Without some deliberate forethought, a hot tub can actually be a very unattractive feature in a backyard. If you consider the appearance of an unadorned hot tub, it’s simply a fibreglass casing with a bunch of piping running around it. On their own, they’re not the most eye-pleasing appliances on the market. But with a little planning, a little ingenuity, and by borrowing some basic principles from landscape design, your backyard hot tub can become an integral part of a beautiful backyard oasis. To help you make your hot tub an addition that you and your friends look upon with admiration, here are four stunning ways to incorporate a hot tub into your backyard.
The Dedicated Deck
As mentioned in the introduction, the plumbing and fibreglass casing of a hot tub is not much to look at. That’s part of the reason why so many people build a dedicated deck around these less than stellar sights. Not only does a deck cover up the not-so-attractive working operations of the hot tub, but it also provides a functional use. Getting in and out of the hot tub is much easier when accessed from above. And entering the tub from a wooden deck is going to keep the water much cleaner than if you have to walk across the lawn. A dedicated deck is the best of both worlds – functional and fashionable.
The Pergola
It seems that it wasn’t that long ago that if you mentioned the word, “pergola” people would have no idea what you were talking about. How times change! Pergolas have become one of the most talked-about and popular backyard additions on the market these days. Rather than completely blocking out the sun like a gazebo, the latticed roof of the pergola allows sunlight to pass through while still providing a staggered layer of protection – something that can come as a great relief when sitting in the hot tub on a sunny summer day. And not only that, they look great as well. Usually composed of wood, vinyl, fibreglass or aluminum, pergolas give the backyard landscaper a choice of colours, textures, and styles to allow for easy matching with the rest of the elements on the property. And if you’ve got a green thumb, pergolas act as a great trellis for climbing vines and plants. Allowing these plants to grow unfettered can create an impenetrable roof and provide gazebo-like protection from the sun during the height of summer.
The Swim-Up Bar
Swim-up bars are the darlings of vacationing Instagrammers. So why not experience that type of luxury and opulence in the comfort of your own backyard? The height of the hot tub cabinet is perfect for adding a bar alongside one of its edges. With a little creativity, it could be easily accessed by those already in the tub while having seating along the other side for those who are taking a break from the water.
The Indoor/Outdoor Hot Tub
Adding a small, open-ended, sunroom-like extension from your house can provide cover for the hot tub while allowing access to fresh air and affording a view of the sky above. The sheltered area makes the hot tub much more inviting during the winter months while still contributing to an outdoor vibe throughout the year. And as a pathway leading out to your backyard, it’d be tough to find a more luxurious throughway. Indoor/outdoor spaces such as this also lend themselves quite easily to be converted into a recreational area that can include sofa-like seating, entertainment systems, and a bar.
Now that you have some great hot tub landscaping ideas, find out more about finding the spa that is perfect for your lifestyle by downloading our free hot tub buyer’s guide below, or visit us at our hot tub store.