Unless you're some kind of exhibitionist, walking semi-nude beneath your neighbor's windows probably didn't form part of the fantasy life you imagined when the possibility of a hot tub first came to mind. What you'll be glad to know is that even if you've gone and installed the thing already, there are a good number of landscaping ideas for privacy around hot tubs that will make sure you don't have to worry about peeping toms or judgmental voyeurs making your relaxing time a tense or nervous experience.

The absolute best idea for a hot tub privacy design - in terms of providing privacy, at least - also probably goes against what most people find so attractive about the idea of a hot tub - being outdoors in hot water. In other words, you can install your hot tub inside a hut-like wooden structure, one in which you can soak, steam and perhaps even enjoy the garden view through some tinted windows. Alternatively, you could leave one side of the hut open, for a hawaiian-island-type bathing experience. If you're short for space on options like these, you could always convert one of the rooms in your home into a sauna room.

At the opposite extreme are ideas for landscaping around hot tubs that will work just as well as any commercial hot tub privacy designs. Think about planting leafy, evergreen trees that will provide a lush barrier between you and the world without being a source of mess in autumn - even if a plant looks great or produces delicious odours, you want to steer clear of anything that's going to drop leaves, needles or rotten fruit in or around your pool. Alternatively, espalier trees are trees whose branches have been trained to grow sideways, forming a flat wall of greenery without consuming any space - they make for a refined, novel, Victorian look. For something with a bit of a kinkier jungle-feel with absolutely minimal hassle, try going with the vertical lines of bamboo, which also function as a great windbreak.

There's also something novel about the look of an Asian backyard hot tub, which is raised out of the ground and is more easily relocated than inground hot tubs or tubs built into a deck. Their attractive vertical lines make them a worthy feature in their own right.

Sure, you could also build a wall or a picket fence around your hot tub - it's an idea for landscaping that will also provide a feeling of security for parents more worried that their kids could trip and fall in the hot tub than they are about whether they're surround by beautiful vegetation.

A far more spectacular solution with the same benefits to a wall or fence is a hot tub privacy design dating from before the French Revolution. It involves building a pergola around the hot tub. A pergola is basically a corridor of trellis walls leading to a dome that covers the pool - once covered with creepers, this design results in a leafy igloo that traps rising moisture for an even steamier experience. It also protects from rain and wind. Take heed, however, that as spectacular as this design is, it will need frequent maintenance to keep is clear of spiders, snails and other creatures attracted to moisture-rich environments.

Check out these sites for further information on Landscaping Ideas for Privacy and Asian Backyard Hot Tubs.