Water feature design has evolved over time. And it is now far beyond the simple rectangular pool that once dominated suburban backyards. That’s where water feature design comes in. Modern day’s aquatic installations function as the cornerstone of outdoor living environments. These carefully crafted spaces blur traditional boundaries between swimming areas and landscape architecture.
In this blog we will talk about some of the designs that can turn your pool into a living space!
Benefits of Adding Pool Water Features
Before elaborating on the designs, let’s check the benefits of adding pool water features.
- The calming sound: Water has this weird ability to make everything else fade into the background. A simple fountain or small waterfall drowns out traffic noise and neighbor conversations without you even realizing it’s happening. Your backyard would be less like suburbia and more like somewhere you would actually choose to hang out.
- The visual impact: A still pool surface can sometimes feel plain. Once you add a fountain, a scupper, or a water bowl, the entire space transforms. The water moves, it glimmers in the light, and your pool becomes the centerpiece of the backyard.
- The comfort factor: Water features also go beyond decorations, they can improve how the pool feels. Bubblers help cool the water on hot days, while deck jets or rain curtains add a refreshing touch to the air around the pool.
- The added value: A pool adds value to your property. Especially when it is a pool water feature design, it sends a message that the outdoor space was built with care. It improves the backyard’s aesthetic, and can increase its market value.
Water Feature Design Styles
Now, let’s talk about designing a water feature. This is where the choices start to matter. You can go classic or modern. Big and bold or simple and quiet. The feel of your backyard will change depending on what you pick.
1. Fountains
One of the oldest and simplest pool features. Fountains can be small bubblers on a tanning ledge, or tall sprays that sparkle in the sunlight. Bubblers are useful too, they mark shallow spots like beach entries or the first pool step. At night, adding LED lights makes them even better. Some homeowners go bigger with custom fountain shelves, turning the fountain into more of a centerpiece.
2. Water Bowls
These are also called pots or woks. They’ve become popular over the last decade. Round or square, made of concrete, copper, or steel, they sit on a raised wall or column so the water can spill down into the pool. The effect is clean and strong. A square steel bowl looks sharp with a modern pool. A rough concrete one fits a lagoon-style pool better. Fire-water bowls take it up another level, mixing flame with water for drama.
3. Deck Jets
Deck jets send arcs of water from the deck into the pool. They look graceful, almost playful, and they’re not expensive. Builders often install them in pairs or groups, so the streams cross or fall in patterns. They’re fun for kids, but adults like the calm sound too. Simple, not over the top.
3. Laminars
They look like deck jets at first, but they’re not the same. Laminars create a thicker, glass-like tube of water that doesn’t break apart mid-air. They can go higher, six to eight feet, and they stay neat from start to finish. With built-in LED lights, the whole arc glows at night, shifting colors if you want. It’s a luxury feature, more costly, but impressive after sunset.
4. Cascades
Also called sheer descents. These are thin sheets of water falling smoothly from a raised wall. Sometimes it’s a soft raindrop effect, sometimes a shiny glass-like veil. They can run a few inches wide or stretch across a long beam. Affordable, flexible, and one of the most common choices for today’s pools.
5. Sculptural Spouts and Statues
Statues can also act as water features. A lion spouting water, a dolphin, or even a simple urn, these add personality to a pool. Spouts and scuppers are another version. They channel water through metal or stone shapes into the pool. They can be traditional or sharp and modern, depending on the finish you pick.
6. Rain Curtains
A bigger version of cascades. Water falls from a tall frame or structure, forming a curtain you can see through. They’re dramatic, especially when lit at night. You’ll notice them right away in a backyard, and they even look good from inside the house.
7. Infinity Edges and Spillways
Infinity edges make water look like it’s spilling into the horizon. It’s a luxury look, common in high-end builds. Spa spillways are smaller but just as nice, water flows gently from an elevated spa into the pool. Both features add movement and sound without feeling forced.
8. Keep Scale in Mind
When thinking about outside water features design, remember scale. A cozy backyard doesn’t need a huge rain curtain. A small fountain or a bowl is enough. In a larger space, bigger elements like cascades or an infinity edge won’t feel out of place.
