All you need are pipes, curtains, and some minimal construction skills. (Cabana boy not included.)

The DIY Cabana: Step-by-Step Instructions for Building the Ultimate Outdoor Lounge
Thomas J. Story

With our checklist of tools and materials, some PVC pipe, and a little elbow grease, you can transform your outdoor space into an instant retreat―all for about $300. This backyard lounge serves as both a casual spot for year-round entertaining and a private refuge with resort style.

Time: Approximately 2 days, including drying time for paint. (Note: Assembling the frame requires two people, so enlist a partner on the second day of the project.)

Checklists

Frame

  • Eight 10-foot 1½-inch schedule-40 PVC pipes
  • 10 feet of 2-inch-diameter ABS pipe
  • Four 1½-inch schedule-40 L-shaped pipe fittings
  • Four 1½-inch T-shaped pipe fittings
  • Masking tape
  • Matte-silver spray paint
  • Twenty ¾-inch self-tapping metal screws

Curtains

  • 10 yards of 54-inch-wide outdoor fabric
  • 36 feet of #2 double-loop chain (to weigh down fabric on windy days)
  • 2 rolls of heavy-duty fusible sewing tape (we like Stitch Witchery)

Tools

  • Post-hole digger
  • Shovel
  • Hacksaw
  • Tape measure
  • Pencil (for marking measurements)
  • 2-foot level
  • Iron (for heating/pressing sewing tape)
  • Sewing machine (optional)
  • Scissors
  • Electric drill with bits
  • Heavy-duty wire cutters
  • 2 ladders (one for each builder)

Step-by-Step Instructions

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