Your hot tub is a break from the demands and stresses of the outside world. What better way to enhance that feeling than by transforming your backyard into a relaxing retreat? Here are five suggestions for creating a backyard setting that will make a soak in your hot tub an even more enjoyable experience for family and guests. Provide a Tranquil Setting Nothing will make your backyard look more like a mini resort than lush and beautiful landscaping. Use a pleasing combination of foliage and flowers to create a well-designed aesthetic. Enhance your backyard décor even further with such features as miniature waterfalls, decorative wind chimes, garden sculptures, and bird feeders strategically placed to attract songbirds to the far reaches of your backyard. Find inspiration in our gallery. Go Au Natural A natural appearance for your deck or patio will add to the overall attractiveness of your spa setting. Stain your deck with a transparent or semi-transparent coating that lets the wood grain show through. Or, for greater UV protection, choose a solid wood coating in a nature-inspired color like dark oak or redwood. For patios, consider natural stone materials such as granite or marble. Concerned about hot feet? Travertine pavers or stained concrete will keep your patio surface cooler than other alternatives. Maximize Your Privacy For some, soaking in a hot tub is more enjoyable without the intrusion of the outside world. You can enhance backyard seclusion in a number of ways, but what often works best is a six- or eight-foot privacy fence. Many people prefer the aesthetics of a natural wooden fence, but vinyl fencing is easier to maintain while also being stylish. As an alternative to a privacy fence, trees or shrubbery can provide you with sufficient concealment. Another way to provide privacy is with a pergola. Covered in vines or greenery, this overhead structure can give your spa area some natural beauty while also obscuring the view from the outside world. Set the Stage for Entertaining Having a hot tub means you’re likely to do a lot of entertaining. If so, make sure you have the necessary accoutrements—outdoor furniture, a grill station, a fire pit or stone fireplace, and perhaps even an outdoor bar. Keep anything that could be a potential hazard—such as the grill, fire pit, or glass barware—at a safe distance from the spa. To facilitate entertaining, provide a comfortable seating area for guests to use when they are not in the hot tub. Choose outdoor fabrics for chairs and sofas that are chlorine-resistant and sturdy enough to hold up to the weather. A calm and soothing environment will enhance the benefits of a backyard spa. With beautiful décor and various amenities, you can create a backyard setting that family and guests will thoroughly enjoy. As the weather warms up, there’s no better time to turn your attention to cleaning and maintenance. Jacuzzi® Brand offers these useful tips for getting your hot tub ready for spring.