Hottest Trends in Outdoor Fountains

Winter is the ideal time to plan your spring garden and nothing makes a better focal point for any outdoor space than a garden fountain. This year, the outdoor garden trends are all about clean contemporary lines, Asian style, and shapes inspired by nature. The hottest garden designs for the season emphasize natural balance, harmony, and simplicity. Here are five examples of fountains that landscape designers are currently choosing for their most discerning clients:

Clean, contemporary lines are all the rage - think simple shapes without too much adornment. The Bisbalos Garden Fountain, pictured left, is a great example of a design that achieves a look of sleek sophistication that won't overpower the overall design scheme of your yard or garden. The architectural shape and classic urn design give it an 'old world' feel, which will make it seem at home even in a formal or traditionally landscaped garden.

Another beautiful example of a minimalist shape that packs a span design punch is the Raku Garden Fountain, pictured right. Inspired by the 'raku' method of Japanese pottery firing, it features a patina of stunning greens, blues and violets over a black base. Water streams from the top of the fountain into a cutout on the side of the vase, seemingly disappearing inside. One of the best features of this fountain is its light weight and durability, due to its fiberglass construction. Available in two sizes, this fountain is portable enough to move around your garden as you like or even bring inside.

Asian styles also have that sought-after look of simplicity, but with a characteristic relaxing Zen twist. A stunning example of Asian design that combines the area's ancient design principles with modern sensibility is the Oriental Tiki Torch Garden Fountain, pictured left. This piece brings together the elements of fire and water in a dramatic way that will make it a stunning focal point for any outdoor space.

For smaller gardens and those on a budget, a great way to incorporate Japanese style into your landscape design is with a bamboo spout fountain such as the Bamboo Water Spout Medium, pictured right.

Fountains that complement the natural look of many garden design styles are another hot commodity. Nothing achieves this more than hand-carved natural granite in organic shapes, as seen in the Natural Waterwall Fountain, left. The smooth, rounded shape, variations in color, and rough-hewn appearance of the carved area will help it blend in with surrounding greenery in a way that makes it seem as though it's always been a part of the landscape.

All of these fountain trends fall in line with a continued interest in Feng Shui and Zen-based garden designs. If you'd like more info and tips for achieving a Feng Shui garden, read our previous posting, Garden Feng Shui ' Energize Your Garden with Feng Shui Fountains.