Floor fountains are ornamental water features which can be added to any room to help create a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere.  They work using just a couple of key devices, the pump, a water tray and the backdrop, all of these combined together help to create a wonderful item that can give relaxation and joy to the owner for many years to come.

Require No Plumbing or Installation

One of the key factors to note about Floor Fountains is they require no plumbing, this is great as they are easy to move around (depending on the size) and extremely easy to setup.  Unlike other types of water fountain such as the wall fountains they do not require any form of installation, all that is required is a flat surface to rest the fountain against such as a wall.

Where are they best used?

If you are buying Floor Fountains then it is best to either have them placed directly against a wall or they can be used as a room divider.  There are some little tricks that can be used to ensure they look as good as possible when in place.  Firstly, if you are buying one that stands against a wall then get a solid style such as mirrored, this will allow you to cover up the wall space so it does not show through and the floor fountain will look much better.  However, if you are having a room divider then it is best to use a clear backdrop and when the water flows over the backdrop it will act as a frost.  Floor fountains can also be used outside and make excellent visual statements in the garden or on the patio.   

What are they made from?

Generally you will find that the floor fountains are made from natural materials, these tend to be slate, glass, copper or ceramic.  Increasingly now though steel floor fountains are the preference for many, and this is due to the effect the water has when it runs over the steel.  Due to the popularity there are now an increasing number of the steel floor fountain designs to be found. 

The Visual and Sound Impact

Whichever type of floor fountain you choose they create a superb relaxing atmosphere and enhance the room or outdoor space where you have them.  Many of the floor fountains you can buy are hand crafted and every care goes into ensuring each and every piece looks and sounds great.  The beauty of a floor fountain is once you have it in place then it is virtually maintenance free, all you need to do is add some water every now and then.   So if you want a unique and dramatic statement for your home, garden or office a floor fountain will provide everything you need and more.

When contemplating a water feature for your garden it is
important to reflect on the style of your landscaping and draw
from this to select the right style of water feature to suit the
surroundings. The wrong choice could result in your water
feature looking out of place. Consider a contemporary minimalist
garden with a Whisky Barrel Kit as the water feature!

Below we have prepared a list of common garden styles and some
suggestions for incorporating water features into these gardens.
This list is by no means exhaustive. Also, take into account
that many gardens are a fusion of two or three garden styles.

Contemporary Garden

This style of garden is usually characterised by attention to
detail such as the use of a single specimen plant. Simplicity,
form and the clever use of light and space are fundamental to
this style. Colours are used minimally to produce dramatic
effects.

Suitable Water Features Stainless Steel Features Water Walls
Clad (with Contemporary materials) Canals and Rills (made from
Contemporary materials) Reflection Pools Architectural Granite
Features (Aquifer Columns or spheres)

Cottage Garden

Arguably the most enduring of all garden styles, this garden is
characterised by mass planting of colourful flowers and herbs in
well designed garden beds. Although the plant design is
carefully structured it is designed to look natural and
free-flowing. This style often incorporates places of interest
to visit such as bench seats, arbours, and gazebos.

Suitable Water Features Bird Baths Wishing Wells Natural Ponds
Statuary Features Formal Ponds Fountains

Formal Garden

A formal look in a landscape is typically achieved by placing
plants to conform strictly to a geometric design theme. This
style relies on the use of symmetry to draw the eye to focal
points such as water features or sculpture. The use of hedging
plants and topiaries is essential to achieve the formal look.

Suitable Water Features Stone Fountains Bird Baths Reflection
Pools Spilling Urns / Pots Fountain Sprayers Geometric Ponds

Tuscan Garden

The rustic Italian garden seems to assimilate very well into the
Australian landscape. Aged, muted colors intrinsic to Italian
gardens are echoed in our landscape. A focus on Al Fresco dining
and entertaining is essential to this style. Planting is often
semi-formal – formal and includes topiaries and hedges.

