Five Fundamentals Of Design With Water Fountains

If you’re interested in decorating with a water fountain you probably have some rough ideas, but you’re browsing the Web and other resources on interior design to figure out the specifics. Fortunately, there are a number of great design and decoration guidelines out there to help you pick and place water fountains for maximum enjoyment. Whether you want an indoor water fountain or an outdoor fountain, the following five style guidelines can help
Your Fountain’s Water Flow Should Match Nearby Textures

Your fountain’s water should blend with local environmental textures. If your patio features polished granite or your living room has laminate flooring, a fountain with a smooth flow fits right in. A mirrored glass or polished stone water fountain would fit right into an area filled with smooth textures and straight lines.

If your space has rough naturalistic textures or includes multiple levels, choose a water fountain that breaks up the flow with “rapids” or its own rough textures. A multi-tiered fountain or one inspired by natural stone match surrounding tumbled stones, an overgrown English garden or natural stone retaining walls.

Keep Fountain Moisture in Mind

Do you know where the water goes? Tracking moisture is common sense, but decorators sometimes get too interested in one particular well-designed water fountain to pay attention to misting. All fountains add more moisture to nearby air. Indoors, people usually arrange their furniture and decorations to avoid water damage and make the moisture a positive element. Fountain mist makes a space more comfortable during dry seasons or in arid areas. It’s good for your plants, but not your prized paperback collection.

Fountain mist is usually fine. Professionally-made fountains don’t spill water, but radiate a gentle, moist fog as long as they’re filled to the correct height. A fountain’s size and design sets nearby moisture levels. Small table top fountains release almost no mist, so you can work on your taxes or other paperwork right beside the fountain, relaxing in its ambience.

Your Space Sets Your Fountain’s Size

Buy a big fountain for big spaces. Use a small tabletop fountain for smaller rooms. It’s common sense, but again, it’s easy to look at a fountain without considering its intended location. Business should especially follow this rule. A tiny fountain is useless in a large foyer, and a big fountain intimidates people in a small one. Businesses with large public areas may even consider a custom fountain designed especially for the space. This has the added advantage of being able to incorporate branding into the custom design.

Use a Variety of Angles

Using fountains to vary a space’s angles and levels makes it a more interesting place to be. Water fountains stand out by providing moving water and rippling reflections, making them powerful ways to change an area’s mood. They immediately stand out. Don’t waste the effect by making the fountain completely match the room’s existing lines.

Break the Rules

Don’t like these rules? After all, Zen gardens break them by mixing smooth and rough textures. The truth is that sometimes you have to ignore these guidelines to get the best effect. Ask yourself why a particular indoor or outdoor fountain appeals to you. If you need to do something unusual to bring your vision to light, trust yourself – it’s your fountain and your space.