Fountains are one of the most beautiful and relaxing parts of a garden. When you think of a world-class garden you've seen and been impressed by, it will almost always have a fountain or some other water feature. No matter where you are in the world—Italy, Japan, Spain, or somewhere else—everyone knows that a beautiful garden should also be a place to relax and think. Not only calming to look at, but also calming and soothing to the ear, which may be even more important. Nothing works better than moving water to do that.
The Japanese, in particular, seem to have a deep understanding of how important water is because of how magically they use it in their beautiful, peaceful gardens. They make you think of Koi ponds and the art of Feng Shui right away.
There are almost too many kinds of garden fountains to list here. They come in every material and style you can think of. You can find them indoors, outdoors, on the floor, the wall, the tabletop, and the pedestal. They are in almost every natural and man-made substance known to man. Natural stone, brass, copper, etched glass, slate, and stainless steel are some of the most popular.
They look especially nice in ponds and lakes if you have a large estate or lot. Simple backyard fountains or fountains in a swimming pool can also look great on smaller lots.
"Rain chain" is something I've never heard of before, but it's very cute. When you add them to your gutter system, they act like a chain of funnels that guide the rain from the roof to the ground in a smooth, sparkling way.
A small garden fountain on a pedestal made of mosaic tiles or beautifully patterned ceramic is one of my favourites. They can add a nice surprise of colour and fun to a rock or ground cover garden that is otherwise pretty plain.
How to Pick the Right Fountain Style for Your Home:
Contemporary: stainless steel, slate, or maybe a fountain sculpture that can also be an art piece. Modern homes look great with simple "tablet"-style fountains that cascade down walls or stand alone.
Copper and granite would be good choices for a room that is eclectic (has a mix of styles and bright colours). This style of home also looks great with mosaic.
Asian (Feng Shui): Stone, bamboo, ceramic, and slate would all look great, and there are many specific Asian styles that will give your fountain an exotic look and feel.
Traditional: Stone or resin fountains in a classic style look great in traditional homes. Traditional homes look great with tiered garden fountains, wall fountains with scrollwork or designs from the 18th century, like lions or gargoyles. Themes from Greek mythology or Italy are also great.
No matter how much money you have, what style you like, or how much space you have, nothing says style, sophistication, and calm like a fountain.
