Since ancient times, people have always been attracted to water. You can watch the endless flow of flowing water for hours, while experiencing relaxation and pleasure. Today you can feel the coolness and enjoy the pleasant contemplation of quiet murmuring water not only at the city fountain, but also in your garden plot or in a small cozy apartment.
Decorative fountains and waterfalls cool the home, filling it with drops of watery dust, purifying and humidifying the air. In addition, they are an interesting addition to the home interior and fit perfectly into modern design.
The editors of the YaNashla website bring to your attention the best types of decorative fountains.
Types of decorative fountains
Many tourists, while vacationing in different countries, always try to leave a coin in a beautiful fountain or throw it into the waves of a gentle, warm sea. Water always attracts people, gives peace, relaxation, and puts people in a positive mood.
Therefore, many try to install various fountains in their summer cottages or apartments, where they can have a good time, relieve fatigue and recharge with strength and energy.
A fountain is an architectural hydraulic structure designed to decorate
A decorative waterfall is a fairly well-thought-out composition; it is made from natural materials (wood or stone) and complemented with all sorts of bright details. Japanese-style products have become widely popular. The sophistication of the Japanese, their vision of beauty is superimposed on everything that is done by their hands. Adherence to historical customs and their embodiment in products of natural materials give a special charm to waterfalls. A decorative composition made of stones, green bamboo branches, LED lighting and murmuring water jets can create a unique and inexplicable sense of beauty in a special and cozy atmosphere.
Water devices for the garden
Many summer residents create picturesque recreation areas on their plots, decorating them with decorative fountains, waterfalls, ponds, where it is pleasant to sit and listen to the murmur of the spring.
Garden fountains are distinguished by installation and type of water supply. They are submersible and stationary:
- If there is a body of water (pond or pool) on the site, install a submersible fountain. It is installed under water in the center of the reservoir. The operation of the device is based on the principles of a centrifuge.
This type of fountain is considered very reliable, simple and affordable.
The device is made in the form of a special nozzle that facilitates the supply of water. Water using a special pump.
The form of water supply involves different structures of waterfalls in the form of:
- tulip;
- bells;
- jets;
- hemispheres;
- fish tail;
- rings.
2. The stationary fountain can be installed anywhere. This type of device has holes through which water flows and flows into a fountain. They are made from artificial stone, which is durable and frost-resistant. This type of structure is often located at the edge of the pool; it is used for a cascade or large fountain. Stationary products in the country are installed as part of the design.
You can install the fountain anywhere, but it should not be near trees. In this case, the water feature may become clogged with leaves or grass debris. A situation may also arise when the root system of mature trees can deform the bottom of the reservoir, damaging the waterproofing.
Direct sunlight should not fall on the fountain, as this will cause water to bloom. The structure must be located in front of the house.
Indoor fountains
Decorative indoor tabletop or floor fountains, beautifully fitting into the author's design style, complement modern interiors. New technologies help improve decorative water devices and adapt them to new design discoveries.
For a classic interior, choose a fountain made of a ceramic base, beautiful stones, natural wood, or slate. This material allows you to make products of original shape. For example, the bases of products often consist of ceramic vessels made in the form of a deep bowl or figured vases, they contain a container with water. They are decorated with various compositions with plants, sculptures of fairy-tale characters, and interesting scenes representing an ancient castle, water or mountain landscape.
Products are produced with standard technical equipment: water tanks and a pump, which is selected taking into account the volume of liquid. Many products are equipped with a protective filter to prevent pump damage.
The design of the products is quite varied, it depends on the types of style:
- sculptural;
- abstract;
- imitation of a natural landscape;
- execution with decorative stones;
- use of photocells.
Indoor fountains are produced:
- hanging;
- floor;
- desktop.
Products that are installed on the floor are large in size and have a multi-level system.
The fountain, which is installed on the coffee table, can be ceramic or made of organic glass or plastic. They are usually small in size and have only one jet.
Fascinating products bring beauty to the interior and comfort to the home. Along with aesthetic feelings, indoor waterfalls have practical properties - they humidify the air.
