Find Inspiration in your Own Backyard
We all have our own ideas of the most perfect, relaxing spots to wind down and forget the stress of the day. For some, it's a tranquil pool of clear blue water, with a comfortable perch nearby. Lush green landscaping, the musical sound of trickling water droplets, and serene religious statuary are the ticket to peace for others. Sometimes bright flowers, tiki torches and the feeling of being in a tropical getaway create the ideal lounging spot. Whatever your idea of the perfect outdoor getaway is, you can create it in your own backyard more easily than you think.
The first step toward creating your own personal oasis of peace is to narrow down the elements that you find most attractive and comforting. Looking through gardening magazines and tearing out photos is a great way to start. Once you've got a good pile going, take a moment to look through them all and identify the common factors. You may be drawn more to structured, formal looks or Japanese-style elements. Determining your individual sense of style will be the springboard from which you choose the water fountain feature, landscaping and accessories for your backyard getaway.
Waterfalls and water fountain features are the focal point for any well-planned garden. Waterfalls such as the Maui Falls, pictured left, are now available in economical, pre-assembled kits that you simply plug in and fill with water. Made of a durable yet lightweight material that closely resembles real stone, these water features are best for people who are looking for a tropical, dramatic, or natural look without the considerable amount of manual labor and expense required for a natural rock waterfall. They come in many colors that are suitable for nearly any kind of backyard decor scheme.
Finding the perfect water fountain for your space is as easy as spending some time on your computer searching the net. KineticFountains.com has a very wide, competitively priced selection of high quality garden fountains for every taste and preference. Cast stone fountains such as the Alhambra Garden Fountain (pictured left) stand the test of time and are very elegant. Within their Cast Stone Garden Fountains category you can find modern, classical, figurative, European, Japanese and whimsical nature-themed designs. There are also fountains made of copper, granite, and bamboo as well as pond spitters and even solar powered fountains.
Once you've chosen your water feature, the rest of the design of your yard will fall into place. Position the fountain so that it can be viewed and enjoyed from a convenient seating area, and preferably also from inside your home. Follow your inspirational materials - those pages you ripped out of the gardening magazines -for guidance in the placement of decorative objects. Before purchasing plants that you saw in a magazine, check with the experts at your local garden center to be sure that they are appropriate for your region. If not, they can help you find suitable alternatives that will be just as beautiful.
