Are you planning a pool party in your backyard? Consider the addition of a tiki hut to give a tropic feel to your festivities. Tiki huts originated in the South Pacific, but today they are a mainstay of any tropical-themed party.  Enjoy our tutorial on tiki huts to help you craft the perfect addition for your next outdoor gathering.

Choosing a Location

The first step in building a tiki hut is choosing the best location for it.  If you want to use your tiki hut for serving drinks and food, near the house on a level patio might be your best bet. You can set up a table underneath with a bright tablecloth to house your refreshments and appetizers. If you want to use the tiki hut for shade, an area closer to the pool might be a better location. Just make sure the structure doesn't get in the way of basic traffic patterns so your guests can move about your pool area without running into your tiki hut.

Beginning with the Base

Most tiki huts are built with bamboo to add to the tropical feel of the structure. However, bamboo can be difficult to work with because it is hard to cut and cracks easily. You can use bamboo just for the legs of your hut and another wood to make up the structure of the roof. Since the roof will be covered with thatching or another natural material, the type of wood used will not make a dramatic difference. You can also use a different material for the legs and then wrap them with rope for a tropical feel. It is a good idea to make the back legs slightly taller than the front, so your roof has a sloped appearance.

Once the legs are cut and attached to a roof structure, you will want to stabilize your bamboo poles by placing them in pots or buckets filled with sand. Forget the plain terracotta styles; instead, rev up your bases with bold colors and patterns of paint. If you will be placing a table underneath your tiki hut, coordinate your pots to the tablecloth you choose. You can also attach tropical items to your pots, such as starfish, plastic fish or sea shells.

Creating a Roof

Most tiki huts are topped with tropical leaves or grass thatching. You can recreate this look fairly easily with materials from your local craft store. Add some silk palm leaves or grass mats to the wood structure. You could even take a few grass skirts apart so they lay flat and attach them to the roofing. Use a staple gun to make the application quick and easy. Once your roof is covered with tropical materials, add some hanging lights, a few plastic fish and some netting. Your tiki hut will provide a shady spot for your guests and plenty of style for your party décor.

A tiki hut is a quick, easy project that adds whimsical style to your outdoor decorating. With these simple tips, you can create an outdoor oasis reminiscent of the islands in the South Pacific. Aloha!