What Is a Cabana? Pool, Beach & Backyard Ideas
Your ticket to relaxation.
A cabana is a shaded outdoor shelter – often placed poolside, on a patio, or on the beach – designed to bring privacy, comfort, and resort-like relaxation to your yard. Home cabanas range from permanent wood structures to curtained outdoor daybeds and pop-up canopy tents, giving you a simple way to create your own backyard retreat. Read on to learn what a cabana is, different types of cabanas, and where to put one in your yard.
Key Takeaways
- Cabanas create shade, privacy, and comfort for lounging, changing, or entertaining outdoors.
- Cabanas come in a range of styles, from permanent poolside and garden structures to portable beach tents and canopy daybeds.
- Curtains help distinguish cabanas from other shade structures, providing more privacy than typically offered by gazebos or pergolas.
- Placement should match how you’ll use the space, whether that’s beside the pool, on a patio or deck, or tucked into a garden nook.
- Check local codes before installing a permanent cabana, and complete the retreat with outdoor curtains, rugs, comfortable furniture, and ambient lighting.
What is a Cabana?
Types of Cabanas (Pool, Beach, Garden & Patio)
Cabana vs Gazebo vs Pergola vs Pavilion
Where to Put a Cabana
How to Style a Cabana
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Cabana?
Cabanas are outdoor shade structures that feature a solid or fabric roof with open sides that can be closed using weather-resistant drapes or curtains. A cabana creates a private nook for changing, lounging, or hosting and is a budget-friendly alternative to a pool house. The term comes from the Spanish word cabaña (meaning shelter, hut, or cabin). Cabanas add an air of luxury and relaxation to any space, so you can feel like you’re lounging poolside at a resort without leaving the comfort of your home.
Not every cabana looks like a luxury resort rental. Residential cabanas range from permanent wood or metal shade structures beside a swimming pool to curtained outdoor daybeds on a patio. Choosing the right style depends on how you plan to use your cabana – whether that means creating a relaxing lounge area, or setting up lightweight shade for hosting on summer days.
Poolside Cabanas
The classic pool cabana serves as a central hub for alternating between summertime lounging and jumping in the pool. Positioned on the pool deck, this style typically features a solid or canvas roof paired with weather-resistant privacy curtains. It offers swimmers a shaded retreat from direct sun and doubles as a private changing area for wet swimsuits.
Beach Cabanas
Designed for portability and quick setup, beach cabanas provide temporary shade near the water or on sandy shores. These lightweight canopy tents feature UV-resistant fabrics and collapsible frames to protect against harsh sunlight and ocean breezes. These are ideal for seasonal trips or temporary backyard shade.
Backyard / Garden Cabanas
Freestanding garden cabanas nestled in a backyard create a tranquil reading nook or outdoor entertaining lounge away from the main house. Often built using hardtop gazebo frames or permanent wooden posts, these structures can be styled with climbing vines, outdoor string lights, and plush seating to create a whimsical garden escape.
Patio Daybed-Style Cabanas
For homeowners with smaller outdoor footprints, a patio daybed cabana offers the luxurious feel of a full shade structure in a single, space-saving piece of furniture. These all-in-one lounge sets feature canopies, retractable shade roofs, or built-in side drapes. They fit neatly onto decks and stone patios, providing instant shade and relaxation without requiring heavy assembly or construction.
Cabana vs Gazebo vs Pergola vs Pavilion
| Structure | Privacy | Best for | Roof / sides |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cabana | High with curtains | Pool lounge, changing | Roof + soft sides |
| Gazebo | Moderate | Dining, entertaining | Solid roof, open sides |
| Pergola | Low | Filtered shade, vines | Open-slat roof |
| Pavilion | Low–moderate | Large gatherings | Wide roof, open air |
Neighborly Tip!
Learn more about these other types of shade structures with our helpful guides:
What Is a Pergola?
What Is a Gazebo?
Where to Put a Cabana
While traditional pool cabanas belong right along the water's edge, freestanding designs allow you more flexibility with placement. Finding the right placement depends on how you plan to use the space, the layout of your yard, and your local climate.
Along the Pool Deck
Positioning a cabana directly on the pool deck keeps towels, drinks, and seating within arm's reach while you’re enjoying the pool. Angle the open front of the structure toward the pool so you can easily supervise family or guests while enjoying full overhead shade.
