Water features add a special quality to your outdoor space. Rippling water and soft sprays make your backyard seem cooler, while giving it a calming feel. Size does not matter. A small bubbler or fountain on a patio can have just as much effect as a pond or stream on a large property.
Whether your garden is rustic-naturalistic, modern and austere, or rather whimsical, here are ideas for water features that match a wide range of styles.
Wooden Barrel Water Garden
Add some farmhouse chic to your landscape with this simple backyard water feature. A wooden half-barrel pairs well with a weathered water pump as a fountain. If you’d like to add floating plants, choose small ones such as water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes).
Natural Stone Waterfall
A water feature doesn’t have to be a flashy embellishment in the center of your garden. A fountain with an organic look, such as this one made from natural stone, easily blends in with other outdoor elements. Install it near an outdoor seating area to get the most enjoyment out of it.
Symmetrical Sleek Garden Pool
A narrow pool of water adds a bold element to any landscape. Here, the mostly monochromatic color scheme complements the sleek style of the water feature. Line the pool with repeating clusters of plants such as low-growing evergreens, sedges, and hostas to create a relaxing, symmetrical spectacle.
Romantic Wall Water Feature
Situate a vintage bistro or patio set near an inlaid wall water feature to create a cozy garden nook. Add plants around the fountain that take advantage of the vertical space and make a more inviting scene. It’s the perfect spot to relax with the sounds of splashing water.
Fountain with Artistic Sculptures
Figurines and other sculptures help set the mood of a formal garden design. As part of an outdoor garden fountain, they become focal points in the landscape.
Cascading Waterfall
If traditional fountains aren’t your thing, get back to nature. This cascading waterfall, created with large stones, mimics what you might find in the wild. Complete the naturalistic look by adding native plants around this rugged water feature.
Waterfall on a Slope
If your yard has a natural slope, use it to your advantage. A hillside is the perfect place for adding a waterfall that trickles into a pond. Here, a dense mix of shade-loving plants and a small seating area complete this water feature.
Nontraditional Pond Shapes
If you would like to create something unexpected, break the mold with unique shapes or water sources like this shallow, half-circle pond. It offers wildlife a source of water while also providing the soothing sounds of splashing water.
Mixed Materials
Gardens are full of natural elements that can be used to create evocative decor. For example, this small backyard water feature combines several items found in nature: a carved stone basin and a bamboo spigot, accented with weathered wood and smooth rocks.
Bird Bath
If you’re looking for something simple and low-maintenance, a bird bath is an easy pick. Attract tons of birds (plus butterflies and other pollinators) by planting seedy flowers and native species nearby. Make sure to situate your bird bath where you watch your winged visitors.
Mini House by the Lake
To upgrade your pond, add a covered outdoor seating area next to provide a peaceful, welcoming setting. Alternately, a stylish garden shed next to the pond could resemble a miniature lake house while also creating a handy place to stash tools and gear.
Lush Water Garden
Expand your repertoire of plants in your yard with a water garden. The beautiful blooms and fun foliage of aquatic plants will be a focal point. Use a tub or a pond as the foundation, which are easily adapted to your taste.
Small But Colorful Water Features
For small backyards and patios, a simple garden water feature can still be eye-catching. This glazed ceramic dish and bowl hold just enough water to let sunlight glint off the surface. A glass ball in the basin offers a safe perch for insects and other wildlife that stop by for a drink.
Walkway Water Feature
Placing your backyard water feature next to a path or steps makes it easy to admire it whenever you pass by. Here, a small waterfall trickles into a shallow pool. It’s the perfect environment for a few potted plants, such as papyrus and canna that thrive in constant moisture.
Large Fountain with Intricate Details
Special details add visual interest to a big, bold water feature. For example, a closer look at this fountain reveals delicate patterns around the simple faucet that can be admired from the nearby seating area.
Japanese-Inspired Bubbler Fountain
An above-ground bubbler fountain offers soothing sounds in this tranquil water feature inspired by Japanese garden design. Plants with interesting leaves, such as Japanese maple, liriope, and clumping bamboo, contribute authenticity.
Metal Barrel with Spout
A repurposed metal drum makes a simple, sturdy water feature. Water pouring from the spout onto rocks below makes soothing sounds. Placing red, orange, and tan-hued plants around it creates a beautiful color echo with the natural rust color of the barrel.
Fountain as Centerpiece
A focal point helps pull a garden space together, and a water feature makes an especially appealing one. In this backyard, a fountain serves as a stunning centerpiece in a circular bed packed with blooming perennials and groundcovers.
Figurine as Focal Point
Enhance your water garden or pond with a small figurine, either as a stand-alone piece of art or as a spout for a stream of water, like this fish figurine. Let your personal style show by going with a cute or classy selection, or something in between.
Whimsical Spigot
A unique decoration around the spigot of a fountain elevates an otherwise simple outdoor water fountain. Here, a fish-like creature adds an element of whimsy that draws the eye.
Subtle Bubbler
A fountain doesn’t need to have a big splashy spray. A more subtle bubbler also creates a soothing atmosphere as water gurgles and trickles from it. This one’s simple round basin fits in easily among plants with colorful foliage.
Walkway Along a Water Feature
Add graceful lines to your backyard with a gentle stream and walkway. The wooden footpath mimics the curve of the water’s edge to soften the look of the backyard oasis. Create visual interest with a mixture of foliage and flowers, such as water lilies.
Vertical Water Feature
Dress up a blank wall in your backyard with a vertical outdoor water feature. Here, a stone fountain serves as an elegant focal point against a vine-covered trellis.
Wildlife Sculptures
Real birds visiting your outdoor water feature are always a delight, but artificial ones can be equally delightful. This stone pond and fountain would be beautiful enough on its own, but a pair of crane statues truly completes the scene.
Geometric Water Feature
For a landscape with a modern flair, consider a water feature with geometric shapes and moody hues. The gentle fountain in the center creates ripples as water trickles down the sides. An adjacent concrete planter echoes the shape and tone of the fountain’s base for pleasing continuity.