best hot tubs 2024

Above-ground hot tub ideas to transform your backyard

The perfect antidote to a long day? It might just be soaking in an above-ground hot tub. The combination of warm water and massage jets can help you recharge your batteries. Whether you’ve had a demanding day at work, pushed yourself through an intense workout, or are managing chronic pain, a refreshing soak in a hot tub can relieve tension, ease stress, and relax joints.

Beyond enhancing your personal well-being, an above-ground hot tub has the potential to transform your backyard. With the right blend of landscaping, lighting, and thoughtful accessories, an above-ground hot tub can become a welcome focal point in your outdoor living space. 

But you want that outdoor space to be inviting and feel like you. Your backyard should be a reflection of your style and preferences; a place that feels like a getaway. So, how do you transform your backyard with an above-ground hot tub? 

These customer backyards offer inspiration and practical ideas for incorporating a Master Spas hot tub into your space.

portable gazebo hot tub

Advantages of above-ground hot tubs

With its ease of installation, versatility, and potential for customization, an above-ground hot tub allows you to make the most of your existing backyard features while creating a retreat that is uniquely yours. 

Ease of installation 

The goal of adding a hot tub to your backyard is relaxation. But not every project is stress-free. In-ground spas, which are often built adjacent to swimming pools, often require extensive and costly excavation — turning your backyard into a construction zone. 

Above-ground models, though, can be installed on a flat, level surface. Master Spas recommends a reinforced concrete patio that is designed to support the weight of the hot tub when filled with water. And for an above-ground hot tub, a patio is often the preferred location. However, hot tubs can also be installed on a deck that has proper reinforcement. 

And while an in-ground spa can take weeks or even months to complete, a Master Spas hot tub can be installed and ready for your first soak in less than a day. You just need to make sure that the patio is ready for the spa to be delivered.

Variety of design options

Hot tubs and built-in spas can range in look and features. Some in-ground spas are round with just a few jets for therapy, while the best hot tub brands like Master Spas offer a range of products. With a range of sizes, finishes, and features, Master Spas ensures that you can find the perfect match for your desired look and lifestyle. 

You can choose from a cozy two-person hot tub or a spacious six-person model that is ideal for hosting family and friends. Other features include lounge seating, specialty  jets like the Master Blaster foot therapy system, LED lighting, and waterfalls.

But when you are thinking about transforming your backyard, you’ll also want to consider the color of the cabinet and the acrylic. Warm up your backyard with an espresso-brown cabinet or channel cool tones with a graphite gray or midnight black cabinet. You can also customize the color of the acrylic to complement the space.

Accessibility and safety

You want to be able to easily get into — and out of — your hot tub. And the way you install a hot tub can influence how you step into the water. In-ground swim spas require you to squat down or even sit on the concrete to get into the water. This can be especially difficult if you have limited mobility or struggle with knee pain. The raised height of an above-ground spa from Master Spas facilitates easier entry and exit. 

Additionally, an above-ground installation allows you to use a traditional spa cover. With a locking-strap design, the cover adds a layer of safety while enhancing energy efficiency.

Seamless integration with landscaping

Above-ground hot tubs can act as a centerpiece to your landscaping design, bringing a sense of structure and purpose to your space. 

But you don’t have to completely overhaul your backyard to incorporate a hot tub into the space. With the right creative touches, you can add a hot tub to an existing patio or deck and make it seem as if it’s always been there. 

above ground hot tub ideas

Above-ground hot tub ideas

Transforming your backyard with an above-ground hot tub from Master Spas is more than just a home improvement project — it’s a lifestyle upgrade. A hot tub is a place where you can unwind, recharge, and make lasting memories with family and friends. 

While it’s easy to see yourself enjoying the soothing water, it might be harder to picture what the hot tub will look like in your space. These backyard ideas from Master Spas customers can help inspire your own project and create a space that you’ll love coming home to. 

Maximize small spaces

Cozy is often code for a space that’s cute but small. And this side yard could definitely be considered cozy. But what this area lacks in square footage, it makes up for in style and functionality. 

