We never use our hot tub because we live in Houston. Previous owner put it into the deck.

So I plan on refurbishing the deck as well as I can and removing the hot tub. Tried to get people to take it away for free, but will probably just take a saw to it.

Question is, what to do with the space?

I have a 16 month old (pictured above) and another due in October.

Ideas: remove that entire section and build an outdoor kitchen

Sand box (would need some sort of cover, because neighborhood cats as well as our outdoor car would likely leave exciting surprises

Ball pit: I would have loved that as a kid. Again, need a cover. Snakes are sometimes in our yard.

What say you, Home Improvement board?

give hot tub away for free. keep the cover. make it a sand box.

Could also easily make it into a garden or flower bed.

Hell instead of all that non-sense, after looking at your picture more, I'd remove the last vertical section of wood, re-deck the top and have a nice raised area to put that table, you could also install 1-2 more umbrellas or put up some 4x4 or 6x6 and make a pergolla roof.

You have the base so the rest wouldn't be that bad.

[This message has been edited by OnlyForNow (edited 4/8/2014 7:58a).]

I can be there all day Sunday (Saturday too if need be) or really any day during the week helping you remove your working hot tub to load onto my trailer. I have a very open schedule. I'll also bring your beverage of choice.

wunderbrad at hotmail dot com

I've put the hot tub on CL for free several times. No takers. It worked last time I tried to use it just fine, but that was several years ago. The top needs to be trashed. If one of you guys wants to pick it up from me, I'd be more than happy to help.

We already have two large sections of deck besides where the hot tub is. We were considering putting a pergola up on the section right in front of it. We have enough room on the next section (where my daughter is playing) for three six-person tables.

We were thinking pergola+ceiling fan on the one section with an outdoor couch/sectional then keep the other section for the table and kid toys.

Here is that section of deck, with a pair of Lucchese goat leather boots. The hot tub part is on the left.

Boots free too???

I have the same Luchesse boots in Spanish goat with the same toe. Mine are tan, though. Thought I was the only one with such good taste.

I like your ideas soup. Just takes tine