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Ideas for fountains


17 Outdoor Fountain Ideas - How To Make a Garden Fountain for Your Backyard

At Charlotte's House/A Piece of Rainbow

Want to add a unique element to your backyard? Try a one-of-a-kind DIY water fountain! Water fountains have been a common feature in gardens of varying sizes since ancient times. The earliest account on record was a carved stone basin that dates back to around 2000 B.C. Most of the early versions of fountains were gravity based and relied on the natural flow of water from sources like rivers, lakes, and sometimes manmade aqueducts with basins to collect the water. At the time, modern plumbing and running water from faucets were not in existence.

Water was simply collected with buckets for a variety of essential purposes. People used these vessels out of necessity for drinking water, bathing, washing garments, and even faith-based ceremonies. However, ancients Romans started the trend of using fountains for decorative purposes in well-known places like Rome—the city of fountains. These days ornamental water fountains are commonly found in many locations like small home gardens and large public spaces.

You probably won't have room in your budget or backyard for fountain like the famous Italian Fontana di Trevi Fountain but we have plenty of pretty and budget-friendly DIY options for you to explore! From a charming fountain made from flower pots to a water wall that rivals store-bought renditions, these easy and unique projects will reinvigorate your garden like nothing else. Plus, check out more of our best backyard decorating ideas that will be sure to wow your guests during summer soirées.

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1

Mixed Metal Water Fountain

Rustic and Refined

Turn your fountain into a major outdoor focal point with the help of a few galvanized materials and greenery. Don't forget the matching watering can for the finishing touch.

Get the tutorial at Rustic and Refined.

2

Plant Pot Water Fountain

The Interior Frugalista

Clocking in only 15 minutes of prep time, this DIY flower pot fountain project is too good to pass up for your own backyard.

Get the tutorial at The Interior Frugalista.

3

Galvanized Bucket Solar Fountain

A Piece of Rainbow

This DIY is one of our favorite uses for a leftover galvanized tub, especially given its easy transportation factor.

Get the tutorial at A Piece of Rainbow.

4

Bubbling Water Fountain

At Charlotte's House

Have an old globe lying around? You're all set with the perfect base for this tasteful round water feature that incorporates a solar water pump kit and concrete/mortar Quikrete mix.

Get the tutorial at At Charlotte's House.

5

Tiered Flower Pot Fountain

Courtesy of Addicted 2 DIY

Using some pots from Lowe's, a budget water pump, and some rocks from around her yard, blogger Katie created this simple, relaxing water fountain for her garden that birds can't get enough of.

Get the tutorial at Addicted 2 DIY.

6

Tiny Egg Fountain

Courtesy of Today's Creative Life

This miniature fountain makes a perfect addition to a small deck and takes just 15 minutes to make with a small water pump.

Get the tutorial at Today's Creative Life.

RELATED: The Best Outdoor Fire Pits for Your Backyard

7

Patio Water Wall

Courtesy of Interior Frugalista

This massive fountain won't come together quickly, but it's well worth the time and effort. Blogger Marie moved her water wall onto her deck so company could enjoy the relaxing sound of water while they chatted.

Get the tutorial at Interior Frugalista.

8

Blue Planters Waterfall

Courtesy of J. Paris Designs

Let your fountain add a pop of color to your garden! This royal blue waterfall was crafted with three giant planter pots and a mini pond pump.

Get the tutorial at J. Paris Designs.

RELATED: Dreamy Ways to Use Outdoor String Lights in Your Backyard

9

Disappearing Water Fountain

Courtesy of Instructables

If you love the gushing sound of a fountain but are less crazy about having an open pool of water in your yard (especially if you have children), this decorative rock fountain may be for you. Requiring easy-to-find materials, this fountain will cost you less than $200.

Get the tutorial at Instructables.

10

Three-Tier Fountain

Courtesy of Instructables

This fountain looks fancy, but you can make it yourself using cheap items from a thrift shop. Depending on what found items you use, your fountain will have its own unique look.

Get the tutorial at Instructables.

11

Charming Water Feature

BirdzOfAFeather

As seen on Hometalk, this spring-inspired water feature will add tons of curb appeal to your home.

Get the tutorial at Birdz of a Feather.

12

Tea Pot Fountain

Hometalk

Add a piece of DIY decor to your garden or backyard with this fountain made from an iron tea pot and an old whiskey barrel.

Get the tutorial at Hometalk.

RELATED: New Ways to Landscape Your Yard

13

Recirculating Ceramic Pot Fountain

Tatertots & Jello

The sound of babbling water from this recirculating fountain fashioned from a submersible pump will instantly create a more relaxing atmosphere in your outdoor space.

Get the tutorial at Tatertots & Jello.

14

Circular Water Wall

Courtesy of Central Texas Gardener

Turn a recycled table top into a beautiful water wall for your garden.

Get the tutorial at Central Texas Gardener.

15

Rock Fountain

Courtesy of Instructables.com

This DIY with a submersible pump might take you a couple of days to finish, but the finished product—look at those stacked stones!—will be worth the effort.

Get the tutorial at Instructables.

16

Watering Can Fountain

Sophisticated Junkie

This cool-looking fountain made from recycled watering cans and a wash bin is the perfect addition to a country garden.

Get the tutorial at Sophisticated Junkie.

