How much does it cost to build a deck with a hot tub?

The cost of your hot tub deck installation will depend on your budget. An entry-level installation could cost less than $5,000. A mid-level installation will cost $5,000-$8,000. High-end installations cost $8,000-$12,000. Luxury and custom installations start at $13,000 and can go up to an unlimited cost.

How far should a hot tub be from the house?

Technically, you don’t have to place your hot tub a minimum distance from the home. However, you need to think about safety. To reduce your risk of electrocution, place your hot tub at least 16 feet from any overhead power lines. To reduce the risk of flooding your home, place your hot tub at least five feet from your home.

Is a hot tub a good investment?

Don’t worry about whether your hot tub will add value to your home. If you will use it regularly and get enjoyment out of it, then a hot tub is well worth the investment. You can use it to relax, enjoy better health, and entertain.

11 Hot Tub Deck Ideas to Relax in Your Backyard

Having an outdoor living room or kitchen is great for the outdoor living lifestyle. However, if you want to take your outdoor enjoyment up a notch, what you need is a hot tub. They are better than a swimming pool because their small size makes them easier to fill and maintain.

They also don’t take up as much room, so you can fit them in places where a pool wouldn’t normally fit. Once you have your hot tub location chosen, you need to think about the deck you’ll have around it. This will make using your new backyard addition more enjoyable.

These hot tub deck ideas will help you design a backyard that will be the envy of your neighborhood.

1. Transform Your Backyard with a Hot Tub Deck

Having a hot tub in your backyard means you have a natural focal point. The sheer bulky size and shape of your hot tub mean it will draw attention.

Outdoor deck with a hot tub and pool, surrounded by trees and a scenic field view in the background — Source: @formpoolsandspas via Instagram

Aerial view of a white house with a wooden deck featuring a hot tub, chairs, and a table, surrounded by grass and autumn trees — Source: @tresslerdrone via Instagram

A large hot tub on a wooden deck with lounge chairs, plants, and a fire pit table nearby — Source: @turnerblairservices via Instagram

You have two options. You can embrace this and make the hot tub the shining star of your backyard design. String lights over it, have a path leading to it and add benches around the outside for setting towels on.

Your other option is to use your backyard design to hide the hot tub. Build a deck around your hot tub to be flush with the top of it. Plant trees or place large potted plants around it. Camouflage the hot tub so that it isn’t immediately obvious.

2. Enhance Privacy with a Gazebo Cover

Building a gazebo or pergola over your hot tub can add privacy and give you some protection. If you already have an existing deck, then adding a large gazebo can give you space to create a seating area next to the hot tub.

Wooden gazebo with illuminated purple lights covering a hot tub in a nighttime garden, with a bench and raised planter nearby — Source: @home.garden.pup.life via Instagram

A wooden gazebo with a hot tub inside, surrounded by trees and a tiled patio — Source: @innerliving.mcr via Instagram

The gazebo gives you a framework to work with when adding decor. String cafe lights from the top for a soft, mood-setting glow. Hang plants from pots or allow a vine plant to grow over the gazebo.

The plants will create a natural barrier that’s perfect for filtering the sunlight or creating more privacy.

3. Jacuzzi: More than Just Hot Tubs

While the majority of these ideas are focused on hot tubs, they aren’t limited to just traditional tub designs. You can also use them with a jacuzzi, swim spa, or inflatable hot tub.

Octagonal jacuzzi set in a wooden deck with adjoining steps on a balcony with cityscape views in the background — Source: @eefcoberturas via Instagram

Outdoor spa with a hot tub, nearby pool, shower, green plants, torch lights, and deck chairs under a cloudy sky — Source: @newtechwoodsa via Instagram

A backyard scene with a raised platform holding a hot tub, surrounded by potted plants and trees, lush green lawn in the foreground — Source: @the___works via Instagram

Create a personalized backyard spa by doing more than just placing your new jacuzzi or swim spa in your backyard. Think about how you’ll get to and from your new addition.

You don’t want to leave your home’s backdoor only to step outside and have to work through dirt or grass. You also need to have somewhere to place your towel while you are in the water.

4. Sleek Minimalist Hot Tub Decks

The minimalist works well with your hot tub. Use composite decking to build the pool deck. Make it a separate space from your immediate patio by creating an outdoor extension.

