Looking for some exciting backyard makeover ideas to improve your outdoor living space? Whether you want to go big with a landscape design or keep it simple with a DIY garden project, adding an outdoor water feature like a pond, fountain, or waterfall is a great way to upgrade your yard. Check out the backyard water feature ideas below to transform your outdoor area into a beautiful oasis!
Mix Water into Your Landscaping
Photo via @waterbydesign
Update your home landscape design with a big water feature! Incorporating a pond, pool, or fountain into your landscaping will help you create a backyard space you’ll enjoy for years to come. Create some privacy with a tall waterfall made of stacked rocks, or turn challenging yard terrain into a flowing stream.
Combine an Outdoor Kitchen with a Water Feature
Photo via @letsstayhome
Do you love to host backyard barbecues? Create the ultimate outdoor entertaining space by designing a pond, pool, or stream around an outdoor kitchen. This is one grilling paradise you’ll never want to leave!
Design a Modern-Day Moat
Photo via @aquascape_inc
Not only does building a backyard stream offer soothing sounds, but it also provides a sense of privacy and seclusion. It’s like having your own moat! Just be sure to include landscaping details like a bridge or stepping stones across your stream to connect your home with the rest of your yard.
Line Your Yard with a Small Stream
Photo via @californiawaterscapes
If you’re not able to include a large stream or pond throughout your yard, consider designing a shallow, more controlled stream to run along the edges of your backyard instead. Add a small waterfall between levels for detail, as well as smooth stones or pebbles for texture.
Include a Water Feature Next to a Fire Pit
Photo via @starrsellshomes
Want to keep warm and stay by the water? Consider designing a water feature close to a fire pit! Whether it’s a swimming pool or a simple water fountain, this creates a lovely entertaining spot in your backyard.
Build a Swimming Pool
Photo via @vineyardpools
Adding a water feature like a pool or a hot tub in your backyard isn’t just great for family fun. It can also increase the value of your home. Design an underground pool with lights and bubblers, or set up an above-ground, deck-mounted pool. You can also seamlessly integrate this element with other landscaping details like waterfalls, fountains, and water walls.
Add a Kid-Friendly Splash Pad
Photo via @raindeckaz
Do your kids love to run through the sprinkler? Upgrade their water adventures by building a splash pad for the backyard! Residential splash pads have all the appeal of the typical water park splash pad—just with the comfort of being at home! Splash pads are also safer than a traditional swimming pool because there’s no standing water.
Go Natural with a Small Backyard Pond
Photo via @auburnskylandscaping
Unwind after a long day next to a small pond in your backyard! Utilize landscaping elements like pebbles, stones, flowering plants, trees, and ferns around your pond to create a sense of natural beauty. You can even build your own pond using materials available from most hardware stores.
Invest in a Koi Pond
Photo via @proponds_west
If you have the space and the resources, turn a section of your backyard into a tranquil koi pond. Just make sure that your koi pond is large enough to allow fish to grow and live comfortably. Also, since Koi eat plants, you’ll want to add non-toxic greenery to your pond, such as water lilies, water lettuce, or other floating plants.
Keep It Simple with a Birdbath
Photo via @litdigitalart
One of the simplest and most affordable outdoor water features is a birdbath. Without pumps, filters, or costly installation, birdbaths are a budget-friendly way to add a water feature to your outdoor living area. Not to mention, they come in all shapes and colors, making it easy to find the option that fits both your space and your style.
Blend a Water Feature into Outdoor Furniture
Photo via @californiawaterscapes
For an over-the-top water feature that everyone will be talking about, consider a custom outdoor water table, like this succulent water table with a pondless stream from California Waterscapes!
Create a Small Rock Waterfall
Photo via @creativecascades
Adding a waterfall to a backyard pond, stream, or pool is a great way to incorporate movement in your garden. Rocks, concrete, and even fiberglass can be stacked to create a path for the water, while flowers, succulents, or grasses can be added for color.
