The backyard is an extension of a home, so it only makes sense that it should be as warm and inviting as gathering around a kitchen table. But what makes the space feel like a central hub for conversation, laughter and good times?
Begin with a hot tub and work your way out, says Mary Stefanski, product consultant for Regina Pools & Spas in Timonium, Maryland. But don’t stray too far from the back steps to begin your quest for the ideal setup.
“Our mentality is the closer to the house, the better,” she says. “The fewer the steps, the easier it is to use. So don’t place a spa 20 yards out into the yard or on the far end of the pool because if you can’t access it easily, you’re not going to use it.”
Plan it out
Stefanski says she typically begins consultations by handing customers a piece of paper and a pencil and asking them what they hope to accomplish in their backyard.
“From there, I see how our wellness products, like saunas, hot tubs and swim spas, can be incorporated into their design and how we can best lay it out,” says Stefanski, whose family has been in the business for more than 50 years. “Then I add some finishing touches because it’s all about the details.”
In West Palm Beach, Florida, South East Spas event coordinator Larry Skarsten says their design consultants go a little more high-tech.
“For the flow, we utilize Google Earth, and we actually have a program design manager that we use as well,” he says.
He adds that Google Earth can measure spaces, which helps pinpoint where pieces belong so the design can be stitched together seamlessly.
“We can position spas in corners or utilize vertical landscape to save space,” he explains.
Only after key elements are placed to serve as the focal point, such as the Master Spas products and the Michael Phelps cold tubs the company sells, can the rest of the amenities be added.
Add a splash of ambiance
Key ingredients for social gatherings include outdoor kitchens, fire pits and lounge furniture, Skarsten says.
“All of these pair well with our products to create an all-in-one entertainment relaxation zone,” he says.
Stefanski says there are two elements that seem to captivate an audience: water and fire.
For this reason, she says hot tubs, saunas and pools pair well with fire pits, fireplaces and tabletop fire bowls.
Next, Stefanski recommends sprinkling in LED lighting to set the mood.
“You can do a lot with lighting, especially lots of accent lighting,” she says. “Whether it’s lighting the pool or the hot tub or the landscaping and syncing all of it together. You’re able to control it right from your phone, and there are some cool apps where you can have a lot of technology involved, whether it’s through Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.”
Skarsten agrees customizable ambiance can help set the tone for any backyard space.
“Hot tubs naturally encourage conversation and relaxation, which is perfect for intimate or lively gatherings,” he says. “We’ve got features like LED lighting and waterfall sound systems that create an atmosphere tailored to any event. And, of course, the products are built for year-round enjoyment.”
From basics to bells and whistles
For more basic functionality, Skarsten says creating zones connected with lit pathways and decking makes for an ideal setup that can be capped off with landscaping to frame the space and highlight its functionality.
Heated pathways also make a space more inviting and functional year-round, Stefanski says.
“A lot of clients are incorporating heated elements in patios and pavers, so that if you want to walk on it barefoot in the fall, you can,” she says. “And then when it snows, it helps melt the snow away a little faster so that you’re not trudging through snow to get to your hot tub or sauna.”
Stefanski adds one of the most important elements to making a backyard feel welcoming is accessibility. From small children to older adults, details like handrails and wide steps ensure everyone has a safe, enjoyable experience in your backyard retreat.
For me, it’s having a place to gather and relax because at the end of the day, you want a safe space, and if you have a safe space, your brain can disconnect and not be so wired and release some of those endorphins.”
Mary Stefanski, Regina Pools & Spas
“For me, it’s having a place to gather and relax because at the end of the day, you want a safe space, and if you have a safe space, your brain can disconnect and not be so wired and release some of those endorphins,” she explains. “That way, you can actually enjoy the space that you’ve created.”
Creating Layers for Liveliness
Looking for ways to create an inviting space in your client’s backyard? Here are some tried-and-true components that pair well with pools and spas:
| Lighting | From well-lit walkways to accent lighting that highlights surrounding landscaping, the right light can set the mood, act as a safety net to navigate the space safely or provide the right amount of luminosity for family game night. |
| Speakers | While some models are incorporated to look like rocks or other landscape materials, even regular speakers can surround a space and provide endless hours of music from anyone’s favorite playlist. |
| Walkways | Being able to move from one zone to the next is ideal in creating a space in which guests feel comfortable. |
| Landscaping | Succulents and small raised beds with herbs provide a pop of greenery and perhaps even a subtle fragrance to enjoy. |
| Outdoor TVs | Give friends and family access to the big game or other featured events without ever having to leave the backyard. |
| Outdoor furniture | From eco-friendly options to Adirondack chairs to pit couches, nothing encourages conversation more than a comfy place to sit. |
| Shade structures, gazebos and pergolas | Respite from the sun, wind and rain is a great way to extend the use of a backyard. |