Outdoor jacuzzi on a patio with lush green hills and trees in the background under a clear blue sky

Outdoor hot tub with glowing lights on a wooden deck at night, next to a red wooden cabin with a sliding door, forest in the background

Backyard with a hot tub, wooden pergola, grill, and outdoor seating, surrounded by a red fence and trees under a blue sky

Backyard with a wooden deck and a hot tub, surrounded by gravel, a small tree, ornamental grass, and modern fencing

Wooden cabin with a hot tub on a balcony, surrounded by chairs and a table, overlooking a lush green landscape

Wooden hot tub with a small bench beside it, set in a grassy backyard surrounded by a wooden fence and trees

A hot tub on a wooden deck overlooks a scenic view of trees and a lake at sunset, with lounge chairs nearby

Aerial view of a deck with a bubbling hot tub, wicker furniture, and two lounge chairs, next to a red wooden house

Patio with a hot tub, outdoor dining set, and cushioned chairs, surrounded by grass and trees on a sunny day

Wooden hot tub steaming in a sunny garden surrounded by trees and grass

Wooden hot tub on a deck with a wooden paddle leaning against it, and a plant nearby

Outdoor hot tub on a wooden deck with a glass of wine beside it, surrounded by lush trees and a scenic view in the background

Backyard view with a wooden hot tub, lush green lawn, patio furniture under an umbrella, and a two-story gray house

Wooden hot tub and sauna cabin in a lush, green forest setting with a wooden path leading to them

Outdoor hot tub on a wooden deck, surrounded by white gravel, with a cozy house and green lawn in the background

Wooden cabin with a deck and hot tub, surrounded by grass and trees under a cloudy sky, stone path leads to the cabin's entrance

Keep the design clean and simple. Then limit the amount of decor and furniture you place on your patio and deck. When you do add furniture, keep it simple with long straight lines.

Sink the hot tub into the deck so that it has a low-profile design. This will minimize the visual breaks and keep the minimalist feel.

5. Maximize Views with Strategic Tub Placement

If you plan to spend some serious time soaking in your outdoor hot tub, then you’ll want something interesting to look at while you sit. If you have a decent view, then consider this when placing your hot tub. You don’t want to position the tub in such a way so that the view is behind you.

Hot tub on a patio overlooking a serene lake at sunset, with trees and a wooden dock leading to the water

A hot tub on a patio overlooks a serene lake at sunset, surrounded by greenery and a railing leading to the water

Hot tub on patio with lake view, surrounded by trees and clear blue sky; steps lead down to the water

Round outdoor hot tub surrounded by greenery and flowers, with wicker shelves and towels nearby

Rooftop hot tub with a view of Mount Fuji, partially covered by clouds, and a calm lake on a sunny day

A wooden hot tub on a house deck overlooks a neighborhood, with clear blue skies and trees in the background

Wooden deck with two small pools, lounge chairs, and a backdrop of trees and rocky hills under a cloudy sky

Aerial view of a small outdoor hot tub with bubbling water, two wooden lounge chairs, and surrounding greenery

Outdoor hot tub in a tropical setting, surrounded by lush plants with a towel, robe, and slippers placed nearby

Rooftop hot tub with a view of trees, buildings, and a distant ocean under a partly cloudy blue sky

Outdoor hot tub on a wooden deck surrounded by lush trees and sunny skies

A bubbling hot tub on a wooden deck surrounded by trees with bare branches

Outdoor hot tub on a patio overlooking a serene lake at dusk, surrounded by trees and a wooden railing

Outdoor hot tub on a wooden deck surrounded by lush green trees, with two white chairs and a small table nearby

Wooden hot tub and chairs on a deck beside a pond, surrounded by green grass and trees, with a small bridge in the background

Outdoor hot tub on a wooden deck overlooking a suburban neighborhood with clear blue skies

If you don’t have the luxury of a stunning view, then it’s time to get creative. Mount an outdoor TV on a protected wall. Then you can enjoy a show or music while soaking in the tub.

6. Create a Backyard Oasis Around Your Hot Tub

Your hot tub can be just one element of your backyard oasis. Build out an entire deck design that includes outdoor space for your hot tub, fire pit, and even an outdoor kitchen. Explore backyard designs that work with the space and budget you have available.

Cozy spa scene with a bubbling hot tub, stone fireplace, and two chairs. Bottled drink on wooden floor — Source: @vasiliki_official via Instagram

Add plenty of greenery to give your backyard a lush feel. If you can plant thick greenery to separate each space, even better. Add a winding walkway from one area to another to mimic the setup of a tropical resort.

7. Luxury Redwood Decks for Your Hot Tub

If you have a sizable budget, then you can use exotic hardwood or premium hardwood like redwood. This stunning wood is perfect for use as decking material in almost every way. It has a natural resistance to weathering and insects. It’s also the most fire-resistant decking there is.

