What goes perfectly well with Australia’s delightfully warm weather, lush vegetation, and the great love for outdoor entertainment and relaxation? A garden spa of course! Taking time to unwind with the soothing jets massaging your tired muscles is something you’d normally expect from an expensive holiday retreat, but having this comfort in your garden? An absolute bliss!

While the thought of owning an outdoor spa might seem impossible at first, whether due to your tight budget or simply because you don’t feel like dealing with all the mess that comes with the installation, it’s totally achievable! Today, there’s a huge range of outdoor spas for sale that can suit everyone’s budget and lifestyle needs. Plus, the installation has become so simple that you don’t have to worry about having your whole garden dug out.

But as with any home improvement project, you should still carefully consider your options before making any rush purchases. Ask yourself, what do you expect from a spa? For instance, will you be using it primarily for therapeutic and health reasons, or as an outdoor entertainment element? Do you want a spacious piece perfect for social activities? Or all of the above? Your answer to these questions will help you decide on what to spend the most – whether you want a 2-person or an 8-person spa, and whether you want to invest in more jets for hydrotherapy, or in a built-in sound surround system.

But before you start browsing the wide selection of spas for sale, you’ll have to make another decision. Do you want a prefabricated, portable model that you can place at any spot in your garden, or a built-in structure? Portable spas can fit in most places without the need for remodelling. They can be lowered into a whole into the garden and be at ground level, or positioned on a deck as long as it can take the weight. Making this spa visually appealing can be sometimes tricky, as the pump will be visible from the outside.

On the other hand, built-in spa are much more aesthetically pleasing because the pump and the heater are inside the surround supporting the spa. However, they tend to be rather costly, and generally need more space to be incorporated in. And besides the additional expenses, built-in spa usually don’t offer as much jets nor moulded seats, as portable models do. This is why portable spas offer much more benefits.

After making these decisions, it’s also important to make sure that the spa is safe for everyone that will use it. The water level should always be adjusted so that it’s not above the neck when seated, and children under five can stand in it. Like any space exposed to humidity, the spa is also at risk from developing mould and bacteria. Make sure you clean it every week if you use it regularly. A layer of Microban for anti-bacterial protection and a working filtration system can ensure your spa remains a clean space to enjoy hours of fun and soaking.