13 Pool Cabana Ideas and Designs for the Summer

A cabana or pool house adds a lot to your backyard pool area. Not only is a cabana a welcome source of shade on hot summer days, it can include a changing room and space to store pool equipment.

Before settling on a pool cabana design, it’s important to consider what functions you expect it to fulfill. If you want a full miniature house with a bathroom and kitchen, you’ll need to look at pool house design plans instead of a basic cabana.

Whatever your intent for this poolside structure, check out our favorite cool pool cabana ideas. They will guide you in designing the perfect backyard cabana.

1. Deck-Friendly Pool Cabana

A pool cabana can be built directly on top of your existing pool deck. Or, you can plan to build it atop its own separate deck located near the swimming pool.

Modern pool cabana with slatted wood privacy walls, white frame, and built-in stainless steel grill station on a wood deck. — Source: @artepatio via Instagram

Modern poolside cabana with wood ceiling, cozy seating, hanging chair, and built-in outdoor pizza oven on a deck. — Source: @ascher_smith via Instagram

Poolside cabana with cozy gray seating, white accents, wooden deck, and a decorative wall panel under a flat roof. — Source: @ildesign_irislev via Instagram

Hamptons-style pool cabana with pitched roof, navy and white furniture, and a sunburst mirror for a chic coastal vibe. — Source: @our_hamptons_dream_in_aura via Instagram

Rustic wooden pool cabana with built-in bench seating, ambient lighting, and a cozy dining nook overlooking the pool. — Source: @pep_build via Instagram

Whether you have a wooden, stone, tile, or concrete deck, choose a pool cabana style that complements the existing decking material. Unlike a pool house, a cabana’s three-sided construction will leave the deck material visible so make sure it’s something you love. It’s a bonus if it feels good under bare feet.

2. Enclosed Pool Cabana Design

By definition, a cabana has a roof, three walls, and one open side. However, some cabanas could be called a pool house cabana, with a fourth wall instead of a totally open side.

Coastal-style enclosed cabana with shiplap walls, wicker and white furniture, natural wood ceiling, and poolside views through glass doors. — Source: @lizcarpenterinteriors via Instagram

Elegant tropical pool cabana with floor-to-ceiling glass doors, open-air seating, and lush greenery around a sleek infinity-edge pool. — Source: @phoenixprince99 via Instagram

Modern enclosed pool cabana with large glass windows, wooden deck, and minimal desert landscaping at sunset.

Luxury enclosed pool cabana with sheer curtains, palm trees, and a floating walkway leading across a sleek modern pool.

Charming white pool cabana with striped awning, classic columns, and vintage-style patio seating set against a mountain backdrop.

These enclosed style cabanas usually have large French doors or retractable doors along the front. This makes a particularly stylish pool cabana that’s open when you need it to be, but looks more like a pool house when the doors are closed.

Even classic three-walled cabanas often have a small enclosed area for privacy while changing clothes. Some also include an enclosed storage room for pool supplies.

3. Hut-Style Cabana for Your Poolside Oasis

A hut-style cabana brings a decidedly tropical flair to your backyard. Instead of three walls and one opening, a cabana hut is often styled more like a pergola, with a thatched roof held up by four posts. If there are walls, they’re often made of bamboo or woven mats.

Tropical poolside hut cabana with a thatched roof, cozy daybed, and green botanical pillows for a relaxing jungle retreat vibe.

Beachfront cabana with a thatched roof, open-air seating area, and ocean views next to a vibrant blue pool and lush green lawn.

Lush tropical backyard with a serene pool, thatched-roof hut cabana, water feature, and surrounding palm trees for a resort-style escape.

Tropical-style pool with thatched-roof cabana, built-in swim-up bar stools, and panoramic ocean views for a luxurious island vibe.

Balinese-style poolside cabana with ornate thatched roofs, traditional decor, and lush greenery for a serene tropical escape.

Cozy thatched-roof cabana with bamboo walls and a lounger, beautifully lit beside a tranquil pool for an inviting nighttime retreat.

This kind of tiki hut outdoor space is also a great shelter over an outdoor kitchen or poolside bar. A hut cabana with an outdoor bar can make you and your guests feel like you’re visiting a favorite beach retreat.

4. Spacious Backyard Pool Cabana

Because there are no limits on how big a backyard cabana can be, some end up being quite large. If you have a large inground pool and hot tub—and are a frequent pool party host—a large cabana might be exactly what you need. After all, if you have a lot of guests, you’ll need a lot of patio furniture to accommodate everyone, and plenty of covered porch space to provide shade.

Spacious pool cabana with vaulted white ceiling, vibrant pastel furniture, dining area, and colorful towel storage for a fun summer retreat. — Source: @paulnbrowarchitect via Instagram

It’s common to build in extra storage into a larger cabana or pool house. You can include open attic space and use it to store all types of backyard toys and garden equipment.

