Before you look at models, colours, or price, work out whether the space you’ve got can actually take what you want. This is the question we get wrong-footed by most often, when someone’s already picked a hot tub online before checking it’ll fit.
Hot tubs
Most hot tubs need a base around 2m by 2m, though larger models with more seats can push closer to 2.3m square. Add clearance on at least one side for servicing access and for the cover to lift without hitting a fence or wall. A tight corner spot can work, but it makes future filter changes and repairs harder than they need to be, so leave yourself some room if you can.
Swim spas
These are a different scale entirely. A swim spa’s footprint is set by its length, typically 4 to 6 metres, so you’re planning around a much longer strip of garden rather than a square. Width tends to sit around 2.2 to 2.5 metres. If you’re considering one, measure the actual run of garden you have before getting attached to a specific model, since the length varies more between products than people expect.
Saunas
A sauna needs far less floor space than either of the above. A small two-person cabin can fit in under 2 square metres, though anything you’ll actually enjoy using regularly tends to start around 1.5m by 1.5m internally. Ventilation and a bit of clearance around the heater matter more here than raw floor area.
Ice baths
These take up the least space of anything we sell, often under a metre across. The real planning question with an ice bath is usually drainage and access to a water supply, not floor space.
Base and ground preparation matter as much as the footprint
Whatever you’re installing, it needs a firm, level, load-bearing base. A filled hot tub weighs well over a tonne once you include the water and bathers, so a base that isn’t properly prepared can shift or crack over time. This applies even more to swim spas given the extra weight of the water they hold. If you’re not sure your patio or decking can take the weight, ask us before you order rather than after.
Don’t forget access, not just the final spot
The space where it’ll sit is only half the question. Can it actually get there? Gates, side passages, steps and overhanging branches all matter for delivery, and this is worth checking before you buy, not after the hot tub is sitting on a lorry outside your house. Our transport page covers what we look for during an access assessment.
Power supply: the part people forget
Space is the obvious question, but the electrical supply catches just as many people out. A lot of hot tubs need a dedicated, correctly-rated supply run out to them by a qualified electrician, wired back to the consumer unit on its own protected circuit. Some smaller plug-and-play models will run from a standard 13A socket, but they heat more slowly and are the exception rather than the rule. Swim spas almost always need a heavier supply again. It is worth knowing this before you buy, because the cost and practicality of getting power to the spot you have in mind can shape the whole decision. We will tell you what a given model needs so you can factor it in early.
Getting the position right, not just the fit
Once you know it fits, think about where it actually wants to go. How private is the spot, and would a screen or some planting help. Which way does the wind come from, because an exposed corner in a Cornish garden can make getting in and out less pleasant than a sheltered one. How far is it from the house, since on a wet January night the walk to the tub matters more than you would think. Is there a view worth pointing the seats towards. And where will the water go when you drain it, because a tub full of treated water needs somewhere sensible to run off. None of these are dealbreakers, but sorting them before installation saves shifting things around afterwards.
Leaving room to actually look after it
It is tempting to tuck a tub tight into a corner to save space, but leave yourself room to work around it. The cover needs clearance to lift and fold without catching a fence, and at least one side should stay accessible so filters, the pump and the control pack can be reached for servicing or a repair. A tub boxed in on all four sides can turn a straightforward filter change or fault-find into an awkward job, which is time, and sometimes cost, you would rather not add. A little breathing room around the cabinet pays for itself over the years you own it.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put a hot tub on my decking?
Sometimes, but only if the decking is built to take the weight. A filled tub with people in it weighs well over a tonne, and standard garden decking often is not rated for that. If there is any doubt, ask us to look before you order, because a base that flexes or sinks causes problems down the line.
Do I need planning permission for a hot tub?
For a normal domestic hot tub in a garden, usually not, as it is treated much like other garden furniture. There can be exceptions for listed properties, conservation areas or unusual installations, so if your property falls into one of those it is worth checking with your local authority. We are happy to talk through the practical side.
How close to the house can it go?
Close is often better, especially for winter use, as long as there is still access around it for servicing and for the cover to open. The main things to keep clear of are the electrical supply route and any drainage. We will help you find a spot that is convenient and still practical to maintain.
Can it sit on grass or gravel?
Not directly. A tub needs a firm, level, load-bearing base, so grass or loose gravel on its own will not do. A proper slab, a reinforced base or suitable paving is what you are aiming for. We will tell you what a given model needs before delivery.
What kind of electrical supply will I need?
It depends on the model. Many need a dedicated supply installed by a qualified electrician, while some smaller plug-and-play tubs run from a standard socket but heat more slowly. Tell us which tub you are considering and we will let you know what is required so you can arrange it in good time.
Not sure what fits?
Send us the rough dimensions of your space, or even just photos, and we’ll tell you honestly what will and won’t work rather than trying to squeeze something in that’s going to cause problems later.
Browse our full range | Ask us what fits your space
Reviewed by the Coastal Hot Tubs and Wellness team.
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