9 Free DIY Outhouse Plans That Area Easy To Follow

An outhouse is a small building, usually separate from the main house, that is used for privacy to cover a dry toilet (uses no water) or pit latrine. An outhouse is typically used in locations where water is limited, expensive, or even unavailable and are commonly a fixture on remote, off-grid homesteads.

These are more common now in third world countries where the cost of sewage systems is prohibitive. Dry toilets are sometimes used when there is a desire to compost the waste and use it as fertilizer.

Dry toilets work without a sewer connection and without using flushing water. A dry toilet can be as simple as a bucket or more sophisticated like a composting toilet or (UDDT) urine diverting toilet.

There is also a toilet which is designed for making compost within the pit, called an Arborloo. Toilets such as the incinerating or freezing toilets are more expensive and involve more complex technology.

There is also a manufactured outhouse called a porta-potty which has a large holding tank beneath the drop hole rather than a pit in the ground. They are typically used at outdoor events where large crowds are expected, such as fairs, ball games, or festivals.

Other names for Outhouses

An outhouse can be referred to in many ways, here are just a few:

  • Latrine
  • John
  • Privy or Loo
  • Going out to smell the lilacs (a term that comes from the fact outhouses were often shielded from view by lilacs)
  • Porta potty

Outhouse Plans

Below are several types of homemade outhouses you can make using various kinds of lumber for the frame and other components.

Outhouses are pretty simple: some plywood, boards, screws, and hinges is all you need to make a functional outhouse. There are many plans for DIY outhouses available freely online to suit any purpose.

Surface Privy

A surface privy is basically a square box with no bottom and a hole cut into the top. A seat with a lid can be added to the hole if desired. The waste falls through the hole and onto the surface of the ground. Wood ash or other cover material is dumped through the hole onto the waster after each use.

Because the box is not anchored into the ground, it can be moved after a bit so that the waste can be raked over the ground or shoveled up and added to the compost pile. You can build your own surface privy fairly easily and can even get all the wood for free as demonstrated in this video:

Building a Outhouse Privy (Thunderbox)

Pit Style Outhouse

Dig a hole that is at least 2-foot square. Make sure the sides of your hole are even. Create a concrete or wood box (wrap in tar paper to keep moisture out) that goes into the hole that you dug.

Level ground around the hole and build a foundation of treated wood around the perimeter of the hole. Cedar is a good choice, but you can use reclaimed wood as above.

Your outhouse floor and building will be set on the foundation you’ve built. Your floor will be made from either pressure treated wood, cedar or raw hemlock, which naturally resists decay. See the simple outhouse plans in this video for more on actual construction of the house.

Basic Outhouse

You have to start somewhere with an outhouse, and if you need one in a hurry, or you just don’t have well developed skills when it comes to carpentry and fabrication, you can still make an outhouse that is solid, safe and sanitary.

This basic outhouse is exactly what it says, no frills, but it is cheap and will definitely do the job. This is a good option to make if you’re working with reclaimed materials or you just need to throw one up ASAP.

It also has the added advantage of being small and lightweight, easy to move and reposition when the time comes. Depending on how many people are using the outhouse, this could be anywhere from 5 to 10 years.

Get the plans and a good walkthrough here.

Traditional Outhouse with Improved Pit

For those with more material, more time and better skills, or those who just want a better finished product we have plans here for a basic out house with an improved pit for better control of waste and sanitation.

It’s a little bigger and a little more involved but also more comfortable, roomier and likely to withstand the elements better over time.

Remember, if you don’t make the structure up to snuff the outhouse itself might fail before the pit fills up or experiences problems! This outhouse has the benefit of a much improved foundation and better framing.

Get the plans for it here.

Outhouse with Handwash Station

The very notion of an outhouse sort of implies a reduction in sanitation compared to what we enjoy with our modern indoor plumbing, but it doesn’t have to be that way.

First, sanitation begins and ends with people following proper practices, and has very little to do with location itself. Second, with a few modifications to the structure of a basic outhouse and a little bit more in the way of supplies you can have a totally effective hand washing station attached to the outside of your outhouse.

A water container, sink or basin and a simple drain pipe going into a French drain is all that is required to allow for the effective washing of hands when you are done following nature’s call.

The hand washing station feature of this outhouse is adaptable to many other designs, so don’t be afraid to mix and match “options” with other plans on this list if you want to.

Also, keep in mind that depending on where you live you might not be able to keep your water container outside year round because it can naturally freeze and burst when it gets cold enough. Just something to keep in mind!

Plans are here.

Rustic Outhouse

Whether you are dealing with simple materials that you have harvested and processed yourself, you want a period-correct outhouse to match your home or you just like The simple, rustic charm of it, it is possible to build an outhouse today that is just like the ones from yesteryear.

Rough hewn boards, lapped siding and a simple sloped roof set this version apart from all the others on this list.

Now, it doesn’t entirely depart from modern materials inconveniences because it makes use of a standard plastic toilet seat and lid, along with a transparent roof panel and a battery powered lamp on the inside but we aren’t going to deduct any points for that.

