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16 Beautiful Outdoor Bath and Shower Ideas

Nothing says summer like bathing or showering alfresco, don't you think? Right now, we might not be free to visit somewhere balmy and tropical with luxury showers amongst the crickets - and even cycling to the nearby beach / lake / river is off limits in many countries. But we sure can make the most of what little outdoor space we have. This week I'm dreaming about adding an outdoor shower or bath to our tiny back yard. I haven't run the idea passed Per yet... I need to gather some beautiful inspiration to tantalise him into saying yes first. Here are 16 of my favourite outdoor bath and shower ideas... I hope they might inspire you to move your bathroom outside this summer too! 

1. (top picture) The Scandi 'just- back-from-the-beach' vibe

2. (above) The romantic rinse! (love the antique mirror!)

3. Keeping it simple

 4. The walled-garden soak

5. The bathing oasis

6. The scorched Med vibe

7. Rustic simplicity

8. The relaxed old school ritual

9. Tropical rain forest

10. Contemporary minimalism (with a twist) - that vintage chair! 

11. The cute romantic bathroom 

12. Clean and contemporary

13. Modern Scandi!

 14. Back yard beauty!

15. By the pool plunge (somewhere tropical!)

16. Rustic soak with a view (does it come with the guy I wonder?)

Who needs tropical holidays when you can have one of these beauties in your own backyard? Admittedly some might look a teeny bit out of place here in Malmö (ahem), but there are definitely some ideas worth thinking about! 

Do you love the idea of bathing alfresco too? If so, did any of these ideas inspire you? 

Here are a few more ideas (just in case you need a little more convincing!): 


And if you're ready to go:


Roll on balmy days and soaks alfresco! 

Niki

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8 Ways to Pep up Your Outdoor Space, Scandi style

Looking at the ten-day forecast here in Malmö, Sweden I can see the mercury slowly starting to rise - woohoo! This spring, shall we say, is extra special - meaning we're willing to don all kinds of clothing if it means seeing friends and family! But there's no reason we can't gather in style and comfort too! Today I'm putting Scandinavian outdoor spaces under the microscope so we can glean some wonderful ideas to ensure we're as comfy as possible and surrounded by beauty! Here are eight ideas to steal: 

1. Light it up: There's not much use in socialising outdoors if we can't see who we're talking to - and outdoor string lighting* gives that lovely warm glow, and a romantic touch to any backyard. And here's the best part: even if we're not outdoors, lighting up the greenery helps the indoors to feel larger; giving the impression that the living space is extended, and draws the inside in! You might need to add a wooden post or metal pole in order to help hang them at the right height. 

2. Go natural: our Scandi friends love to keep things as natural as possible - especially in the garden! Think rattan, wood and bamboo for a warm, relaxed look. In recent years, there's been a huge increase in all-weather bamboo furniture too! 


3. The parasol: Admittedly, in Sweden being blinded by the sun is a bit of a luxury, and a moment we long for year-round! But you can never underestimate the power of the sun - and a parasol, sail or pagoda is essential for blocking out the midday rays. Not only will coverings keep you cool in the heat, but there'll also keep you feeling cosy and dry in the rain - prolonging the hours you get to spend alfresco. Our Nordic friends usually opt for white with wood poles, but these colourful parasols have become really popular lately among the hipsters. I'm suddenly thinking I might need to do a separate parasol post, there are so many fab ones out there - could that be of interest? 

4. The bench: It's all very well creating social areas where everyone can gather, but what happens if you simply want to be alone, gather your thoughts or admire the results from the long hours you spent toiling the soil? It's always a good idea to treat your garden like any indoor living space: organise it so that it caters for different activities / needs! There are so many great garden benches out there - from contemporary (as seen above) to the more traditional. 

5. Divide it up: Go a step further and carve out separate zones using walls, windows, hedges or anything else that helps to create a little privacy for showers, sunbathing areas, quiet reading spots etc. The wall with a window above is perfect for creating an intimate dining area while also offering a view of the garden. PS the dining set reminds me so much of the one my parents had when I was young!


6. Mix it up: don't be afraid to throw different looks together. Rattan, wood, concrete - the more varied, the more relaxed! 

7. Get comfy: one of the biggest mistakes people make with outdoor spaces in my mind is not making them comfortable enough. Since garden furniture needs to withstand the weather, it's often made from rock hard materials. Make sure you invest in cushions for your chairs and outdoor sofa (even if you do need to bring them indoors each evening!) - or why not add a daybed or hammock (this boho hammock* is similar) so you can really chill out and enjoy an afternoon snooze! 

8. Lanterns: What would a Scandinavian living space be without a candle or three? Since one little gust of wind can snuff out the glow in seconds, lanterns are your best friend, and I firmly believe it's a case of the more the merrier. Place them on the table, on the ground (invest in two different sizes so they look good paired up) and hang them from the branches of a tree for a hyggeligt evening alfresco! 

There are so many lovely ideas here! It's got me thinking about prepping my own mini outdoor space for the season.

What type of outdoor space do you have (if any)? I'd love to hear all about it, and so keen to hear any tips and tricks you might have! 

For more outdoor space inspiration check-out: 


Here's to a glass of rosé, alfresco! 

Niki


*This post contains some affiliate links

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18 Ideas to Create a Swedish Summer Oasis - From Basic to Blowout!

The Swedish island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea is a true summer paradise. It's a place where wild flowers sway in the wind, and the pin sharp light catches the rocks on the rugged coastline and glistens on the blue of the Baltic Sea. 

Swedes flock there in July and August to relax and catch up with family and old friends while soaking up the long hours of daylight.  