Suitable Water Features Spilling Urns Wall Fountains Stone
Fountains Classical Statuary Tiled/Stone Water Walls Wall
Spitters

Japanese Garden

The Japanese garden has its emphasis in simplicity, control and
thoughtful design. This garden must incorporate the careful use
water as a focal point. Well placed, gracefully formed plants
such as bamboos, grasses and flowering shrubs provide balance
which is essential to this style. These gardens also use stone
and sand to imitate the natural landscape. The Japanese garden
is the ultimate meditation and relaxation. Suitable Water
Features Deer Scarer (Shi Shi Odoshi) Japanese Spill Basin
(Tsukabi) Large Containers with Fish and Water Lilies Rock
Geysers Fish Ponds Natural Ponds with Rock Waterfalls and
Cascades

Xeriscape Garden

Xeriscape is a term derived from the Greek word ‘xeros’ meaning
dry and from the word landscape, to form a new term for water
conserving gardens. This style is increasing in popularity due
to our dry climate. This garden often features both native and
exotic species and is landscaped to minimise water use and to
channel water to plants that have a higher requirement.
Xeriscaping often draws from Cottage and Contemporary styles.

Suitable Water Features Dry Creek Bed Mill Stone Features
(re-circulating) Rock Geyser (re-circulating) Granite Features
Natural Ponds (to provide an oasis for wildlife)

Tropical Gardens

The tropical garden is one for the plant lovers, these gardens
are gaining in popularity due to the range of plant species now
available to Australian gardeners. Tropical plants, densely
planted, look their best in summer when we typically use our
gardens. Characterised by the use of bold, lush and colourful
foliage with spectacular flowers. This style provides a cooling
oasis in the warmer months.

Suitable Water Features Natural Ponds Waterfalls Creeks /
Streams Reflection Ponds Spilling Pots/Urns Contemporary
Statuary Water Walls

Australian Native Garden

This style of garden draws on the unique characteristics of
Australian materials and the natural colours of Australia. Often
rustic in style, the use of timber, stone and corrugated iron
can be incorporated into the Australian garden. Modern
Australian native plantings are often designed similar to a
traditional cottage garden with the focus on the colour palette.

Suitable Water Features Whisky/Wine Barrels Wishing Wells Mill
Stone Features Cobbled Creeks Natural Ponds Concrete
Sinks/Troughs Rock Geysers

The most basic fountain that you can use without a pond is what I call the birdbath style. It looks just like a birdbath, but has a little fountain built into the center. The unit is completely self contained, and easy to set up. If you have a birdbath in your yard now, have a look at it. You might be able to add a small fountain to it. The bowl will act as the fountain’s reservoir. But be forewarned, the birds may not like visiting your birdbath anymore.

If you want to go all out, you’ll find bunches of larger freestanding fountains. If you’re looking for something that can be the focal point of your garden, these are the fountains to look at. They come in a couple of different flavors. Some are multi tired. You see these in a lot of city parks. Basically, they are a series of birdbath fountains placed on top of each other. The top bowl has a larger fountain pumping water into the air. The water collects in the top bowl until it spills onto the next. It does this through two or tree bowls until collecting in the reservoir. These are really nice fountains, but tend to be pretty big.

The waterfall is another type of large fountain for your backyard. Like the name implies, these fountains simulate a waterfall. Instead of shooting water into the air, water is allowed to gently fill the top “pond” until it spills over. On some the water is allowed to gently glide down a slope. On others it spills over like Niagara Falls. You can find these with multiple stages or a single stage.

If you want something larger than a birdbath fountain, but don’t want it to dominate your garden, a wall fountain may be for you. Have you seen the fountains in old European cities? The ones mounted on the walls. It’s usually a lion or angel with water flowing from its mouth into a basin. That’s a wall fountain. They can be placed against your home’s exterior wall or if you get creative and can secure it, against a trellis. These also come with their own little reservoir.

