Water features can be a beautiful addition to any home. The sound of flowing water or the look it can add to your garden may be your motivation. Water features can be a great addition to almost any home. 

In this article, we’ll look into the different aspects of installing a water feature in your home. Including:

• Benefits of installing a water feature
• Types of water features 
• How to choose where to put your water feature
• Choosing the right water feature supplier

Benefits of a water feature

Some people are on the fence when it comes to installing a water feature. If you’re not sure, let’s go through some of the benefits of having a water feature in your home. 

Appeal and value

Installing a water feature creates a unique look for your home that will help it stand out if you ever sell. A water feature makes it easier to find a buyer and adds value to the eventual sale price. 

Environmental friendliness

One of the main benefits of installing a water feature is that it creates a natural ecosystem that takes advantage of natural resources. If you have a water garden or a pond, it can refill from rainwater and help to keep your other plants hydrated and healthy. You won’t have to water your plants as often and the feature itself will only need occasional topping up.

On top of this, the water feature will take up space that would likely be used for lawns or more plants. Things that would need more watering as well as fertilisers, pesticides and other pollutants.

Water features can also attract wildlife to your home. From birds looking for a quick drink to frogs looking for a new home, it’s a beacon for life of all types. 

Health benefits

It may seem like a water feature is just something pretty to look at but it can also benefit your health.

Water features help clear pollutants, keeping your home clean from allergens, dust pollen and other harmful particles. Not to mention the natural sound of running water which can be a great calming background noise.

Types of water features

You may have one fixture in mind when you think of a water feature, but there are several common options that are popular in Australia. 

Ponds

Ponds are a great option to create a little ecosystem that attracts wildlife and fosters other plants. They can be anything from small container-sized ponds to larger ones dug into the soil. 

Fountains

Fountains give you the sound of running water and the look of a sculpture. They come in a wide range of designs and sizes that are perfect for any home or even apartments. 

Streams and waterfalls

A running stream or waterfall installed in your home can make it feel like you’re out in the wilderness. Many Aussies who get these let them run into a pond. They can also be designed to enhance the sound and look of running water as well.

Water gardens

Using aquatic plants and a pond-like structure, a water garden is a great option that leans more into setting up an ecosystem so that you can benefit from the natural feeling. 

Though these are the most common water features that you can get, there are a couple of others that may suit your home better: 

• Water walls, modern and elegant walls designed so that water is constantly trickling down them
• Bubblers, smaller features that give you the white noise of water without taking up too much room
• Outdoor showers, a great blend of form and function

Some water features will be plumbed but not all. A lot of water feature installers will offer plenty of self-contained systems that don’t need to draw from your mains water. Some of the more involved water features like water gardens or ponds may benefit from a connection to mains, though. 

How to choose where to put your water feature

Location is crucial when you’re thinking of installing a water feature in your home. It’s good to think first about the space you have and then the use of your new water feature. For instance, is your water feature going to be a focal point in your garden or will it be a smaller addition to another area?

Other things to consider when thinking about the location of your water feature include:

• Access to power or water: Though not all water features will need to be plugged into your power or water mains, some will. For those that aren’t, you will need to make sure they’re within reach of a hose

• House proximity: The sound of running water is why a lot of people install water features. If it’s too far away, or you’re next to a busy road, you might not be able to benefit from the sound

• Surroundings: Many of the larger water features require attention to their surroundings. Including:
  • Sunlight in the morning and afternoon shade can help control algae growth 
  • Avoid locations with overhanging trees or branches 
  • What extra landscaping will you need to let the water feature shine

Choosing the right water feature supplier

It’s important to choose the right supplier, someone you can trust to provide quality materials that aren’t going to break or malfunction. Some ways to ensure you’re choosing the right supplier involve:

• Checking reviews on their website, through hipages or Google and Facebook
• Asking if they have any examples of their work after installation
• Asking if they have any referrals so you can chat with someone who has chosen them
• Asking about the best ways you can maintain the system that is being installed. If they struggle to answer they might not be the best choice