With a large cabana space, consider screening part of it—especially if you live in an area with lots of mosquitos or stinging insects. A screened outdoor living space will allow you to relax in the shade without being bothered by pests.

5. Budget-Friendly: From DIY Pavilions to Pop-Up Tents

It’s possible to have a great poolside cabana even on a tight budget. A simple roofed pavilion or pergola can suffice, whether built by scratch or from a kit.

Budget-friendly pool cabana with tropical plants, bamboo screen, and colorful red cushions for a cozy backyard retreat. — Source: @philipsmithphotography via Instagram

Simple poolside cabana with a white canopy, enclosed sides, and a cozy dining setup featuring blue tablecloths and black chairs. — Source: @swedish_eliza via Instagram

Elegant low-cost pool cabana with draped curtains, chandelier lighting, and white cushioned seating beside a stylish spa and pool.

Backyard pool setup with a budget-friendly cabana featuring a blue roof, curtain panels, and cozy circular seating for shaded relaxation.

Simple and affordable poolside cabana with a white canopy, two lounge chairs, and flowing curtains set on a sandy patio area.

One of the cheapest ways to achieve the shade and ambience of a cabana is to purchase a 10’ x 10’ pop up tent. Available for around $100, these temporary structures are easy to put up and take down. Some even come with fabric curtains or sides that give the tent a true pool house cabana vibe.

6. Luxurious Pool Cabana Retreat

Luxury pool cabana ideas are usually big open spaces with multiple outdoor room features. These custom pool house hybrids might include a firepit with vent, a changing room, bathroom, kitchen, and bar.

Elegant luxury pool cabana with vaulted wood ceiling, plush neutral seating, chandelier, and panoramic infinity pool views over the hills. — Source: @jba_interiordesign via Instagram

A luxury pool cabana is made from high-end materials, such as teak, mahogany, or other imported exotic hardwoods, and surrounded by lavish landscaping. Often, such impressive structures are adjacent to an infinity pool positioned above a breathtaking view.

7. Contemporary Cabana Design for Modern Pools

Like other forms of modern architecture, a contemporary cabana will be designed with clean lines and minimalist materials. It looks best beside a modern pool design that features a similar type of simplicity.

Sleek modern pool cabana with wood-paneled walls, minimalist gray seating, and a built-in bar under a flat white roof. — Source: @livinlodge_by_carpentier via Instagram

Stylish modern pool cabana with clean lines, built-in bench, recessed lighting, and cozy seating area beside a plunge pool at dusk. — Source: @out_from_the_blue via Instagram

Open beams are a stylish pool cabana accent for modern architecture. Make part of the roof solid material and part open beams to add character to your minimalist design.

8. Outdoor Furniture Essentials for Your Cabana

Outdoor furniture is a must in any outdoor living space. A backyard cabana should include several patio chairs and perhaps a dining set. If it’s a particularly spacious cabana, a hammock is a welcome place to relax poolside.

Luxurious black cabanas with intricate lattice panels, sheer drapes, and cushioned daybeds beside a serene, tiled pool. — Source: @armjub via Instagram

Romantic outdoor cabana with a canopy bed, soft lighting, dining setup, and a flower-filled pool for a private tropical escape. — Source: @weoholidaybali via Instagram

Poolside cabana daybed with white curtains, blue canopy, and plush cushions set on a wooden deck surrounded by tropical greenery.

Minimalist poolside cabana bed with flowing white curtains, ocean views, and a serene sunset reflecting on an infinity pool.

Contemporary wooden cabana with a cushioned daybed and yellow towels, set poolside with privacy slats and lush greenery.

Spacious backyard cabana with a covered outdoor kitchen, dining area, lounge chairs, and kidney-shaped pool surrounded by mountain views. — Source: @lundersrealestate via Instagram

Modern pool cabana with sleek metal pergola, built-in TV wall, outdoor kitchen and lounge area surrounded by lush greenery. — Source: @mark.kaufman_architect via Instagram

If you have a small pool cabana, you may wish to use pop up camping chairs instead of full size outdoor furniture. That way you have extra seating when guests visit, but can enjoy a more open space when it’s just you and your household in the backyard.

Consider buying lounge chairs that have wheels on the back. This will make it easier to move them beside the swimming pool when you want to bask in the sun, and roll them back into the shade again.

9. Set up an Outdoor Kitchen Bar

Cooking outdoors is a fun change of pace from cooking inside. Although grills and smokers have long been popular ways of preparing food outside, modern outdoor kitchens are stocked as well as their interior versions.

Rustic wood pool cabana with a built-in outdoor bar, barstools, cozy seating area, and tiki-themed decor for a backyard hangout. — Source: @caldwellpainting via Instagram

It’s important to choose weather resistant appliances specifically designed for outdoor kitchen use. You can find outdoor ranges, ovens, refrigerators, and even dishwashers to create a full kitchen on your backyard pool cabana.

