A backyard water fountain can be a wonderful way to add beauty to your outdoor oasis, while also giving you a relaxing place to unwind. With so many options available to you, where do you start? Some things you may want to consider include the size of your yard and how you intend to spend your time there.

5 Water Feature Ideas For Your Back Yard

S Stadler

Looking to add a little bit of nature’s serenity to your patio or backyard landscape? What better way than using water, one of the most soothing elements. Here are five water feature ideas for your consideration as you make your plans.

Idea One: Go All Out With A Waterfall

This is your chance to have the ultimate water feature! Build a waterfall out of natural rock that is actually to nature’s scale. You decide exactly what size this is for your yard, but try and make is as realistic as possible.

Use rocks and stones of varying dimensions to build the actual structure. Then, pick up a waterfall kit fro your home center. This kit will usually consist of a pump and the necessary housing to needed to circulate the water

Idea Two: Splashing Bird Bath Fountain

Add an easy bird bath type fountain to your patio. Think of the traditional bird bath, but consider that they now come in many varieties. Many have built in pumps to keep the water moving. All you have to do is fill it up and plug it in. Your feathered friends will thank you too!

Idea Three: Water In The Sky

If you already have a decent sized pond or lake in your yard, why not add a floating water fountain? They come in many varieties and spray patterns, from pulsating or “dancing” water to sky high vertical water jets. Some are even solar powered so there’s not much else to do after you set them afloat.

Idea Four: Abstract Wall Fountain

Looking for a water feature that’s a little more abstract or artistic? The wall fountain might be the perfect option for you. While flat so they mount easily against a wall, these often give the illusion of being deeper or fuller than they are. Many will have a unique eye catching trick, such as making the water seem to flow upwards.

Idea Five: Peaceful Miniature Serenity

Maybe you just want the easiest and most economical way to experience the peaceful trickle of gently flowing water while relaxing on your patio or deck. If that’s the case, you can find all kinds of miniature fountains made from flower pots or other similar décor. Many times, they’ll be Asian themed with bamboo accents. These do work nicely and are always a pleasant addition to your outdoor living space!

Visit http://www.patio-ideas-guide.com for many more free and unique patio ideas.

Water fountain how to information is essential if you’re planning to install your own water fountain. You may not need to be incredibly skilled, but you will need to be prepared before you begin. So what exactly do you need to know?

How to Install a Garden Fountain Kit

Ian Patterson

There is nothing more pleasant, after a grueling day, than to relax in the garden and wash away the daytime stress. An outdoor fountain will help you do just that. Garden fountains are pleasant to look at and relaxing to listen to as well as having many beneficial health effects. 

Many home owners, with very little prior experience, are installing water fountains in their own gardens. Here is how to do it. 

Step One – Planning 

As with any project, good planning leads to an excellent conclusion. Measure the area where the outdoor fountain will be situated. This may be the whole garden, an area that has a defined border, a patio, deck or courtyard. 

Garden fountains come in all shapes and sizes and it is important to have a water feature that does not look out of place. An outdoor fountain that is too large will dominate an area and look out of place. If the water fountain is too small, it will be ineffectual and pointless. 

Although not necessary, it may be advisable to install a separate power outlet that will be hidden by the garden fountain. it will be more aesthetically pleasing not to have power cables where they can be seen. An on/off switch needs to be located nearby. A local electrician will be able to advice. 

Step Two – Research 

When you know where you want the water fountain to be, it is time to research the many styles available. There are plenty of good sources online that will help you select the outdoor fountain that would suit your project the best. 

When you have made your choice, most suppliers will have the fountain delivered to your door in a matter of days. 

Step Three – Installation 

Most garden fountains are supplied in kit form. Each fountain is packaged with all the parts necessary to complete your fountain installation project. Even with custom built water fountains, the parts usually arrive together in the same package to make installation easy. 

Kits will have all the pieces ready for you to assemble in situ which makes transporting from the front door to its final location a simple task. 

At the bottom of the water fountain is the reservoir where the water is held. It is important the reservoir is level. Time should be taken to make sure that this is correct as the final result rests on this one calculation. 

Depending on the style you have chosen, installation usually means connecting the lower basin or reservoir to an electric driven water pump with a pipe of feed tube. A pipe leading from the pump connects one basin to another and finally to the outlet at the top of the fountain. 

When the assembly is complete, it is time for the all important test. Fill the reservoir or lower basin with water to about one inch from the edge. Ensure that the pump is completely immersed below the waters surface. 

Switch on the pump and in a few moments, as the pump is primed, water will come cascading from the top. Check for leaks and top up the water to the required level. 

