Integrating Custom Spas into Landscape Design: A Professional's Guide

You don't need to have a pool to enjoy luxurious water-based entertainment areas

updated 07/21/26

Pool-attached spas utlize the pools main water and filtration system and the cascading water creates a beautiful focal point.

After 30+ years in the landscape design and installation industry here in Arizona, I've learned that choosing the right type of water structure can really help make an outdoor living space come to life. For many Arizonans that may mean a swimming pool but for others, pools aren't always the best option or even a good fit. In this article, I want to discuss a great alternative to swimming pools: outdoor spas.

Understanding Your Spa Options: From Simple to Luxurious

When clients ask me about adding a spa to their landscape, the first thing I do is help them understand the different options available. While it wasn't always the case, these days the variety of spas available is amazing, and each type requires different considerations for outdoor spa and pool hardscaping. Let me share what I've learned about the main types.

Above-Ground Acrylic Spas: The Versatile Choice

I'll be honest, I haven't always been a huge fan of above-ground spas. But manufacturers have really stepped up their game in recent years. Modern acrylic spas can be absolutely stunning when properly integrated into the landscape. The key is creating a design that makes the spa look intentional rather than just dropped into place as an afterthought.

These homeowners opted for an acrylic above-ground spa, nestled under a custom built ramada for shade during the day.

One of my favorite projects involved building a multi-level deck around an acrylic spa, with built-in planters and LED lighting. The end result looked like a high-end resort feature rather than a typical hot tub installation. These spas are great because they:

• Come in various sizes and configurations

• Offer excellent energy efficiency

• Can be moved if needed (though I don't recommend planning for this)

• Usually include built-in features like jets and lighting

• Tend to be more budget-friendly than custom options

Swim Spas: The Perfect Compromise

In recent years, swim spas have become increasingly popular in Arizona, especially among clients who want the benefits of both a pool and a spa but have limited space. They are especially great options for those with shallow or narrow yards who may not have the room for a traditional swimming pool.

The key advantages of swim spas include:

• Year-round usability for exercise and relaxation

• Smaller footprint than a traditional pool

• Lower maintenance costs

• Excellent for physical therapy and low-impact exercise

• Can often be installed where a full pool isn't feasible

Custom Recessed Spas: Made to Match Your Style

One of my favorite types of installations are custom recessed spas. These offer unlimited design possibilities. My clients love that they can be built to match the style and color scheme of their home or other outdoor structures, and can include a number of additional features like lighting or attached planters.

Another spa project with a stacked stone surround. The masonry is raised 18" above grade, a comfortable height for the homeowners to easily get in and out. The wide ledge provides plenty of room to set drinks and towels.

I have worked on a number of these spa projects over the years to create some truly unique features. One project that stands out involved building a four-sided negative-edge spa that appeared to float above the surrounding desert landscape. It was certainly an eye-catching focal point that elevated the entire look and feel of the client's outdoor space.

Project Spotlight: A Stacked-Stone Spa Build

This is exactly the kind of build I love showing clients when they're trying to picture what a custom spa can look like once it's finished and lit up at night.

A recessed spa built into a stacked travertine surround, positioned poolside so both features share the same decking, lighting, and stone finishes.

For this type of project, the spa is set 18" above grade rather than flush with the pool deck. There are a few reasons I like this approach for the right yard:

• It creates a natural visual anchor and focal point at the back of the space

• The raised height makes getting in and out easier for clients who don't want to step down into a sunken spa

• It opens up the option for uplighting underneath the coping, which gives that soft glow you can see washing across the travertine pavers in the evening shot

• The stacked stone cladding lets us tie the spa's exterior into other hardscape elements already on the property like the back water feature on the pool and the outdoor kitchen

A closer look at the stacked stone texture and the recessed lighting built into the base of the spa surround.

David's Two Cents: Clients are often surprised by how much a raised spa changes the feel of a backyard compared to a flush or sunken one. It's a small design decision, but it turns the spa into a feature you notice the moment you walk outside, not just a tub tucked into a corner. If you're working with a smaller side yard like this one, a raised platform with built-in lighting is one of the easiest ways to make the space feel finished and intentional.

Pool-Attached Spas: Creating a Seamless Look

A pool-attached spa, also known as a spillover spa, uses the main pool's water and filtration system, and allows the water to cascade over a raised dam wall into the main pool.

Working alongside several different pool companies over the years has taught me a lot about integrating spas with swimming pools. The most important lesson? The spa should look like it was always meant to be there, not an afterthought. There are a number of different techniques that I employ when I design or help construct pool-attached spas.

A pool-attached spa, also known as a spillover spa, utilizes the main pool's water and filtration system, typically allowing the water to cascade over a raised dam wall into the main pool. This can be a great option for homeowners who

This Gilbert spa has a negative edge spillway from the spa to the pool which creates a beautiful visual effect over the texture and reflection of the spa's tile.

We used the same natural stone materials on this spa as the rest of the decking to create a seamless and cohesive look.

Some of my favorite design techniques include:

• Using identical interior finishes in both pool and spa

• Incorporating the pool and spa finishes into other places in the yard when possible

• Creating multiple spillway effects between the spa and pool

• Incorporating shared water features

• Designing unified lighting schemes

• Using consistent coping and decking materials to tie the pool and spa together and to the rest of the space

The homeowner selected this gorgeous blue tile which we paired with the tile on the fireplace to create a seamless and cohesive look throughout the yard.

