fence Style Changing Room

  • Paint the fence in eye-catching colors or stain it for a different look
  • Stick on outdoor vinyl for a quick makeover that looks like tiles or stone
  • Hang a sign with your place's name or a funny saying
  • Use hooks for lanterns to light up the space
  • Grow vines over a trellis for a natural touch

Changing Room From Doors

  • Paint the doors with beach or floral themes
  • Fix an old window frame on the wall for a unique feature
  • Lay down outdoor rugs for a cozy feel
  • Install hooks for hanging stuff like towels or clothes
  • Add a little table with baskets for storage inside

Modern Industrial Changing Room

  • Use colored plexiglass for a bit of privacy with style
  • Fix small shelves for keeping things handy
  • Decorate the metal with waterproof stickers
  • String lights on the ceiling for a cool effect
  • Put down a colorful rug to brighten up the space

There are so many ways to make your changing room feel like it's truly yours! Pick colors, materials, and decorations that you really like.

Maintenance and Care

Taking care of your outdoor changing room helps it last longer. Doing a bit of upkeep now and then stops big problems later. Here are some easy tips:

Cleaning

  • Regularly sweep to get rid of leaves, dirt, and other stuff.
  • Spray it down with a hose every so often to clean off salt, pool water, and dirt.
  • For wooden parts, gently clean off any stains with a mild cleaner.
  • Check any cloth parts for mold and wash them when needed.
  • Use a squeegee on glass or plastic to avoid water marks.
  • Keep metal parts dry to stop rust.

Weatherproofing

  • After storms, check for any damage or loose parts.
  • Put on new waterproof sealant as the instructions say (usually every year or two).
  • Make sure water can run off and doesn't collect on the roof or floor.
  • Use foam strips around doors and windows to keep out cold air.
  • Cover vents with mesh to block bugs and leaves.

Repairs

  • Fix any cracks or holes in concrete, stone, or wood quickly.
  • Replace any broken or rotting pieces.
  • Tighten any screws or nails that are loose.
  • Fix any broken hinges, torn cloth, or doors and windows that don't work right.
  • Paint over any spots where the paint has chipped or faded.
  • Replace any clear plastic that's damaged.

Long-Term Care

  • Every spring and fall, check the whole structure for any problems.
  • Make sure the base is still strong.
  • You might need to replace cloth curtains every few years.
  • If the wood looks old and dry, sand it and put on a new finish.
  • If you have any plumbing, make sure to drain it before winter.

A little bit of care goes a long way! Keeping up with cleaning and fixing things will help you enjoy your changing room for many years.

Conclusion

Making your own outdoor changing room is a great DIY project that lets you be creative. With the right tools and materials, and a bit of your own style, you can build a changing area that fits exactly what you need.

You can choose everything about it:

  • Where to put it
  • How big or small it should be
  • How private you want it
  • What features you need
  • How you want it to look

The best part of doing it yourself is making it look just how you like. You can be bold with colors and designs or keep it simple. It's all up to you.

Adding touches like paint, decorations, shelves, and lights makes your changing room unique. It becomes a special spot to get ready for fun in the pool or at the beach, showing off your personal style.

When you share your design online, you can inspire others. It's fun to see how your ideas can help someone else create their perfect outdoor changing space.

So, go ahead and build your outdoor changing spot! Making it yourself means it will be a special addition to your summer days.

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