If you are working with wood the old fashioned way this one is a shoe-in for your outhouse. Check it out here.

Composting Outhouse

Using human waste for composting, a process sometimes called humanure, is becoming an increasingly popular concept among homesteaders and preppers.

Minimizing waste is always a virtue, and using your waste to further other chores and tasks on your property is pretty much the apex of that methodology!

Also, this is not so much a plan as a modification of a typical outhouse, one that will allow you to incorporate a standalone composting toilet, or simply provide access to the waste container for composting purposes. Again, think of this as a methodology or modification, and not a specific design in and of itself.

If using human waste for composting is okay with you, then this might just be the outhouse for you. Read about it here.

Ultra-Modern Outhouse

When you mention the word outhouse to anyone, they probably think of the exact same thing that you think of when you hear the word: sort of a little-bitty wooden shed with that crescent moon cut in the door.

Maybe some flies swirling around it, the works. That might be the iconic image of the outhouse, but it is not what it has to be when you build it.

Want proof? Look no further than this super clean, super modern outhouse.

Honestly, anybody that even looked at this in any setting would never guess it’s an outhouse, and like the version with the wash station above this one has a genuine outdoor sink on the exterior, covered by the roof this time, to ensure proper hygiene when you’re done doing your business.

As you might guess this is a more involved and costly build, but if you aren’t willing to sacrifice aesthetics just because you’re forced to use an outhouse this could be the perfect variation for you. Get the plans here.

Scrap Wood Outhouse

It is entirely possible to build an outhouse entirely from scrap and reclaimed wood. No matter what kind of wood you have, if you have a bunch of cuttings, leavings and leftovers to go along with a few salvaged components like hinges or a window frame, it is possible to make an entirely respectable outhouse with it.

This might be the perfect option for those that have a severely limited budget, or if you want to build a secondary or supplementary outhouse at a different location. Once again, if you waste not you want not! 


Find out more here.

Location

  • Before you consider an outhouse for your farm, homestead, or BOL, make sure you check your local zoning restrictions and regulations to make sure an outhouse is permitted. If you are in the city or part of an HOA or other association, you may find that outhouses are frowned upon.
  • Make sure the location of the outhouse is such that it will not pollute any water supply, typically it should be on the downslope of the water supply and at least 100 feet from it.
  • Your outhouse should be located away from the house and preferably in an area of the yard that is mostly shaded.
  • If you build your outhouse so the door faces to the east, the user would be able to leave the door open in milder weather in order to take advantage of the warm morning sun.
  • If you are building a surface privy where waste drops onto the ground and is raked or shoveled up for compost, you may want to locate it on a gentle slope to make clean out easier.

Size

Your outhouse building will be about seven-foot tall and 4-foot deep by 5-foot wide for a dual seat outhouse. There are no absolute rules for size but you should make sure that you won’t bang your elbows on the wall or hit your head on the door if you have to bend over to pull up your pants.

Make sure you take into account how many people will be in the outhouse at one time. Parents may need to accompany younger children for safety and hygiene reasons.

Also for larger families you may want to have dual or even triple stalls to prevent children doing the dance outside the door while mom or dad does their morning business.

Outhouse Accessories

Toilet Paper

No good outhouse would be complete without its toilet paper or some way to wipe. Because an outhouse is outdoors and can be exposed to dampness and insects, it’s best to keep toilet paper up off the ground and in some kind of airtight, waterproof container.

Many people use a Tupperware container or Ziploc bag to keep commercial toilet paper dry and bug free.

Toilet Paper Alternatives

Paper materials such as phone book pages, newspapers, or magazine pages. It’s good practice to let newspaper ink dry fully before using and to repeatedly crumple any paper to soften it before using.

Natural materials include mullein, also known as cowboy’s toilet paper. It grows abundantly in full sunlight and can be picked on the way to the outhouse.

Lamb’s ear is also a great natural material for this purpose. It has soft leaves, grows well in any environment and is easy to plant and maintain. If dried corncobs are available, these have also been used for wiping.

Other Accessories and Details

If your outhouse will only be used occasionally for short periods of time, you may not want to invest too much into it. But if your outhouse will be regularly used for the long-term, you will want to add some accessories and details to make time spent in there a little more comfortable.

Accessories

It’s helpful to have some interesting reading material available for those that use the outhouse for more than just a quick visit so they have something to occupy their mind while sitting on the throne.

To keep the magazines up off the floor and at easy reach, install a shelf on one wall where the magazines can be stored when not being read.

Make sure the shelf is long enough to hold your toilet paper container or other wiping materials as well. A prominently displayed bottle of hand sanitizer on this shelf will encourage guests to clean their hands before leaving the outhouse.

Although most people realize that odor in the outhouse is inevitable, it never hurts to have some kind of fragrance to help mask things. This could be lilacs or other pungent flowers you replace frequently or potpourri, even a commercially purchased spray for guests to use.

