DIY pool shelter with a 3x4m canvas tarp

We inherited an above-ground pool when we moved to the French countryside late last year, and it’s been an absolute lifesaver this summer. Unfortunately, there are no large trees or anything else nearby that provide a bit of shade, so we’ve struggled to stay in it for long, and the sun has been way too harsh during the heatwave to take our little daughter for a swim during the day.

Ideally, I’d dig some holes and concrete posts into the ground to create a permanent shelter, but I wanted to create some shade right away and we’re not even sure how long this pool will last, so a permanent solution or a big investment isn’t a suitable option.

2 blog posts earlier, I pitched a lightweight tarp above the pool with a few old tree branches, but it wasn’t made from a durable, long-lasting material like canvas, and when a recent storm hit, the tarp ripped along the seam. So, last weekend I pulled some more tree branches out of the deadhead, upgraded to a heavy-duty canvas tarp and got to work!

How I made a DIY pool shelter in an afternoon

Here’s what I used and the steps I took to create some shade above my pool in one afternoon, mostly using what I already had in the backyard or garage.

Exactly what I used:

• 12x tree branches
• One 3x4m canvas tarp
• rope
• 24x carabiner-style clips/snap hooks

Step 1: Preparing the posts

I went over to a dead hedge in the backyard and picked out 12 branches that were relatively straight and cut each of them to be about the same length.

I drilled a hole right through the top of each branch, cut some rope and threaded a piece through each hole, attached a snap hook and tied it off.

Pro tip: Using snap hooks/carabiner-style clips makes it easier to pitch the tarp shelter as they just need to be clipped on to the posts, and it creates a quick and easy way to take the tarp down or put it back up. I attached one snap hook to each post, and another to each piece of rope attached to the tarp.

Step 2: Erecting the posts

The temperature was over 40°C and the pool sits on compacted ground, so I wasn’t interested in digging any holes. Instead, I tied each post directly onto the pool frame.

Although a builder would probably laugh at me, this saved a lot of time and effort, while keeping it completely free.

Pro tip: Place some padding between each post and the pool to stop the posts from rubbing against the pool cloth and wearing it out. I used an old yoga mat that we found in the garage.

Step 3: Preparing the tarp

I was limited on where each post could be fixed to the pool, as the pool frame has it’s own posts, so I spread them out as evenly as I could.

Before tying any rope to the canvas tarp, I placed the tarp next to the posts to see which eyelets I should attach the rope to. I cut up some of the guy ropes from the lightweight tarp that I was replacing and tied one end the tarp and another snap hook to the other end.

Pro tip: Cut the rope a longer than you’re planning on making it – this comes in handy when you need to adjust the length of it later on, after pitching the tarp, especially if you’re doing it all by yourself.

Step 4: Pitching the tarp

This is equally the most difficult and satisfying step, unless you can convince someone to come help you in the scorching heat.

I climbed on to the edge/top of the pool while hanging on the tarp with one hand and the post with the other.

Starting with each corner, I clipped the rope attached to the tarp to the clip fixed to each post. I kept the rope length longer than it needed to be for the corner posts, so it was easier to attach, then went post-by-post, attaching the the clips together and then retying each of the ropes for the inner posts, making them as tight as I could. Once this was done, I then adjusted the length of the rope on the corner posts, and went back through the inner posts one last time to get it all as tight as I could.

Job done.

Step 5: Have a swim in the shade!

Jump in the pool, and enjoy looking at a job well done!

Pro tip: Put some beers in the fridge before starting the project and make sure there’s plenty of gas for the barbecue, as you’ll want to sit outside for the rest of the evening and admire your new DIY pool shelter.