There you have it. Fountains for your yard, even if you don’t have a pond. Of course, if you have a pond, you’ll have lots of other choices. But for those of us who don’t want to dig a pond or don’t have a large enough backyard, these free standing fountains are a great alternative. And you’ll be able to enjoy the beauty and tranquility a fountain offers for years to come.

Copyright 2006 Marge Snow

A fountain is something that most of us imagine in a city square or in a park, sometimes even at a Hollywood celebrity house, but we usually do not think that we will find a fountain at your friends houses or even at our own house.

All this has now changed, it is genuinely exciting and amazing to see how the fountain industry has adjusted itself for the needs of the individual and how many models and types of fountains there are for the public to buy, moderately priced and very possible for most people to buy, a garden or even indoor fountain can make a huge difference on your home.

If you have a fairly large garden or even a backyard you may already have some features in it, things like a garden gazebo or arbor, stepping stones and other things, you may need to think again about priorities in your garden when you will consider a fountain, because even a small fountain will become the new center of your garden. A fountain can be very relaxing, it will probably become a habit of you and your family to sit beside it and read or take a nap.

If you have a garden with a fountain will also be perfect for Sunday brunches with the family or a quiet cocktail for friends, in any case it almost always happens that the fountain makes you want to spend more time in the garden and you will find that you are looking for excuses to be outside, which is already a good thing.

Fountains are not necessarily limited to the outdoors, there are many indoor fountain models you can consider for your home, an indoor fountain like a wall fountain are very impressive and can absolutely contribute to the harmony in the house. Although it is almost always better to place the indoor fountain when building the house or redesigning some space in the house it is also possible to look for something that you know will fit in without the need for massive changes in your walls or flooring.

Just the impression someone gets from visiting a house with a fountain placed in it is worth the effort, this is such a bonus for any house to have, and the people living it can enjoy the relaxing sound of the fountain all day long, you may even want to think about designing a little corner you can place some sofas to enjoy the beauty of the indoor fountain.

Although it is not the ordinary or the regular, classic way for a garden or a house improvement a fountain will certainly make a difference and the chances you will not be overwhelmed by it are slim, a fountain is something that everyone enjoys.

If you have a bit more space then you may wish to consider one of the tiered design outdoor water fountains. These create a great ambience and the flowing water is relaxing as well as soothing and creates a lovely feature for the garden or patio. When you think of the tiered designs you may think they are more rustic in design and look, however you would be wrong there are many contemporary designs all of which make use of new and modern materials. Like all outdoor water fountains they are very easy to maintain and the built in pump means there are no problems with installation. With a huge selection ranging from stone built through to copper these outdoor fountains are ideal for your garden environment.

Some of the ultra modern designs combine a range of different materials together to create a really unique and refreshing focal point of your garden. The freestanding designs are particularly popular and are ideal when added to a patio or decking area, they integrate perfectly with plants and bushes to add a new dimension to what could be an ordinary or plain area. The outdoor water fountains make for a great backdrop when you are entertaining guests by creating a peaceful and relaxing ambience ideal for when you are relaxing outdoors or eating and they create the wow factor too. Like all the different designs of outdoor water fountains there are a wide selection of designs which will suite your garden or patio area, so finding one to integrate will be a simple process. The beauty of outdoor water fountains is they are really flexible and adaptable and will suite any garden and set your outdoor space apart from anyone else’s, so if you like to be different then these really are something you should consider integrating into your garden.

There is nothing more natural than adding a water feature to your garden and it brings a new dimension to your outdoor space.  The outdoor water fountain doesn’t need to dominate your garden and there are plenty of smaller ones which can be placed discretely in your garden to bring a unique and stylish effect.  Outdoor water fountains have been used in the garden for many years and originally they were bought as bird baths, however in recent years they have adapted and now are used as stylish additions for gardens.  The materials used over the years has also changed and there are many which now use more modern materials such as steel and fibreglass.  Depending on the size of your garden may reflect on how large you would like to have your fountain, some of the larger designs are ideal as a centre pieces and can provide a stunning focal point for any garden.

