Your backyard is an integral part of your home, offering an outdoor space that’s completely your own, separate from the hustle and bustle of life beyond.
If you’ve been considering updating your backyard to design a dreamy outdoor hot tub oasis, you’ve come to the right place.
In this guide, we’ll explain the three main steps you need to take to transform your space into a private retreat you’ll love stepping into.
Read on, and get ready to embrace a life of true relaxation!
Your Complete Guide to Creating The Perfect Outdoor Hot Tub Retreat
Bringing your outdoor hot tub vision to life requires careful planning, starting from the initial selection of your spa to adding the final elements for a hint of personality. First up, planning your new backyard retreat.
Step 1: Planning and Design
The importance of the planning phase cannot be overstated. It plays a pivotal role in bringing your vision into reality, ensuring every element seamlessly comes together.
During this phase, there are three main steps you’ll need to take: assessing your space, selecting your spa, and deciding how you’d like it installed.
Let’s dive a little deeper into each one.
Assessing Your Space
Before you begin exploring the various outdoor hot tubs on the market, you should first assess your space and determine how a spa might fit into its layout.
This starts with choosing where you’d like it installed. Consider factors like ease of access, privacy, and access to nearby water sources. These factors will help you narrow down the best spot for your new outdoor hot tub.
Once you’ve selected a place for your spa, grab your tape measure and take some measurements. You want to know exactly how much space you’re working with. This is key in helping you select the right hot tub in the next step.
As you write down your measurements, keep in mind that you’ll want to have some extra space around your spa to keep maintenance from becoming a hassle. You want to be able to easily move around your spa.
Choosing the Right Hot Tub
Now that you’ve chosen a home for your new spa and know precisely how much space you have, it’s time to find your perfect model!
As you consider the plethora of options, here are a few questions that will help you determine which model is best for you:
- What’s your budget (and have you considered financing)?
- How many people will be using the spa?
- Do you want lounge seating?
- What jet configuration would best treat your aches and pains?
- Do you want the option of a full-body massage?
- Are there any features you definitely want, such as waterfalls, sound systems, or smart technology to enhance maintenance?
All these questions will help narrow down the models that are best suited for your individual needs, making the process of wading through all the options much easier.
For example, if you’re looking for a smaller hot tub with technology to make maintenance easier, the Signature 395g hot tub from Hydropool, which features self-cleaning technology, would be perfect for you.
On the other hand, if you want something that’s spacious enough for the whole family and provides multiple full-body massage options, the 853DL Deluxe hot tub from Artesian Spas™️ might be more your style.
Decide on Your Installation Style
The last step in this phase is choosing how you want your hot tub installed. Above-ground or “free-standing” installations are the easiest and most affordable option, making your hot tub a captivating centerpiece in your backyard. However, there are a few other types of installations that may better suit your space.
- Recessed: Your hot tub is lowered into the ground, hiding the entire cabinet below. These installations provide a seamless, high-end appeal and are becoming more popular; however, they are the most expensive option.
- Semi-recessed: Your spa is slightly lowered into the ground, exposing the top half of the cabinet. This can make it easier to get in and out while showcasing your spa’s stunning cabinetry.
- Deck-side: If you have a deck that’s slightly raised, this may be the perfect option if you’re seeking that recessed look without the extra costs of digging a hole. Installing your new spa beside your deck can provide that seamless transition, while still allowing for an easy installation and unobstructed access. Bring this even further by adding decking around your spa for a “faux recessed” install!
Step 2: Preparing for Installation
Now that you’ve chosen your spa and have decided how it’ll fit into your outdoor space, it’s time to begin preparing your backyard while you await delivery day.
Apply For Permits
Before starting any work on your backyard, it’s crucial to check with your city municipality for any permits that may be required to add a hot tub to your backyard.
Check your city’s site and apply for any permits that may be necessary. This process can take some time, so be prepared.
If you’re unsure if you need a permit for your new spa, talk to your hot tub dealership. They will be able to provide some information and general guidance on this process.
Complete Your Foundation
Once you’ve got your permit, it’s time to lay the groundwork for your hot tub’s new home. Your foundation plays an integral role in your spa’s longevity, providing a level, stable, and durable base for your hot tub to sit on.
Without a proper foundation, your hot tub could sink into the ground, or its weight could become unevenly distributed, greatly reducing its lifespan.
