One of the biggest concerns that homeowners face when thinking about installing a hot tub, is their backyard privacy. After all, in most neighbourhoods, there’s little to stop nosy neighbours from peeking over your fence. And there’s nothing less relaxing than looking out for peeping Toms.
Thankfully, there’s a wide range of privacy accessories you can buy or build for your home spa installation. Whether you’re going for a sleek, modern aesthetic or you want your spa to be inspired by nature, there’s something for everyone. Simply follow these steps to build your private paradise.
Step 1: How Much Backyard Privacy Do You Need?
Before you start exploring options, it’s best to narrow down how much privacy you want for your home spa installation. For example, if you only have neighbours on one side of your home, then a single wall or corner wall might suit you.
However, if you’ve already got high fences or hedges bordering your backyard and you’re worried about your privacy from above, a gazebo or enclosure with a roof might suit you better.
You should also think about how big your hot tub is or will be, and how much space you need to cover.
Step 2: Portable vs. Permanent Hot Tubs
This might sound like an odd question, given that your hot tub isn’t easily portable, but you should still think about how much privacy you need throughout the year or at different times of the day. Some privacy options may even come with additional features like trapping in heat or casting shade, which can be beneficial in some seasons more than others.
You may also be okay with having your hot tub exposed, but your loved ones don’t feel comfortable without privacy, or vice versa. A portable option means everyone can feel relaxed and comfortable without needing to spend money on a permanent privacy screen.
Step 3: How Much Private Backyard Space Do You Have?
Adding a privacy screen to your hot tub installation will inevitably increase the amount of space your home spa set-up needs in your backyard. However, the amount of space it adds is up to you. You will, of course, need to be able to access at least one side of your hot tub, and we recommend that you can reach the hot tub cabinet to clean it down.
If you’re limited on space, you could leave one side free to access with privacy screens close to any of the other sides.
If you have more room to play with, then we recommend leaving enough space for someone to comfortably walk around the hot tub. You might even consider putting a table, chairs, or even a coathanger inside your privacy screen so you’ve got somewhere to hang your towel or cool down between sessions.
Step 4: What’s Your Style?
With more people than ever before installing hot tubs in their backyard, there’s never been a greater variety of privacy screen styles on the market. Whether you’re looking for a sleek, modern feel or you love a green and rustic aesthetic, there’s something for everyone.
For example, if you like a modern look, then a privacy screen in PVC or metal will suit your installation. Or, if you want something less permanent, there is a wide range of modern gazebos that you can set up around your hot tub.
However, if you prefer your backyard to be filled with greenery, you might consider buying a bamboo screen or even growing planters of bamboo yourself around your hot tub. Or, if you’ve got a bigger garden, Italian Cypress is a great option for a natural privacy screen.
You could even reclaim pallets to build your own fence if you’re the DIY type or want a more rustic, eco-friendly aesthetic with your home spa installation.
Step 5: Know Your Budget
You’ll undoubtedly have a budget for your hot tub, but what few people consider is the costs of creating a beautiful and relaxing environment for it.
If the majority of your budget is going on the hot tub, then you can go the DIY route with a pallet fence or growing dense vegetation in planters to border your spa. If you’re already into gardening, then chances are you’ll already have most of the materials you’ll need. You may also be able to find a second-hand gazebo for a fraction of the cost of a new one on sites like eBay or Craigslist.
However, if you have a bigger budget, then you’ve got a few more options. You could buy a brand new privacy screen or even have something custom-made for your backyard.
Step 6: Private Backyard Hot Tub Installation
Finally, it’s time to install your chosen solution. If you’re using a portable privacy screen like a gazebo or hot tub enclosure, then we recommend setting it up to double-check it’s the right size in case you need to return it.
If you’re planning on having a privacy screen made of plants, then it’s worth noting that you might need a temporary privacy screen in the meantime until the plants have grown tall enough. Or, if you don’t have a hot tub yet, you could plant these now so they’re ready for when your spa is installed.
Build the Private Backyard of Your Dreams with Sun Valley Pools and Spas
At Sun Valley Pools and Spas, our team of Jacuzzi® Hot Tub experts is on hand to help you create the home spa installation of your dreams. From helping you to find hot tub prices that work with your budget to recommending the best hot tub supplies for your needs, you’ll find everything you need at one of our showroom locations. If you want to chat with someone about building your perfect secluded home spa, get in touch with us today or drop by one of our showrooms.
Looking for Private Backyard installation inspiration? Watch this helpful video!
