As the new year gets well underway, we finally get to turn our attention to spring. Even though it might not feel like it,  warmer weather is on the way, and with it comes the prospect of spending time outside, enjoying mother nature, and all she has to offer.

As you think about this, you’re probably picturing your own yard, and wondering what to do to get it ready. Or, maybe you’re thinking it’s time to add something new. Either way, water features are a hot item that has been growing in popularity over the past few years as their prices have come down. If you’ve thought about adding water features to your yard, there’s no better time than right now to see what’s out there. Here are some of the hottest water feature trends for 2019:

1) Conservation

This isn’t an individual design trend, but it will impact whatever designs you ultimately look at. As more and more people are thinking about humanity’s impact on the planet, the idea of conservation becomes more important. Water is a scarce resource in some parts of the world, so it only stands to reason that any water features installed should use this precious commodity wisely, without wasting. As you think about your options, consider your yard’s overall water footprint.

 

2) Smart Designs

One hot trend is the use of “smart” technology that comes with Alexa, Siri, and other smart home options. You can integrate this technology with your smart home hub for added convenience, turning them on and off and changing features at your leisure.

 

3) Elegant and Formal

For many, the yard is a place to relax and enjoy the finer things in life. In water features, this trend is shown by the prevalence of sleek, modern stylings. These installations boast clean lines and curves and often feature cascading water designs that incorporate darker grays or “greige” colors. These can be stand-alone features, or they can also be integrated into existing water elements that you already have, such as a pool or a pond.

 

4) Go Pondless

Another current trend is the pondless water feature. This type of feature has a fountain or other running water element that makes it all the way to go the ground. Unlike a pond feature, however, the water is then collected into an underground reservoir and sent back to the top. The result is a continuous running water feature that takes up very little space and is easy to clean and maintain.

 

5) Sheet Waterfalls and Fountains

The concept of the fountain or waterfall is certainly not new, and even though these are always in style, we thought we’d focus on one current trend with these types of installations: the sheet design. By “sheet” we simply mean that the water comes out in a flat, elongated sheet, rather than a traditional spout. This mainly adds an aesthetic appeal, as the resulting sheet of water is very beautiful to look at. The increased surface area also provides a louder, but more relaxing sound overall.

Not into sheet waterfalls? The good news about this idea is that you can really have your water come out in any shape or design you choose. The possibilities are virtually endless!

6) Water Spouts

Not just for a day at the water park: larger water spouts are now becoming a hot item. These are spouts that are installed in the ground and shoot out jets of water. Typically, they are installed around a central area, and they can be programmed to spurt in intervals, in succession or really in any sort of pattern you want. This type of spout can provide your kids with a fun distraction on a hot summer afternoon, but can also provide a touch of beautiful whimsy to your yard.

 

7) Lighting

You might not think of lighting as a water feature, but good lights can truly enhance a water feature and turn it into something better than it already is. With the incorporation of inexpensive lighting such as LEDs, it’s possible to provide bright light for a fraction of what it used to cost. From there you can choose a variety of programmable colors, which gives you the option to change your overall lighting scheme as your mood changes.

You can even take lighting further with the advent of smart lights. Hook your lights up to your Alexa, Siri or your Google Home Assistant and enjoy an endless amount of programming possibilities.

 

8) Use Other Elements

Another design trend that applies across the board is to include elements that might already exist, like your patio design, with your water feature. If you have a patio, fire pit, backyard area or some other outdoor installations already in place, work with those to incorporate a unique and seamless water feature that complements your backyard perfectly. Create the perfect water feature design that turns your entire yard into a single, livable space.

 

Call on Us

Intrigued? Don’t let this opportunity to get ready for spring pass you by. Contact us at New Life Rockeries today to get started on your newest design!