The beauty of having such a wide selection of styles and sizes too choose from is there are now many unique and indeed unusual designs which can make choosing your fountain difficult.  Clever designs include the corner fountains which are ideal for adding to an area which otherwise would be very difficult to utilise.  Corner fountains are also perfect if you have a small area due to their design they help to reduce the amount of space used.  Of course it is still possible to buy the bird bath designs and these are still very popular for many garden owners as they attract the wildlife into your outside space.  Many of the contemporary designs take their inspiration from the Far East including ones which are designed as Pagodas.  Whatever design is best for you there will be a huge choice and the outdoor water fountain will have a large impact on your garden.  It should not be forgotten that the fountains can also be used on decking and patio areas as a perfect compliment to any potted plants and shrubs.

A custom fountain will add an element of Feng Shui to your home, office or landscape design. Whether you use custom fountains in the entryway, your lounge or in your garden, a custom fountain will add a decorative touch and delight visitors with its uniqueness.

Commercial fountains are a good choice for freestanding designs if used in a large indoor area or outside while wall mounted fountains create a beautiful impact but take up very little room at all. If you have limited floor space, then you should go in for a lean and tall fountain that reaches high or select wall hanging fountains, which mount on walls or other flat vertical surfaces. 

Soothing wall fountains attach to walls without the necessity of plumbing, and require no additional floor space, but still provide relaxing sounds of cascading water. Custom fountains are ideal if you need to fill a wall or are creating an unusual room divider.

Draw the ideas for your design, being careful with all of your measurements before taking it to the custom fountain supplier. Take into account any colors that will be in your remodeling design as well as the materials that you want to use. Stone, slate and marble may look exquisite but may make the whole design too heavy. Fiberglass or a resin material may be a better option.

Glass and mirrors make excellent reflective surfaces for the shimmering waters to cascade over. Copper makes a great frame for a slate or marble backdrop. Stones or pebbles for the water to land on should be complimentary and the rounded stones will add to the Feng Shui feeling.

A custom fountain will add a soothing and relaxing ambience to the area while providing a healthy atmosphere. Water fountains are natural humidifiers and add a soothing and relaxing sound to your home or office.

If your next project is a landscaped back yard, a custom fountain will bring elegance to your garden. You may even pick up a commercial fountain inexpensively. You cannot deny that the soothing sounds of cascading water is relaxing and makes a water fountain a lovely addition to your garden.

The soft, pleasing flow of fountain water enhances the tranquility and peacefulness of your outdoor sitting areas and helps to block background noises. When designing custom fountains, look at solar energy. A solar water fountain is the ideal solution for your fountains power needs; without the necessity for wires. An outdoor solar powered fountain will bring remote areas of your yard or garden to life.

Irrespective of whether your custom fountain is an indoor feature or you are putting a custom fountain into your landscape design, you can create any style of your choosing with  stunning mirror, glass and slate features for your indoor fountains, to natural rock and stone for your landscaped custom fountain.

Start gathering ideas for your next project.

The author recently installed a water fountain in his own home.

These are very attractive garden fountains that provide a gentle cascade of water which creates a magnificent source for the reflective light and visually stunning effects when the sunlight hits the fountains.  There are many different sizes but usually they will not be above three tiers which allow these ornate looking garden fountains to be easily positioned and look wonderful.  Not only do they give a great visual display but they also provide nature and particularly the birds with a drinking and bathing source thus improving the eco system of your garden.

Natural

Natural garden fountains have been designed to blend in with your existing garden by mixing the fountain with plants and shrubs.  It is possible to be as creative as you like and let your imagination run wild to create these visually stunning fountains and there are some truly unique designs which include fish, elephants and cat style designs that fit in to the natural ranges that many suppliers will have.

Pot

Pot designs are something that dove tail into the garden area, for many years pots have been used to create waterfall effects and this is exactly how these designs work.  A pot will fit into any garden design and they look authentic and attractive.  There are different materials used to make these garden fountains and these include clay, ceramic and ornamental stone.

