21 Hot Tub Privacy Ideas

Not feeling as though your hot tub sessions are private can be a big problem. We all have the right to privacy but you might well feel rather exposed whilst in your hot tub, particularly if you are near to a right of way or you have a number of neighboring windows looking over your garden.

The chance are that any neighbors that can look over your hot tub won’t be in the least bit interested in what you are doing but, for added peace of mind, it can be well worth trying to increase your privacy with one or more of the ideas below.

Trellis – Trellis is easy and relatively inexpensive to erect and you can either add it to an existing structure to make a wall or you could have it free-standing between posts. The main thing to bear in mind is that, without anything covering it trellis has big holes in it and won’t really give you much of a screen at all.

That’s where climbing and trailing plants come in!

You can plant up Honeysuckle and Clematis around the trellis and, as these are relatively fast-growing you will then have a good screen as they grow to fill the gaps. Check how big the plants grow and also what their flowering season is as, with a bit of thought and planning, you could have a colourful display all year round.

Other options might be to plant Ivy or Virginia Creeper but bear in mind that, even though they are fast-growing and will screen your hot tub quickly and effectively, they can become overgrown and invasive in a small space.

Regular cutting back and regulation of any climbing plant will make sure that the plant has room to flourish without being taken over by another or growing too big. There will be some maintenance involved but the trellis and planting solution is relatively cheap and, once the plants have grown up, highly effective.

Hurdles – These are a fast and eco-friendly way to add screening to the area around your hot tub. A hurdle screen can be made from intertwined Birch, Hazel, Willow or other wood and is basically an interwoven ready-made screen attached to two posts that can be hammered into the ground.

Hurdles have the advantage of making an instant and very natural looking screen and they are relatively cost-effective as well. The issue with them is that they are not as strong as a traditional fence and will not last as long although they will probably last longer than putting up a trellis. However, if you want a lightweight semi-permanent screen that can be put up quickly and will probably look great in more or less any setting then a hurdle screen may well be the way to go.

Fencing – Fencing is an obvious choice with the advantage that it comes in a wide range of sizes and styles and will make a strong more or less permanent screen or surround for your hot tub. You can hang things on it, lean things against it and also use it to make a strong and secure boundary around the garden or hot tub area.

Installing fencing around the hot tub will be more expensive and labor-intensive than using trellis or hurdles though. Whatever style you choose will probably need to be supported between solid posts. These are either concrete or large wooden posts and they are most likely going to require setting in cement. This entails digging a hole where the post is going to go, mixing and filling with cement and setting the post in the perfect position or the fence panel won’t slide in and the fencing will be uneven.

However, if you want a reliable, strong and long-lasting screen around your hot tub fencing may well be the way to go. Strong fencing will also add some protection from the elements and keep cold draughts out of the hot tub area as well.

Folding Screen – If having a fence or similar permanently erected around your hot tub would spoil your view or just look a bit strange in your garden then you might want to consider a folding screen. If you imagine what a changing screen looks like in the corner of a room then you will know what I mean. Often they are lightweight and hinged with three or four panels.

The advantage of using a screen is that you can take it down and store it when you don’t need it and you can adjust it’s positioning whenever you want. It might become a bit of an onerous task getting it out every time you want some privacy in your hot tub but for some, a folding screen’s portability is it’s great strength.

However, a screen won’t really give you much protection from the elements and may well be likely to blow over if you get a good strong gust of wind. They are also the sort of thing where the hinges and connections will break and wear out quite easily. But, if you want quick, portable, temporary privacy screening for your hot tub they might just be the perfect solution.

Permanent Gazebo – Building a permanent gazebo or structure around your hot tub is probably the ultimate in privacy screening and protection from the weather. It will be the most expensive but also the longest lasting and most effective solution. In terms of privacy, a gazeebo may well still have open sides but, due to the fact that it has a roof, neighbors won’t be able to see into your hot tub from their upstairs windows.

You will also have a huge range of choice in terms of style and materials. It might even be more satisfying and cost-effective to have a structure specially built by a carpenter rather than buying a kit. Kit gazebos offer excellent quality and value for money but you may not be able to get exactly what you want to fit in your space.

If you go the kit route then a DIY build is perfectly feasible but bear in mind that you will need to provide a firm base and may be required to build footings and foundations.

It will also be worth checking out the planning permission policies of your local authority before constructing a gazebo. The chances are that if it is single height and a reasonable distance from your boundary that there won’t be any issue, particularly as it will most likely be classed as a temporary building. However, all localities differ so check things out first before going ahead with construction.

