As if having a pool isn’t lucky enough, some very fortunate swimming pool owners splurge for a pool cabana.
The cabana is a structure adjacent to a swimming pool. It’s a broad term and as you can see in our photo gallery below, can include a variety of structure types including fully enclosed, partially enclosed such as a gazebo and entirely open (i.e. pavilion).
Related: Backyard Hot Tub Ideas | Wood Pergola Plan and Parts | Redwood Decks & Pergolas | Deck Plan with Pergola | House Exteriors | Pool Gazebo Ideas | Swimming Pool Slides
Pool House Ideas
Poolside house designed by Wael Farran Studio. See the entire pool house here.
A pool-side house with a modish built and warm white lights. There’s a pergola on the side featuring a romantic swing.
A stunning swimming pool area with modish sitting lounges and a pool slide, along with a modern pool house on the corner.
A stunning backyard with a pool-side house and lush trees, plants and lawns. There’s a deck leading to the swimming pool as well.
A beautiful pool side house lighted by warm white lights. The swimming pool looks so luxurious.
A nicely setup swimming pool surrounded by lush lawns, trees and plants. The outdoor also offers multiple sitting lounges.
A modish swimming pool with a deck and a pool-side house surrounded by trees and plants.
The following pool houses are by Pool Craft.
A custom made swimming pool offering beautiful views of the surrounding. The colorful flowers and plants add liveliness to the property.
This custom made swimming pool also has a pool-side house featuring a bar area and a fireplace near the living space.
A close up look at this pool side house’s rattan sofa set near the fireplace, set on the concrete tiles flooring.
Kidney-shaped swimming pool featuring a classy poolside house on the side, offering a bar area and a living space with a fireplace and TV on the wall.
A glamorous pool-side house featuring a bar outside. The property boasts a luxurious swimming pool surrounded by healthy trees, plants and flowers.
This home offers a stunning swimming pool with a modern pool-side house on the side lighted by warm white lights for a romantic vibe.
Poolside Cabana Ideas
A close up look at this pool-side modern cabana. The swimming pool looks handsome with its infinity style.
This cabana looks very charming. It is surrounded by the stunning infinity pool of the property.
A swimming pool area surrounded by tropical trees and plants. It also features traditional sitting lounges and a cabana.
This home boasts an Asian-inspired swimming pool area and a cabana with a bridge. The surrounding mature trees and plants make the property stay cool.
An infinity pool with a pool-side cabana offering a breathtaking view of the surroundings.
A modern home featuring a rectangular swimming pool with a modern pool-side cabana.
An infinity swimming pool with a jacuzzi and a pool-side cabana, surrounded by magnificent mature trees.
A focused shot at the property’s pool-side cabana. The swimming pool looks stunning as well.
A close up look at the swimming pool’s deck. On the other side is where the pool-side cabana is located.
Large swimming pool surrounded by colorful plants. There’s a cabana as well, providing a great spot for relaxing.
A close up look at this property’s pool-side cabana with a dining table set and a barbecue grill.
Very charming pool-side cabanas overlooking the breathtaking ocean view. The home also boasts an infinity-style swimming pool.
This swimming pool area is surrounded by mature trees and plants. The tropical vibe makes the deck and cabana a more relaxing place.
A tropical style outdoor area featuring a swimming pool leading directly to the traditional cabana.
This mansion offers a large outdoor area featuring a swimming pool and a pool-side cabana offering multiple sitting lounges.
This mansion offers a custom made swimming pool and a traditional cabana on top.
This mansion boasts a stylish infinity-style swimming pool with a lovely pool-side cabana and a couple of sitting lounges on the side. There’s a patio area as well.
This mansion boasts a stylish infinity-style swimming pool with a lovely pool-side cabana and a couple of sitting lounges on the side. There’s a modern patio area as well.
A close up look at this pool-side cabana’s modern pieces of furniture set on the backyard’s deck.
A stunning pool-side home with a handsome rectangular swimming pool featuring a cabana on the end.
This home boasts a luxurious swimming pool and pool-side cabana. The flooring adds class to the swimming pool area.
