From affordable to high-end, you can outfit your own personal Great Outdoors Resort with everything from changing cabanas to brick pizza ovens. You can then frame this oasis in lush greenery and vibrant blooms.
But then there’s the in-between. That reflective ingredient that stands out, but blends in. The one that adds dimension and shine to everything. The way to elevate your backyard space… decorate with water.
Top Ten Types of Water Features
Can you have too much of a good thing? Ice cream, maybe. But not when it comes to enjoying stunning aquatic vistas. Water is the most basic of elements. Drinking it fuels our body and submerging in it fuels our soul.
Besides a grand outdoor kitchen, your sparkling pool is likely the focal point of your yard. So that’s a good spot to start when you want to adorn something with water features that awe.
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Fountain
Whether a spillover or floating fountain, there are styles to suit every aesthetic. This effect can take center stage or burble in the background for some acoustic therapy.
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Waterfall or Water Wall
A little more dramatic, waterfalls feel powerful because they are so hypnotic. Rocks are often used as a backdrop to add to the realism, creating one of the most well-loved water features. A water wall is the type of effect you see in spas and salons where a waterfall is jettisoned from a horizontal spout mounted on a wall, so it slides and shimmers down the surface.
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Spillover Spa
This prevalent feature is particularly special as it is fashionably connected with something that is functional. A bubbling spa integrated into a pool’s design makes most people’s “must have” lists. Whether a deluge or a gentle shower, your pool experience will be heightened with this water feature!
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Scupper
Similar to a sconce, a scupper is a slot or spout that is attached to a wall or pedestal. Water flow styles include chute, trough, and sheet.
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Sheer Descent
Appearing like a thin sheet of glass, this type of waterfall drops or forms an arc as it flows away from the pool wall. The opening of a sheer descent can range from half a foot to several feet wide. It is usually mounted flush with a top surface.
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Sconce
A decorative element attached to pool walls out of which pour narrow streams of water. Sconces can be shapes, architectural pieces, urns, vessels, or characters, like animals.
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Bubblers
Aka gushers, bubblers are small jets in the floor of a shallow surface of the pool that shoot streams of water that gurgle and bubble up; heights of the streams can be adjusted.
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Deck Jets
Often called a laminar or pencil jet, this type of water feature is installed into pool decking and shoots a narrow, arching stream of water into the pool. For additional fun and drama, deck jets can be illuminated with color-changing LED lights.
In more aquatic delights, we’ve seen some extraordinary installations of these last two which is why they round out our top ten.
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Statues
Picture a majestic sculpture intertwined with a water element. Like something out of a piazza in Italy, water spews forth in a gentle arch into the pool.
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Mist
To really set an ambiance, complement your outdoor speaker system and the accompanying lightshow that highlights architectural elements by considering a misting system that gently punctuates the air with water. It’s quite refreshing too!
Whether a gentle spray or a cascading statement, these are the types of nuances that will make all the difference.
However, generally speaking, water features do not make for the best DIY projects. You already know there’s plenty you can do to maintain your pool and beautify its setting. It’s not really worth it to try your hand at a plumbing solution that’s attached to a big investment like a pool. It’s definitely best to get it done right the first time.
If you already have the proper tools and the skill set, it’s still a great idea to consult with a pool contractor to determine the ideal type of water feature based on your pool type and even on the design. It’s always great to get quotes from several contractors too… preferably through obtaining referrals from neighbors who have had good experience with one company or another.
Fire and Water
If you’re really ready to up your al fresco retreat, you may consider adding an equal, but opposite, element: fire.
When fire bowls first hit the residential scene, they were typically mounted atop pillars positioned at various locations around the pool. But wait, there’s more! The stunning combo of these mesmerizing features are now available in a full range of designs.
Bobé Water & Fire Features tout their Artisan Series with the “original Water + Fire Bowl is two bowls in one! A center bowl containing the media and fire element sits inside a larger outer bowl. Water surrounds fire in a “moat” style and then flows over the edge creating a dramatic water and fire effect.”
What we have here is the “wow” factor!
(Lyon Financial does not profit from the sales of any water feature or fire feature company. The inclusion of these links or recommendations is purely illustrative.)
The Backyard of Your Dreams
Another reason to bring a professional into the mix is because most of them have “seen it all.” They know what add-ons make the most sense and how to seamlessly integrate them. We are fond of saying that your outdoor space is a work in progress, but it’s always a good idea to not just jump in, but to really take stock of how you want your haven to showcase. And then confer with an expert.
Also, it’s typically less expensive if you have multiple improvements done together. Picture trimming your gazebo with lights while adding an outdoor music system and a splash of fire and water. You’ll positively transform the outdoor experience!
Swimming pools that boast these spectacular elements are the stuff of relaxing evenings and, of course, all out party times! When a backyard pool is accented with music, unique water effects, intense fire bowls, and good friends, you’ve got all you could possibly want in leisure and entertainment… just outside your door.
Providing pool and home improvement loan solutions since 1979, Lyon Financial loves backyard pools. We also love the difference we can make for your family by providing something that puts years of memories within reach. Call 877-754-5966 for more information about creating your ideal backyard oasis.