Other Details

For an outhouse to be functional, it really doesn’t need to be much more than a box for privacy with a bench and drop hole and some toilet paper.

For any outhouse that will be used long-term though, it helps to add some little details to make things a little less creepy and more soothing. A fresh coat of paint or stain on the inside and outside will go a long way toward making your outhouse more inviting.

Make sure your outhouse has at least a small glass or Plexiglas window with a curtain hung. Don’t just cut the hole and leave it open as this invites the bugs into the outhouse.

Many people also like to cut a moon shaped sliver into the outhouse somewhere for ventilation. Adequate ventilation is very important for your outhouse. Use the finest mesh screen you can find over this hole, again to keep uninvited insects out.

Other Tips for Your Outhouse

  • Make sure each seat has a lid and keep it closed whenever not in use.
  • A fine mesh screen door works for warmer climates but you need protection from elements in colder climates.
  • Caulk any open cracks or holes to keep bugs out (mosquitos and flies are not only annoying but can breed on human waste.)
  • Give your outhouse a lean-to-roof because it leaves fewer corners for mud daubers or wasps to build in
  • Make sure door swings inward to avoid the door being caught by the wind and also so the user can kick it shut and keep it shut if another person or even a wayward bear approaches.

Cleaning and Controlling Outhouse Odor

Controlling the odor in your outhouse is a process that uses earth, air, and regular amounts of cover materials to regulate the bacteria and PH levels of the compost.

If you’re outhouse is too wet, or has too much nitrogen, it will give off more odor. In order to absorb moisture and add carbon to help compost the waste, the use of cover material is needed, especially for a surface style privy.

Cover Material

There are a variety of cover materials that can be used and for the most part it is a matter of preference and availability.

Many people feel that wood ashes sprinkled over the top after each use is the best way to prevent odors, although they admit coal and trash ashes will work in a pinch. The reason wood ashes are preferred is generally because they have a clean and pleasant earthy smell.

Superfine agricultural quicklime works well too, but some people say the lime smell is strong. Other organic materials that can be used include wood chips, leaves, sawdust, or peat moss.

Basically any dry organic material which reduces the moisture and adds carbon to balance out the nitrogen laden feces can be used as cover material.

A surface privy should begin with a layer of organic material such as hay or sawdust. It then needs to be raked on a regular basis (once a month for family of four). When a pit outhouse hole is filled to within about 2 feet of the ground surface, fill the hole with clean dirt and move the house to a new hole.

They style and type of outhouse you choose will be largely dependent on your own individual circumstances and location. Whether you build your outhouse yourself from scavenged materials or have one custom built with all the fancy details is also a personal preference.

In most cases, the time and money you invest in your outhouse should reflect the amount of time you feel your family will spend in it. If it will be your full-time bathroom, then you will have a happier family if you go all out and make your outhouse a comforting and pleasant thing to use.

What do you think about outhouses? When was the last time you used one and how was the experience?

5 thoughts on “9 Free DIY Outhouse Plans That Area Easy To Follow”

  1. With the next wars likely to be fought over water, a composting loo will become mandatory soon and indeed in some national parks is the only type of privy allowed. Add a small solar powered fan as well.

  2. As a person with weak knees, I recommend considering some kind of handle or grab bar for convenience. If you are not familiar with having grab bars (in outhouses, elevation changes, and elsewhere), you might be surprised at the benefits.

  3. I agree with Jim Loyd. As we age or have back problems it can become difficult getting up off the seat. I’ve installed a simple metal grab handle on the wall in front of me with 2 sheet rock screws. Makes it very easy and safe to rise up.
    A regular toilet paper holder works well but if you must contain your paper for various reasons, a medium / large metal coffee can with a plastic lid works great.
    Small, inexpensive, motion activated, solar lights work incredibly well.
    As for odor problems, leaving the toilet seat down after each use AND leaving the door open when using works very well, all other attempts to eliminate odor are too much bother and a waste of time.

  4. I grew up in West Texas in the Davis mountains there was an old military for it that people had made into a house at one time and we lived up there for a while in the summer and they had an outhouse and it was in the back of the house and that overlooked the valley and I remember there was no door on it but it overlooked the valley and you can sit there and watch the deer and the antelope and all the animals running around while you’re sitting there having a good time I really enjoyed it wish I was back there

  5. When I was 5, my father (in the military) left for Okinawa. My mother, little brother and me stayed in the hired-man’s-house across the driveway from Grandma’s and Grandpa’s farmhouse. The house had no indoor plumbing. When Grandpa showed me the outhouse – a two-seater! – I stared at it doubtfully. “It’s where you go when you gotta go,” Grandpa tried to explain. “What do you think?”
    I stared at the very large holes where I was supposed to place my behind. “I think I might fall in,” I said.
    So Grandpa cut me a smaller hole for my much smaller backside.
    True, I could have trotted across the driveway to the nice, porcelain bathroom they had, but it was kind of an adventure, I thought. I still do.

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