Pool cabana guide
Essential Features for Your Custom Pool Cabana
The features worth planning into a custom pool cabana, from shade and storage to bars, heating and outdoor showers.
The short answer
The features that matter most in a pool cabana are shade, comfortable weatherproof seating, a change room, storage and good lighting. If you entertain, add a bar counter or kitchenette. To use it for more of the year, add heating, a ceiling fan and an outdoor shower. Anything with plumbing needs a building permit in Toronto.
On this page
Start with the layout
The right features depend on how you’ll use the cabana. A family that mostly needs somewhere to change and store floats wants walls, hooks and shelving. A household that entertains wants open sides, a bar counter and room for a table. Decide that first, then size the cabana and choose a style that matches the house.
The core features
These are the features we’d plan into almost every pool cabana.
Shade
Essential
A solid roof with a deep overhang, or a pergola extension with a canopy, so there is always a cool place to sit.
Comfortable seating
Essential
Weatherproof lounge chairs, a sofa or a built-in bench, with cushions that can be brought inside.
Change room
Essential
A small enclosed room with a door, a bench and hooks keeps wet swimsuits out of the house.
Storage
Essential
Shelves and bins for towels, floats, sunscreen and pool chemicals, ideally with a lockable section.
Lighting
Essential
Ceiling light inside, task light over any counter, and low lighting outside so the path to the pool is safe at night.
Privacy
Worth adding
Screens, curtains or planting on the side facing the neighbours make the space feel more private and help with noise.
Want help deciding what to include?
We’ll go through how you use your pool and suggest a layout and feature list that fits your yard and budget.
Features for entertaining
Bar and outdoor kitchen
A counter with stools, a bar fridge and a grill turn the cabana into the centre of every pool party.
Lounge and dining
Room for a sofa or a dining table under the roof, so meals can carry on when it rains.
Sound and screens
Outdoor-rated speakers and a TV mounted under the roof, out of direct sun and rain.
Features that extend the season
Heating
An infrared heater, a fireplace or a fire pit nearby keeps the cabana comfortable on cool spring and fall evenings.
Cooling
A ceiling fan and good cross-ventilation make a big difference on hot July afternoons.
Outdoor shower
A rinse station by the door washes off chlorine before anyone sits on the furniture or goes into the house.
A hot tub or spa can also be part of the plan, either inside an open-sided cabana or alongside it under the same roof.
Plan plumbing and wiring early
In Toronto, accessory buildings such as pool houses and cabanas need a building permit if they are larger than 10 m² (107 sq ft), and any cabana with plumbing or attached to the house needs one at any size. Other GTA and York Region towns have their own zoning by-laws, so check with your town or ask us.
Sinks, showers and washrooms need plumbing, and heaters, fridges and lighting need electrical. Both are much easier and cheaper to plan into the design than to add later. Our design team includes them in the plans and permit drawings.
Frequently asked questions
What are the features of a cabana?
Most pool cabanas have a roof for shade, seating, a change room and storage. Many also have a bar counter, lighting, a ceiling fan, and sometimes a washroom, kitchenette or outdoor shower.
What should I put in my pool cabana?
Start with what you use most: towels, a place to change, shade and seating. Then add a bar fridge, a counter, lighting and storage for pool gear. Plan the layout around how your family uses the pool.
Does a pool cabana need a bathroom?
No. Many cabanas have only a change room and use the house for washrooms. A washroom adds convenience but needs plumbing, which means a building permit in Toronto.
Can I add a kitchen to a pool cabana?
Yes. A bar counter with a fridge is common, and some cabanas include a sink, grill or full outdoor kitchen. Plumbing and electrical should be planned into the design from the start.
Do the features I choose affect the permit?
Yes. In Toronto, any cabana with plumbing needs a building permit regardless of size, and cabanas over 10 m² (107 sq ft) need one too. Other towns have their own rules.
Related reading and services
Ready to design your cabana?
Book a free design consultation and we’ll put together a layout and feature list that suits how you use your pool.
Permit information on this page is general guidance based on City of Toronto rules as of October 2026. Always confirm the requirements with your own municipality before you build.