How to Plan a Small Backyard With a Deck & Hot Tub

Measure the dimensions of your backyard. Knowing exactly how much space you have to work with makes planning your backyard and designing your deck and hot tub enclosure a lot easier.

Examine the condition and structure of your existing deck if you have one. You can conserve space by placing the hot tub on your deck, but an unsturdy deck might not support the weight of the tub and water. Have a contractor do a structural analysis before you place a hot tub on an existing deck.

Contact your local authorities and ask about any set-back requirements for decks, hot tubs, spas or other backyard structures. They may require you to place those items a set number of feet from the home, or place them a minimum distance from any existing fences, depending on local laws.

Sketch a layout, to scale, of how you'd like your finished backyard to look . Designate the places where you want the deck, hot tub and other structures to go. Use the backyard measurements obtained in Step 1 to determine the optimal size of the hot tub and deck. For instance, if you have a very small yard, work in a personal size hot tub instead of a larger, family size unit.

Shop for deck kits, hot tubs, gazebos and hot tub enclosures that meet your size restrictions and still give you room to enjoy your backyard. Choose the proper elements for your backyard based on available total space.