So you just bought a jacuzzi for your backyard to enjoy some relaxation at home, but you’re worried about privacy or keeping it out of sight when not in use. Don’t worry, there are several effective ways to conceal your jacuzzi that can work for all sorts of situations! In this article, we’ll go over the most popular options for hiding your outdoor hot tub, the pros and cons of each method, and some extra tips to make sure it stays discreet. With a little effort and planning, you can install your jacuzzi in a way that keeps it hidden and private, but still easily accessible whenever you want to take a dip.
Page Contents
Build a Fence or Plant Tall Shrubs
One of the most straightforward ways to conceal your jacuzzi is by installing some kind of barrier around it. Building a privacy fence is a great option for blocking views and creating a secluded spot for soaking in your hot tub. A 6-foot wooden privacy fence is tall enough to fully hide the jacuzzi while still allowing you to access it through a gate. For a more natural look, you could also plant tall shrubs, bushes, or bamboo around the perimeter instead of a fence. Evergreen shrubs like arborvitae that grow very dense foliage work especially well to obscure views of the hot tub year-round.
Pros:
- Fences and plants create effective visual barriers
- Relatively affordable option
- Plants add beauty and can soften hardscaping
Cons:
- May limit ease of access to the jacuzzi
- Plants take time to grow in to fully hide hot tub
- Wood fences require maintenance to keep looking nice
Build a Gazebo or Pergola Around It
For a more attractive way to conceal your backyard jacuzzi, consider building a gazebo or pergola around it. A wooden gazebo with screens or lattice panels around the sides makes a great secluded spot for a hot tub. For a more open style, a pergola covered in vines trains growing over the top can also keep prying eyes away. Just be sure to build the structure tall enough to effectively hide the tub from ground level.
Pros:
- Very attractive solution for concealing jacuzzi
- Provides shade from sun when using the hot tub
- Can support climbing vines for increased privacy
Cons:
- More expensive to build than simple fence or plants
- Can take up significant yard space
- Needs occasional maintenance just like a wood fence
Hide it Under a Deck or Patio
For a very discreet jacuzzi setup, you could choose to install it underneath an elevated deck, porch, or patio. Placing the hot tub below ground level hides it from view while still allowing you to access and use it when desired. For this strategy, you’ll need enough height clearance to comfortably use the tub without hitting your head. A minimum of about 7 feet from the ground to the bottom of the decking works for most standard jacuzzi models.
Pros:
- Obscures entire jacuzzi when not in use
- Deck above provides nice sheltered spot
- Gets hot tub out of the way for more yard space
Cons:
- More complex installation below a structure
- Limits access to only one side of the tub
- You lose deck space above tub that can’t be used
Use Landscaping and Elevation Changes
You may also be able to hide your hot tub by using the natural landscape of your yard to your advantage. Placing it in a lowered area behind a hill or berm can keep it out of sight from certain angles. Surrounding the jacuzzi with large boulders can also help conceal it. For the best coverage, use multiple landscaping tricks like lowering the tub behind a small hill while also bordering that sunken area with big rocks or planters.
Pros:
- Takes advantage of yard’s existing topography
- Creative way to obscure jacuzzi
- Typically less expensive than building structures
Cons:
- Only works for certain yard layouts and terrain
- May involve extensive landscaping labor
- Drainage and access could be tricky with elevation changes
Get a Cover Specifically for Concealment
Using a solid cover designed specifically to obscure the look of your jacuzzi is another great way to hide it. Get an insulated cover that comes in a neutral color like brown or tan that blends in with the surroundings rather than giving away the presence of a hot tub. Some even come with faux grass, plants, stone, or wood panel designs on top for optimal concealment when closed over your jacuzzi. Just make sure it’s easy to remove when you want to start using the hot tub.
Pros:
- Designed specifically to hide jacuzzi
- Allows quick access to your hot tub when opened
- Usually easy to install and remove by yourself
Cons:
- More expensive than a basic vinyl cover
- May not fully obscure jacuzzi borders on its own
- Needs to be replaced over time
Use Strategic Landscaping and Focal Points
With the right mix of plants, fences, and focal features, you can distract the eye away from the jacuzzi altogether. Use trees, shrubs, garden structures like arbors or trellises to create an attractive landscape that draws attention away from the tub. Groupings of large ornamental grasses around the perimeter of the hot tub also help hide it. Then place a focal point like a fire pit, water feature, or piece of yard art in a noticeable spot to bait people’s eyes away from the jacuzzi.
Pros:
- Obscures hot tub without fully hiding it
- Makes yard more attractive overall
- Usually less expensive than major structures
Cons:
- May not fully conceal jacuzzi depending on location
- Requires thought and effort for ideal placements
- Plants need occasional pruning and maintenance
Tips for Concealing Your Jacuzzi
Think About Views and Access
Consider the primary viewing angles of your yard andaccess routes when deciding how to best conceal the jacuzzi. Focus on hiding it from neighbors’ or public views first. But also think about functionality and make sure you can still easily access the tub.
Use Multiple Strategies Together
A single approach may not be enough for full concealment in all cases. Using multiple landscaping tricks together like planting dense bushes within a privacy fence around the jacuzzi provides ideal obscurement from all angles.
Check Local Building Codes
Most areas have zoning restrictions and rules about jacuzzi installation requirements. Make sure any concealment strategies like overhead structures or barriers meet local safety codes.
Think About Future Plant Growth
If using trees or shrubs to hide your jacuzzi, plant them well ahead of installing the tub so they have time to mature to effectively conceal it.
Conclusion
Making sure your backyard jacuzzi has privacy doesn’t mean you have to make major sacrifices in terms of access or enjoyment. With the right concealment strategy using fences, plantings, covers, and landscaping tricks, you can install a hot tub that stays hidden when not in use but quick to access whenever you need some relaxation. Consider your specific needs and yard layout, and use the most practical solution or combination of multiple methods to keep your jacuzzi secluded but still easily reachable. With a little creativity and forethought, you can find the ideal way to hide your hot tub in plain sight!