The Beauty of Water in Landscape Design
People often point to San Francisco Bay as one of the main reasons they live in, travel through or vacation in this area. Beyond offering economic and recreational benefits, there are natural water features like the Bay.
Water has a universal appeal. From the grand natural water features like oceans and lakes to more intimate backyard water features in landscape design like ponds and fountains, people are naturally drawn to water. Our deep connection to it makes us feel relaxed and at peace when we experience it, whether it’s hearing the sounds of water or watching its flow. Even small outdoor fountains or a bird bath can bring that calming element into your space.
Water also enhances and transforms a landscape. From a distance, the illusion of a static dip in a valley becomes a dynamic lake, a dry gulch becomes a fast-flowing, life-giving river, and the empty spaces between continents become vast otherworldly oceans.
As a result, no matter the size of a water feature, our ties to water make us feel better about the world when we see, hear, taste, touch and fully experience it. Although a storm can ravage a landscape, the promise of life that rain offers brings people comfort and relief. Lapping sounds, reflections of light, and shades of blues, greens and other related colors create tranquility.
For these reasons and more, you should add water features to the landscape of your home or property. Consider the following top reasons:
Health and Wellness: Scientifically Proven Relief
There’s more to water features than just beauty. Scientific studies show that being near water can improve your well-being. For example, listening to the sounds of running water can help reduce stress and lower blood pressure. Adding a water feature ideas like a koi pond, tiered fountains, or wall fountains can create a tranquil environment where you can unwind after a long day.
Not only do they help reduce stress, but water features also contribute to improved air quality. Water absorbs pollutants and moisturizes the air, making your outdoor space more enjoyable. Plus, features that encourage water flow can cool the surrounding area, improving your comfort on hot days. Here’s how one of our most precious resources gives back:
Improved Air Quality
Water features and plants balance humidity and clean the air, which makes outdoor spaces more enjoyable. Plants use carbon dioxide and other gases, water and sunlight to create food and then release clean oxygen. Water attracts and absorbs allergens, dust and other pollutants. It also moisturizes the air. Through research funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), MIT chemists discovered that small water droplets attract aerosols and remove “soot, sulfates and organic particles” from the air.
Stress Reduction
Scientists have found that exposure to water activates areas of the brain and nervous system that make people feel calm. Many natural sounds prompt humans to feel like an area they’re in is safe. Sounds of water, whether pattering, splashing or trickling, can also drown out city noise and other forms of noise pollution. Other repetitive soothing sounds in a water feature, such as when bamboo strikes a rock with a sōzu fountain or when a frog or fish plops in a pond, turn a garden or yard into a personal retreat that promotes stress reduction and relaxation.
Temperature Control
People often become irritable and angry when hot. The Cooperative Extension of the University of Arizona Water Resources Research Center notes that water fountains reduce high temperatures in a hot region. A fountain cascading, misting or spraying water in a shaded area with plants or near a hole in a wall that captures air flow creates a microclimate environment that cools the surrounding air and elevates the mood of anyone nearby.
Supporting Wildlife: Attractive Eco-Friendly Solutions
Backyard water features are not only good for you—they’re also great for the environment. Adding a pond or fountain can attract birds, butterflies, and other wildlife, turning your yard into a mini-ecosystem. Aquatic plants in a water garden can enhance the water quality and create a balanced, eco-friendly space. Features like outdoor water features and ponds are a wonderful way to support local wildlife while creating a focal point in your garden.
Increasing Property Value with Eye-Catching Water Features
When it comes to curb appeal, water features can make a property stand out. Whether it’s a simple bird bath, an elegant tiered fountain, or a cascading waterfall, these eye-catching elements add uniqueness to your home. Well-designed water in landscape design not only looks beautiful but can also increase your property value, especially when paired with thoughtful landscaping.
If you’re looking to make your property more attractive to buyers, adding a water feature is a great addition. A professionally designed water element on Franklin Street or Lake Street could turn your backyard into a sought-after oasis, making your home the talk of the neighborhood.
Customization and Creativity: Endless Options
When thinking about adding a water feature to your space, the options are endless. From bubbling outdoor fountains to serene natural water features, you can create a space that perfectly matches your style. For something more dynamic, consider incorporating LED lighting into your design to highlight the water at night.
Whether you prefer the soothing trickle of a water cascading fountain or the gentle splash of a bird bath, each type of feature brings its own unique charm. And with today’s advancements, you can even find low-maintenance options, like self-cleaning ponds, that let you enjoy all the benefits of water features without the hassle.
Here are examples of our past projects that incorporated water features :
- 3036 20th Avenue, Stonestown, Bamboo Fountain
- 101 Crescent Drive, Creating a Zen Backyard
- 2734 Diamond Street, Curb Appeal and Deck Install
- 2421 Franklin Street, Russian Hill, Custom Waterfall and Limestone
- 2050 Lake Street, Low Maintenance Water Garden
- 433 Kirkham Street, Sunset Distract, Fixing a Koi Pond
- 309 Warren Street, Backyard Renovation
For more inspirational and practical information about the types of water features, and projects that showcase the beauty and benefits of water features, reach out to Paul Tamate today. He can help you discover the magic of water and transform your landscape.
