Nikole Ramsay
Whether it’s a fountain, birdbath or a pond, installing a water feature is a foolproof way to add interest to your outdoor space – but taking the plunge and investing in the right one can be a daunting task. Here are five pieces of advice from the experts on garden decor and tips on what to consider before you buy.
1. Style matters
“Choose a style that is sympathetic to your space. For example, if you have a classic home then an urn could work, whereas if you have a more contemporary home a copper water wall could work nicely,” says landscape designer Adam Robinson of Adam Robinson Design.
2. Consider the sound
“Think about how much sound you want your feature to provide. Often I see water features turned off as they become annoying over time. I find bubbling water is most pleasant for hours on end, whereas a trickle can become annoying, and gushing can be overpowering,” says Adam.
3. Location, location, location
The positioning of the water feature is super important in relation to the overall garden decor. “It’s good to have it located in an area where you will appreciate it every day, like a front entrance or outside the window of your main living area,” says landscape designer Matt Leacy, director of Landart. When you’ve decided where it will go, measure up the space and let this dictate the size of your feature.
4. Follow the rules
“Go to all efforts to build it correctly,” warns Adam. “Or get expert advice from a builder and take all precautions for waterproofing so your feature is a joy as planned rather than a burden,” he says. If you’re planning on a DIY approach to your garden decor, make sure you have everything you need to get the job done right.
5. Maintenance is key
“Keeping the water clean and looking good is what can make or break the appearance of a water feature,” says Matt. Make sure you are prepared and willing to take care of your new addition – or find something low maintenance. “For example, if you are planning on having plants and fish in the water, then the filtration will need to be specified. If you can keep the filtration system outside of the water feature, it’ll be easier to maintain on a regular basis.”
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