If you don’t have electricity in your outdoor pool area, a bar would be a more reasonable choice than a kitchen. Chill beverages in a large cooler or galvanized tub filled with ice. Store liquor and barware in cabinets or shelves surrounding the bar. Add a gas or charcoal grill for outdoor cooking.

10. Pool Pavilions: Versatile and Open-Air Cabana Alternatives

A pool pavilion is essentially just another type of cabana idea, although by definition, a pavilion has four open sides. Like park pavilions, a swimming pool pavilion is used for shelter or entertainment.

Classic wooden pavilion-style cabana with a pitched roof, cushioned patio seating, and open-air design next to a refreshing pool. — Source: @rhi_customcontracting via Instagram

A pavilion can have a hard roof or a more tent-like covering. While a cabana usually has three walls and one open side, a pavilion may have one wall and three open sides. The solid wall is usually along the back of the pavilion and is a great place to mount a big screen TV for watching movies from the swimming pool.

11. Prefab Pool House

Prefab pool house and cabana kits can be more cost effective than building the structure yourself. They can also be customized to match your home’s exterior, available in everything from modern minimalist to barnlike design.

Chic prefab pool cabana with gray siding, white trim, modern louvered doors, and a shaded seating area overlooking a sleek pool. — Source: @backyard_getaways via Instagram

Cozy prefab pool cabana with a pitched roof, stone fireplace, mounted TV, and wicker seating for a relaxed backyard retreat. — Source: @davlocontracting via Instagram

Functional prefab pool cabana with gable roof, privacy curtains, cozy wicker seating, and adjacent storage space beside a modern backyard pool. — Source: @ontario.exterior.solutions.inc via Instagram

You could probably use any prefab storage shed as a small pool house, but it would lack certain features most people want in a pool cabana. Look for a prefab building that has an enclosed storage or clothes-changing area and a porch for lounging in the shade. Some prefab cabanas include a bar, bathroom, or outdoor shower.

You can order prefab buildings online or from a local company. The 10’ x 20’ Sanara pool cabana by Summerwood Products is a great example of a modern, stylish prefab pool house.

12. Creating a Rustic Cabana with Natural Flair

A rustic cabana will be made from natural materials, such as a wood frame with a stone base, topped with a vintage tin roof. If rustic cabana has curtains, canvas, linen, or thin burlap are good fabrics to use.

Tropical rustic pool cabana with slatted wood walls, tin roof, white curtains, and bean bag loungers nestled in lush garden greenery. — Source: @littleprawn3 via Instagram

Rustic pool cabana with a pitched wood roof, built-in outdoor kitchen, TV, and cozy seating area framed by stone and timber accents. — Source: @scott_design_build via Instagram

Colorful rustic pool cabana with twin cushioned daybeds, wood frame, flowing curtains, and vibrant throw pillows set beside a stone-lined pool. — Source: @sdstyle via Instagram

Charming rustic pool cabana with a steep gable roof, open lounge area, wooden swing seats, and a cozy backyard pool with sun loungers. — Source: @vonbumannhomes via Instagram

Decorate the walls with vintage signs and add wrought iron accents wherever you can. For a fun, whimsical touch, hang simple rope swings from the cabana’s open rafters. Rustic lighting options include metal lanterns and strings of Edison light bulbs.

13. Maximizing Your Space with Small Pool Cabana

Even a small pool house is better than no pool house at all. Where else can you lounge in the shade beside the pool, or store all your pool equipment? Additionally, a pool house or cabana adds value to your home because it turns a basic backyard pool into a multi-purpose outdoor living zone.

Cozy small pool cabana with string lights, vertical garden wall, mounted TV, modern patio furniture, and playful unicorn float. — Source: @nadinesucculents via Instagram

Small rustic pool cabana with a gable roof, stone pillars, lattice privacy screen, and cozy outdoor seating beside a clear blue pool.

Stylish small pool cabana with white cushioned sectional seating, sheer curtains, wood frame, and modern decor for a resort-like lounge.

Tropical small pool cabana with double-tiered roof, wooden lounge chairs, and sunset ocean views from an infinity-edge poolside retreat.

If you have a tight budget, it’s a good idea to keep your cabana small—but build one that includes the features you need. Of course, you might need a small cabana due to space restraints. If so, choose a narrow design that provides the most shade possible.

What is the difference between a cabana and a pool house?

Although the two terms are often used interchangeably, they are two different types of structures. A cabana is an outdoor structure with three sides and a roof. The pool cabana design provides poolside shelter and usually includes a private changing room.

A pool house is a separate guest house built near a backyard pool. It requires building permits and full utilities like any other house. A pool house plan often includes a small kitchen, bathroom, living space, and perhaps a guest bedroom.

How big should a pool cabana be?

There are no rules for how big or small your pool cabana design should be. Most backyard cabana structures average between 8’ x 12’ and 10’ x 14’. It simply needs to be big enough to provide shade to your pool area an perhaps an enclosed space for changing in and out of swimwear.