10 Water Features to Make Any Backyard Landscape Complete

A manicured lawn, colorful flowers, and stylish patio furniture all make for a pleasant exterior, but they don’t necessarily help your house standout from any others in your neighborhood. Give your landscape design a boost by adding a water feature. In addition to being a pretty thing to look at, there are many benefits to including a water feature, like a garden fountain or small pond, in your landscape. Water is soothing to the senses, it adds texture to your yard, and can buffer noise pollution. Whether you have a big or small space, there are different ways you can incorporate a water feature. Keep reading to see ideas for how a water feature can elevate your yard.

You can build your own creek, like the one shown here, with some concrete, gravel, PVC pipe, and a recirculating pump. Strategically placed stones guide the water to a retaining pool, where it is pumped back up to the top of the creek. This would be a smart choice for a distinctive garden border.

Who wants an indoor aquarium when there are backyard koi ponds waiting to be built! If you would like one for yourself, there are many kits available or hire a landscape designer who specializes in these peaceful ponds. But beware: Koi are playful and mesmerizing, but they’re not low maintenance. Make sure you understand their needs before taking on a koi pond.

The ultimate water feature is one you can step right into. A backyard shower provides a liberating alternative to your daily shower routine and lets you extend the pleasure outdoors. 

Hands down, the most common backyard water feature is the noble birdbath. You can’t go wrong with the classic landscape detail, which has the added perk of being beneficial for nature. With the option to choose from a pedestal style, a hanging bird bath, a fountain design, or another type, you will surely be able to find a bird bath that suits the size and design of your outdoor space.

A water wall, like this one from Home Depot, is a great way to create shade, divide an outdoor space, or add a dramatic accent to your backyard landscape. It’s also the perfect feature if you only have a small yard or balcony since the vertical feature can be flush against a fence or wall. 

Do you crave a fountain but have limited square footage? Make use of your wall space! A hanging-wall fountain transforms a drab wall into one with character. 

If you’re longing for the soothing appeal of falling water, consider making or buying a backyard waterfall. While there are numerous designs available at home improvement and garden centers, with a little bit of imagination and basic plumbing skills, you can bring your own design to life.

Enjoy the soothing sound of rain without having to sacrifice a sunny day. This contemporary water feature mimics a rain shower. Thanks to it’s flat design, you don’t need a very big backyard to build one for yourself. 

Create a dramatic focal point in your garden, courtyard or entryway by opting for a formal fountain. A large fountain anchored in its own reflecting pond or surrounded by plants, commands attention. Bring together a fountain, a few pavers, and concrete, and you could be on your way to creating a similarly dramatic statement.

It might not be big enough to swim laps, but a small pool in the backyard does just the trick for when you need to cool off on a hot day. It also looks great in the backyard while saving you from having to tear up the grass for a giant kidney-shaped pool. 

Boost the beauty of your backyard with these water feature ideas.