Thinking of getting a hot tub? One of your first questions is bound to be, “How big an area do I need for a hot tub?” What you don’t want is to have that spa delivered and find that it is smack dab in the middle of your doorway in and out to the deck, or that you didn’t actually need to put it all the way out in the back 40. Finding the right spot for a new hot tub takes some thought. You have to consider privacy, convenience to the house, electrical and water hookups, sun/shade, and most importantly the right amount of space to allow for it. Not too little and not too much. You sure don’t want to have to turn sideways or step over a porch railing to get in and out of your spa, or alternatively have a 50-yard hike to get to it. Aqua Pools wants to you be sure you have allowed just the right amount of space to access your hot tub easily.

What Are the Dimensions of Standard Spa Sizes?

The first question you need to ask is, “How big is a hot tub anyway?” That of course depends on what size you get. A small 2- to 3-person hot tub could be square, round, or even triangular in shape. If space is tight, a triangular spa could nestle right into a corner of the deck. A 2- to 3-person hot tub is about 5.5 to 6.5 feet square. If you opt for a mid-sized hot tub that would fit four to five people, expect it to be between 7- to 8-feet square. However, if you are party people and want a large hot tub that would accommodate six to eight people, expect that size to measure 9-feet square of larger.

What Other Considerations Need to Be Considered in a Hot Tub Area?

A hot tub will ideally be placed in close proximity to your house. Placing it on a concrete patio is a great option, as is a professionally reinforced deck. Be aware that if you place your spa too far away from your house due to space issues, you could regret the lack of convenient accessibility in the future. Plumbing and electrical connection will be much easier closer to the house as well. Trekking across the lawn to reach your hot tub will not be appealing for those fall and winter soaks you are dreaming of. You need space for bathers to walk around the spa and get in and out of it easily. It should also not block main walkways or doorways in and out of the house.

How Big an Area is Needed for Hot Tub Maintenance?

You know you need enough room for bathers to get in and out of the hot tub easily. However, you also need to allow room around the perimeter of the spa for maintenance purposes. You will need to be able to move around your hot tub when cleaning it, and if a service technician makes a service call they will need to access the control panels easily. In addition, if you have a hot tub with a cover lifter, you must allow space for the cover to rest when retracted.