Ah, the joy of warm bubbles on a cool night.

Just about everyone loves the idea of a pool or spa, but do they really get used? This is an important question to consider. Some people have them and use them all the time. Others find that two years after they put one in, they’re taking it out and starting over with a new deck plan.

Truth be told, some fantasies just don’t fit in with our lifestyle. But, there’s another reason outdoor spaces don’t get used. Bad design. If you intend to use your pool or spa, think about the space around them. Is it a space you’ll enjoy spending time in? An indoor example of this would be sticking a lavish bathtub in an empty room with no windows and wondering why you’d rather take a shower down the hall.

Creating an outdoor environment you want to spend time in.

Giving some thought to what you’ll be looking at while you’re in your hot tub or where you’ll be lounging after your dip in the pool can make all the difference. And where you locate a pool or spa area can be just as important.

This is a fine example working with the space you have. The design pays attention to visual interest and location. Even though the hot tub is tucked in next to a descending staircase along a walkway that links the back deck to front of the house, the space is intimate without feeling crowded. The small potted tree helps to connect you with the countryside and the view of the sitting area keeps you from feeling isolated.

Xtendex rice hull composite decking was used here for its natural water resistance. StoneDeck and Tropical Hardwoods also work well around pools and spas, but in this situation the composite decking fit the space better and will be easier to maintain.