As the Summer temps get ready to bear down on us, we start thinking about ways to keep cool. Why not add a water feature to your landscape? Besides actually cooling the air around them, water features have other benefits.  Which is right for your yard? These ideas should help you decide!

  • Pre-formed pond inserts make it easy to create a small water habitat in a flower bed or empty corner of the yard.  Add a solar-powered waterfall or fountain, and the running water not only helps clean the air, but it also actually cools the ambient temperature nearby.
  • A simple birdbath with a solar-operated fountain or recirculating pump is a great way to get the sight and sound of running water into your landscape without great cost or taking up a lot of space.
  • Fountains come in so many styles–tiered, wall-mount, free standing– it is easy to find the right one for your landscape.  Keep in mind that if you choose an electric connection, a GFCI receptacle is needed for the electric cord, and the cord will need to be out of sight or buried if it is near walkways.
  • For a covered patio, tabletop fountains can be purchased for as little as twenty dollars, and many are battery-operated. Some styles include LED lighting with different settings to help with your mood! 
  • Spillways are great ways to incorporate water to the exterior (or interior!) without having to use standing water.  This slate rain wall DIY can be used indoors or out.

The benefits for body and soul with a fountain or other water feature nearby are priceless; they can become the main attraction by adding lighting or plants.  Find more inspiration for features that go from formal to whimsical, and you may find yourself with a new project!

Courtesy of New Castle County DE Realtor Tucker Robbins.