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How to Create a Splash with Outdoor Water Fountains

Outdoor water fountains can dramatically transform the look and feel of your garden or outdoor area. But before you add these features, you must first consider their designs, styles, and the types of materials used. These factors will help you create interesting and magnificent accents to your outdoor living spaces.

Choose the Right Style and Design

Fountains are highly versatile water features. They are available in a wide range of styles and designs. The traditional water fountain designs are still common since they easily complement with other landscape elements. However, achieving a unique or personalized theme is becoming popular. You can now have a romantic European look or a modern theme by just adding fountains in strategic areas in your property.

Let’s walk through some of the common styles of outdoor water fountains: 

• Spouting - Spouting fountains spew a stream of water from a spout or spouts. The spout can be directed upwards to create a plume-like effect, or it can be integrated into a sculpture, such as into the mouth of a lion, for a more quiet sound.
   
• Cascading - This outdoor fountain features tiered or multiple levels, creating a cascading effect as water flows from one level to another.
   
• Wall - This is ideal for small gardens as it doesn’t take up a lot of space. It can be either built into an existing wall or installed as a freestanding unit.

Get the Perfect Water Fountain Materials

Outdoor water fountains can be made from different materials. Hence, customizing a water fountain to your landscape design, personal preferences, or budget can be easily achieved. Here are some of your options:

• Stone fountains - Stone fountains are durable and relatively inexpensive. Granite, marble, and slate are some of the most popular stone materials used to create these water features.
   
• Cast stone or concrete - Concrete is typically used to create sculptural fountain designs, such as bird, lion, fish, and angel. Concrete fountains are on the higher end of the price scale.
   
• Resin and fiberglass - From a distance, they look like stone fountains, but they are lighter and cheaper than the real thing. Because they are light, they are often used to create tabletops and wall fountains.
   
• Terracotta - If you want to enhance the rustic look of your garden, then terracotta, clay, or ceramic fountain is your best option. It is also less expensive than stone and concrete.

Other Important Considerations

Landscaping experts also suggest that you should consider the size and theme of your landscape when purchasing a fountain. It should complement your garden and not look as though it was just an afterthought.

If you choose the right design, material, and location for your outdoor water fountains, achieving that unique splash in your outdoors is possible.