From Arabic gardens to the grand geometric parks of French castles, from English landscape gardens to small private gardens, water features have always been among the most prominent and enjoyable elements.
Ponds, pools, fountains, jets, waterfalls, artificial streams, and reflecting pools enhance the garden’s beauty, offer a soothing atmosphere, produce relaxing sounds and allow the cultivation of striking aquatic plants.
No matter the size of your garden, there is always room for a small pond where easy-to-care-for, exotic and often fragrant plants with high decorative value can thrive.
The possibilities for creating unique water features are endless. This post aims to inspire you with a collection of images and share basic advice based on our experience.
WATER FEATURES IN THE GARDEN
Fountains
Reflecting pools
Ponds
Outdoor showers
Streams
Inspiration for water features often comes from nature, where they are frequently present. A group of rocks, a stream or a waterfall can inspire us to recreate them on a smaller scale. Any change in garden level is an opportunity to install a waterfall or water drop. Weeping walls and water curtains are other options.
Nothing brings life to gardens like water, whether moving or still. Besides this, water features can host plants or fish.
Garden pond
Many water features like fountains or ponds can be bought prefabricated and look great anywhere in the garden. For something more bespoke, you can collaborate with a specialist landscaper to design a feature tailored to your garden’s style and environment.
- Fountains Fountains are the most common water features in gardens. They come in many materials — wood, fibre cement, metal, stone — and styles — modern, classic, natural, etc. Cascading jets, water sprays, weeping walls, bubbling stones…
Choosing a fountain requires knowing the desired effect. Whether purely decorative or meant to be relaxing, consider the type of fountain and its location: in a passageway, seating area or secluded part of the garden. The sound is crucial; strong water noise can be pleasant briefly or when passing by, but near quiet seating areas a gentle water murmur is preferable. Cascades and jets are louder but can be softened by materials in the water impact zone. Water curtains, weeping walls, bubbling stones and reflecting pools with a small bottom jet create a much more pleasant sound.
Here are some types of fountains commonly installed in modern gardens:
Corten steel fountain
Stone-clad waterfall
Bubbling steel fountain
Timber sleeper fountain
- Reflecting pools Reflecting pools can have a strong architectural impact on garden design with defined edges and shapes. They can combine with jets, waterfalls or allow pathways through them. The mirror effect reflecting parts of the home or garden can be spectacular.
Inspirational ideas:
Corten steel reflecting pool
Infinity edge reflecting pool
Interior courtyard with reflecting pool
Multiple water features
Reflecting pool with waterfall
- Ponds Ponds are highly impactful garden features that many people love. Their possibilities are endless — plants, fish, waterfalls, streams, water features. Though complex to build and maintain, a well-planned pond can be stunning. Always consult a professional before installation. Consider location to avoid excessive sun promoting algae, set optimal depth, and beware of tree roots.
Ponds often have a natural look using stones and natural materials, but modern or hybrid styles are also possible:
Modern style pond
Hybrid pond and reflecting pool
Naturalised pond
- Outdoor showers Outdoor showers are an easy, affordable solution installable almost anywhere. Besides prefabricated options, which can be costly, artisanal showers can be made from wood, corten steel, railway sleepers, or natural elements like tree trunks. Options are diverse; almost anything can be transformed into a shower. Naturalistic showers surrounded by vegetation are popular, offering an incomparable refreshing experience.
Examples of showers:
Tropical vegetation shower
Railway sleeper artisanal shower
Small terrace shower
- Streams Finally, streams or watercourses are sublime water features. They offer multiple options with bridges, waterfalls and many elements. Artificial streams are often thought viable only in large gardens but can be scaled to any size with impressive results. Dry streams are another striking option, offering a beautiful effect without water.
Artificial stream detail
Dry stream in small garden
We hope you enjoyed this collection of ideas and feel inspired to include a water feature in your garden. You’ll love the results and the investment will be worthwhile. It’s proven that water sounds and viewing water have health and wellbeing benefits.
For any questions, please contact us. Thank you and see you in the next post.