A modern swimming pool area and a pool-side cabana surrounded by lush lawn and beautiful trees, plants and flowers.
A focused shot at this pool-side cabana offering classy seats and lighting. The pool area offers multiple sitting lounges.
Large backyard area with a stunning custom made swimming pool along with a pathway leading to the cabana.
The following poolside cabanas are by Pool Craft.
A stunning swimming pool with multiple lounges. There’s a bar area and a classic cabana as well.
This home boasts a swimming pool and a pool-side cabana with a modern set of furniture and a firepit. The area is protected by a wooden fence.
A close up look at this cabana’s bar with a stunning countertop.
A close up look at this property’s jacuzzi just beside the pool-side cabana with modern furniture set and a firepit on the center.
Poolside Pergola Ideas
Poolside gazebo designed by Wael Farran Studio. See the entire pool house here.
Poolside gazebo designed by Wael Farran Studio. See the entire pool house here.
A luxurious custom made swimming pool with a pergola on the side, offering a couple of sitting lounges.
Rectangle-shaped swimming pool with a pergola on the end, featuring two sitting lounges surrounded by beautiful greenery.
A small pool-side pergola featuring a round coffee table set.
A classy white pool-side pergola featuring a stylish set of sitting lounges set at the end of the swimming pool.
The following poolside pergolas are by Pool Craft.
An oval-shaped swimming pool with a slide and a pergola on the edge, featuring a small bar counter.
A rectangular swimming pool featuring a jacuzzi and a pool-side pergola with a classic set of rattan seats.
Pool House vs Cabana vs Pergola
While the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they are different.
- Pool House: A full structure with 4 walls. Often used as a guest house or a secondary structure on the property such as a man cave, lounge, etc.
- Cabana: Usually a 3 wall structure with the open side facing the pool. Often the walls are fabric that can be kept open. Pavilions are also referred to as cabanas. Pavilions have a solid roof atop 4 posts.
- Pergola: A pergola is a structure with parallel beams for the roof which lets in some sun. Its primary purpose is to offer some shade but still somewhat exposed to the elements.
Why Build a Cabana or Pool House?
I have to admit I can’t handle too much heat and if I exposed to a lot of heat, I like some shade. I love swimming in pools, but once I get too hot, I run for shelter. That’s why I love cabanas so much.
I don’t require an extravagant cabana with bathroom, kitchen and lounge. A simple structure with some comfortable seating that provides full shade does it for me.
In my view, any pool can be enhanced with a cabana. The only exception may be if there’s a covered deck / patio adjacent to the pool from an awning or roof extension.
Types of Poolside Structures
Fully Enclosed
Some cabanas are like a guest house on the property. They have interior rooms such as a living room, bathroom, bar and/or kitchen.
Partially Enclosed
Other cabanas are partially enclosed and partially open to the pool area. This is more common than a fully enclosed type. These usually consist of a large covered lounge area but may contain an enclosed bathroom and/or changing room.
Other features may include a covered outdoor kitchen, sleeping quarters such as a bunk house or guest quarters, a bar, a patio dining area and/or covered patio lounge area.
Fully Open
This is the simplest structure. It may be four posts with a roof, which is also referred to as a pavilion, but qualifies as a cabana when adjacent to a swimming pool. Usually these are covered lounge and/or dining areas. They’re designed to provide a shaded area in the swimming pool oasis backyard.
In a nutshell they’re pavilions or pergolas.
Cabana Design
Some extravagant homes will build a solid structure cabana in a replicate style to the main home. This is obviously over the top, but can look fantastic and provide a great guest house in addition to an additional lounge/dining area outside.
Most cabanas are much simpler and are built as a simple structure containing four posts and a roof. The design is basic; usually constructed of wood.
About Pool Craft (Featured Above)
Pool Craft is a custom swimming pool design and installation company that specializes in all aspects of backyard planning. Our in-house designs allows us to produce very creative swimming pool designs in a timely manner. Whether you’re looking to have only a pool installed or you want to build the backyard of your dreams, Pool Craft is here to help every step of the way.
