Are you thinking about putting a water feature in your backyard? But you aren’t really sure which one is right for you, correct?
You’re about to discover 18 different types of water features that you (or a pond company like Premier Ponds) can put in your backyard, each one guaranteed to add some flavor to your outdoor space.
By the end of this article, you’ll be much closer to making a final decision (if you haven’t by the time you get to the last one!)
Water Feature Types At A Glance
| Water Feature Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Ecosystem Pond | A natural-looking pond designed to support a self-sustaining ecosystem of plants, fish, and beneficial bacteria. These ponds are low-maintenance and blend seamlessly into the landscape. |
| Manmade Pond | A structured and modern pond often featuring rock formations, waterfalls, and decorative elements. These ponds rely on pumps and filters for circulation and are highly customizable. |
| Water Garden | A small, container-based pond system filled with aquatic plants and sometimes small fish. Water gardens are ideal for limited spaces and focus on lush greenery. |
| Streams | Flowing water features that mimic natural streams, often winding through a yard or connecting ponds. They add motion, sound, and a sense of life to outdoor spaces. |
| Pondless Waterfalls | A cascading waterfall without a pond, where the water recirculates through a hidden basin. These features are ideal for small areas and require minimal maintenance. |
| Tabletop Water Feature | Compact fountains or small water features designed to sit on tables or furniture, providing a calming ambiance in indoor or outdoor spaces. |
| Bird Baths | Shallow basins that provide birds with a place to drink and bathe. They come in various styles and are excellent for attracting wildlife. |
| Statue Fountains | Fountains featuring decorative sculptures or statues, which can also serve as the fountain itself. These add a unique and artistic touch to any landscape, often as a centerpiece. |
| Wall Fountains | Vertical water features mounted on walls, offering a striking and space-saving way to incorporate water into a yard or patio. |
| Rain Curtain | A modern feature where water drips in thin streams from an overhead structure, resembling a curtain of rain. It adds elegance and flexibility to small spaces. |
| Waterwalls | Large installations where water flows down a vertical surface, creating a mesmerizing effect. Often combined with lighting for an even more dramatic display. |
| Waterfall | A timeless feature where water cascades over rocks or ledges, adding natural beauty and soothing sounds to an outdoor area. |
| Scuppers | Wall-mounted fixtures that direct water flow into a basin or pond below. They are often used as decorative elements around pools or patios. |
| Laminar Jets | Jets that shoot water in clear, smooth streams, often paired with LED lighting for vibrant nighttime displays. These are perfect for modern and playful designs. |
| Sconces | Fixtures mounted on walls that spray arcs of water into pools or fountains below. These add elegance and height to water features. |
| Bubblers | Small fountains with bubbling water that cascades gently over rocks or into a basin. They are compact and great for adding aeration and ambiance. |
| Swimming Pool | Large recreational water features designed for swimming, often featuring sleek designs and customizable shapes and sizes. |
| Natural Swimming Pool | Eco-friendly pools that mimic ponds, using plants and natural filtration systems instead of chemicals. These pools are beautiful and sustainable. |
Contact us about your water feature project.
18 Types Of Water Features For Backyards
1. Ecosystem Pond
An ecosystem pond is one of the most popular backyard water features due to its low maintenance needs and visual appeal.
It’s essentially an open-water system, meaning that it contains plants, animals, and bacteria that all work together to keep the pond clean and healthy. These ponds tend to be more shallow than other types of ponds, between 2 and 4 feet. The average pond size is 10 feet by 15 feet.
Pros
- Looks natural
- Wide variety of design and style choices
- Low-maintenance
Cons
- Can be expensive
- Needs seasonal professional maintenance
Learn about our pond building service.
2. Manmade Pond
Manmade ponds can range from small decorative pools up to large fish-friendly ecosystems complete with rock formations, waterfalls, and even caves!
The possibilities are endless when it comes to manmade ponds; however, they do require more maintenance since they usually rely on pumps and filters for circulation and filtration.
Pros
- Easy to care for
- Looks modern
Cons
- Needs more maintenance
- Doesn’t look natural
3. Water Garden
If you have limited space available in your yard, a water garden might be just what you need. Water gardens are essentially container-based systems (like pots or tubs) that contain aquatic plants and sometimes small fish as well.
They don’t require much space but still offer plenty of visual appeal. Plus, their small size makes them much easier to maintain than larger water features.
Pros
- Great for plant lovers
- Looks incredible
Cons
- Needs more upkeep
- Not as impressive
Find out what a koi pond is and why you may want one.
4. Streams
Streams offer a natural-looking addition to any outdoor area.
You can choose from pre-fabricated streams with rocks, fish, and plants already built in or create your own with gravel, stones, and plants. You can play with stream designs to find the right one for your home.
If you’re looking for a unique feature that will bring your backyard to life, consider building a stream!
Pros
- Fits into almost any size space
- Low-maintenance
- Calming sounds
Cons
- Pricier to install and run
5. Pondless Waterfalls
Pondless waterfalls consist of cascading water over rocks and stones without an actual pond at the end. They are easy to maintain and don’t require as much space as traditional ponds or pools. Plus, they look great!
Pros
- Fits in small areas
- Safer than waterfalls with another feature
- Low-maintenance
Cons
- It can be expensive to install and operate
Find your favorite small backyard water feature idea.
6. Tabletop Water Feature
Tabletop water features usually consist of small fountains that sit on top of tables or other furniture pieces. This type of feature is perfect for those who want an elegant touch without taking up too much space in their backyard.
Pros
- Big effect for small feature
- Easy to care for
7. Bird Baths
Bird baths come in all shapes and sizes and make beautiful additions to gardens and patios alike. Not only do they add visual interest, but they also provide birds with much-needed hydration during those hot summer months.