If you have an existing patio or deck, you may be able to place your hot tub directly on top. However, it’s vital to have it assessed by a professional first to ensure it is strong enough to support the weight of your hot tub.
Some other hot tub foundation options include:
- A concrete slab: This is easily the most popular option, being both easy to install and affordable.
- Paving stones: If you’re looking for something that can add a bit more style to your backyard, paving stones are the way to go, offering both durability and customization.
- A spa pad: Not only are these pre-fabricated pads designed specifically for hot tubs and easy to install, but they also can easily be moved should you choose to relocate your spa in the future.
Run Your Electrical
Depending on the type of hot tub you buy, you may need to have a dedicated electrical line run. This step will need to be completed by a certified, insured electrician. Do not perform this on your own.
While some hot tubs, like the Retreat All-In-110V™️ hot tub from Nordic Hot Tubs™,️ require less power and are designed to easily plug into a standard outlet, most hot tubs boast 220-240V designs, requiring a much stronger outlet with a GFCI breaker.
Prior to delivery day, you’ll need to schedule time for an electrician to come in and run the required line to your hot tub location.
Prepare for Delivery
When it comes to delivery day, your delivery team will need clear access to your chosen location. This means a clean pathway free from obstructions like trees and fences.
Spas are usually delivered standing up, so as you prepare your yard, consider the size of your hot tub on its side, and add a couple of inches to every side. This is the amount of clearance you need on the pathway your delivery team will take to your spa’s new home.
If you don’t have a clear path large enough to move your spa through, you may need to have a crane lower it into your backyard. Preplan for this if this is the case; your dealership may have a contractor they work with.
Step 3: Landscaping and Aesthetics
The final step is arguably one of the most fun: adding the right elements to bring everything together and let your vision come to life!
Privacy Elements
While you may have installed your hot tub in a location that offers some privacy, but if you haven’t or want to add additional coverage, now’s the time.
Look at the space around your hot tub and consider how you could amp up its seclusion. Based on your style, this could take many forms, such as:
- Fences
- Gazebos or pergolas
- Garden walls
- Dense foliage
- Ivy covered trellis
- Umbrellas
- Stone or wood panel walls
Each element can provide the perfect level of privacy, transforming your backyard oasis into a relaxing escape that’s completely yours.
Greenery
Another way to add personality to your new outdoor hot tub installation is to add the perfect mix of greenery, whether it’s hanging from above or planted around the base of your cabinet.
This not only makes the space look welcoming and warm, but with the right plants, it can elevate your therapeutic experience.
Aromatic plants are the perfect additions to backyard retreats, adding a secondary layer of relaxation as their gentle scents fill the air.
This could include hanging lavender plants nearby, planning jasmine bushes that double as privacy barriers, or even planting herbs like rosemary and thyme nearby!
Beyond the lovely smell they’ll surround you with, the right plants can also attract hummingbirds and butterflies, bringing your dreamy garden dreams even further.
Lighting and Accessories
Lighting is a crucial element to add to your new outdoor hot tub. It provides safety after dark and helps enhance the ambiance, bathing your space in a gently glowing glow after sunset.
Fairy lights are a popular way to achieve this, but if that doesn’t match your style, you could also consider lanterns, underlighting on your steps, solar-powered pathway lights, or even lamp posts.
Beyond illuminating your space, there are plenty of accessories you could add to tie everything together. This could include accessories for either your yard or your hot tub itself. Here are some accessories worth considering:
For your outdoor hot tub:
- Cover lifter
- Steps
- Storage for towels or chemicals
- Handrail
- Attachable bar table
For your backyard:
- Patio furniture
- Bench seating around your spa
- Fire bowls or fire tables
- Outdoor speakers
- Aromatherapy diffusers
- Rugs, throw blankets, and decorative pillows
However, you choose to decorate your space, select elements that match your aesthetic, and bring your backyard to life!
Find Your Dream Outdoor Hot Tub at St. Cyr Pool & Spa
Ready to take the plunge and upgrade your backyard into a tranquil oasis for year-round enjoyment? Visit the experts at St. Cyr Pool & Spa and discover your dream outdoor hot tub.
With two beautiful showrooms, one in Middleton, MA, and another in Hampstead, NH, we offer a wide selection of luxury hot tubs to complement any lifestyle and outdoor space.
We’d love to transform your outdoor space into a haven you love coming home to. Visit your nearest showroom today to get started!
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