Lately, it seems like outdoor living is all the rage. There’s a good chance you enjoy going to cookouts, pool parties, or even just sitting on the patio to watch the sun go down. You might even know someone with a pool or garden, if you dont have one yourself. If you’re looking for ways to improve your outdoor space this year, adding a small water feature could be a good idea.
A small water feature can be many things — a fountain, waterfall, rock pond or birdbath. It can take many forms and use flowing or standing water to enhance an outdoor area.
Adding small water features to your space is an easy way to make it look better without spending a lot of money. These additions are not only lovely, but they will also give you and your guests a nice, quiet, and relaxing place to be outside.
Read on for more ideas for small water features that you can build right in your backyard.
Adding a small pond or water feature to your garden or yard is a great way to enhance the aesthetics and provide a soothing, relaxing ambiance The pleasant sight and sound of flowing water creates a serene oasis for backyard enjoyment Small ponds and water features are also much easier and more affordable to install and maintain versus large scale ponds.
There are many different types of small ponds and water features to choose from to perfectly suit your taste, budget and yard space. Here is an overview of various options for creating scenic, small-scale water elements for your outdoor living area.
Fountain Ponds
Turn your small pond into a majestic centerpiece by installing a fountain The gracefully arching streams of water create pleasant sounds as they splash down into the pond There are many compact pond kits that include everything needed for quick installation such as the pond liner, pump, tubing and a decorative fountain fixture.
For a more customized look, purchase a submersible pump and decorative fountain head separately. Place flat paver stones on the bottom around the pump to create a pedestal for mounting the fountain. Fountains with LED lights illuminate the water streams for stunning nighttime allure.
Tabletop Fountains
Tabletop fountains feature artistic fountain fixtures placed in pots or urns. Their diminutive size makes them ideal for placement on a patio table, bench or pedestal. relax to the gentle sounds of water babbling as it flows from small spouts into the basin below.
Tabletop fountains have compact, self-contained pump systems and only require access to an electrical outlet. For elaborate multi-tiered cascades, use a small submersible pump with a separate water reservoir hidden underneath.
Container Water Gardens
Plant lovely aquatic flowers and foliage in a large ceramic or metal bowl or urn to create a vibrant miniature water garden. Shallow containers 18-24 inches wide work best for proper plant growth. Include oxygenating plants like anacharis to keep the water fresh and clear.
Use an inconspicuous submersible fountain pump to circulate the water. This will prevent stagnation and mosquito breeding. Add a few small fish like minnows for an complete ecosystem. Just be sure to position it out of direct sunlight to avoid overheating.
Wall Fountains
Wall mounted fountains are an ideal choice for adding the sight and sound of flowing water anywhere. They are commonly installed on the wall of a home, on fence posts or built into pondless waterfall features. The open basin can be mounted against a flat surface with a decorative face.
Self-contained pump kits include tubing, fountain attachments and a reservoir to cycle the water. Consider installing a UV clarifier and automated dosing systems on recirculating fountains to reduce maintenance.
Pondless Waterfalls
Pondless waterfalls create the scenic cascade of a water feature without requiring an open pond. Water recirculates from a hidden reservoir up to a spillway that flows down natural rock formations. They can be fitted into almost any landscape since no pond is involved.
Pondless waterfall kits include pumps, spillways, liners, tubing and decorative rocks to create stunning cascades. Adding accent lights illuminates the water for nighttime enjoyment. The lack of an open water feature minimizes maintenance.
Container Ponds
For small space gardens, container ponds offer great versatility. You can use any weatherproof vessel like a half whiskey barrel, galvanized tub or ceramic pot as a miniature pond. This allows placement on patios, balconies and small yards with poor drainage.
Add a few marginal plants in pots tucked into the container edges. Include some floating plants like miniature water lilies for added beauty. A tiny submersible pump can provide filtration and circulation for the fish. Just be sure to bring container ponds indoors if temperatures drop below freezing.
Indoor Tabletop Ponds
Mini ponds also make an interesting indoor decor element. The ideal centerpiece on dining or coffee tables, mystical lighting transforms tranquil water gardens into living art. Shallow glass bowls or hurricane vases containing plants and rocks create lush underwater landscapes.
Low voltage LED or fiber optic lighting placed underneath or around the bowl highlights the display. However, indoor ponds require diligent monitoring of water parameters, filtration and fish health in these small volumes of water.
Bamboo Fountains
For exotic allure, bamboo water spouts make memorable focal points. The cut bamboo stalks are incorporated into a small reservoir to catch and redirect the flowing water. Strategically placed rock formations and gravel offer Asian-inspired zen appeal.
Submersible pumps can pipe water up from an underground reservoir into the arranged bamboo cascades. For self-contained systems, use a small pond kit basin with the bamboo inserted into an opening at the top. Add accent lights around the base for drama.
