Last Updated on November 23, 2019 by Marie Bautista
Picking out a water feature for your home can be quite difficult, especially if you’re not at all familiar with this kind of home addition to begin with. If you are in the market for one and you’re quite lost on where to start, then we’re here to help. Read on to find out all about the most basic fountain types there are that you should know about, from fancy outdoor garden fountains to classy indoor wall fountains.
Outdoor garden fountains
The outdoor garden fountain is arguably the most basic and most ubiquitous of all fountain types. It typically has a pool-like reservoir and a sculpted or iron-wrought art piece in the very center where the water comes out of.
An outdoor garden fountain may be constructed out of granite, marble, steel, bronze, or any other combination of those materials, and it can also have multiple tiers depending on its size and visual aesthetic. As its name implies, an outdoor garden fountain is usually built as an outdoor centerpiece, but it can be installed in yards, front lawns, or in front of business establishments. Because it is made of heavy materials, this type of fountain is usually built as a permanent fixture. As such, it needs to be properly shielded during winter or other extreme weather conditions to prevent damage. However, there are also smaller garden fountains that can be mostly disassembled for storage.
Wall fountains
One of the coolest indoor water fountain ideas is having a wall fountain!
If you want to have a fountain but don’t exactly have the floor space for it, or if you want to experience the tranquilizing effect of a water fountain indoors, then a wall fountain is a solid choice for you.
A wall fountain is, essentially, a water fountain that’s integrated into a wall inside your home, with the reservoir and the façade presented outwards so as to look like a kinetic piece of art. This design and setup not only saves space but essentially hides all the mechanisms necessary for the fountain to work— the pipes and the water pump—behind your wall, preserving the fountain’s aesthetic and visual appeal.
While it is designed mainly for indoor use, you can also have a wall fountain installed into a wall or façade outside your home. For instance, it can make for a great space-saving alternative to an outdoor garden fountain, as a centerpiece to be framed with wall-integrated potted plants.
Desktop or tabletop fountains
But what if both space and budget are at a premium? In such an instance, it’s worth looking into a desktop or tabletop fountain. These are essentially miniaturized fountains that require a small amount of water and are usually powered either by a rechargeable battery or through a standard electric plug connection. As the name suggests, these fountains are designed to be placed on a desktop or tabletop, but any flat and stable surface should suffice.
This particular fountain style not only easily mimics the sights and sound of an actual, full-sized fountain, but its size also makes it quite portable. You can relocate this fountain whenever and wherever you please; no cumbersome or expensive installation necessary!
Floor fountains
A floor fountain can be considered as the tabletop fountain’s bigger brother; it’s essentially a portable but slightly bigger fountain that you can easily move from one room to another. However, its size requires that you place it on the floor rather than on any other flat or raised surface. This allows the fountain to remain stable without any other supporting structure or bracing.
While floor fountains come in various styles and designs, many floor fountains resemble a door frame with a concealed reservoir or pump at the base. Water is funneled up to the top via the sides of the frame and allowed to cascade down a thin and transparent wall, a view that gave this fountain type the alternative moniker ‘water wall fountain.’
Lake fountains
Lake fountains look closest to a natural fountain compared to all the other water feature types. This is because a lake fountain is essentially just the ‘water pump’ part of a fountain installed into an existing body of water, such as a lake or a pond. This system essentially turns the entire body of water into the fountain’s reservoir, so you no longer need to add structures or facades to it. Also, you don’t have to worry about it running out of water.
This particular style of fountain not only melds with its natural surroundings, it also improves the water quality of the lake or pond where it is installed. This is because the pump keeps the water in circulation, aerating it with oxygen, and thus purifying it and making it more hospitable to aquatic life. It also keeps the water from becoming stagnant, preventing pungent smells.
Choose the best fountain style by considering your budget, desired look, and the free space you have in your home or garden. If you’re still unsure which fountain style best fits your property, then it’s time to consult an expert who can help you define your goals and choose a fountain that fits all your requirements.