Shade Structure Buying Guide – Cabanas

Cabanas – Minimalist poolside bungalows

A cabana is a type of outdoor shade structure that looks very similar to a gazebo.

But while cabanas bear a significantly similar resemblance to gazebos, one of the key differences is that there are three walls and only one open side. This open side faces the water, so people have easy access to the inside. This means you’ll usually find cabanas at the beach or by a pool.

On the bottom, you’ll find either a wooden or concrete base.

Materials

Initially, people made early cabanas out of natural materials. That’s why they have such a tropical feel; it wasn’t uncommon to see palm frond cabanas.

But today, cabana frames are typically made of metal, such as steel or aluminum. However, they can also be made of composite plastics and wood.

The roof is usually thatched, meaning materials like fabric, plastic and wood are all feasible materials here.

Purpose/Use of Cabanas

In addition to providing outdoor shade, cabanas are a place where you can change into your bathing suit with some privacy away from other people.

Otherwise, you can use them as a place to relax and entertain guests.

History

It’s not known exactly when cabanas were invented but man-made swimming pools first appeared around 2,600 BCE. The Romans also invented the first swimming pools in the first century BC.

Previously, people would use communal bathhouses and they’d have private dressing rooms. Once outdoor pools became popular, the one thing that was missing was the dressing rooms, so the cabana was created to provide the same privacy for changing.

Placement

The above doesn’t necessarily mean you need the beach at your doorstep or a pool to have a cabana. If you like how they look, you can place one anywhere you’d like in your backyard! You can even have one on the lawn for a stately piece.

Cabana Designs/Styles

Traditional cabanas have a more tropical aesthetic, especially since they usually have thatched roofs and frames made of natural materials.

If you’d like something similar, but with more stone elements, then a rustic cabana is right for you. It still uses natural materials, mainly wood and stone. So as you’d expect, this style is more popular in mountain residences.

Otherwise, to be transported across the world, get a Mediterranean cabana. Think Greek architecture with terracotta and stucco. The design is quite colorful and ornate, so it’s perfect for creative homeowners.

Other styles include Bohemian and Asian-inspired, as well as modern. The last choice might be boring for some people, as it entails clean lines and large glass walls.

Modern Customizations

No cabana is complete without some comfy outdoor sun loungers. And like with a few other structures in this article, you can add screens for not only privacy but also cover from bugs.

To make things easier after taking a dip, you can install an outdoor shower inside the cabana. That way, you won’t have to leave it to shower and change.

Depending on the size of your cabana, you can put a grill or a small outdoor kitchen in it. Or go for a wet bar instead!

Cabanas – Pros & Cons

Other multi-functional sunshade structures

Cabanas create a relaxed getaway when you’re hanging at the pool or oceanside. However, they’re not very useful for other purposes. In the next section of our guide, we’ll investigate pavilions, which can be used to do many things.

Guide Sections

Shade Structure Buying Guide

Shade Structure Buying Guide – Gazebos

Shade Structure Buying Guide – Pergolas

Shade Structure Buying Guide – Pavilions

Shade Structure Buying Guide – Canopies

Shade Structure Buying Guide – Arbors