September 13, 2019 – One of the things that’s really great about being in the hot tub business is the look of excitement that new hot tub buyers get when they’ve landed on the tub that’s right for them.

Then, when the discussion of where it’s going to go comes up, some of that excitement gets clouded over. I had a bit of this firsthand when a couple friends of mine came in to pick out their new Hot Spring Spa.

Once we landed on the model they knew would be right for them (the Vanguard, for inquiring minds), I then moved on to discussing where they intended to put the tub. We had touched on this briefly early on, and one of them proceeded to draw me an overview of their house, yard and deck. He enthusiastically pointed out where he wanted the hot tub…and my inside voice went “Uh oh”. Time for some counseling, as the place he had chosen was—from my outside view looking in—maybe not ideal.

When you’re thinking of the perfect spot for your hot tub, here are some things to help guide you to the right spot.

• The closer it is to the exit from the house, the better. I’ve been to customer’s homes before to do an in-home consult and look at where they wanted the tub. I remember one time years ago when the customer proceeded to lead me out over his very big lawn down a number of steps to a lovely secluded spot surrounded by trees—that was about as far from the exit to the house as you could get! The closer you have your tub to your door, the more inclined you will be to use it more often. Your tub can be your best friend and provide you so much benefit! If it’s easy and quick to get to, you’ll be tempted to use it regardless of weather or how tired you might be after a long day.
• Speaking of where it’s placed, what you walk over in order to get to your tub is also a key factor. A lot of people aren’t excited about tromping over wet grass or gravel in order to get to the hot tub—especially in the Northwest where rain could make that a colder/wetter trek. Think about the pathway to your tub. Stepping stones, a deck or a concrete path are all great answers to get you to your tub at any time of the year. It will also keep you from tracking extra dirt or leaves into your tub.
• Next: think about what you want to look out at when you’re relaxing from those warm waters. Again, I’ve been to many a home where folks show me how they plan to orient the tub—and their neighbors are looking at them from their bedroom or kitchen window in no time flat! Your tub should be situated in a place where you’ll be taking in your yard or view you may have spent good money to enjoy when you bought your place.
• If you do indeed have some privacy issues, that should also be considered. If this is a challenge, think about dedicating enough space to your tub that will afford a privacy screen or trellis, or perhaps potted plants to create a natural barrier. Sometimes the cover lifter you choose can be a space saver, make it easy to get your cover off your tub, and serve as an instant privacy screen as well! An UpRite lifter or an original Smartop will both provide ease of use and serve to create some privacy as well.
• Do you love soaking in the open in the rain and snow? Or, would you rather have the ability to soak with a bit of shelter overhead? If the latter is true, you might want to consider a Spa Umbrella that will provide some protection when you’d like it, but can be rotated away when it’s nice out. Or, you could consider building a gazebo. Better yet, think about a Covana Automated Gazebo. It’s great for shelter, becomes the cover for the hot tub when not in use, and holds up to 600 lbs. of snow! In the case of anything over your hot tub, that extra space needed for those to be installed with it is something to figure into your space planning and where you end up placing your tub.
• One final thing I urge folks to consider when they place their tub has to do with kids. If you do indeed have kids around, it’s not always a smart idea to build your tub into a deck, or have it placed in a way where it’s easy to step down into it from a deck or other raised surface. It’s far safer (and better for your back!) to have a tub free-standing, sit your bum on the shell of the tub, and swing your legs over to get in. A tub near a deck where you can step down into it can also be a safety concern if kids aren’t paying attention. They could fall into the tub if it’s open from a deck—or think it would be a good idea to dive in (not!).
• Also: With kids in the mix, sometimes placement needs to take into consideration you being able to see them in the tub from inside the house or from a vantage point in the yard or from the deck where you have your patio furniture placed. Think about how well you can see anyone who would be using the tub from other spots you may be when the tub is in use.

There are likely other considerations that might be specific to your home when you’re preparing to get a hot tub. The good news? If you’re in our area, backyard consultations are something we’ve offered since Olympic started in 1977! We’ll be able to visit, take a look at your options, and make recommendations to set you up for success and get the maximum enjoyment out of your new tub.

Are you ready? We are!