Congratulations, you have installed your outdoor fountain. Further information on water fountains and installation is available online. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Ian Patterson is a professional, published freelance web writer and CEO of http://www.write-research-office.com 

Ian has over twenty years technical and genealogical research experience. He has been a freelance writer since 2004 and is recognized for his SEO experience. 

Contact Write Research Office for article writing, web site authoring and optimizing.

The Functionality of Different Water Fountain Designs

Christopher Smith

In the ancient ruins of Pompeii which have been uncovered have centuries of lying under the mountain of lava and ash dumped on it by the volcano Vesuvius, archeologists have discovered a number of fountains. Although those living in Pompeii at the time of the disaster weren’t knowledgeable enough to know that the lead pipes feeding their water supplies were dangerous, they still knew how to build systems which siphoned water from under the streets into fountains on the surface so that it could be used by the town’s citizens. Even way back then, water fountains were designed in many different ways. Some were highly ornamental and others were simple basins, but they all were functional to meet the needs of the people. 

Modern fountains are designed in many unique ways, too. There are huge, beautiful ones gracing castles, mansions, and public gardens, and there are fountains so small that people put them in their back yards or even inside of their homes. Water fountains are truly functional as well as just being beautiful though. We don’t use them as our primary water source the way the ancient Greeks and Romans did, but they still serve a number of functions. For instance, there are many different water fountain designs that are being made to provide water features inside our homes. The running water can provide a very soothing atmosphere in which people can relax away the stress of the world. 

In our yards, water fountains can provide water for birds and other small wildlife. Even when the weather is hot and dry, there can still be cool running water for them to drink and bathe in. Other functional water fountain designs include drinking fountains and splash fountains where people can go to refresh and cool off. A hydrolophone is a unique type of water fountain that was designed to be played like a musical instrument. 

For those who are into green technology, there are water fountain designs that incorporate solar water fountains and solar pumps. Without having to rely on an electrical supply for operation, these fountains are both easier to install and less expensive to operate. Some of the different types of solar fountains that are available include cascading solar fountains, tabletop solar fountains, birdbath solar fountains, and solar waterfall kits.

Wall mounted water fountains can be an attractive option if you want a water feature but don’t have a lot of extra space to put one in. If you are thinking about building you own, you will need to do your homework to find out the requirements and what your expenses will be.

How to Build Your Own Wall Fountains

Sarah Martin

Building wall fountains on your own is not as daunting a task as you may think. However, it is not a cheap undertaking because the materials are expensive. The main components you will need are a wall of some kind to which you attach the fountain, a pump, pipe or tubing and a basin to serve as a pool to hold the water. The pipe and pump have to be hidden in some way, either within a figurine or encased in the masonry units by means of a narrow opening in the mortar or grout. 

You will need to have electricity connected to wall fountains in order for the pump to operate. If you have this electrical switch located indoors (which is the preferred location) you can turn on and off the fountains easily without having to go outdoors. 

This switch also controls the flow of water. The garden wall fountain will usually have a gate or a three-way valve that permits you to make adjustments to this flow of water. If you would like to have water coming into the fountain in order to keep the levels up after some of the water evaporates, you will need to hook a float valve to the water supply connected to the fountain. 

The most important part of building your own wall fountains is the construction of the holding pool. Concrete or concrete block are the two commonly used materials for this purpose. Then you can easily cover this with plaster or decorative tile or stone above the water level. The inside should be lined with a flexible liner to prevent the water from leaking out. 

Even if you decide that building a wall water fountain is too challenging and time consuming for you to take on by yourself, you can get help from professionals in all aspects of project. Plumbers will easily be able to connect the pump and the hoses for you after you have the pool in place and electricians can make sure the electrical connections are safe. The cost of hiring such professionals is not cheap, but if you have friends in this trade you may be able to get the work done for next to nothing. 

If you decide to buy one of the ready made wall fountains that you see at home improvement or garden centers or that you have looked online, you will still have to do some work in order to get the fountain working. The directions will tell you that all you have to do is hang the fountain on a wall and add the plumbing, pipe and basin. Routing the pipe is a difficult task and is a lot easier if you can incorporate the plumbing into the wall itself. 

If there is nothing behind the wall, such as a neighbor`s yard or if you have built the wall just for the fountain, you can drill a hole through the wall to accommodate the pipes. If not, then you have to find a way of concealing these pipes so that they cannot be seen and this makes the fountain look as if it is part of the setting. The water will seem to come from a hidden spring and spout out through the fountainhead or whatever way you wish it to come out and then falls to the pool. 

Sarah Martin is a native of San Diego, CA and a freelance marketing writer specializing in gardening, landscaping, and the installation and upkeep of wall fountains. For the perfect wall water fountain for your backyard or garden, please visit

A tabletop water fountain could be ideal for you if you’re looking for a water feature in your home but don’t have the space or budget for a full-size fountain. With a large variety of styles to choose from, you should be able to find one that is just right for you. The only problem might be in choosing just one!

