This DIY pool float storage is perfect for organizing your pool floats.

Typically, our deck is covered in pool floats in the summer. We’re currently working on refinishing it, so we needed another solution for pool float storage.

We bought one of those mesh nets, but it wouldn’t stay hanging on our deck railing. Somehow, floats full of air were too heavy for it to stay hanging.

So we did what any good DIYer does and made our own!

DIY Pool Float Storage with PVC Pipes

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This solution is perfect for floats with holes in the middle. And let’s be honest, they’re the best kind of float anyways.

Sure the animal ones are cute to take photos of, but try sitting on one for longer than 5 minutes.

I’ve included our favorite pool floats at the end of this post.

Supplies Needed

1″ PVC pipes
1″ 45 degree elbow
1″ PVC cap
3/4″ rail flange
Drill and Driver
Metal washers (to accommodate giant holes in flanges.)
Miter saw or hacksaw
PVC primer and cement
Allen wrench

Work in a ventilated area. PVC primer and cement are stinky!

Pool Float Storage Prep Work

Cut your pipes to length. We used a miter saw, but be warned that it makes a huge mess and smells bad. A hack saw is probably the better choice.
Each pool float holder needs 1 long piece and 1 short piece of PVC pipe. The short pipe is 12″ long and the long pieces range between 2-3′. Be careful of making them too long or you won’t be able to get floats on and off of the pipes easily.
Use PVC primer to prime the ends of the pipes, caps and elbows. This softens the PVC so that the cement can fuse the plastic together better.
To open the caps on these jars, use a wrench if necessary.
Apply PVC cement to each piece and join them together as you work.
Each piece forms a wonky 7 shape consisting of a short piece of pipe, and elbow, a long piece of pipe and a cap.
Our original versions were way too long to use. We had to cut them down and glue new caps on.
Let the cement dry for about 30 minutes before attaching the pipes to the flange.

Installing the Pool Float Storage to a Deck Post

In the mean time, you can install the flange to a deck post. Be sure to measure and make sure your floats will fit.
Each flange was attached with screws and metal washers. They’re designed to be used with bolts, but that’s overkill for pool floats.
After the cement dries for 30 minutes minimum, attach the pipes to the flanges. Each flange has a piece that tightens using an Allen wrench.
Loosen it to make the pipe fit and then tighten it when the pipe is in place.
In the winter, the pipes can be removed easily for storage.

The Best Pool Floats

Some pool floats are great for taking photos of. These are the best for actually using.

Floats rarely last from year to year, so I don't like spending a lot of money on them. They either get gross or my kids break them.

These are our current faves.