To some cottagers it’s a luxury; to others it’s a necessity. But to anyone who’s dipped a toe into a cottage hot tub on a starry July night will agree on one thing: even the most rudimentary hot tub can be heaven. And while hot water and a tub are really all you need, these DIY upgrades take the cottage hot tub to the next level.
Design & DIY
Hot tub inspiration for DIYers
Cabin stove tub
This off-grid hot tub combines a Japanese wood stove with a simple stock tank—perfect for cottagers who don’t want roaring jets to distract them from the sounds of nature.
Cedar plank tub
If you’re not into acrylic moulded tubs, cedar tubs fit with the natural beauty of a cottage setting. They also tend to be much deeper, meaning you can get a full-body soak without conforming to plastic seats.
Floating hot tub
No deck? No problem! With a floating hot tub, you don’t need lakefront property to enjoy a view of the lake while taking a soak.
Hot tub gazebo
One of the great pleasures of cottaging is getting away from the city’s light pollution so you can see the stars. But there’s also something to be said for being able to soak when heavy snow is falling all around you beyond your gazebo roof.
Pergola hot tub
If you want to see the stars on clear nights, but still want a place to string twinkle lights when it’s cloudy, a pergola is the next best thing to a gazebo roof.
Trough hot tub
Round hot tubs can dominate a small deck, but this homemade trough design can be placed along a wall or ledge. It’s heated by water pumped through a fire pit’s coils.
