Transform Your Outdoor Space with Water Features
20 December 2011
Making the most of your outdoor space can be difficult. Even if you choose to have an elegant outdoor living area, walking paths and lots of greenery, you might still feel that there’s something missing. The answer might just be to add water features. Water features can help you transform your outdoor space, and can be used alone or as part of an overall landscape design. The trick lies in knowing what options are open to you.
Ponds
Ponds can be constructed in any size, shape or style that you might want or need to match your landscape design. You’ll find that you can incorporate an incredible number of elements within a pond, from lighting to plant life, fish and more. You can create a pond that evokes thoughts of a mountain stream by using a waterfall and natural stone, or you can opt for something a bit more tropical with flowering water plants and sand.
Fountains
Fountains are perhaps the most versatile water features available. They can be very small – resting on a table on your porch, for example. Alternatively, these water features can be very large and can be used as the focal point for an overall design in your outdoor area. You’ll also find that fountains can be created in almost any style that you might want, from intricate Gothic designs to rustic options and more.
Choose Lighting for Effect
One of the best ways to highlight water features in your landscape design is to use outdoor lighting to put the viewer’s attention on them. You can use understated lighting to provide highlights, or you can use focused beams to really make water features stand out. Make sure that any lighting that you choose is rated for use with fountains or ponds, though.
This article is published by Outdoor Design Source, Australia's most comprehensive external works directory of products and services. Featuring suppliers for landscaping, playground equipment, shade structures and outdoor lighting in all its applications to erosion control, drainage, street & outdoor furniture, retaining walls, wholesale nurseries and so much more. Outdoor Design Source is the essential reference for all specifiers in the landscape, civil and amenities industry.