17

Bamboo Fountain

Courtesy of SAF Affect

16 DIY Outdoor Fountain Ideas for Instant Peaceful Energy

By

Lauren Murphy

Lauren Murphy

Lauren Murphy is a DIY expert and writer focusing on cooking, crafting, and making home decor projects.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process

Updated on 11/22/22

Jacky Parker Photography / Getty Images

Make your own outdoor water fountain to add character, charm, and serenity to your outdoor space. Outdoor fountains can transform your backyard into a soothing oasis, making it the perfect spot for your evening yoga practice. Fountains situated in front of your house easily boost its curb appeal. Bubbling outdoor fountains are also excellent at blocking out ambient noise, which is ideal for city dwellers who want to make their property as peaceful as possible. You can even make a tabletop version if you live high up in an apartment building to provide the same effect.  

Here are some beautiful outdoor fountain ideas to inspire you and guide you through the project.

Garden fountains in the landscape - 50 photos, design ideas - catalog of articles on the site

That piece of nature that you call your garden, the fountain can turn into a magical place where you will enjoy life and restore your strength.

Modern fountains are so diverse in the visual sense that such a design can literally fit into any landscape. Different sizes, shapes, from different materials, having different functional features, decor - it is difficult not to choose something for a particular occasion.

Fountain and garden - unity of style

Your garden can have a classic fountain with sculptures and relief decor, or an avant-garde fountain, which will use metal and glass, an impressive Swiss fountain, the jets of which will rise to great heights or a fountain a tornado in which water falls from above, a fountain with fog, a spring fountain, a fountain whose water flows over glass threads or a glass panel, etc. Ideas for the garden in terms of arranging these wonderful water structures are inexhaustible.

The fountain can be installed in an existing reservoir or a specially constructed bowl. On sale there are ready-made designs with small tanks that are simply installed on the surface. They are good because they can be installed on hard-surfaced sites, terraces, patios, and winter gardens.

Fountain equipment

Fountain equipment is not complicated. For a small fountain, a set of a small power pump and hoses with nozzles is enough. If you are thinking about a more complicated design, you should purchase an extended kit, thanks to which you can get both automatic regulation of water flows (their speed and direction) and dynamic lighting (including color). As well as such useful features as water purification with special filters, remote control and much more.

Garden Fountains - Water Song

Thinking on the device in their garden such as a fountain, it is important to take into account natural “sound support”. The sounds of water can be very different: cheerful, bright, soft, quiet, loud, seething, etc. The nature of the sounds is influenced by the height and shape of the jets: high-rising, thin, ringing sounds will be born, wide, voluminous streams - deep ones.

Usually there are 2-3 of them in a fountain set, which allows you to expand not only the visual, but also the sound range of the design, and include a certain “water song” at will.

The speed of water also affects the sound effect, and almost all modern fountain equipment makes it possible to regulate it.

Moreover, when the jets rise, fall and break, the structure of water molecules changes, and negatively charged ions rush into the air, which scientists have given the name "health vitamins".

They are the antipodes of the positive ions that negatively affect the health and well-being of the usual air for us, filled with dust and densely permeated with the radiation of modern technology. For your information: negative ions predominate in the air on the seashore and in the mountains. When a person inhales them, they penetrate the bloodstream and stimulate biochemical processes that lead to the restoration of many body structures. It would be unwise to refuse the fountain - your own small source of living water.

Fountain Color Therapy

The light accompaniment of the movement of water jets not only dispels the darkness, but also has an emotional impact. Static lighting is good, when the water seems to be filled with light, but dynamic lighting, in which the light also becomes alive and comes into play with moving water, gives an indescribable experience.

And finally, one more feature of fountains - they are able to change the energy of the environment, clearing it of negative accumulations. You can talk a lot about the influence of the element of water in the spirit of Eastern philosophy, or you can simply recognize the fountain in the garden as a necessity.

Leave your review2

I am not a robot.
2 The design of the garden fountain can be anything. Sometimes it seems that it is unrealistic to place even a tiny fountain on the site, but specialists almost always have a solution. And not one!

The spectacular and functional design of the fountain is as much an art as its design and construction. Therefore, experts are involved in the development of the project, who will certainly be able to offer several options for hydraulic structures. For example:

  • Large circulation fountain in the lake (pond) with jets of different shapes and sizes. Refreshes the garden, decorates the site, delights the eye. Expensive, but incredibly attractive.
  • Drinking water fountain. This type of fountains is distinguished by the variability of the structure. Flowing fountains for home and garden can be incredibly sophisticated forms.

Of course, you can build a garden fountain or a miniature home fountain yourself. Moreover, the construction does not require expensive equipment and special equipment. On the contrary, craftsmen manage literally with improvised materials. The main thing in this matter is to choose the right pump (the performance of the structure depends on it) and decorate the fountain beautifully.

Garden fountains are decorated in a variety of styles, implementing hundreds of projects. These are modest-sized country-style structures made of stones or ceramic jugs, and vertically arranged fountains with sculptures, and exotic structures in which the main role is given to water jets and light.

Here are some possible projects for the garden and cottages.

Inkjet

A variety of static garden fountains with vertical powerful water supply, forming a whole dome of spray and thin streams. To achieve the effect, cone-shaped mono-jet nozzles are used.

Vanguard

A fountain of amazing beauty, in which water flows in a thin stream over a glass surface. It creates the illusion that water arises directly from the air.

Swiss

The design of fountains of this type is simple and similar to a static jet. The jet appears from under the water in the pond and hits a height of up to several tens of meters.

Cracker

Fountain for entertainment. Water jets change direction and force of pressure, the pattern is constantly changing, depending on the angle and speed of rotation of the nozzles.

Sculpture

Classical fountain, the main role in the composition of which belongs to sculpture.

Bell

Streams pour from above, forming a dome.

Champagne splashes

The special design of the nozzles contributes to the saturation of water with air. Pouring out, such a fountain creates amazing water pictures.

Learn more