A hot tub with a stone and wooden exterior on a patio overlooking a scenic hilly landscape — Source: @gordon_and_grant_sb via Instagram

Modern patio with seating, a hot tub, and a scenic view of a city and ocean at sunset. A bird flies by in the colorful sky — Source: @gordon_and_grant_sb via Instagram

A round, wooden hot tub on a tiled patio overlooks the ocean waves in the background — Source: @gordon_and_grant_sb via Instagram

A deck with a circular hot tub, seating area with a green umbrella, and a grill, surrounded by lush green trees

If you want to create a spa deck that’s worthy of the top spas and resorts in the world, then choose redwood. When choosing between cedar and redwood, keep in mind that redwood is stronger than cedar, making it more durable.

8. Curved Decks for Round Hot Tubs

If your hot tub is round, then follow this line with your deck. Build a curved deck around the outside of the hot tub, creating a platform that makes it easy to walk around the outside. The curved line creates an elegant and custom look to your decking.

Wooden hot tub with metal bands, surrounded by greenery and small rocks, next to wooden steps in a backyard setting — Source: @can_hot_tub via Instagram

Wooden deck with a covered circular hot tub, surrounded by a wooden fence and trees in the background — Source: @hopton.landscaping via Instagram

It’s easier and more affordable to build in straight lines, so by having a curved deck, you are elevating the look of your backyard. The curved lines also add visual interest to your backyard. You can have multiple curves throughout for an entire design theme.

9. Space-Saving Ideas for Small Hot Tubs

Similar to swimming pools, hot tubs come in a range of sizes. There are some that are so small they only hold one person.

A square outdoor hot tub with clear bubbling water, set on a patio with wooden decking in the background — Source: @hottub_house via Instagram

Outdoor hot tub surrounded by lush greenery, with two chairs and a small table beside it, lake view in the background — Source: @hydropoolstaffs via Instagram

Outdoor hot tub with bubbling water, surrounded by grass and a lattice fence with plants, steps are placed on the left for access — Source: @miamispas via Instagram

If you plan to have a rooftop deck, you may not have very much space to work with. In this case, you need a hot tub with a small square footage footprint. That way, you can add the hot tub and still have space to move around it.

Additionally, consider the depth of your hot tub. Some have shaped seating that puts your body into an ergonomic position that’s entirely under the water.

Others simply have bench-style seating that leaves your upper body out of the water. Your entire deck doesn’t have to be one level, though.

You could have one area that’s higher or lower and then have a couple of steps that take you up or down to the hot tub level. This creates visual zones.

10. Elegant Integration with Sunken Hot Tubs

Doing a hot tub deck integration elevates the look of your backyard and gives it a custom build design. This turns a generic hot tub into an outdoor spa.

Wooden deck with stairs, benches, and a hot tub surrounded by plants and trees in a backyard setting — Source: @deckremodelers via Instagram

Wooden deck with black railings, attached to a brick house, featuring a hot tub, stairs, and offering a view of similar houses nearby — Source: @jake_mathias_official via Instagram

A steaming outdoor hot tub on a snowy deck, surrounded by a black railing — Source: @phidecks via Instagram

A cozy backyard with a lit jacuzzi, candles on wooden steps, lounge chairs, and lanterns on the deck, set against a wooden fence — Source: @scottishbordershome via Instagram

Build the deck around the hot tub so that it sits just under the top edge of the hot tub. That way, you don’t see the sides of your hot spring spa and won’t need stairs to get in and out of the spa. You would step down into it instead.

11. Classic Charm of Wooden Hot Tub Decks

You have a couple of options when pairing your hot tub with a wood deck. Your first option is to build your wooden deck and then place the hot tub on top of it. Another option is to place the hot tub and then build a raised deck around the hot tub. This creates an inground effect where the hot tub is sunk down to the level of the hot tub.

Wooden hot tub on wet wooden deck beside a concrete and brick wall, with a watering can on the ledge — Source: @cleannclearspa via Instagram

Wooden hot tub surrounded by lush green hedges and palm trees in a sunny outdoor setting — Source: @gordon_and_grant_sb via Instagram

A round, illuminated hot tub with wooden steps sits on a gravel patio at night, with a chimney and softly glowing fire nearby — Source: @nadders via Instagram

Round wooden hot tub with a closed lid on a stone patio, surrounded by trees and a building in bright daylight — Source: @obiozz via Instagram

Wooden hot tub with circular cover and built-in wooden steps, surrounded by stones and greenery in a garden setting — Source: @rhtubs via Instagram

With either of these options, consider building the deck out to create additional outdoor living space. You can then hang out on your backyard deck or use the hot tub spa.