Published on August 31, 2020 | Last Updated on December 16, 2021

This DIY cabana post is sponsored by The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Travel might not be in the cards for a lot of us right now but that doesn’t mean the beach fun can’t come to us! When The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel asked me to participate in their Beach Ready Spirit Week by sharing an at-home beach inspired DIY project, I jumped on board! 

When I think of a true beach vacation, I dream of laying on the beach inside a breezy cabana was an ice-cold fruity concoction in my hand. I might not be able to have my toes in the white sand of Fort Myers beaches this summer so I decided to bring a little of that into our backyard!

This is a great project for anyone looking for an easy and inexpensive way to spruce up their backyard space. It took less than two hours to build and I love how it turned out!

DIY Cabana for Your Backyard

Materials Needed For DIY Cabana For Backyard

• Pvc pipe cutter
• 1-inch diameter PVC pipe (I used (3) 1’x5”, (6) 1’x10”
• 2 elbow connectors
• 6 three way corner connectors
• Sheer curtains
• Hammer 
• Plants and furniture to go inside the cabana
• 2 Sandbags 
• U stakes to secure PVC pipe into the 
• String or ribbon for the curtains
• Scissors
• PVC glue if you plan to make the cabana permanent 

How To Make A DIY Backyard Cabana

First you want to decide how big you want the cabana to be. This will determine how many curtain panels you need and how long each will need to be.

Our cabana is 5” x 8” x 7” so I used 84’ curtain panels. I decided to alternate between seafoam green and white to give it a beachy vibe. Once you have the size determined you’ll use the pvc cutter to trim the pipe accordingly. 

You’ll assemble the base first using the elbow connectors in the front on two of the longer pieces (1’x8”) and then a three way connector on both of the other ends connecting a 1’x5” piece. Once the base is in place you’ll start building the sides. This part is definitely a two person job. I recommend one person adding the poles and the other keeping it secure. You can add sandbags or pavers on top of the base pipes while you finish building the rest of the cabana.

Now you want to add the curtain panels to the top pieces. We laid the four pieces on the ground near the final placement so I could arrange the curtains as needed. I used two curtain panels on top front piece, three on each side, and three on the back. 

Once you have the curtains arranged how you want them, you’ll connect the top pipes to the sides. I used a step stool so I could easily reach the top. The cabana structure is complete, now comes the fun part! I decorated the front of the cabana with potted plants and palm fonds to add to the coasted vibe. Our loveseat fir perfectly inside but you could also add a couple adirondack chairs and a table. 

Why Build a Backyard Cabana?

Cabanas are great for creating a fun outdoor space. They can also increase privacy, provide storage, and even create a small shelter from the sun or wind.

Of course, you could purchase an already-constructed cabana from a home improvement store, but where’s the fun in that? A prebuilt cabana doesn’t offer the satisfaction of building your own, plus you’ll end up paying more for something that lacks any special features or personal touches.

But if you’re feeling confident in your DIY skills, then why not build your own backyard cabana? Here are some reasons to consider:

• Create storage space for patio equipment under the cabana instead of cluttering up your yard.

• Make the cabana into a private retreat by adding windbreaks and screening.

• Increase the amount of usable outdoor space by adding a cabana to your backyard.

Tips:

• Once all the pieces are in place, hit each of the joints a few times with the hammer to make sure they are super tight. 
• I like the idea of being able to take down the cabana when it’s not in use so I didn’t use pvc glue. But if you want it to be more permanent, you’ll want to glue each piece together.
• I used sandbags and heavy pavers in the back of the cabana to keep it in place but U stakes would be ideal.

I hope this project inspires you to bring a little bit of the beach home to you! When the time comes to plan your beach vacation, be sure to look into the gorgeous area of The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel.

Have you made a DIY cabana before? What is one of your favorite DIY projects you’ve done this summer? Let me know in a comment below!