Water features come in all shapes and sizes, but waterfalls are among the most popular choices. Today, you can find backyard waterfall designs that are suitable for small or large spaces alike.
That said, there are many elements you need to take into consideration when adding a waterfall to your yard.
This article will give 7 tips to help you design a beautiful waterfall for your backyard.
Why Should You Install A Waterfall In Your Backyard?
A waterfall can be beneficial to your backyard in many ways. For one, it brings a natural ambiance to your space through sight and sound.
There is almost nothing more calming than the sound of flowing water.
Waterfalls also provide your backyard with a noise-masking effect that homeowners find immensely appealing. The stones used to build a waterfall along with the natural sound of the falls reduce other city noises.
Besides the acoustic benefits, another advantage of waterfall features is the wide range of design possibilities. From sleek and modern, to rustic and weathered, installing a waterfall in your backyard has a massive impact on your landscape’s look and feel.
7 Tips For Designing A Stunning Backyard Waterfall
1. Consider Height
First off, think about what effect you are hoping to achieve with your waterfall. This will help determine the height of the waterfall and more.
Many homeowners want an eye-catching waterfall and so they think that bigger equals better. Yet, this isn’t always true. Do you want your water feature to be the most dominant feature in your yard, or would it be more impactful if it was placed subtly in a corner?
Deciding on effect and height should be your first consideration when designing your backyard waterfall. You should assess your intentions for the effect you hope your waterfall will produce in your outdoor aesthetic as well as do an analysis of your yard to determine the best waterfall height for your landscape.
2. Keep The Waterfall In Scale With The Pond
This is where many waterfalls go wrong. Failing to keep your waterfall at an appropriate scale to your pond will result in a less tasteful landscape overall. This is something you can discuss with your landscape professionals as they have experience designing backyard waterfalls and are familiar with what is considered an appropriate scale.
3. Increase The Height Of The Waterfall For Natural Ambience
The higher you make your waterfall, the more running water sounds will be produced. If you want to emphasize the natural ambiance of running water throughout your backyard, then you should consider increasing the height of your waterfall as this will help you amplify the running water sounds.
4. Implement Multiple Elements Into Your Waterfall Design
Use stones of varying colors and dimensions to add character to your waterfall design. Implementing ground covering plants and shrubs to give your landscape a natural feel.
Flowers, shrubs, and stones can all be used to add aesthetic appeal to your backyard waterfall and to give it an intentional and finished look.
5. Pick The Appropriate Pump For Your Waterfall
Depending on the size of your waterfall, you will be in need of a different sized pump to keep the water circulating. Your landscaping contractor experts will be able to advise you as to the most appropriate sized pump for the waterfall you are having installed.
Using an incorrectly sized pump for your waterfall could cause a host of issues, such as flooding, so it’s important to get the pump size right.
6. Find Other Backyard Waterfalls That You Like
Designing the most stunning waterfall for your backyard often involves gathering inspiration from other people’s waterfall designs. Do some searching online to help you get an idea of the type of waterfall you are hoping to have installed and don’t be afraid of mimicking features that you like.
If you are having a waterfall installed in your backyard you want to be sure that you are going to love it. It can change a lot about your outdoor landscape so it should be something that you are confident that you are going to love.
7. Prevent Other Plants From Taking Over Your Waterfall
A good and relatively easy way to prevent other plants from taking over the space that you’ve designated for your waterfall is by extending the pond liner by 12 inches or so and cover the liner with gravel.
If you extend the liner beyond the edge of the pond you will be able to keep a handle on what plants are growing alongside your waterfall.
Get A Quote From Landscape Professionals Today
To hear more about what goes into getting a waterfall installed, or to get a free quote call us today. If you have decided to have a waterfall installed in your backyard or garden you should consult a landscape professional regarding installation.
Installing a backyard waterfall might sound like a fun DIY project, but a lot more goes into designing a waterfall than meets the eye. Working with a landscaping team will ensure that your backyard water feature is done right the first time and on schedule.