Hot Tub Privacy Ideas
Without the right amount of seclusion, you'll struggle to reach optimal relaxation in your hot tub.
So what can you do to make your environment more peaceful and private?
Regardless of where your hot tub is located, we've got 14 ideas that you can use to create privacy for any hot tub space.
Hot Tub Patio Coverings
From gazebos to pavilions to domes, there are plenty of ways that you can cover up your hot tub on your patio or hot tub deck.
Because patios are usually at ground level, it is best to position your hot tub off to the side so that you have room for other activities such as dining, entertaining, and relaxing.
The beauty of having your hot tub off to the side of your deck is that you can easily place your privacy enclosure.
(If you're new to this idea, we've got a couple great articles for you: can you put a hot tub on a deck, and how to determine if a deck can support a hot tub.)
These kinds of hot tub enclosures can also be great for blocking out rain and harsh sunlight.
Plus, they really bring a whole yard together in terms of aesthetics.
There are many patio coverings to choose from, including:
Pergolas
One of the most popular hot tub enclosures that you can enjoy year-round is the pergola.
Pergolas are hefty structures that make use of pillars or posts.
On the top of pergolas, you will find cross beams that form a slatted roof.
When you use a pergola as a hot tub enclosure, you get a combination of privacy, shade, and light.
You have the option of building your pergola attached to your house. Doing so will not only allow for the increased hot tub privacy that you are looking for, but you will also have your hot tub in close proximity for easy access.
Gazebos
For the best hot tub privacy possible, we highly recommend going with a gazebo. Hot tub gazebos are wonderful enclosures designed to create a sense of reprieve in just about any backyard setting. Most gazebos come with a combination of open sides and walls, allowing you to place shrubs, plants, or trees.
More often than not, the shape of a traditional gazebo is an octagon. Make sure that you include some form of ventilation if your gazebo is enclosed on the top end. Remember, your hot tub will emit steam. If you don't have any sort of ventilation in your gazebo, you risk that steam puddling and making your hot tub enclosure moist, which can result in bacteria growth and mold.
Pavilions
A pavilion can either be a portable or permanent, freestanding structure that you can use for hot tub privacy.
The pavilion will also have open sides and an open roof, though it also depends entirely on the design.
Some pavilions are incredibly spacious, allowing you to place a large hot tub inside, though some are built in a more utilitarian fashion, much better for smaller hot tubs.
If you're looking for a good hot tub enclosure structure that you can use to place a fire pit, a dining table, or a hangout area for entertaining guests, then a pavilion is a great choice.
The beauty of these three options is that they can act as permanent enclosures depending on the type of weather that you're dealing with. Plus, you can design them in any way that you want to make the most out of your landscaping.
Portable Hot Tub Enclosures
If you don't want to go with something that is permanent for hot tub privacy like a gazebo or a pergola, you may consider going with a more portable hot tub enclosure option. There are plenty of unique hot tub enclosure options to choose from, including:
Some of the two most popular hot tub enclosure options include inflatable domes and inflatable canopy tents.
Inflatable Domes
Inflatable hot tub domes come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, meaning it is up to you to decide on the right one that makes the most sense for your backyard requirements.
These inflatable hot tub domes are incredibly popular nowadays, perfect for keeping the view in place while providing you with the necessary privacy.
Many hot tub privacy domes come with unique features, such as retractable blinds, sliding doors, and tinted glass panels.
These definitely have a futuristic look to them, so they may be the best choice for modern decor or backyard spaces.
Inflatable Canopy Tents
Inflatable canopy tents are very similar to camping tents. They come with anchors, ropes, and pumps, making them very easy to set up.
The one thing to note about these hot tub privacy tents is that you might need to pump them once every week to keep them in solid condition.
Use Blinds or Curtains
Blinds and curtains offer unique ways to create privacy for your hot tub experience. By hanging these up, you can enjoy a simple method of privacy. Blinds and curtains are also incredibly inexpensive. If you don't want to spend a ton of money, we highly recommend using outdoor sheer, outdoor cloth curtains, or PVC curtains for privacy.
If you want to create more of a dramatic effect, you can hang privacy enclosures from your gazebo, pergola, or pavilion. When your curtains are not in use, you can use a tie to tie them back.
It is very important to consider the color of your blinds or curtains, as you want them to match your surroundings. For most outdoor spaces, earth tones work really nicely. If blinds or curtains aren't really your thing, you might consider going with a privacy screen instead.
