Hot Tub Landscaping Inspiration for Every Budget
Written for RotoSpa Birmingham. Published here.
Photo: Bill Wilson/Flickr/Creative Commons (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
Owning a hot tub is all about the experience. Soaking in the warm water, enjoying an invigorating jet massage, spending quality time with yourself or loved ones—it’s all good. However, a big part of this experience has nothing to do with the actual hot tub, but with the surroundings. This is the space where the hot tub is located—whether that’s a backyard or a deck.
We support the idea of using the spa for some ‘me time’, but we also love sharing the experience with friends and family. Depending on how you plan to use the hot tub environment, you can create a soothing spa setting, a fully kitted out al-fresco dining experience, or a family-friendly entertainment area. The possibilities are endless, all you need is your imagination. We’ve put together some suggestions for different budget brackets to inspire you to create the perfect hot tub landscape.
Lavish Outlay
The sky is the limit if you’re willing to spend substantial amounts on creating a special hot tub environment. A customised gazebo will be ideal for the spa. It protects you from the elements, allowing year-round use, and also provides privacy. You can spruce up the immediate hot tub space by adding beautiful tiles or building surrounding deck space, in wood or stone.
Consider stone pavers as a good material to use when creating a path to the hot tub from the house, to avoid muddy, cold feet.
Revamp the entire space by getting new furniture and accessories—adding seating allows groups to enjoy the space, even if everyone doesn’t want to have a spa. Spa-side tables are useful to keep personal items that can be easily reached or to keep snacks and drinks that you can enjoy while in the tub.
A barbeque pit or an outdoor oven is a great addition so that the space has interactive use. Sports fans or Netflix watchers should think about adding a television at a convenient viewing spot so they can enjoy the game or next episode while relaxing in the spa. Built-in speakers mean surround sound for parties or just a chill night relaxing.
To add some oomph to the ambience and set the right mood, add smart lighting that can change colour and brightness. Water features (in addition to the hot tub, obviously) are also very popular—a small fountain or waterfall brings a calming vibe to the space. Professional landscapers will help bring out the natural beauty of the outdoor space.
Moderate Spend
The great thing about decorating an outdoor space is you can create truly fantastic settings without spending too much. Most of the examples mentioned in the previous section can be modified to fit a medium budget. For instance, instead of getting a customised gazebo for the spa, why not invest in a large outdoor umbrella that is easy to angle or move? That way you can position it over the hot tub when you’re enjoying a soak, or move it over the seating or dining space when those are being used.
Second-hand bricks are wonderful for walkways around, and to and from, the spa. You can often find these on Marketplace or second-hand sites for no cost, with people just wanting them removed.
You can choose simple furniture options instead of elaborate arrangements—like a few deck chairs instead of a large multi-person furniture set. Add personal touches by choosing bright pillows and getting creative about mood-setters like lights. It isn’t difficult to find a brazier that doesn’t cost a lot and lets you enjoy the outdoors on cool nights. Ready-made decorative screens and wooden trellises are wonderful because they add interesting elements and also create private spaces.
Budget So Tight It Squeaks?
If there’s one thing we’ve learnt thanks to the internet, it’s that cash shouldn’t be a constraint when it comes to showcasing creativity. There’s no reason why you can’t have the outdoor space of your dreams without breaking the bank.
For starters, a neat trick to give a space a fresh feel is to really hose everything down and get the moss and mould off any existing furniture, paths and decks. Borrow a friend’s pressure hose for a free revamp. When it comes to furniture, choose upcycled, recycled or second-hand buys. They’re great ways to bring in new energy on a budget. You could also consider adding colourful bean bags, checking comfort and colour off your decorating list. And you don’t have to give up having an alfresco cooking option because budget BBQs make delicious dinners. A relaxing night with some beer, cosy bean bags and a warm hot tub under twinkling fairy lights sounds perfect.
For protection and aesthetics, plants and large shade cloths are your friends. Use both items to create spaces where outsiders can’t see you. Plant walls or bamboo hedges are a good privacy option that also enhances the natural beauty of the space. Shade cloths work the same way, whether along the sides of the hot tub or above, as a stand-in for a gazebo or umbrella.
We hope these ideas have given you some inspiration to start planning the outdoor landscape around your hot tub. And, if you’re still looking for the perfect spa, contact us today to chat about our options. We’ve got the best, UK-made, spas – and lots of ideas on how you can set yours up too.