These days extending the home out into the yard by constructing outdoor living areas is one of the main goals of homeowners. Not only does it increase the number of useful “rooms” in which you can hang out, it turns your hot tub into a place of even more zen-like relaxation. Luckily, it is not hard to turn a simple hot tub and patio into an outdoor living area. Just follow these easy steps.
Create “Walls”
One of the main things we like about our homes but often take for granted is the amount of privacy we are guaranteed simply by stepping through our front doors. Privacy is a necessary element to any spa setting. If your hot tub already has a row of trees or a fence, great. If not, consider placing folding Japanese screens or large palms across the edge of the space to create seclusion.
Click on this image for a full panorama view
Connect to the House
Easy access will make it so your hot tub feels like part of the rest of the house. Especially when you can step right inside for food, water or more towels, you have the makings of a good outdoor living area. Luckily most hot tubs are located close to the house, but if not you can create a feeling of connectedness with lined walkways or landscaping that creates the feeling of a “room.”
Decorate Your Spa Area
Purely aesthetic elements like wall art or vases don’t need to be confined to the indoors. Plenty of garden stores carry statuary, vases or hardy framed pictures appropriate for dressing up an outdoor living area. Choose a few decorative items that will give your spa setting your own special touch.
Add Amenities
Don’t underestimate the power of simple accessories to really improve the soaking experience. A table for drinks, a rack for towels, and a draining mat for shoes all add to the spa-like feel of your outdoor living area. They also minimize the irritation of figuring out what to do with extras like glasses, flip-flops and so on, creating a pleasant and relaxing environment with no distractions.
Happy Tubbing!
Ethel Elliott
