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The gentle burble of a backyard fountain or the tranquil view of koi lazily circling in a pond have an instantly soothing effect. Adding the sights and sounds of moving water to your landscape takes your exterior living spaces from ordinary to extraordinary.
Water features like ponds, fountains, waterfalls, and watercourses create private oases that encourage relaxation. The calming properties of aquatic amenities foster serenity and can lower stress and anxiety levels. Just imagining a perfectly placed backyard water feature likely elicited peace and tranquility.
Crave Designs has specialized in crafting bespoke water features for over a decade to integrate seamlessly into residential and commercial environments. From Quartzite stone cascade waterfalls to copper spill fountains modeled after ancient artifacts, their custom designs infuse landscapes with the timeless allure of water.
They are enhancing outdoor living areas with hand-selected water features, which encourage their use and provide space for solitude, rejuvenation, and connection with nature.
Benefits of Installing a Backyard Water Feature
There are many excellent reasons to consider incorporating a water feature into your landscape design. Some of the top benefits include:
Visual Appeal – Few design elements are as universally pleasing as the sight and sound of trickling water. The motion and sounds are mesmerizing and create visual interest.
Relaxation – The gentle bubbling or flowing water produces a calm, tranquil environment. This can lower stress levels and promote relaxation.
Attracts Wildlife – Birds, butterflies, and other wildlife are drawn to water sources. A backyard water feature can increase biodiversity.
Masks Unwanted Noise—The cascading sounds of moving water help drown out unattractive noises from traffic, machinery, etc.
Adds Value – Water features often boost a home’s curb appeal and can increase its resale value.
Popular Types of Water Features
If you’ve decided to enhance your exterior living space with the addition of water, there are several options to consider:
Ponds
Ponds are likely what first comes to mind when imagining a water feature. Ponds can be designed in a formal geometric shape or created in a more naturalized form with irregular edges. There is a lot of flexibility in pond placement, but ensure good sunlight exposure for proper algae control.
Incorporating aquatic plants also helps maintain water quality. Popular pond features include fountains, cascades, bubblers, and lights. Beneficial microorganisms and filters keep water clean and clear.
The sight and sound of water gently cascading down natural stone or concrete waterfalls is deeply satisfying. Waterfalls can be designed as small personal meditation falls or larger grotto-style falls with seating areas behind the waterfall. Using indigenous rocks, boulders, and native plants around the waterfall creates a natural habitat environment.
Fountains
A few elements represent luxury and elegance, such as a gracefully arching fountain. Available in many styles, from modern and sleek to classically ornamented, fountains send water dancing into the air. Fountains come in endless shapes, like spheres, bowls, urns, and tiered configurations.
Most smaller fountains recirculate water from a base reservoir using a pump system. Lights often illuminate fountains for added drama and visibility after dark.
Streams and Watercourses
Mimicking nature with meandering streams, babbling brooks, and pebble-lined dry river beds adds dynamic interest to more significant landscapes. These features also help address drainage issues and can divert rain runoff.
Lined with river rocks and combined with small footbridges, streams create delightful vignettes. The trickling sounds of water passing over and around stones instantly pacify.
Container Water Features
You need not have an elaborate installed water feature to enjoy the benefits of water in your surroundings. A simple fountain placed in a pot or urn makes a lovely focal point on a deck or patio.
Tabletop fountains also bring pleasing sounds and visual movement to outdoor dining and seating areas. Hanging and wall-mounted water features are also excellent choices for smaller space water enjoyment.
Design Considerations for Backyard Water Elements
Incorporating any successful water feature requires careful thought and planning. Here are some key considerations as you design your water amenity:
Purpose – Determine the primary reason for adding water. Is it strictly aesthetic enjoyment or to attract wildlife? Ponds and streams offer habitat, whereas fountains and waterfalls may be more decorative.
Placement—When deciding placement, Note sun patterns, seating areas, views, electrical connections, and hose bibliographies. Feng shui principles also guide ideal water location.
Scale & Style—Select water elements in scale with your available space. Formal gardens pair well with geometric shapes, while natural pools suit less structured environments.
Plumbing & Circulation – Most water features recirculate water. Consider accessories like solar-powered pumps, filters, UV sterilizers, and covers.
Edge Materials – Edging contains and neatly defines water. Natural stone, pavers, tile, concrete, landscape timbers, or simulated streambeds with river rock edges.
Lighting – Underwater, surrounding, and spotlighting transform water amenities into nighttime focal points, allowing safer use.
Maintenance – All water elements require occasional maintenance. Account for cleaning schedules and equipment access like net skimmers.
Expert Help – Consult irrigation specialists, pond designers, landscape architects, and contractors with water feature expertise.
Enjoying Water Year-Round
Some homeowners hesitate to install backyard water features, fearing they can’t be used in colder climates. However, water elements can enhance landscapes year-round. Here are tips for maximizing water feature enjoyment regardless of season:
Choose Appropriate Systems – Select pump and filter combinations that operate in freezing temperatures. Heat mats and heated basins keep fountain water flowing.
Winterize – Prevent ice damage and burst plumbing lines by shutting down, draining, disconnecting, and storing sensitive components in winter.
Embrace Natural Ice—If short freezing periods occur, Turn off pumps and enjoy temporary ice sculptures where water freezes artistically.
Incorporate Design Options—These include extra insulation, solar thermal mats, lower water depths for faster ice melting, and emergency drain systems for easier spring restarts.
Accentuate Visual Interest—Wrapping fountain urns in sparkling lights creates a holiday atmosphere. Position icicle lights around frozen water features.
Consider Indoor Water Elements – Tabletop fountains, wall-mounted water curtains, and waterfall panels bring water serenity inside during the coldest months.
Bring the Tranquility of Water Home
Consider integrating a custom water feature as you plan upgrades and renovations for your perfect backyard refuge. Water’s transformative ability to immediately generate serenity and relaxation is powerful.
Beautifully designed water features elevate gardens and living spaces into personally restorative havens for homeowners to enjoy year after year. Add a personal oasis to your outdoor rooms and let the stress-relieving benefits of water wash over you.