There are many beautiful houses dotted around the island - some basic, some luxurious and everything in between! Today I stumbled across this contemporary oasis on the North east of the island which is currently for sale (I know!) - and I couldn't resist sharing it with you.

Why? Firstly, it had me dreaming of wiling a way a summer here with family and friends. Secondly, more importantly, because although we might not all have the space / budget for everything this wonderful house to offer - there are lots of ideas to steal - both big and small to channel that wonderful Swedish summer house vibe! 

Ready to take a look? 

1. A covered outdoor dining and barbecue area: Summer is all about spending as much time outside as possible and making the most of the abundance of daylight hours. An outdoor  dining / BBQ area is essential. The trouble is, the Swedish weather gods aren't always on our side so a pergola, with fabric to draw across on rainy days is ideal!

2. Solar powered lanterns: who needs to be faffing around with turning on and off outdoor lighting when the sun can do the job for you?  IKEA sells solar lamps like these. They look beautiful hung in the trees at dusk (as seen in yesterday's home tour). 

3. Outdoor kitchen: If you can't take the heat, create an outdoor kitchen (if you only have a small outdoor space or balcony, mini versions are possible with some creativity!). A perfect way to prolong your time outdoors and save from shuttling everything to and fro on trays! 

See more outdoor kitchen inspiration here and here

4. The double sun lounger: there's something luxurious about a double lounger, don't you think? Pick one that can lay flat or prop up so you can enjoy a book or a siesta at whim! 

Note, bamboo is not very weather resistance so best kept under a covered terrace. 

5. Permanent Cover: let's just say the weather in Northern Europe doesn't always do what we want it to do. A covered terrace is ideal for ensuring you can still enjoy the great outdoors on rainy days - and it's perfect for shade on warmer days. 

6. A sauna: On chillier summer days, a sauna is a perfect way to relax and feel some much needed warmth. But on winter days it' really comes into its own. And the health benefits are numerous!

7. An outdoor shower: why wash off in a steamy bathroom, when you can lather under an open sky? 

8. A swing: There's no better way to bring out the child in you like a swing. In my mind I'm already sitting on it overlooking the pool with a drink in hand, how about you? 

9. A comfy outdoor social area: a perfect spot for relaxing with friends and enjoying a fika (the swedish ritual of enjoying a coffee and cake) - or better still, a pre-dinner aperitif! 

10. Somewhere to take a dip: this house has a wonderful pool - and I can totally see myself drifting around on a lilo - I mean, how lovely! But if like me, you don't have the space / budget, how about a small plunge pool or wilderness bath / hot tub? Or a nice cool dip in a nearby sea / lake / stream is also a wonderful way to cool off! 

11. Sports: table tennis, badminton, darts, Kubb (a classic Swedish garden game), croquet... it doesn't really matter which you decide on, it's just fun to have some social activities to enjoy in the sunshine!

12. A relaxed indoor kitchen: At the Swedish summer house it's all about keeping life as simple as possible and the indoor kitchen should reflect this. Simple open shelves allow for a relaxed, 'grab and go' feel and natural materials like wood and stone help to bring the outdoors in. 

13. Let there be light! The Scandinavian winters are dark, so when the light returns it's important to embrace it. Glass doors help light to flow through to rooms further away from the window. A simple curtain can be pulled across for privacy. 

14. Hooks and more hooks: there's no simpler way to store your summer clothes than a rail of hooks. Besides, all you'll be needing (with any luck) is a robe, bikini, kimono and sunhat! Oh, alright then, maybe a cardi / jumper for the evenings. And a raincoat.... but let's not get bogged down in the details! 

15. A simple dressing room area: a mirror, hooks and chest-of-drawers = a basic walk-in-wardrobe, Swedish style! 

16. A space to work: A quiet place by the window will help you to feel connected with the great outdoors and keep that holiday feel alive while you work! 

17. A simple outhouse for guests: when it comes to the Swedish summerhouse, it's about accommodating as many people as possible - whether that's extended family or friends passing through for the night. I for one, would be perfectly happy to wake up in this little poolside cabana! But I've also seen garden sheds transformed into wonderful little guest houses (size permitting of course!). 

18. Bring your own bedding: In Sweden, it's customary for guests to bring their own sheets, duvet covers, and pillowcases and you provide the bed, pillow and duvet. Which means less work for everyone, and more time catching up! 

So many ideas - I for one would love a table tennis to have outside at our little cabin this summer - so fun! I might just have my eye on a double sun lounger too.

Is there anything that stood out to you?  

For more ideas on how to spice up your outdoor space, Scandi style, see: 


Kram! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Bertwig with thanks 




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10 Scandinavian Summer Cottages with a Little Extra Alfresco


The Scandinavian summer is all about making the most of the great outdoors, especially after the long, dark winter! Summer cottages are therefore designed to capitalise on the outdoor space. Alfresco living room areas, kitchens and bathrooms are a popular choice, while others might have anything from an outdoor pool to a more simple bathtub! For chillier days there's a sauna, and for everyday there's the lake, fjord or sea for morning, afternoon and evening dips! I hope you'll feel inspired by these ten wonderful Scandinavian summer homes. 










So many wonderful ideas here. Could you imagine incorporating some of these into your home / outdoor space? 

To be honest, the weather has been decidedly bad this summer so I think I'd opt for a sauna right now! Anna's floating one is really fabulous, don't you think?

With the holidays in full swing, I'm taking a couple of weeks off to be with my family. I hope you have a relaxing fortnight and the sun shines for you! 

See you on Wednesday 9th August! 

Niki

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