Balance is everything. One or two strong features look better than five random ones fighting for attention. Let the feature stand on its own. Give it space to be noticed.
Landscaping Around Your Water Feature
Your water feature does not need to be placed there as an afterthought. The contents surrounding your stuff can or cannot make the entire set up.
- Plants that actually work: Ferns hide ugly pump equipment, palms give you that tropical vibe without trying too hard, and flowering shrubs add color without stealing the show.
- Stones with Purpose: River stones are not just pretty, but they manage splashback, and provide a solid base. The edges made by Flagstone appear natural, and not construction-contractor-ey.
- Lighting that Matters: Forget the floodlight approach. Some tiny LEDs in hiding places behind rocks or under bushes will illuminate the water flow without transforming your yard into a parking lot.
- Personal touches: That ceramic pot you admire, some outdoor lanterns, a small sculpture- something to make the room look like you have lived in it, not like a showroom.
The entire issue is making a frame, and not a crowd scene. Still have this water feature as the center of show.
Adding Water Features to an Existing Pool
People often ask: can you add water features to a pool that’s already built? The answer is yes, but it depends on the feature.
Small things, like bubblers or fountain bowls, are usually simple. Builders can connect them into the system without tearing the pool apart. Some scuppers or cascades can also be added during a remodel.
Bigger features, like laminars with lighting or a rain curtain, need more work. That might mean opening parts of the deck, adding pipes, or upgrading pumps. In those cases, it’s better to speak with a Pool Builder in Hollywood or another local expert who knows what’s realistic.
The good part is you don’t always need a full rebuild. Remodeling gives your pool a new life without starting from zero. If you’re curious, check out swimming pool remodeling ideas, there are plenty of ways to upgrade.
Some upgrades are small but make a big visual change. Others are costly. Either way, a water feature adds personality to a pool that feels plain.
Maintenance Tips for Long-Lasting Water Features
A new water feature looks great on day one. Keeping it that way takes some care. Water leaves marks. Algae grows. Pumps clog. But the work is simple.
- Keep the water clean. Balanced pool water keeps features clear. Dirty water leaves stains and bad smells.
- Check pumps and filters. If the pump is weak, the feature won’t look right. Listen and watch, it’s easy to notice when something’s off.
- Scrub water paths. Cascades, bowls, scuppers collect deposits. Clean before buildup turns solid.
- Seasonal care. In cold places, turn off features in winter. In hot places, run them often enough to avoid stagnant water.
- Watch for leaks. Small leaks waste gallons and cause damage. Fix early.
And don’t forget the structure. If your pool has Pool Tile Coping, keep it sealed and solid. Loose or cracked coping looks bad and can lead to repairs later.
The rule is simple: clean, check, repeat. That’s enough for most water features to last for years.
FAQs
Can You Add Water Features to an Existing Pool?
Yes. Most of the time you can. Bubblers, scuppers, bowls, these are easier. Big features like rain curtains or laminars may need more plumbing work. Talk to a pool builder before you plan.
What is the easiest water feature to maintain?
Bubblers and bowls. They don’t have complicated parts, and cleaning is simple. Cascades and jets need a bit more care.
Are backyard water features worth it?
If you like beauty, relaxation, and higher property value, yes. They give back more than they take. Even a small feature changes the whole mood of a pool.
How to design water features?
Start with style. Modern or natural? Big or subtle? Then think of budget. Then think of maintenance. That’s really it. Don’t overcomplicate. A simple design done right beats a fancy one done poorly.
How much does it cost to build a water feature?
It depends. A bubbler might be a few hundred dollars. A custom rain curtain or fire-water bowl can run into thousands. On average, most people spend somewhere between $1,500 and $7,000. Luxury builds can go higher.
Ready to Re-design Your Pool?
So, if your pool feels a bit quiet, maybe it’s time. Add a bowl, a jet, even a small cascade. Start simple or go bold, doesn’t matter, what matters is you’ll feel the change right away.
Want to go bigger? Thinking of a remodel? Check out some swimming pool remodeling ideas or talk with a Pool Builder Hollywood who knows how to add features without making a mess of your space.
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