Tabletop Water Fountains – Deciding on the Right One

Doug Maxwell

A great thing about fountains is the selection. With the many different styles, colors and shapes ranging from wall fountains to tabletop fountain to outdoor fountains you are sure to find one that fits your budget. With the latest techniques basically any water fountain can be developed into a tabletop fountain for your home or office. 

With the many different types of tabletop water fountains, how do you go about selecting the fountain that is right for you? Here are a couple things to consider: 

First, you need to consider where you are going to place the fountain. Remember, just because the name is “tabletop water fountain” doesn’t necessarily mean it has to be on a table. It can be placed on the floor, ledges, shelves or small corners. Decide on a few locations where you would like to place a tabletop water fountain and take the measurements. You are basically ready to start your shopping. Another thing you will need to keep in mind is the height of the fountain. If you are going to place it on a shelf make sure you have plenty of height. There are some nice tower-style fountains and you will want to make sure you have plenty of height in the location you have selected. 

Second, what is the purpose of the fountain? “Relaxation” is an excellent answer, but dig deeper. Where is it going to be placed? Is it going in your living room or your office at work? If it is going to be in your home you may want to consider a taller fountain, such as an acorn water fountain or a fairy maiden water fountain. In a business environment, such as on a shelf or credenza you may consider a cherub water fountain. If you want to share the experience with your visitors a good tabletop fountain will be a good choice for your entrance way. You could place it on a hall table. 

And lastly, you want to make sure you pick the right tabletop fountain that fits your personal taste. The fountain should be an expression of your interests, even when you plan to place it for your guests to enjoy. With so many different types of tabletop water fountains available it’s easy to find one that fits you. 

Once you figure out the style, function and your tastes, selecting the right tabletop fountain is easy. 

Maxwell Home & Business Services is an online marketer of high quality products at great prices with exceptional service. Check out our blog for products at Home Decorating Ideas and Tips.

Japanese water fountains can be a lovely part of a Japanese garden in your backyard. Make sure to keep in mind textures, materials and the feeling of a natural flow when planning your garden.

Japanese Landscaping Designs – How to Create a Tranquil Backyard Retreat

Dee Schrock

Japanese landscaping is soothing and beautiful. Many people are considering adding elements of Japanese design to their garden to add a peaceful serenity. Most do not know where to begin, however. 

You need to understand the basics of Japanese design in their landscaping. Balance is key, with a blending of stone, water and plants in a way that looks like it was made by nature, not you. There should be no straight lines or angles in your garden. Curves are the lines found in nature. 

One of the most challenging parts of creating a Japanese garden is the balance. There should not be too many plants, yet at the same time you want to capture the changing of the seasons with plants that will accent each season with blossoms, color or form. The entire garden needs to be in the proper scale. For example, if you have ten acres to work with, you can use large trees, boulders and water features. If your garden is only ten feet by twenty feet, everything should be scaled down. You want to envision your garden like a view from a window, so it is enjoyable as a whole as well as when you are wandering through it. 

Everything in Japanese landscaping is symbolic. A stone may be a mountain. A tiny brook may be a rushing river. Nature is reproduced in captivity. Water brings movement, though it can be represented by a flow of small stones as well. If you have the space, take a look at Japanese water gardens. If you can fit one of those elements in without crowding, it will add to the beauty of your garden. Water can also be incorporated through the installation of a small bamboo fountain as well. 

If you study Japanese landscaping, you will notice a great variety of plants that can be used. It will take some research on your part to find those that grow in your area and that are available. You also want to keep in mind what they look like in each season. Leaf variety and texture is important. 

Even more important than the plants are the stones. Rocks are the backbone of the Japanese garden. Each stone is carefully chosen for its shape and significance. They can be used as stepping stones, in streams or waterfalls, or to represent mountains or islands. 

There are many types of Japanese gardens to choose from. All of them incorporate the aforementioned elements. You’ll have to decide if you want a tea garden, a flat open space garden or a hill and pond garden. Sometimes the decision is made for you by the limitations of your space. 

Decorations may also be strategically placed in a Japanese garden. A stone pagoda or a metal lantern may add a little personalization. Other items that may suit your design may be a chime, a gong or a rain chain. Rain chains help direct the water from your roof down to the ground, creating a wonderful watery melody not unlike a babbling brook. 

As you can see, there is a lot to be understood when making a Japanese garden. Take a little time and learn as you go. Before you know it, your garden will reflect peace and inner serenity. 

For more free Japanese landscaping tips and techniques, visit http://www.squidoo.com/japanese-landscaping-designs or check out Creating Your Own Authentic Japanese Garden