A side yard is a space that can often get overlooked. However, these homeowners maximized its use by adding an above-ground hot tub. The water is inviting, clean, and clear thanks in part to Master Spas’ EcoPur filtration system. This mineral system uses natural elements such as copper and zinc to remove contaminants with fewer chemicals compared to other water-care systems.

After a hot soak, the homeowners and their guests have myriad options for conversation and relaxation. A walk-up bar has an outdoor television, counter, stools, and string lights that make you feel as if you are at your favorite resort. An outdoor couch, lounge, and picnic table offer multiple options for seating and using the space. 

hot tub pergola

Landscape with lighting

Strategic landscaping can transform a simple hot tub installation into an inviting backyard feature. Consider planting lush greenery around your hot tub, creating natural privacy screens, and using path lights for safety and ambiance. Uplighting can accentuate trees and larger plants, while solar or LED string lights around your Master Spas hot tub set the perfect ambiance.

This backyard features a popular pairing — an above-ground hot tub with a pergola. The wood pergola not only defines and elevates the space but offers a sense of privacy. The homeowners hung string lights from the rafters for ambiance and vining plants climb the posts, adding texture and color. Colorful ceramic pots feature additional greenery.

Leaning into the relaxation of the hot tub, the space also features a neutral yet bold striped rug and a well-placed chair, perfect for drying off after the perfect 20-minute soak. 

hot tub pergola

Outdoor bar or kitchen near your hot tub

Enhance your hot tub experience by incorporating an outdoor bar or kitchen. It’s perfect for those who love to host and want to make entertaining as seamless as possible. 

This customer backyard is ideal for nights on the patio and hosting family and friends. The well-designed outdoor kitchen features stone-type pavers and a built-in gas grill and griddle. A large pergola with a metal roof provides shade and protection from the elements. Hanging baskets and containers are filled with vibrant flowers, adding color and texture to the space.

Adjacent to the patio is a Master Spas hot tub with a graphite gray cabinet that complements the stone elements in the backyard. And just feet away from the back door, the homeowners have convenient access to the benefits of owning a hot tub.

hot tub deck

Deck integration

A common question is “Can I put a hot tub on a deck?” 

When you look at this customer’s backyard, the answer is an emphatic “yes.” So long as it is properly reinforced and can support the weight, a deck can be an ideal place to install a hot tub. 

This approach not only looks great but also provides ease of access. Depending on the deck design, it can also allow you to add extra seating around the perimeter of your hot tub. Different levels, steps, and railing styles can add architectural interest and functionality.

This deck is beautiful in its simplicity. It features composite decking, which is low-slip and fade-resistant — perfect for any splashing as you get in and out of the spa. Lounge chairs offer additional relaxation and functionality to the space. An umbrella is available to provide shade or protection from the elements, even while in the hot tub.

above ground hot tub ideas

Poolside oasis

These Master Spas customers created a desert luxe vibe, embracing the native plants and hardscaping of the area. A variety of cacti are planted in the rock gardens that surround the paver patio and pool deck. Greenery overflows from a container as a mature tree offers shade. This addition of the pool further enhances the backyard design.

The hot tub, with its espresso cabinet and shell in Tuscany, is installed adjacent to the circular patio. It’s part of the space, yet there’s an underlying sense of seclusion. A variety of seating options, including an outdoor loveseat and chair, offer vantage points for relaxation and socialization.

Whether you’re dreaming of a cozy retreat nestled among lush greenery or an expansive oasis complete with an outdoor bar or kitchen, an above-ground hot tub allows you to tailor your outdoor space to reflect your unique style and preferences.

best pergola hot tub ideas

How to buy a hot tub

Are you ready to invest in your well-being and backyard? Master Spas hot tubs can be enjoyed this year and many years to come. You can click here to learn more about the benefits of hydrotherapy. Or, contact your local Master Spas retailer to learn more about hot tub ownership. Wondering how much a Master Spas hot tub costs? You can request a quote here.