On a Patio or Deck
Transform a stone patio or raised wood deck into an extension of your indoor living space by placing a cabana directly outside your back door. This location creates a seamless transition for outdoor dining and entertaining while shading your patio sectional from midday sun.
Tucked into a Garden Nook
If you want a quiet place to read or unwind, set up a freestanding wooden or metal cabana in a peaceful corner of your backyard or garden. Surround the structure with lush planters, flowering shrubs, and ambient string lighting to establish a true destination escape away from the main house. Add some cozy outdoor seating to create the perfect outdoor reading nook or gathering space.
Cabana Placement Tips
Keep these tips in mind when choosing the perfect spot for your cabana.
- Consider Sun & Wind Angles: Position the closed back or curtained sides of your cabana toward prevailing winds and late-afternoon sun glare for maximum UV protection and comfort while lounging. Shelter pop up cabanas form harsh winds or anchor them with stakes or weights to avoid them being blown away and causing potential property damage.
- Check Local Codes & Permits: Avoid costly errors by checking your local building codes and HOA guidelines, before anchoring a permanent wood or metal frame cabana on your property. Portable pop-up canopy structures or curtained patio daybeds rarely require permits.
- Measuring First: Ensure you leave at least 3 feet of clear walking space around the perimeter of your cabana for easy foot traffic.
Neighborly Tip!
Need help mapping out your yard before buying? Check out our guide on how to pick the right size pergola or gazebo to ensure your shade structure fits your space perfectly.
How to Style a Cabana
Ready to style your cabana? Follow these steps to design a cabana that’s the perfect balance of function and style.
1. Decide on the Purpose of Your Cabana
How you plan to use your cabana will determine the type of structure, and what furniture and decor you should use. For example, if you plan to use your cabana as a poolside changing area, privacy will be your top priority. If lounge space is the goal, you'll need plenty of space for patio daybeds or chaise lounges.
2. Select the Perfect Curtains
Curtains are the key to creating a luxurious feel with lots of privacy. This is what sets a cabana apart from a standard gazebo or pergola. For hot climates and during sunnier months, we highly recommend going with white or beige curtains because they don't trap heat like darker curtains. Plus, they encourage the right amount of light to pass into the cabana.
3. Add Outdoor Rugs
Adding an outdoor area rug is optional, but it can add style and comfort to the floor of your cabana. Use an outdoor rug to cozy up backyard cabanas on hard patio surfaces or to cover grass, instantly creating an inviting lounge space.
4. Bring in the Patio Furniture
No cabana is complete without cozy lounge furniture. Whether you plan to line the inside of your cabana with chaise lounge chairs, a dining set, or outdoor living furniture, the right outdoor furniture will enhance your space.
5. Don't Forget Accent Lighting
Enjoy your cabana at night by incorporating ambient accent lighting. Hang up outdoor string lights inside, add outdoor lamps to your cabana table, or go big with an outdoor-suitable chandelier.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a cabana used for?
A cabana is used to create a shaded, comfortable, and private outdoor retreat. It can serve as a poolside lounge, private changing area, backyard reading nook, or space for outdoor entertaining.
Is a cabana the same as a gazebo?
No. While both provide outdoor shade, a cabana typically has curtains or soft sides that offer more privacy, making it especially useful for poolside lounging and changing. A gazebo generally has a solid roof with open sides and is better suited to dining and entertaining.
Do I need a permit for a backyard cabana?
It depends on the type of cabana and your local regulations. Before installing or anchoring a permanent wood or metal cabana, check local building codes and HOA guidelines. Portable pop-up cabanas and curtained patio daybeds rarely require permits.
What’s the difference between a cabana and a pool house?
A cabana is an outdoor shade structure with a solid or fabric roof and open sides that can typically be closed with curtains or drapes. It creates a private space for lounging, changing, or entertaining and is presented in the guide as a budget-friendly alternative to a pool house. The guide does not provide a more detailed definition or comparison of pool houses.
How do I create a cabana look without building one?
Try a patio daybed with a canopy, retractable shade roof, or built-in side drapes for a cabana-like retreat without constructing a permanent structure. To complete the look, incorporate light-colored outdoor curtains, an outdoor rug, comfortable lounge furniture, and ambient lighting such as string lights or outdoor lamps.