Temporary Gazebo – Temporary gazebos are more like canvas constructions and are closely related to tents and awnings. Obviously they are not as robust or permanent as a wooden construction but they can provide a good level of privacy and protection from the elements. They also have the added advantage of being portable so you could take the gazebo camping or on a picnic.

Bamboo – Bamboo makes a great looking and very effective screen. Not only will it give you a great deal of privacy but it will also act as a really effective windbreak as well. In fact, the sound of the breeze rustling through the bamboo is relaxing and therapeutic in itself!

Bamboo is also known for being very fast-growing. In fact some species of bamboo can literally grow whilst you watch them with a growing pace of up to two inches per hour! However most slower growing bamboo takes a year or two to really get established and will then grow to form a really good barrier.

Because of it’s strong growing nature bamboo can easily take over a corner of your garden. It’s roots grow strongly underground and spread very quickly before sending up shoots all over the place. For this reason either enclosing the root balls when you plant them is a good idea or buying or planting bamboo in large pots. This has the double advantage of portability with also keeping the bamboo under control.

Bamboo canes can also be cut and connected together to make an effective barrier – a little bit like a cross between a huge set of panpipes and a fence! It’s possible to buy these premade or cut them to length to get exactly what you want.

Hedging – One of the most effective ways to gain some privacy is to grow a hedge. Obviously hedges come in all sorts of different varieties and they grow at different rates as well. Evergreen hedging grows relatively quickly and makes a dense barrier that will keep out the wind as well as give you great privacy. Of course, some evergreens can grow really high and easily get out of control so it’s important to read up very carefully on what you are planting and make sure that you are prepared for ongoing trimming and maintenance.

One thing that you might not be prepared for with a hedge is that it will eventually grow to be fairly wide. Most people take into account the height of the growth of a hedge but forget that it could end up being a meter or two wide. Also, the area around and beneath a hedge (particularly a large evergreen) will become dry and devoid of nutrients so it will be difficult to grow anything else in the immediate vicinity.

Tall planting – If a hedge is too much then a visit to your local garden centre will hopefully inspire you with an array of taller plants that could be planted to create an effective natural barrier. Check out your soil type and make sure that whatever you are buying is happy living in the conditions where you are going to plant it.

Tall plants in pots – Again there is a big advantage to growing tall plants in pots rather than in the ground in that you can move them around and just keep control of them a little more. Bear in mind though that if you plant a large perennial in the ground it will eventually get bedded in, take root and not really need any maintenance. All plants in pots will need regular feeding and watering if they are to survive and thrive and it’s worth asking at your local garden centre when you purchase the plants if they are suitable for planting in pots or not.

Blinds – If you have an open-sided gazebo or similar structure over your hot tub then it might be a good idea to consider installing some outdoor blinds on the sides to give you some more privacy. Blinds can obviously only be used when you need them and then quickly raised up again maybe to allow the sunshine in!

Umbrellas – Side umbrellas are primarily used to offer some shade over your hot tub but there’s no reason why a carefully placed umbrella couldn’t offer some privacy from neighboring upstairs windows. Side umbrellas look stylish and are also extremely portable and versatile.

You will need to check that you have enough room for the base by the side of your hot tub or check how the umbrella will fix onto the hot tub or decking if need be.

Cheap side umbrella mechanisms fail quickly so it’s a better idea to look for a good quality one. My top recommendation is on this page here.

Sails – Shade sails can look really great and again are good for sun and protection from the rain. You may also be able to suspend one to block the view of your hot tub from neighboring upstairs windows as well.

Shade sails come in a wide range of colors, shapes, and sizes and are relatively quick to fix up and an economical solution. You will, however, need four fixing points at the appropriate height to suspend the sail from and these do need to be on a solid object like a building corner or a tree.

Time of day – If you have a real problem with being overlooked by your neighbors then you might consider the time of day that you use your hot tub. Of course you should feel free to do whatever you want at whatever time in your own garden but you might get more peace of mind if you know that they are not in when you are in your hot tub.

So, do you know your neighbor’s routine? Are they usually out during the working day and could you maybe change your routine so that you use the hot tub when they are not there? In many ways you might feel like you shouldn’t have to plan when you have a soak like this but, once you have made the mindshift, you might find that the peace of mind you gain from knowing that you are bathing in private is well worth it.

Inviting the neighbors around – The other thing to consider is actually inviting your neighbors around to use the hot tub. They may not even realize that you are concerned about your privacy when you use it yourself but, if you invite them to have a soak then they could just become a little more aware of the issue.

