Fountains

When it comes to creating some degree of styling in your outside space, we often find that it is through a selection accessories and decorations that we are able to hint towards stylistic preferences, rather than the way in which we plant flowers and trim hedges. Fountains are one such outdoor accessory that truly emanate the overall tone of your design, whether it be modern and simplistic, or else ornate and traditional in its grandeur. The fact is, a fountain is a statement – something which is designed to draw attention both visually and by creating a relaxing and calming sound – and it is only through purchasing the right style of fountain for the right space in your garden, that you are able to move forward with a specific look.

Things to consider when buying a fountain

The first and most important thing you need to consider is the appearance of your fountain and it size, in line with where in the garden you are looking to put it. We often find that members see a style they like in a large open store, only to get it home and realise that within the confines of their own garden space, the perfect fountain is suddenly much too big. The size of the fountain can also have an affect on the amount of water it requires to flow continuously, with an inconsistent flow appearing unbalanced and destroying the overall aesthetic completely. Another thing to consider is the material your fountain is made of and how this affects the noise it makes – with metallic fountains making much more of a noise than, for example, a ceramic or granite fountain. Other popular materials include marble and sometimes even concrete, all of which create their own unique finish and compliment different types of spaces. Finally, you need to consider how the mechanics of your fountain and its grate will be concealed. Most fountains operate by recycling the trickle of water down the fountain then into a tube, back up and around again in a cycle. One of the best ways to conceal this is with well positioned stones, though the size and weight of these will depend on the size of the fountain. Many smaller ground mounted fountains come equipped with a set of stones designed to do this job, though for many buyers the decision made by the manufacturer doesn’t suit their garden and so they opt for something different.

Using a fountain as an attractive focal point

Very rarely are modern gardens focussed on a central fountain; in fact, you are far more likely to see modern fountains used as a supplemental feature to one side, which provides a relaxing soundtrack and creates something pleasing to the eye which doesn’t become too invasive in the use and general enjoyment of the garden. While tall structures are popular in traditional gardens, particularly those where many of the plant beds and flowers are planted and kept at a very low level enabling the fountain to create the illusion of additional layers, smaller and rounder structures tend to be popular with modern homeowners – disguising their fountains in the midst of plants and drawing attention to them through clever outdoor lighting rather than relying on their large size. If you’re uncertain about the best fountain for your own outdoor space, the best option is to head to garden centres and outdoor retailers and browse the variety of structures available – leaning towards a material and colour which compliments your space.