How to Choose and Arrange Outdoor Seating Around a Hot Tub

The best seating around a hot tub is close enough to reach in a few steps, comfortable when it's cold and wet and set far enough back to leave a clear path. A backed bench and a couple of chairs in solid wood cover all of that. Below are layouts that work for most yards, plus what to look for in the material.

Start With the Walkway

Anyone stepping out of a hot tub is wet and cold, so they want a seat close by, somewhere to put a towel and a drink and a surface that isn't freezing. Plan the walkway before the seats. Hot tub makers recommend at least 18 inches of clear space around the tub and about 3 feet is better if you have it, especially with kids or older relatives using the tub. Keep the access panels clear so a technician can reach them.

Place seats just past the walkway, within a few steps of the water, with their backs to a wall, fence or the wind. Your owner's manual lists the exact clearances for your model.

Hot Tub and Seating Area Ideas

These layouts work in most yards and each one keeps the walkway open.

A Bench Along the House or Fence

A bench against a wall uses no walking space and blocks the wind, so it's a good first piece. Allow about two feet per adult, which means a 4-foot bench fits two. Cedar Creek builds its benches with a 17-inch seat height and a 15-degree back angle, comfortable for a long soak and the chat afterward.

Two Chairs Angled Toward the Tub

Angle two Adirondack chairs slightly toward the tub and you get a relaxed seat and a view of the water without craning your neck. Arms are handy for a mug.

An L-Shaped Bench and Chair Layout

Put a bench along one side and a chair or two at the end. The bench takes extra guests when friends and family stop by and the chairs give a backrest to anyone staying a while.

One Chair and a Small Table

For a quiet evening, one chair and a small round table are enough. The 24-inch top holds a drink, a book or a towel and the table is light enough to slide out of the way when you lift the cover.

A Gentle Curve for Hosting

If you entertain, set a bench and two chairs in a shallow curve facing the tub and leave a clear path behind them. Everyone can see the water and each other.

A Seating Nook Beside an Arbor

An arbor beside the seats gives the area an edge, some shade and a little privacy from the neighbors. You can hang string lights or an outdoor curtain from it, or let climbing plants grow over it. Keep it next to the seating or at the start of the path, not over the tub, so the cover lifts freely. It adds privacy and light, not a roof.

A Fire Pit Corner for Cold Nights

A fire pit gives everyone a place to warm up after the tub. Put it on stone, brick or concrete, not on a wooden deck or the grass and keep it well away from the tub, its cover and any low branches. Seats go a few feet from the flame, usually 2 to 3 feet for gas and 3 to 4 feet for wood. Check your local fire rules before you place it and see these fire pit seating ideas for layouts.

Best Seating Materials for Cold, Wet Weather

Hot tub seating gets splashed and used in the cold, so the material makes a real difference. Solid wood is the most comfortable choice for most families.

 

Cedar works especially well here. It resists decay and termites on its own, keeps its shape through changing weather and weathers to a soft silver-gray if you leave it natural. Cedar Creek has worked with it in Ingalls, Michigan since 1975 and rinsing off splashes is usually all the care it needs.

Small Touches That Make It Cozy

A few small things make the space easier to enjoy at night. Keep a throw blanket within reach of every seat and a spot for drinks beside each one. Lay a non-slip outdoor rug on the path from the tub, since stepping from warm water onto bare, wet decking is cold and can be slippery. Use low, warm lighting that stays out of people's eyes.

Final Thoughts

Good seating around a hot tub comes down to a clear path, seats a few steps from the water and a material that stays comfortable in the cold and damp. A backed bench and a pair of chairs do that and an arbor or fire pit adds privacy and warmth. Cedar Creek Furniture builds its benches, chairs and arbors from the same Northern white cedar, so a setup you add to over a few seasons still matches.

FAQs

 

What do you put around a hot tub?

A backed bench or a few chairs, a small table within reach and a non-slip rug on the path from the tub. Add soft lighting and a windbreak and keep a clear walkway around the tub itself.

How close should seating be to a hot tub?

Close enough to reach in a few steps but outside the open walkway around the tub. That walkway should be at least 18 inches and about 3 feet is ideal. Check your owner's manual for your model.

Can you put wooden furniture next to a hot tub?

Yes. Wood that resists decay, such as cedar, handles damp air and splashes well and it stays more comfortable to sit on than metal in the cold. Keep it off standing water and rinse splashes when you see them.

How do you stop a hot tub area from being slippery?

Keep a direct, clear path from the tub to the seating, lay a non-slip rug on it and shake off standing water after use.

Can you put a fire pit next to a hot tub?

Yes, with space between them. Use a stone, brick or concrete base, keep it away from the tub, its cover and overhead branches and check your local fire rules and the maker's clearances.