Water Features for Peace and Relaxation
Water Features for Peace and Relaxation
Article by Laurel R. Lindsay
Everyone these days seems to be in a rush to get somewhere or finish something, which leads to a fast-pace life filled with stress. When reaching the sanctuary known as home, it’s important to have a peaceful environment both inside and out, which is where water features come in.
Water and the sound of running water are natural triggers that immediately cause the mind and body to relax. This is one of the main reasons why many people are choosing to create a comfortable and inviting atmosphere outside their home, especially with one or more water features, so that relaxation therapy begins even before entering the home.
To give you an idea of the different water features available for every outdoor area and budget, consider the following options:
Reflective Ponds
Reflective ponds are a very popular addition for a peaceful outdoor environment since they are calm bodies of water that naturally reflect the images of nature within itself. They are a tranquil water feature that can easily include koi, water lilies or simple sculptures for a nice decorative touch.
To create a peaceful area for relaxation or meditation, many people include a seating area around the pond as a small escape that anyone can enjoy.
Rain Chain
Simple and effective, rain chains are found mainly in Japanese temples, but have become very popular in households all over the world due to their decorative and therapeutic nature. Rain chains are generally a series of cups that are strung vertically on a chain and draw water downward to be collected in a barrel or pond.
Whether there is rain or not, they are a lovely addition to an outdoor setting and can even be rigged to draw water up from a pond and trickle back down from the cups.
Asian Water Gardens
Asia is known to have some of the most beautiful and tranquil water features in gardens, whether they are someone’s home or a temple setting. There are different types of Asian water gardens that have influences from every Asian country but the main focus is to create a serene area where the body and mind can let go of the hectic rush from everyday life.
Asian water features will almost always include stone sculpture or large rocks, moisture-loving vegetation, dwarf trees and even metal elements like large copper bowls filled with water or rain chains that trickle water into ponds.
Natural and Artificial Lighting for Water Features
Gardens are usually made to look beautiful both during the day and at night, which is why it’s important to plan the landscape and decorative features in such a way that they look great in natural sunlight but also have an inviting feel with artificial lighting.
Mood lighting is the final part of a relaxing outdoor space since it can make or break the peaceful balance that a garden or water feature may have. Harsh lighting, direct spotlights or backlighting that’s uneven or misplaced can ruin the look and feel of the environment, which is why looking at the different options and placements is very important when planning everything out.
Regardless of the size and budget for an outdoor getaway, it’s very important to consider the layout of the outdoor area along with the different water features that can be incorporated to complete a serene outdoor area that you can relax in.
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