Maximising the Visual Impact of Your Water Feature
Great ideas on how to create a dramatic effect with a simplistic water feature in your landscape
Water features are a must-have on most garden wish lists, and come in all shapes and sizes, from grand formal ponds to the simplicity of a standalone urn surrounded with pebbles. The position, style, proportion and mechanics of the water feature all come down to good design. If not carefully considered, a water feature can be very costly and also high in maintenance. The other tricky part of building an inexpensive water feature in situ is building one that doesn’t leak. Water is the enemy of all water features, with leaks being very hard to stop, so if you are going to invest in a large, expensive water feature, get it done by a professional.
The good news is you don’t have to spend a fortune to have a great water feature. A well-positioned, simple feature can have just as big of an impact as the most elaborate structure – and the maintenance will also be minimised. So if you are thinking about a water feature, here are some great tips and ideas you can use for your own home without breaking the bank.
The good news is you don’t have to spend a fortune to have a great water feature. A well-positioned, simple feature can have just as big of an impact as the most elaborate structure – and the maintenance will also be minimised. So if you are thinking about a water feature, here are some great tips and ideas you can use for your own home without breaking the bank.
Know your local laws
Secondly, ensure the water feature is safe and compliant to your local laws. Local laws will vary from state to state, so ensure you check what is allowed and design the water feature accordingly. In Victoria, a water feature can be no deeper than 300mm, otherwise it requires a pool fence. It is best to build them to be 280mm deep with an overflow outlet, to ensure they don’t fill up after rain and become deeper than the allowed 300mm.
Secondly, ensure the water feature is safe and compliant to your local laws. Local laws will vary from state to state, so ensure you check what is allowed and design the water feature accordingly. In Victoria, a water feature can be no deeper than 300mm, otherwise it requires a pool fence. It is best to build them to be 280mm deep with an overflow outlet, to ensure they don’t fill up after rain and become deeper than the allowed 300mm.
DESIGN YOUR FEATURE
Once the position is chosen and you know the laws, next is the fun part – and that’s designing your water feature.
Choose your vessel
One of my favourite water features is actually one of the most cost-effective. It starts by finding a beautiful bowl, which is very much a personal choice, purchasing a prefabricated water feature tub (that is specially designed to hold up an urn or bowl) and positioning the water feature as a focal point to a key vista of the home and garden.
Once the position is chosen and you know the laws, next is the fun part – and that’s designing your water feature.
Choose your vessel
One of my favourite water features is actually one of the most cost-effective. It starts by finding a beautiful bowl, which is very much a personal choice, purchasing a prefabricated water feature tub (that is specially designed to hold up an urn or bowl) and positioning the water feature as a focal point to a key vista of the home and garden.
Purchase a pump
You then simply purchase the correct pump, plumb it up and surround the urn with a selected feature pebble and the job is done.
With all water features, the pump selection is critical as the water flow, pipe diameter, power supply available and height of the feature all need to be considered. It is often best to go to a water feature or pond specialist who can assist with the correct pump selection for your application.
You then simply purchase the correct pump, plumb it up and surround the urn with a selected feature pebble and the job is done.
With all water features, the pump selection is critical as the water flow, pipe diameter, power supply available and height of the feature all need to be considered. It is often best to go to a water feature or pond specialist who can assist with the correct pump selection for your application.
Create visual impact
If you want to take things a little further, you can double up or triple the urns in a line to make a larger impact to the space. These urns lined up in a row ooze sophistication, simplicity and style, yet they are a relatively cost-effective way of incorporating a water feature into an outdoor space.
If you want to take things a little further, you can double up or triple the urns in a line to make a larger impact to the space. These urns lined up in a row ooze sophistication, simplicity and style, yet they are a relatively cost-effective way of incorporating a water feature into an outdoor space.
PURCHASE YOUR FEATURE
Another great way of bringing moving water into a garden is to purchase a prefabricated water feature ‘off the shelf’. It is simple, clean, no mess and no fuss.
Another great way of bringing moving water into a garden is to purchase a prefabricated water feature ‘off the shelf’. It is simple, clean, no mess and no fuss.