Looking for a place
“The construction of fountains at the dacha with your own hands can be carried out in any style that appeals to the household”
Arranging a fountain in the yard is a successful solution in many respects. This is a great way to humidify the hot summer air, a great opportunity to normalize the nervous system. You can have a fun party near it. The fountain bowl can serve as a reservoir for watering. In general, beautiful, practical, useful. The construction of fountains at the dacha with your own hands can be carried out in any style that appeals to the household. Regardless of the stylistic decision of the composition, it is guaranteed to turn out to be the brightest touch of the surrounding space. The mesmerizing shimmer of water droplets filled with rainbow colors and the gentle sun will not allow anyone to remain indifferent.
the fountain is decorated with a single sculptural composition
When looking for a site for the construction of a hydraulic engineering facility, pay special attention to the presence of a slope of the ground and its degree. It is best to place the installation in a low area. This will make it possible to saturate the surrounding air with moisture as much as possible and at the same time replenish the volume of groundwater. There is no need to allocate for this:
- Places that are too open, as the abundance of sun will cause water to bloom.
- Areas under the canopy of large trees. Their roots are powerful and, sensing moisture, they easily deform the bowl of the reservoir, breaking through the waterproofing layer. Also, the tank will constantly be clogged with fallen leaves and fruits. This can cause blockage of the drains with all the literally ensuing consequences.
- A place near the house. The walls of a building are unlikely to like excess moisture.
Look for an area that can be easily seen from different angles. This will be an ideal place to set up a fountain.
organization of fountain lighting
How to make your own fountain
We all love nature and enjoy its bright colors. However, we spend our lives at work and in a standard city apartment, where all the necessary amenities are available. Many people love indoor flowers, which add a little color to the interior. You can make a beautiful waterfall or decorative fountain with your own hands.
Its operating principle is quite simple: water rises in a closed circle using a pump and, at the highest point, falls down into a container for storing liquid.
Step-by-step instructions for making a decorative fountain
In order to make a product with your own hands, you need to buy a small pump that will help raise water into the tank. We will prepare the container for the lower reservoir from a five-liter bottle, for which we need to cut off the lower part up to eight centimeters high. Any round tray with a diameter of at least 30 cm or any shallow plastic dish can be suitable for the base of the fountain.
- You need to connect the pump and the lower reservoir, use a hot soldering iron to make holes in it equal to the diameter of the pump tube.
- Glue the pump and reservoir to the base, and put a soft hose on the falling tube.
- We hide the pump with a cardboard box, which you can make yourself, or use a shoe box.
- Check the operation of the fountain and the possibility of leakage.
- To prepare the relief, we use construction foam, covering the base with it to a height of up to five centimeters. After the base has hardened, you can build up the slide.
- Once the foam has hardened, you can begin creating a waterfall. The water channel can be covered with pebbles and shells. Place a small lake on top.
- To complete the design of the waterfall, you need to coat the bed and all the seams between the stones with waterproof glue and wait until everything dries well.
- To get a beautiful drop of water flow, you need to form nests using a gun. Water will collect there and roll down.
- To make the fountain look beautiful, they use all kinds of decor and special paint that can be prepared at home. To do this, PVA construction adhesive is diluted with water, a little sand and color are poured into it and everything is mixed well. The creamy consistency is applied to the product several times, after each layer has dried.
- The decorative toy is ready, it is made from almost any available material.
Stylish exoticism in the interior of the bedroom
A small tabletop fountain can be made from a flower pot with a diameter of approximately 25 cm.
To work you will need:
- durable container;
- pump;
- translucent balls or pebbles;
- aquarium plants;
- paints for painting on ceramics or glass.
A flower pot is used for the base of the fountain. To give the structure a stylish look, the container is painted with special waterproof paints. To circulate the liquid, install a pump, make a hole and bring the tube up.
The bottom of the fountain is decorated with decorative balls, shells or pebbles. After filling the system with water, aquarium plants are placed inside. They give the design an exotic look and uniqueness. A simple design creation scheme opens up wide opportunities for beginning craftsmen.
