DIY Beach Cabanas From Tarps

You have your suntan lotion, beach chairs and cooler. The only thing left to do is stake out your plot of sand and set up your beach cabana for shade from the sun's rays. You don't have to rent or buy one. You can build a beach cabana with a tarp. Soon enough, you may find yourself lounging while sipping a frozen drink under a beach cabana of your own making.

Things You'll Need

  • 8 Schedule-40 PVC pipes,10 feet long and 1.5 inches wide
  • ABS pipe, 10 feet long and 2 inches in diameter
  • 4 L-shaped pipe fittings, 1.5 inches wide
  • 4 T-shaped pipe fittings, 1.5 inches wide
  • Masking tape
  • 20 Self-tapping metal screws, 3/4 inch
  • 10 Yards of tarp
  • Post-hole digger
  • Shovel
  • Hacksaw
  • Tape measure
  • Level, 2 feet long
  • Scissors
  • Sewing machine
  • Electric drill with bits
Show More

Instructions

    • 1
      Measure the PVC pipes to fit your space.

      Build the top of the frame. Use the PVC pipe, hacksaw and tape measure to make a rectangular top. Use the T-shaped fittings to connect all four corners. Size the frame as you see fit or you can use a typical measurement of seven by ten feet.

    • 2

      Cut four PVC pipes in 1.5-inch lengths to connect the L and T joints. Slip the 1.5-inch pipes into the end of each L-shaped fitting and then connect it into each T-fitting. Aim the pipes downward toward the ground to connect the legs of the frame later. L-shaped and T-shaped fitting are corner joints used to connect pipes together.

    • 3

      Cut four 16-inch ABS pipes to erect the frame. These ABS pipes will be the sleeves for the cabana leg poles and will also function as depth guides for the foundation holes. Continue by cutting a piece of masking tape then wrap around each pipe sleeve, 12 inches from the bottom.

    • 4

      Choose a location for your beach cabana and determine the spot for the right front leg of your cabana frame. Use the post-hole digger to make a hole 12 inches deep.

    • 5

      Put a pipe sleeve in the hole's center and use the level to make sure the pipe sleeve is completely vertical. Use the shovel to fill the hole with sand and hold the sleeve upright.

    • 6

      Determine the position of the remaining foundation holes depending on the assembled cabana top. Cut out four sections of PVC pipe, each 8 feet long, to make legs for your cabana frame. Connect the legs into each L-fitting of the top frame.

    • 7

      Raise the frame and insert the right front leg into the pipe sleeve that you've already assembled in the ground. Mark the positions for the other three holes and then build the foundation holes in the same way as the first leg.

    • 8

      Take the tarp and measure it to fit as curtain panelings for your cabana frame. Cut the length of the tarp according to your desired length.

    • 9

      Fold the top of the fabric over to accommodate the pole's diameter. This makes a sleeve for slipping through the roof poles. Saw across to close the folded sleeve using the sawing machine. Make a smaller sleeve at the bottom of the tarp to prevent fraying.

    • 10

      Disassemble the top of the frame to hang the tarp curtains on each section or pipe. Connect the pipes again once you hang the tarp curtains. Slip in the legs of the frame into the pipe sleeves and secure all sections by screwing each joint with an electric drill.