DIY Mini Ponds
With a bit of creativity, you can craft artistic mini ponds from everyday containers like buckets, pots and bathtubs. For example, an old porcelain clawfoot tub placed in the garden makes a quaint lily pond. Small galvanized tubs or whiskey barrels filled with plants encircled by rocks create lush mini ecosystems.
For unique effects, place glass vases and hurricane lanterns around the yard and fill with colored water, floating flowers and candles. Drape reclaimed windows with stained glass film and use as reflecting pools. Let your imagination run wild!
Maintaining Small Water Features
While small ponds and fountains require less maintenance compared to large ponds, some regular care is still essential. Here are some key maintenance tasks:
- Clean debris like leaves frequently using a skimmer net to prevent clogging
- Prune back excess foliage and remove spent blooms from plants
- Monitor water clarity and use clarifying treatments as needed
- Clean pump filtration systems regularly to remove trapped sediment
- Replace evaporated water to maintain appropriate levels
- Remove green algae buildup and spot treat with EPA approved algaecides
- Ensure proper water circulation and aeration
- Drain and clean containers/bowls completely prior to winter in cold climates
Adding Personality with Decorations
To give your small water feature extra character, embellish it with decorative accents that reflect your personal flair. Consider these creative decoration ideas:
- Lily pads and lotus flowers for pops of color
- Weatherproof mosaic tiles on edges or bottom
- River rocks, pebbles and stones for natural appeal
- Statuettes, birdbaths and pottery scattered around the feature
- Accent lighting to illuminate the water
- Clear glass or crystal marbles for whimsy
- Floating candles and water lilies for romantic ambiance
Small ponds and water features allow you to get creative. Add details that complement your garden landscape for an inviting space. Include seating areas nearby so you can relax and enjoy the soothing sights and sounds. With proper installation and regular maintenance, small ponds and fountains provide lasting beauty to cherish for years.
8: Birdbaths
Birdbaths are an excellent way to add something extra to your space. They are also entertaining: Youll likely see robins, blue jays, thrushes and other birds that prefer birdbaths over bird feeders.
You can buy generic birdbaths, but there are also many other types of baths available. Heated bird baths are great for the winter months, when the water tends to freeze. Electricity runs to the pedestal of the birdbath, which keeps the water above freezing without actually warming the water. You can also add a fountain mist to your birdbath. This will attract other birds; hummingbirds, for example, love to fly through mists of water [source: Wild Bird Watching].
Keep the birds safety in mind. Select a birdbath that has a gradually sloping wall with a nonslippery surface. Also, make sure the water isn’t deeper than 3 inches (76 mm) so that smaller birds don’t drown. You can build up the water level in the bath with rocks if you need to. This will make it easier for the birds to get in. Change the water every other day to keep it clean and fresh; never use chemicals.
4: Water Basins
Water basins are decorative bowls that catch water that drips or pours from a nearby spout. They are similar to waterfalls and birdbaths. When the basin fills, it overflows, generally onto decorative rocks that hide a reservoir buried under the ground. The water is then recirculated from the reservoir back into the spout. Basins can be made from a variety of materials, including hand-hammered copper, aluminum, stone or wood. In the same way, the spouts can be made from a number of different metals or materials, such as bamboo if you want an Asian look.
Water basins have their roots in Japanese garden design. Chozubachi basins, with a ladle, are placed near the garden gate so that guests can drink or splash cool water on their forehead as a way to ask for forgiveness. Tsukubai basins don’t have ladles and are set low so people have to bend to get to the water. This is a sign of respect that you are entering a holy part of the garden.
5 Small Waterfall Ideas for your garden
What makes a pond a desirable feature?
The combination of straight lines and curves is a desirable feature in modern gardens. This small pond goes to show that even a rectangular hollow can be turned into a desirable feature. The main brick path appears to be a bridge over the two narrow strips of water.
How do small garden ponds work?
A pump is used to transport the water from the pebbled area up to the top of the waterfall to create the beautifully relaxing sound of cascading water. So there are 15 small garden pond ideas to get you started. I hope these ideas have given you some inspiration for your own backyard pond.
What is a small pond with a waterfall?
A small pond with a waterfall is a top option for adding a water feature to your yard or landscape. Ponds with waterfalls bring a multi-sensory experience to your outdoor space by creating reflections, movement, and sound. They are an ideal solution for smaller properties that don’t have space for a pool.
What are some small pond ideas?
All of the small pond ideas here have one thing in common: they are container ponds. By creating a pond in a durable, watertight container, you have more options than you do with an in-ground pond. I mentioned the need for any pond with a pumpor fountainto have access to electricity.