Pros
- Attracts birds
- Fits most anywhere
Cons
- Can attract other animals
8. Statue Fountains
These classic designs feature a fountain in the center, typically adorned by a statue or sculpture. The statue itself can also be the fountain. Statue fountains come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so it’s easy to find one that fits perfectly into your backyard space.
Pros
- Unique
- Conversation piece
Cons
- Runs on electricity
9. Wall Fountains
Wall fountains have become increasingly popular over the past few years because they provide homeowners with an impressive visual element without taking up too much space.
Many wall fountain designs have adjustable height settings, so you can adjust the flow rate depending on what kind of effect you’re going for—from subtle trickles to powerful jets—and also customize it based on the size and shape of your yard.
Pros
- Impressive
- Old-world style
Cons
- Difficult installation
There are many other types of fountains for backyards, such as basalt, spillway bowls, and urns:
10. Rain Curtain
Rain curtains are perfect for small spaces since they don’t require any additional installation—just hang them up wherever you want!
They work by suspending several thin rods from an overhead structure, then allowing water droplets to slowly cascade down each rod like tiny strings of pearls—creating beautiful visuals as well as soothing sounds reminiscent of rainfall on leaves.
Pros
- Unique focal point
- Flexible design options
- Low-maintenance
Cons
- Kids will run around it
- Location is essential
11. Waterwalls
These large-scale installations feature cascading streams that create beautiful visuals while providing calming sounds that mimic the sound of a gentle waterfall—without needing any additional maintenance or pumps!
Waterwalls are especially effective when used alongside accent lighting systems, which will further enhance their ambiance after dark and make them even more eye-catching during daytime hours as well.
Pros
- Classic feature
- Many design choices
- Eye-catching
Cons
- Expensive maintenance
- Can bring in wildlife
- Kids will want to play with it
12. Waterfall
The sound and sight of cascading water are calming, making a waterfall an ideal choice for those who want an oasis-like atmosphere in their outdoor space. A waterfall can also be quite large, creating an impressive focal point in the yard or garden.
Waterfalls come in all shapes and sizes, so they’re easy to customize based on your budget and desired aesthetic. There are many great waterfall ideas.
Pros
- Timeless look
- It can be integrated with other features or be on its own
- Relaxing sight and sound
Cons
- Can get costly
- Needs professional maintenance twice annually
13. Scuppers
Scuppers are wall-mounted fixtures that allow water to flow over them into a basin or pond below. These features are often used as decorative elements around pools, spas, or other bodies of water.
Scuppers come in a variety of sizes and designs, so you can find one that fits the look you’re going for in your backyard. They can also be illuminated with LED lighting for added ambiance after dark.
Pros
- Many style choices
- Won’t go out of style
Cons
- Complex installation
- Can be pricy
14. Laminar Jets
Laminar jets shoot streams of water straight up out of their nozzles at varying speeds depending on how much pressure is applied by pumps beneath them.
They provide an interesting visual element when placed around pools or ponds while also creating gentle ripples that move through the surrounding waters. This makes them perfect for meditation gardens or areas where relaxation is key!
Laminar jets come in both standalone models and kits that include multiple jets connected by piping systems, which allow you to customize their patterns however you like.
Pros
- Visually interesting
- Add LED lights for more interest
Cons
- Complex installation
- Difficult to repair
15. Sconces
Sconces are another way to add visual interest to a body of water, such as a pool or fountain.
These fixtures are mounted directly onto the walls surrounding these features and spray arcs of water into the air before returning them back into the pool or fountain below them.
Sconces typically come in two varieties: stationary sconces that spray at fixed intervals or adjustable sconces that allow you to adjust the size and shape of their spray patterns using remote-control technology.
Pros
- Lower price range
- Variety of style options
Cons
- Needs another water feature
- Complex installation
16. Bubblers
A bubbler is a type of fountain that sprays or spouts jets of water into the air. It is typically made up of a basin filled with rocks and water, with gently bubbling water cascading over them.
They can also be additions to other water features, both adding visual interest and aeration to the water.
This type of water feature is perfect if you want to create more ambiance in your backyard without taking up too much space. Plus, it’s easy to install and maintain.
Pros
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Higher maintenance levels
17. Swimming Pool
If you’re looking for a larger option, consider installing a swimming pool in your backyard.
Swimming pools come in many shapes and sizes, so you can find one that fits your budget and yard size perfectly. Installing a swimming pool can be expensive, but it will add value to your home and provide hours of fun for family and friends during the summer months.
Pros
- Fun and modern
- Great for families
Cons
- High maintenance level
- Can attract wildlife
18. Natural Swimming Pool
Natural swimming pools are becoming increasingly popular due to their eco-friendly design and aesthetic appeal.
They use natural filtration systems instead of chlorine or other chemical treatments to keep the water clean. The result is crystal-clear waters with no dangerous chemicals or toxins — perfect for swimming in!
Natural swimming pools often look like ponds since they feature aquatic plants around their edges instead of concrete walls, which gives them an attractive look that will blend seamlessly into any outdoor setting.
Pros
- Looks natural
- Mostly maintains itself
Cons
- Attracts wildlife
Find Your Water Feature With Premier Ponds
Whether it’s pond or pondless or another type, water features are a great addition to any backyard and can really help you boost your curb appeal. People love having a water feature in their yard because it’s visually appealing, relaxing, and can even increase the value of your home.
If you’re thinking about adding a more natural water feature to your backyard, we can help! Premier Ponds’ team of experts is always available to answer any questions you may have. So what are you waiting for? Give us a call or fill out our contact form today!