Hanging Wall Fountains

If space is of the premium then a hanging design will probably be best for you if you are considering a garden fountain.  Due to their design they will easily fit into a small space that needs to be decorated and will add a personal stamp to the area.  These style of fountains have become very popular in gardens over recent years and can provide a dramatic depth to a small space.

Standing Wall Fountains

These are a variation on the hanging wall fountains where they are actually rested against a walled or fenced area.  Usually this form of fountain is made in a classical style which retains their beauty and captures the essence of years gone by.  They will bring a touch of character to the garden and you do not need to have a period garden to enjoy these features.

Fountain Pots

These are small self contained fountain pots that have been created to allow their natural shapes to blend into the garden.  They are small enough to easily be repositioned around the garden should it be felt that they need to be moved, and usually will be made in a range of colours and made from a number of materials.

The best way to work with garden fountains is to be creative; they come in many different styles so usually no matter what the space you have there will be a style that will fit into it.  Using different styles for different areas is crucial and often the more unusual styles can be overlooked in how they could improve the garden.  When most people think of garden fountains they automatically think of the bird bath style which is still very popular and many people choose these to encourage more wildlife into the garden, however there are other styles that can be utilised that will still allow the birds and wildlife to take advantage of the feature but will also cover up a space that might otherwise seem unsightly.

One such type is the hanging wall fountain these are very much unsung and do give an extra dimension to the garden.  If you have a wall space and are unsure how it can be effectively used and want to have something that has very simple installation and low maintenance these should be considered.  Garden fountains are very versatile which has been displayed within this article and the walls, floors or garden borders can all be used to house a garden fountain.  As mentioned previously garden fountains are very easy to maintain and the moving water allows them to operate even in cold temperatures, it is however usually recommended that they are switched off and drained if the threat of extreme weather is present.  The manufacture has been prepared so no specialist trades people are needed to install the garden fountains which allow you to have complete control over where and how you implement them into your garden.  If you are purchasing one of the large garden fountains then there are options to have a lining in the base or cement bowl depending on which best suites your space and would work best in your location.  The flexibility and the shear number of garden fountains is what make them one of the best solutions to enhancing your outdoor space.

A custom wall fountain can be erected for use as a room divider when a wall isn’t feasible or desired, or simply put up as an element of artistic décor. Many businesses will utilize a customized wall fountain etched with the company name and/or logo as an additional way to highlight their brand for their customers or clients. A fountain carrying your business logo will grab the attention of your customers, if not motivating them to buy, then at least making your particular company memorable for references or future purchases. Spas, salons, hotels, resorts, hospitals, yoga centers and the like often utilize water features to create an atmosphere that is calming to their customers, offering a sense of relaxation and feeling of comfort and ease. In addition, many see flowing water as a representation of success. There are many reasons a water fountain may be right for your business or office space.

What Should You Look for in a Great Customer-Enticing Water Fountain?

First, take a look at the space you have available for a water feature. Would you like the fountain to use the entire space or do you want to allow for some space surrounding it? Take measurements of approximately the height and width of the space you’d like to house the fountain, then look at those that match your measurements.

Next, you want to look at the décor you want to integrate the fountain with. You will want to choose the water feature materials based on what it will be surrounded by. Many prefer the glass or mirrored fountains for the sleek look they provide, but many other materials are available, so looking at your particular décor will help you narrow down these choices.

You will also need to consider whether or not you’d like your water feature to be lit. Many come with lighting features, which can add that extra bit of elegance should you desire this in your particular water fountain. Oftentimes, individuals who install a floor or wall fountain prefer it to have a lighting feature. This, of course, is entirely up to you and what you are looking for in a water feature. The great thing about custom water fountains is that you get to choose everything about the way it will look – size, color, texture, lighting, etc. When you choose the right materials and colors, your custom water fountain will be the center of your business’s attention!