The principle of operation of decorative waterfalls
The structures of the structures consist of the following components:
- source of water creation;
- receiver where water jets fall.
A suitable nozzle is required for the water jet.
Decorative structures are divided into groups according to their devices and operating principles:
- Circulating. Acts in a closed circuit of fluid movement. The source is a vessel with water, which is located significantly below the receiver. A concrete or ceramic bowl or a vessel made of composite material is installed as a receiver. Any shape can be made, but people knowledgeable about construction advise installing the structure in a hermetically sealed bowl.
Using a special pump, water under pressure enters a tube, which is connected to a nozzle and is sprayed there. Purification and disinfection of water is necessary.
The group of circulation structures includes small floor or indoor fountains. They have the same principle of operation as large garden waterfalls. The difference lies in the receiver, it is located higher, but is a single whole in the composition.
2. Flow-through version of hydraulic structures. Garden fountains of this group use drinking water, which can be used for any purpose. This group can be connected to the sewer system, since they do not have tanks. A striking example of such structures is a fountain, which is called Roman.
Garden fountains come in different varieties. The first, and most expensive, is considered to be the construction of a garden with a pond, the middle of which is decorated with a circulating decorative fountain. For all their beauty, such structures have negative sides, one of which is the impossibility of supplying drinking water to this structure.
The next option is a waterfall with drinking water, its basis is a structure that can be chosen in an elegant form and beautiful design.
The last option is considered to be structures made by hand. In this case, a flight of fancy can involve a lot of different available materials in its arrangement, including buckets, watering cans, ceramic dishes, and stones.
Beautiful examples and successful options
You can create a wide variety of waterfalls on your summer cottage, depending on its size.
Large-scale options, with many water slides and a voluminous bowl, will be appropriate in a large garden, where they will not occupy most of the area. In this case, you can play with the height of the slopes, their location relative to each other, their number, the power and direction of the jets, and the decor. A large waterfall will “withstand” a small embankment and even a bridge.
True, creating such a masterpiece will require more time, and more materials will be needed, not to mention a higher power pump. But it's worth it.
If the dacha plot is not large in size, you can create a mini-waterfall. It is in no way inferior to its larger brothers. Of course, except for the size.
A small, simple waterfall is no less attractive than multi-tiered options. He is just as capable of giving peace, harmony, decorating any part of the garden, and becoming the center of the entire landscape.
The hill into which the ledges are made can also be decorated with plants, turning it into a kind of alpine slide. Moisture-loving succulents, mosses, and decorative lichens will help bring this idea to life.
If you want something extraordinary, you can arrange a dry waterfall. In this case, the water flowing from the ledges does not collect in a container, but disappears, at first glance, to an unknown destination. It looks quite impressive.
In fact, the water flows into a hidden underground and camouflaged reservoir, from where the pump pumps it again to the top of the ledges.
For a garden decorated in a modern style, where preference is given to geometric shapes and clear proportions, a waterfall made of concrete is suitable. Strict line geometry and concrete structures fit perfectly into the overall design.
To learn how to create an artificial fountain with a waterfall with your own hands, see the following video.
Type of placement of indoor fountains
Installing home waterfalls helps you calm down and relax after a hard day. Indoor fountains have different types of placement:
- Desktop. This type has a distinctive feature - it is small in size and affordable in cost. Although there are models reaching one meter in height. Tabletop structures are placed in a ceramic or polyethylene flowerpot. They are decorated with artificial flowers, green moss, installed with wood or covered with stones. An LED backlight is installed in the middle. Equipped with silent motors.
- Floor-standing. Installed on the floor. They can have a straight, curly or angular shape of different sizes.
- Wall-mounted. They are attached to the wall. They are made of stone, copper, plastic, cast iron, ceramics, and other materials. They have a lot of weight, so before fastening it is necessary to determine whether the wall can withstand the load of such a structure. Fasteners to the wall must be selected that are strong and reliable. Today, fountains in the form of paintings equipped with a frame, and “wet fountains” in the form of falling streams are popular. Such products require a water inlet and floor waterproofing.