Use A Privacy Screen
If you don't want to pay for fencing or go through the installation process, you might consider installing privacy screens instead. Privacy screens are excellent in that they are typically much smaller than fences. You can also purchase screens in a wide range of materials and designs. You can easily fold up hot tub privacy screens or fix them in place due to the fact that they are extremely portable.
Again, consider the materials that you choose to use for your privacy screens to mesh with the aesthetic.
We highly recommend going with rattan, wicker, or bamboo, as these materials provide tons of privacy, providing a tropical appearance thanks to their unique texture.
A privacy screen is a great option for your hot tub if you don't want to spend a ton of money. Plus, there are many privacy screen options out there.
Enclosure Kits
You might not have a ton of time to spend on an enclosure around your hot tub. In that case, you might end up going with a hot tub enclosure kit. There are many different hot tub enclosure kits to pick from, including pavilion-style, solarium-style, gazebo, semi-permanent, and those that are attached to a house.
There are plenty of different manufacturers out there offering custom options depending on the type of hot tub enclosure that you are looking for. We highly recommend going with wood if you want something that is organic.
Umbrellas, Sails, or Shades
If you want to get a bit of privacy while blocking out the view from above, then we highly recommend going with a shade, sail, or umbrella.
The beauty of these types of coverings is that they are incredibly portable.
You can also use them to block out the sun from above.
Plus, you can easily adjust a shade, sail, or umbrella to get the kind of hot tub privacy that you need depending on where the sun is at during the day.
DIY Fences
One of the great things about DIY fences is that you can get as creative as you desire with them. Consider the height, color, and texture of your DIY fence. Remember, your fence can provide you with more than privacy, enhancing your overall hot tub experience.
If the idea of building a DIY fence seems like it is outside of the realm of your availability or skillset, you might consider custom fencing from a professional company. While plain wood is the standard option, you might consider using a combination of woven wood slats and brick to elevate your outdoor area.
Retractable Privacy Wall
One of the best ways to enjoy a soak in privacy without installing anything that is permanent is with a retractable privacy wall. A privacy wall is very easy to install and can protect you from nosy neighbors and onlookers. Plus, because a privacy wall is not a permanent structure, you don't have to worry about the cost of construction.
Retractable privacy walls come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. Your privacy wall will likely be made out of thick, strong materials that can protect you from the sun as well. Thanks to the fact that they are typically lightweight, you can easily move your privacy wall from place to place on your patio or in your backyard.
While the privacy wall you choose will likely have some sort of fabric acting as the enclosure panels, most privacy wall models come with powder-coated steel to keep things together.
Garden Trellis
If a privacy wall isn't for you and you want to enhance your privacy, all while adding to the decor of your backyard, we highly recommend going with a garden trellis.
Garden trellises are made out of sturdy wood, giving you the ability to hang plants on them or put planters at the bottom so that any water you use to take care of your plants can drip down.
A garden trellis won't provide immediate privacy without anything hanging on it, as there are open spots where people can peer through, though if you're someone who likes the idea of decorating and customizing your own backyard, then the garden trellis is a wonderful option. Plus, the garden trellis can act as the center point of your outdoor living situation, perfect for those who want an enclosure that is more organic in nature.
Use Tall Plants
You might consider using tall plants as a hot tub enclosure if you want to add a bit of style and flair to your hot tub hangout.
One type of plant enclosure that we see pretty often is bamboo. The beauty of bamboo is that it grows extremely fast, allowing you to plant it and get it to a good height in a matter of months. There are many different species to pick from as well. Most bamboo is easy to grow in rich, moist soil.
We also recommend checking out horsetail plants. Horsetails are evergreen perennials that are non-flowering. Very similar to bamboo, horsetail plants have vertical stems. They grow really nicely in big patio pots, often growing anywhere from two to six feet in height.
Italian Cypress trees are another great option. These narrow, tall, hardy evergreens can bring a unique aesthetic into any yard or garden.
Final Thoughts - Optimizing Your Hot Tub Privacy In Your Outdoor Living Situation
As you can see, there are many ways to optimize your hot tub privacy. You might consider planting plants around your hot tub to enhance the look of your backyard, all while giving yourself the privacy that you've been after. On the other hand, you might consider going with DIY fencing that you can craft out of pallets for a cheaper, more customizable option.
Of course, you can also consider gazebos, portable enclosures, privacy walls, and much more for your outdoor living privacy. Look for outdoor living ideas on Pinterest if you don't know how to arrange everything aesthetically.