I would suggest allowing them to soak in privacy and they may well realize that their windows look out over the hot tub or feel that their property does encroach upon your privacy whilst you are in the hot tub. They may not even mention it but they will hopefully just become a little more sensitive to the issue of privacy and aware that they need to respect your space. Who knows they may even grow a hedge or put up some trees in their garden without even being asked.

Pergolas – It’s easy to get confused over the differences between gazebos, pergolas and trellis! Basically a pergola is a wooden structure that is erected over an outdoor area and usually vines and climbing plants are grown over it to make a natural “roof”. You can buy pergola kits or they can be made to measure. Depending upon the design of a pergola it can be a fairly hefty structure and will need very firm footings and probably it’s legs being set in cement.

If you don’t want the solid roof of a gazebo and fancy something little lighter and possibly more natural looking then a pergola might just do the job. Once the plants have grown to fill the roof space they make an effective natural barrier in terms of protecting your privacy however they are not quite as wind and waterproof as a gazebo.

Trees – Another tried and tested solution is to plant trees! Obviously they are good for the environment and look great but, if planted in the right spot they can offer increased privacy and weather protection as well. The only issue is that most trees are slow-growing and, if you buy them at any size at all they are pretty expensive.

Again check carefully what the estimated final height and spread of any tree that you plant in your garden will be. It is also a good idea to check that you are not planting the tree too near to the house as some tree roots can cause damage to building foundations.

Repositioning – It’s not too hard to reposition a hot tub if you really think that by moving it you would get more privacy. You would have to be completely committed to the idea and sure that it would benefit you though first. Also bear in mind all of the other factors involved in deciding upon the best position for your hot tub such as it’s proximity to the house and shelter from the weather.

The main issue with repositioning a hot tub is not the actual removal of the hot tub itself but having to make sure that you have a suitable base ready for the new location. You might need to extend a terrace or alter a deck for example both of which are time-consuming and expensive projects. Also bear in mind that you will have to get a new electrical connection set up and again this will be an added expense as you will probably need a qualified electrician to do this for you.

However, having said all of that the actual process of physically moving the hot tub can be relatively quickly achieved if you have a good band of strong helpers and some furniture removing trollies.

So, if you are convinced that a new location for your hot tub will give you peace of mind in terms of your privacy then maybe you should seriously consider moving it. After all, a hot tub is an expensive luxury and there’s absolutely no point in not fully being able to relax and enjoy it.

Indoor hot tubs – For the ultimate in privacy you might want to consider having an indoor hot tub or moving yours to an indoor location. There are some limitations on this as you will need a room with suitable drainage, ventilation and a weight-bearing floor but an indoor hot tub is a definite possibility.

Standing cover – Another nifty privacy trick is to use a cover on your hot tub along with a cover lifter that stands the cover vertically at the end of the hot tub. This can then potentially act as a privacy screen if you get it set up at the right end of the hot tub.

Cover lifters have the added advantage of reducing the risk of damage to your hot tub cover when you lift it off and they also significantly reduce the amount of effort and risk of injury you can experience when you try to lift a heavy hot tub cover off manually.

Brick walls – Building a brick wall around your hot tub is obviously a relatively large and permanent job. It comes with the advantage of strength and versatility but also gives you option of maybe designing the wall so that it can incorporate other features such as an outdoor fireplace.

Bricks also have the ability to store heat and a brick wall that has been in the sun all day will emanate a lovely warm glowing heat in the evening. This could potentially be very pleasant if your hot tub is close by and a well-designed brick enclosure could potentially be very private and very inviting.

Sunken Hot Tubs – If you are at the planning stages of your hot tub journey and you are concerned about privacy how about considering having the hot tub sunken into the ground? Depending upon the eye line of any neigboring properties this could significantly improve your privacy and give you peace of mind as well.

A sunken hot tub is also potentially easier to get in and out of as you only need to move in one direction. On a ground level hot tub you need to get up and over the edge whilst a hot tub that is sunken only requires that you lower yourself into it and then climb out.

If you do go down this route you will need to consult with your hot tub supplier about how to leave space around the hot tub for access for maintenance and also how the hot tub will be lowered into the ground. It is a little more complicated than a ground-level standing hot tub but may be well worth the effort.

Conclusion – Being concerned about your privacy whilst in your hot tub can seriously impact upon your enjoyment and ability to relax. We all have the right to privacy but, it is very easy to just accept a sense of low level concern without doing anything about it.

You deserve to be able to fully relax in your hot tub so it is well worth the effort of trying out a few solutions. Many of the above ideas are cheap quick and easy to put in place and hopefully, if they give you peace of mind they will be repay a small amount of effort to put in place with a big amount of peace of mind.