Why You Should Be Adding An Outdoor Water Feature To Your Landscaping

There's nothing more soothing than the sound of flowing water. Whether it be a babbling brook, a trickling waterfall, or waves crashing, there's something about water that calms and soothes the mind. Outdoor water features like fountains, koi ponds, waterfalls, and water walls don't just serve as focal points in your landscaping. They also transform your outdoor space into a captivating and relaxing retreat. Outdoor water features are perfect for attracting beneficial wildlife to your yard. Depending on the fixture itself, it can also pull double duty as a hydration station for your four-legged fur babies.

The sound of water alone can help with anxiety and concentration and can even act as a filter for the air you breathe. Any moving water can also act as a muffler for undesirable outdoor noises, like neighbors' voices flowing over your fence or vehicular sounds. According to the mystical laws of feng shui, having an outdoor water feature is also an auspicious way to create a harmonious outdoor living space that promotes good energy throughout your property.

Water features are a focal point for wildlife, so you can expect to see an influx of anything that flies, crawls, or climbs. It's a nice addition that helps make an outdoor space more habitable and inviting for beneficial pollinators, too. Not only does it serve as a place to stop and rehydrate, but some animals (and depending on the size of the water feature) can seek refuge from the heat, take a dip, and cool off when the sun becomes a bit too intense. When you have an outdoor water feature, you're not only enhancing the beauty of your surroundings, but you're also extending an invitation to a diverse community of wildlife to come and grace your property with their presence.

Having these creatures visit your land brings more than just entertainment. It's an opportunity for you and your family to learn and appreciate the wonders of nature. By thoughtfully choosing the plants to surround your water feature, you also provide a welcoming habitat for smaller creatures that otherwise may not have a place to call home.

By adding a water feature to your outdoor space, you can create your very own personal hideaway without even leaving your house. Have you ever noticed that the stress of the day magically seems to melt away when you're in the presence of water sounds? That's because the sounds produced by flowing water are thought to help rewire your brain. When we are near water, we often experience a sense of relaxation and a deep connection with the world around us. This phenomenon is known as the "blue mind effect," where being in, under, or near water can put you into a mildly meditative state.

This effect doesn't just apply to the ocean or flowing natural streams. A small fountain, pool, or pond can have the same impact. Consider adding any of these features, and you'll feel even more connected to the outdoors without having to go far.

You've probably noticed that white noise machines, also called sound machines, often have a waterfall setting, and there's a good reason for it. The calming sounds of water not only reduce stress but can also act as a natural way to block out neighborhood noises. Outdoor water features can function as your own personal noise-canceling system, producing gentle sounds that dull or even drown out cars driving by, neighbors talking outside, and even dogs barking. 

When you incorporate other natural features like plants and rocks, this can also help to absorb and diffuse any external noise pollution. By strategically placing these natural additions, you can create a physical barrier that not only transforms your outdoor space into a more serene environment but it shields your outdoor oasis from the busy and overstimulating parts of the world, too. Adding evergreen plants like bamboo, cardinal flower, or other dense foliage all help dampen sound. Using flowering plants also provides food and shelter to beneficial pollinators.

Both indoor and outdoor water features aren't just nice to listen to. They also act as a natural air filtration service. Moving water generates negative ions, which naturally occur near flowing and large bodies of water. They're also produced right after rainstorms. These negative ions grab onto positively charged airborne particles like dust, pollen, and other nasty invisible pollutants, neutralizing them upon contact.

In addition to magically purifying the air, the movement and circulation of water in outdoor features also help increase the water's oxygen levels. This is highly important if your outdoor water feature happens to have any little fish, frogs, turtles, or other critters residing below the surface. When water is exposed to air, it naturally becomes oxygenated. Fountains play a role in this process by aerating the water, allowing oxygen to dissolve into it. As a bonus, this also helps remove impurities from the water.

According to feng shui principles, moving water represents wealth, abundance, and prosperity. By adding a water feature to your outdoor area, you're essentially tapping into this symbolism and boosting the flow of positive energy, known as chi. Flowing water not only creates and circulates the good feeling vibes, but it also removes any stagnant energy that might be stinking up your residence, thus making room for more revitalized chi.

To maximize the feng shui benefits, you'll also want to consider the placement of your outdoor water feature, as this will also have an effect on energy circulation and create a more harmonious and inviting atmosphere. For instance, placing a water feature in the front yard not only attracts positive energy and enhances the entrance, but adding a fountain or pond in the backyard will amplify the chi flow throughout your entire property. These types of water features help bring balance between humans and the natural world and create healthy, compassionate energy for all living beings.