Are you familiar with the concept of shinrin-yoku? Otherwise known as forest bathing, it’s a practice that sees you immerse yourself in nature as a form of meditation. Forest bathing may have entered our lexicon in the 1980s, but more recently this garden trend has since become mainstream in how we design our gardens.
Originating from Japan, the philosophy’s effect on both your health and mental well-being has been the subject of studies that confirm what we really already know. But beyond its image as an aspirational lifestyle, there’s some real weight behind the benefits it could offer you.
Jennifer Aniston's garden, designed by Stephen Shadley, an LA-raised former scenic artist, and now New York interior designer is a true Japanese garden masterpiece. Shadley has crafted the homes for many Hollywood notables, including Diane Keaton and Ryan Murphy. Immaculate, serene, and perfectly poised, Aniston's abode is considered to be one of the world's best homes – and the outdoor shower is the hero piece in her spectacular Californian garden.
Creating spaces where you can put yourself in nature’s way is the key to embracing this new trend.
Refreshing, invigorating, and certainly soul-stirring, an outside shower goes way beyond being a practical addition to the garden. Tucked away in a private corner, or placed ready for a splash on a sun deck, washing this way sums up summertime.
Gardens have always been linked to well-being, but we can enhance the feel-good effect of being in nature by adding spa elements to our outdoor space. They are relatively simple to install, and worth the investment for the wellness vibes they bring.
If you have the space, it may be possible to extend your bathroom outside. ‘It is more practical than you might imagine and everyone wants one this year,’ advises Emma Joyce, head of product marketing at House of Rohl.
'You’ll want a private spot that is not overlooked by your neighbors, so pick a location where you can plant trees, install a screen, or build a more permanent enclosure. If you have a pool or hot tub, positioning your shower near this area will make access easier.'
It should be straightforward to pick up the water supply from the inside bathroom, and plan carefully to ensure pipework can be concealed. Ideally, choose a flooring material that can be used in both the interior and exterior spaces for the most seamless look.
When it comes to choosing plants, look to naturally minimalist styles, like Japanese gardens, for inspiration, and consider not only the planting but the materials too. ‘It’s crucial to ensure the materials are cohesive and limited to a maximum of three different ones, for example, timber, gravel, and stone,’ says landscape designer Alexandra Noble. ‘I find limiting the material palette ensures the design evokes calm and the garden doesn’t look overly busy.’
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There’s a purposefulness to forest bathing then, that causes pause for thought. If there’s value in dedicating time to this connection to nature, shouldn’t the design of our outdoor spaces reflect that?