Urns
Urn water features can also be purchased in a kit form and take all the hard work out of installing a water feature. There are many suppliers who will offer a full installation service, too.
Urn water features can also be purchased in a kit form and take all the hard work out of installing a water feature. There are many suppliers who will offer a full installation service, too.
Spheres
Urns are not the only option as far as building a water feature above a ready-made base goes. A granite sphere or clusters of spheres can work just as well sitting on a bed of pebbles. This is a perfect option for a contemporary, minimalist home or garden setting and has a timeless, sophisticated feel to it.
Urns are not the only option as far as building a water feature above a ready-made base goes. A granite sphere or clusters of spheres can work just as well sitting on a bed of pebbles. This is a perfect option for a contemporary, minimalist home or garden setting and has a timeless, sophisticated feel to it.
BUILD YOUR OWN WATER FEATURE
C-section spouts
Another great low-cost water feature is to find an old, recycled piece of ‘c section’ steel and sit it on a wall or raised garden bed.
C-section spouts
Another great low-cost water feature is to find an old, recycled piece of ‘c section’ steel and sit it on a wall or raised garden bed.
Cap it and plumb it up at one end and have it spill over into a lower concealed pit, again covered with pebbles.
You are then able to design the lower pebbles into a circle, Rhyl or feature shape to add a bit of designer flare to the space.
You are then able to design the lower pebbles into a circle, Rhyl or feature shape to add a bit of designer flare to the space.
Water walls
Similarly, water walls are perfect for a small courtyard, rooftop, alfresco area or larger garden space, and are cost-effective and space-saving, too.
The other interesting benefit of a water wall is that they offer a quieter sound of water, as the water simply trickles down the face and doesn’t drop and splash, which can be quite noisy. There is nothing worse than a noisy water feature in a small space; it can turn the relaxing sound of water into an annoying loud gushing feature you will never want to turn on.
Similarly, water walls are perfect for a small courtyard, rooftop, alfresco area or larger garden space, and are cost-effective and space-saving, too.
The other interesting benefit of a water wall is that they offer a quieter sound of water, as the water simply trickles down the face and doesn’t drop and splash, which can be quite noisy. There is nothing worse than a noisy water feature in a small space; it can turn the relaxing sound of water into an annoying loud gushing feature you will never want to turn on.
They are diverse in their application and can range from planter boxes and vegetable gardens to swales and green roof features.
MAINTENANCE OPTIONS
With maintenance being a big decision with water features, it is best to consider an automatic refill device and a bio filter to help maintain water levels and water quality respectively.
If you are thinking of a swimming pool, all the maintenance can be avoided as you are using the filtered pool water and pool itself to create the subtle, calming movement of water.
With maintenance being a big decision with water features, it is best to consider an automatic refill device and a bio filter to help maintain water levels and water quality respectively.
If you are thinking of a swimming pool, all the maintenance can be avoided as you are using the filtered pool water and pool itself to create the subtle, calming movement of water.
MAKE IT STAND OUT
If budgets will allow, lighting the water movement is the last finishing touch to the feature. At night you will be treated to dancing shadows throughout the space, which offers a mesmerising element to the water feature experience.
A water feature is a great addition to any garden, courtyard or landscaped space. When done well, it provides the calming, soothing sound of moving water, which makes for an inviting outdoor area you won’t want to leave – and the best bit is you don’t have to spend a fortune to make it happen.
If budgets will allow, lighting the water movement is the last finishing touch to the feature. At night you will be treated to dancing shadows throughout the space, which offers a mesmerising element to the water feature experience.
A water feature is a great addition to any garden, courtyard or landscaped space. When done well, it provides the calming, soothing sound of moving water, which makes for an inviting outdoor area you won’t want to leave – and the best bit is you don’t have to spend a fortune to make it happen.
Firstly, pick the spot you feel will give you the maximum impact from a day-to-day point of view.
Whether it be the pedestrian entry to the home or the rear alfresco space, make sure you’ll get the maximum benefit of the feature.
Avoid water features down the dead side of the home; they can be a waste of money, both upfront and ongoing, as water features need to be run daily to avoid stagnant water, which creates algae and attracts mosquitos. Look for position, position, position.