- Ceiling. They are made in the form of lampshades having a round shape. Water streams flow down them and enter the water inlet. A sculpture or green tree is installed below.
Which device to choose for the interior
The first thing you need to think about before purchasing a structure is its size. In large rooms, a large floor or wall fountain looks great. For a small room, it is better to choose a neat tabletop display. In the form of decorations, you can decorate them with a palm tree, deciduous tree, or liana.
It is desirable that the design of the waterfall matches the interior of the home:
- for the classic style, products made of copper or gilding are well suited;
- figurines of Buddha, frog, and lotus look great in Asian motifs;
- a modern loft fits perfectly into a stone bowl, imitation of mountain streams, waterfalls, fantastic and extraordinary designs.
When purchasing a design, you need to check the noise threshold of the pump; it can have a great impact on your rest with its hum and noise.
Many models of home waterfalls are made from polystone - an artificial stone based on acrylic resin. It is durable, heat-resistant, durable, and resistant to household chemicals. It is safe for health.
Materials used
What should you pay attention to so as not to make mistakes when choosing a product? On the material used. It must be of high quality, durable and reliable. Small fountains are made from synthetic and natural raw materials. Onyx, granite, travertine and marble specimens are widely popular.
Natural stones absorb the energy of nature and are ready to share it with their owners. Natural minerals can have a positive effect not only on a person’s mental state, but also on well-being, promoting recovery. The effect is doubled by water energy. There is nothing more natural than minerals, water and wood. Nature itself helps to recharge a person with positive energy, increasing his strength and abilities.
Artificial materials make it possible to give a product the most amazing shape, including copying the appearance of natural textures: clay, wood, stone, patinated bronze, and so on. In most cases, polymer concrete, porcelain stoneware, smooth polymers, and glass are used to create masterpieces.
Rating of the best decorative floor fountains
Floor waterfall "Mountain Pine"
Design for a country house, office, recreation room. The composition contains a pine tree growing near a rocky waterfall. The water source is located at the top, near the rocky stone. Water flows over the surface of the rock and enters the reservoir. The pump has an adjustable button for switching power and flow noise.
Features of the fountain:
- average noise level;
- material – natural porcelain;
- manual assembly.
Design size: 130x42x42 cm.
Cost: 60,010 rubles.
Floor waterfall "Mountain Pine"
Advantages:
- ideal illumination with LED lamps;
- beautiful design;
- wide functionality;
- thoughtful design;
- reliability;
- durability.
Flaws:
- high price.
VIP fountain “Emerald City” 540-300
The massive floor fountain has a non-standard design. The path of the mountain stream begins in the upper part near the castle, continues along the serpentine mountain road and collects in a reservoir under the castle walls.
It has a height of 90 cm. The noise level is average.
Made from natural porcelain. Casting, painting and assembly are done by hand. It can be easily disassembled for cleaning.
Country of origin: Russia
Cost: 73810 rubles.
VIP fountain “Emerald City” 540-300
Advantages:
- very beautiful design;
- fits harmoniously into any interior;
- has a beneficial effect on others;
- natural material.
Flaws:
- high cost.
Floor-standing device “Mirror” 540-231
An original illuminated mirror fountain will suit the interior of a large room. Made of mirror, aluminum, cast porcelain, PVC, sea pebbles. Casting and assembly are manual. The glassy glaze holds well, does not fly around, and does not leak. The product can be easily disassembled and cleaned. The product has high-quality orange backlighting from the German company Seliger.
Product dimensions: 107x46x46 cm. Sold in convenient packaging.
Fountain weight: 35 kg.
Cost: 60,010 rubles.
Floor fountain “Mirror” 540-231
Advantages:
- original design;
- compact;
- beautiful lighting;
- high-quality manufacturing;
- natural material;
- mirror image of the interior;
- easy to clean.
Flaws:
- careful handling of mirror surfaces;
- heavy weight.
