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How much room should you have around a hot tub?
How much room should you have around a hot tub?
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Written by Kimberly Giraldo
Updated today

A hot tub sanctuary can bring relaxation and luxury into your home or backyard. When you decide to purchase a hot tub, there are many things to take into account, including where you will have your hot tub placed. Ensuring your hot tub is properly placed and installed is a key factor in the enjoyment of your hot tub.

Beyond simply determining whether the hot tub will fit into your backyard, specifics such as proper placement, installation, and hookup will need to be factored in. There must be enough room around your hot tub for safety, maintenance, relaxation, and socialization.

For example, adequate clearance can help you avoid any incidents and make access easier for routine maintenance. A proper setup can ensure a more enjoyable overall experience for you and your loved ones.

You may have considered size, seating, color choices, features, and more when planning for your future hot tub. However, one key element of hot tub placement is the space surrounding it.

This article will cover the important topic of how much room you should have around a hot tub. It will also cover additional topics, such as safety considerations to keep in mind when creating your spa sanctuary. Finally, it will also offer inspirational ideas for designing an awe-inspiring relaxation retreat for yourself, your family, and your friends to enjoy in comfort.

Where should I place my hot tub?

The adage “location, location, location” is vital in the world of real estate. In the realm of hot tubs, you might think of it as “placement, placement, placement.”

Where you have your hot tub placed upon delivery and installation is an important decision for several reasons. First and foremost, following the requirements of hot tub placement in your area is critical for safety.

Next, once your hot tub is installed in the place you choose, it will require the help of professional hot tub movers and potentially an experienced electrician to have your electrical requirements set up properly in your chosen location. This can be costly and time-consuming, so having to redo this step would be quite an undertaking. It’s best to ensure the area you plan to have it placed meets the codes, requirements, and safety considerations.

How much room should I have around my hot tub?

There are some vital specifications surrounding the placement of your hot tub. It is essential to follow the guidelines of your specific model and your hot tub dealer’s advice when preparing your space for delivery and installation.

In addition, an experienced electrician with 25 years in the industry explained that the ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) receptacle must be at least five feet from your hot tub. This is based on the National Electrical Code® (NEC), the world’s most widely adopted code. The GFCI, also called a disconnect box, is an emergency shut-off switch that must not be more than 50 feet from your hot tub water’s edge.

The GFCI must also be within sight. This ensures that if there is a problem, it is easily accessible rather than tucked around a corner or not visible to those using your hot tub.

Other specifications to keep in mind, according to this electrician’s expertise, are as follows:

-There must be a three-foot path to easily access the hot tub.

-Additionally, a three-foot space in front of your hot tub must be kept clear.

Hot tub placement tips to consider

In addition to how much room you should have around your hot tub, other considerations need to be factored into your placement decision. For example, if you plan to have your hot tub placed on your patio, keep in mind that your hot tub must be at least five feet from structures, such as your home. If you plan to have your hot tub in your backyard, it must be at least 16 feet from power lines.

You should discuss with your spa dealer where you plan to have your hot tub placed and what type of foundation you want to use before delivery and installation. Your spa dealer may have specific recommendations that can be helpful to your preparation.

In addition to proximity to your home and power lines, where you have your hot tub placed can impact your hydrotherapy experience. For example, consider privacy. A sheer outdoor curtain, awning or outdoor umbrella, privacy fence, hedges, or partial structure, such as a gazebo or a pergola, can provide seclusion from neighbors, passers-by, or others in your home. These facets can also offer an added element of protection for your hot tub against the elements.

Preparing a sturdy base for your hot tub prior to your hot tub’s delivery and installation is also essential.

Three standard foundations are:

  • A concrete pad.

  • A deck that can support the weight of your hot tub when filled with both bathers and water.

  • A pre-fabricated spa pad.

Safety elements to install around your hot tub

Safety is of utmost importance regardless of where you decide to place your hot tub. Here are some safety factors to incorporate into your hot tub haven:

Don’t slip—Getting in and out of the hot tub can create a wet and slippery floor or ground surface. A foundation with a skid-resistance surface can help reduce slips and falls around your hot tub area. Just as you might around your swimming pool, instill a “no running” rule around your hot tub.

Light the way—Enjoying a soothing hydrotherapy session under the stars is a blissful way to relax at the end of the day. However, it’s crucial to stay safe when traversing to and from your hot tub. A subtly lit path can set the mood while ensuring you don’t accidentally stumble on your way to your serene spa experience.

Clear a path—Flowers and shrubbery can enhance the natural aesthetics of your outdoor hot tub haven. However, overgrown fauna and foliage can become a trip hazard. Be sure to keep greenery cut back so it does not interfere with a clear path to your hot tub.

How to create a hot tub haven, inside or outside

You likely want your hot tub to be the central focal point of a soothing spa sanctuary, whether indoors or outdoors. Once it is placed, you can create a calm and relaxing haven for soothing hydrotherapy or vibrant and inviting for entertaining.

Whether you plan to have your hot tub placed inside or outside will determine specific ways in which you can create a surrounding environment that will enhance your hydrotherapy. However, regardless of whether you have a tranquil indoor spa sanctuary, or an outdoor hot tub haven surrounded by nature, here are some things to consider:

Think about the type of environment that helps you feel calm, relaxed, and carefree. When you sink into your soothing hydrotherapy session, all your senses should be immersed in the experience. Sights, sounds, and even aromas can contribute to the ambiance.

If you are creating an indoor spa setting, you might take inspiration from your favorite spa, where you receive treatments such as facials or massages. These surroundings tend to be serene, from a monochromatic or neutral color palette to a minimalistic design style. There is no need to add a lot of wall art or items cluttering surfaces. A few simple ferns or bamboo plants can enhance the area and bring the essence of the outdoors within. You can complete your indoor wellness retreat with other incredible enhancements such as a Jacuzzi® Massage Chair or a Jacuzzi® Infrared Sauna for the ultimate holistic haven.

If you plan on having your hot tub placed outside, this space can be a setting for social entertaining or serene solitude. When you are creating an outdoor hot tub retreat, think about who will be joining you for your hydrotherapy sessions.

If you plan to use your outdoor hot tub for socializing and entertaining, you can add comfortable outdoor lounge chairs or couch seating to accommodate guests who aren’t using the hot tub.

A sound system is also vital to setting the stage for an entertainer’s hot tub haven. Some hot tubs, such as select Jacuzzi® Hot Tubs in the J-400™ Collection have an optional entertainment package upgrade that features an integrated Bluetooth® stereo and speaker package, for example.

Tips for enhancing the space surrounding your hot tub

When shopping for a hot tub to enhance your lifestyle, visiting a spa showroom in your area can be invaluable. Exploring a reputable hot tub dealership can provide you with the opportunity to view a variety of high-quality hot tubs, such as Jacuzzi® Hot Tubs. You can view models, discover color and style options, and learn about each model’s specific features.

A knowledgeable spa dealer can also show you the hot tubs that will best suit your needs. Develop a wish list of features, take measurements of the area you plan to have your hot tub placed, and determine an aesthetic vibe for your hot tub haven. These factors can help you narrow the choices when visiting a hot tub dealer near you.

Affiliations: Jacuzzi® is a registered trademark of Jacuzzi Group. All rights reserved.

Medical disclaimer: This information is not intended to prescribe a particular diagnosis or course of action. We are not medical professionals. Please contact your GP or other medical professional for advice if you have any concerns about your current health or well-being.

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