The Technical Side of Integrating Custom Spas into Landscape Design

Here's something other contractors may not tell you upfront: different types of spas require very different installation approaches. For example, I once had a client who wanted to convert their above-ground spa into an in-ground installation. The amount of retrofitting required made it more expensive than starting fresh with a proper in-ground spa.

Foundation Requirements That Matter

Each spa type needs specific foundation preparation:

• Above-ground spas need a perfectly level pad, often concrete

• In-ground spas require proper excavation and shell construction

• Swim spas often need enhanced structural support due to their size and weight

• Pool-attached spas must be engineered to prevent settling and maintain proper water flow

Electrical Requirements for Spas and Jacuzzis Can't Be Ignored

One thing I can't stress enough to my clients when considering a spa or jacuzzi is the importance of paying attention to electrical requirements. Most modern spas require a dedicated 220-240 volt circuit with adequate amperage to power the heaters, pumps, and lighting systems. This necessitates working with a licensed electrician to ensure the spa has the following:

• Dedicated circuit: the spa needs its own circuit directly from the main electrical panel

• GFCI protection: Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter is mandatory for all outdoor spas

• Proper wire sizing: typically 6-gauge copper wire is required, but this varies based on the spa's specifications and distance from the panel

• Disconnect switch: a weatherproof disconnect must be installed within sight of the spa, but at least 5 feet away

• Conduit requirements: underground wiring must be run through approved weatherproof conduit

• Permit and inspections: required in most jurisdictions

How Do You Get That Spa or Swim Spa Back There?

The installation process for your spa or swim spa varies significantly depending on the type, size, and accessibility of your property. Most prefab spas are delivered as complete units, while swim spas may require more extensive planning due to their larger size. The installation approach chosen depends on factors like your yard's layout, access points, and the specific features you've selected.

Here's a breakdown of the most common installation methods:

• Crane delivery: for larger spas and swim spas, a crane may be required to lift the unit over your home or obstacles and place it precisely in your prepared site

• Hand-carried installation: smaller portable spas can sometimes be moved in sections through gates or walkways and assembled on site

• Semi-modular delivery: some swim spas are transported on flatbed trucks and rolled or slid into position using specialized equipment

• Prefabricated acrylic spas: these typically come as complete units and require either crane lifting or multiple-person teams to maneuver into place

• Prefabricated acrylic shells: these are the spa unit but without exterior walls, and are dropped into a masonry structure prepared ahead of time on site

Creating the Perfect Spa Environment

If you already own, or if you've ever considered adding a spa to your outdoor space, you know that it is only one part of the equation. For maximum utility, enjoyment, and relaxation, the surrounding environment matters just as much and should be well thought out to complement the inclusion of your spa or jacuzzi.

When discussing outdoor spa projects with my clients, I also recommend considering the following:

• Privacy screening using landscape elements (especially if your property contains a view fence)

• Comfortable seating areas nearby

• Easy access from the house

• Shade structures for daytime use

• Storage solutions for chemicals and accessories

  
  

  

  A negative edge spa on this custom Gilbert home spills over into the main pool with nearby seating and entertainment area.

Common Design Mistakes to Avoid

One mistake I see that I try to help my clients avoid is underestimating the importance of good access to your spa or jacuzzi. You need to think about:

• Daily access for users (including safe, well-lit pathways)

• Maintenance access for equipment servicing

• Cover removal and storage (this can be a big one, believe it or not!)

• Equipment placement for efficient operation

• Safety measures in place for those who may have more difficulty getting in and out

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a custom in-ground spa more expensive than an above-ground acrylic spa? Generally, yes. In-ground spas require excavation, shell construction, and masonry work, so they cost more upfront than a prefabricated acrylic spa. But they also offer far more design flexibility, and they tend to add more resale value since they're built as a permanent part of the landscape.

Can I add a raised, stone-clad spa surround to an existing above-ground spa? It depends on the spa. Some acrylic spas can be built into a raised platform after the fact, but it's much easier and more cost-effective to plan the surround before the spa is installed. Retrofitting can run into structural and access issues, similar to what I mentioned about converting above-ground spas to in-ground units.

How much space do I need for a swim spa versus a full pool? Swim spas typically need significantly less space than a traditional pool, which is why they work well in narrow side yards or smaller backyards. The exact footprint depends on the model, but many swim spas fit where a full pool simply wouldn't.

Do I need a permit to install a spa in Arizona? In most East Valley jurisdictions, yes. Permits are generally required for electrical work, and often for the structure itself depending on the type of spa and whether it's in-ground or attached to a pool. I always recommend confirming requirements with your city before starting.

What's the benefit of raising a spa instead of setting it flush with the deck? A raised spa creates a stronger visual focal point, can make entry and exit easier for many clients, and opens up options like uplighting built into the base. It's a design choice I lean toward when a client wants the spa to feel like a feature rather than an add-on.

How do I keep my spa and pool looking like one cohesive design instead of two separate features? Consistency is the key. I try to match coping, decking, and interior finishes between the spa and pool whenever possible, and carry those same materials or colors into other parts of the yard like fireplaces or seating walls.

Thoughtful material choices and a raised spa design help this pool feel like one seamless, custom outdoor living space

How Do I Choose the Perfect Spa for My Space?

Wondering how to choose the perfect spa for your yard? If you're in the Phoenix area and thinking about adding a spa or swim spa to your outdoor living space, I'd love to help you explore some options that will work well for your specific situation. I know with so many great choices, it can seem overwhelming, but with the right design approach, a spa can become a beautiful and functional part of your landscape. Click the link below for a free consultation, and let's talk about creating your perfect outdoor retreat.

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