Add a Pondless Waterfall
Photo via @aquaterraearth
Pondless waterfalls are ideal for small backyards that don’t have enough room for a pond. Instead of water collecting at the bottom, these waterfalls have pumps that circulate water back up through the fountain, creating the same effect in half the space. In addition, pondless waterfalls are low maintenance and can be designed with stones, plants, and pebbles for a natural look.
Opt for a Staircase Waterfall
Photo via @californidawaterscapes
For a unique, modern water feature that’s sure to be a conversation piece among guests, create a staircase waterfall! This small backyard design adds a luxurious touch to any garden or outdoor living space.
Design a DIY Water Wall
Photo via @interiorfrugalista
An outdoor water wall is one of the most eye-catching modern water features to incorporate into your backyard. This stylish design also makes a great addition to outdoor living rooms. Feeling adventurous? Learn how to make your own DIY patio water wall feature with items like glass sheets and wood.
Relax with a Traditional Fountain
Photo via @moananursery
Fountains are the perfect addition to yards, patios, decks, or as a landscaping centerpiece in a garden. These popular water features include pipe fountains, disappearing fountains, spouting fountains, and self-contained fountains. They can also have sconces, scuppers, and downspouts in their designs.
Use a Sphere Outdoor Fountain
Photo via @style_earth
Even if space is limited in your backyard, you can still enjoy a water fountain! Also known as ball fountains, sphere water features are tranquil elements that don’t require much setup and can easily fit in any sized yard. For a DIY water feature idea, consider making your own spherical outdoor fountain!
Incorporate a Bubbler Fountain
Photo via @waterbydesign
A bubbler fountain is a small water feature that gives your backyard both pizzazz and a relaxing feel. Place one in a tiny garden, or install a large one in your green space to make it the focal point of your yard. Underwater bubblers can also be added to ponds and pools for a bubbling effect similar to a hot spring.
Install a Water Blade Fountain
Photo via @waterbydesign
For a twist on the traditional water feature, use a water blade in your landscaping. Not only do these fountains add a modern touch to existing ponds or pools, but they can also be installed on their own as freestanding water features.
Make a Courtyard Fountain the Focal Point
Photo via @alexsmithgardendesign
Designed to fit a range of outdoor living spaces, including courtyards, atriums, or gardens, a courtyard fountain is truly a work of art. These fountains can be made from stone, bronze, copper, and concrete. For a similar effect, you can add a DIY wishing well to any entryway or porch.
Get Creative with a Decorative Fountain
Photo via @lisapalemorealtor
Show off your sense of style with a fun, decorative backyard fountain! Old-fashioned pumps, wine glasses, and teapots are just a few items you can use for your one-of-a-kind water fountain. Try making your own outdoor water fountain as a fun backyard DIY project!
Don’t Forget to Include a Pathway
Photo via @frazermcdonoghdesigns
Especially if you’re incorporating a large stream or pond into your outdoor living space, having a walkway is good for connecting your deck or patio with your backyard. Pathway designs can even include custom details like stepping stones that blend effortlessly with your garden!
Create Additional Ambiance with Lights
Photo via @californiawaterscapes
Outdoor water features with lights provide a more intimate atmosphere in your backyard day or night. Consider adding low-wattage wash lights around waterfalls or fountains to highlight the surface of the water for a reflective effect. LED lights may be more expensive upfront, but their long lifespan may prove to be a cheaper investment over time. You can also work lights into fountains, waterfalls, and pools. Just make sure to use lights that won’t increase water temperature and that have non-toxic elements.
Make a Water Feature Pop with a Statue
Photo via @agulinda68
One way to make your backyard water feature truly stand out is with a ceramic, stone, or bronze garden statue. Available in all sizes, characters, and shapes, garden statues add flair and personality to both your garden and water feature. Statues also vary from classic busts to abstract art pieces.
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