The sound of a babbling brook or a cascade of water is soothing for the mind. The feeling of being close to nature is very grounding, and affordable water features are an excellent way of replicating that feeling of taking refuge in the countryside. If we were to close our eyes, we could envision being in a natural paradise with a tranquil waterfall or stream.
Water features and water bowls also add a beautiful eye-catching focal point to your garden and come in a variety of styles, sizes and prices. Making your outdoor space beautiful does not need to be overly expensive, so we have rounded up the best affordable water features ranging from the £20 marker through to £150.
Why invest in a water feature, you may ask? Well, Vincent Mouilinier from Primrose, the UK's leading online garden centre, tells us, "The sound of gently trickling water should keep you relaxed on a hot summer’s day and in winter it will add some life to an otherwise dead feeling garden."
He adds, "If you choose the right type of feature for your garden, they can easily enhance its value. Not all water features need a water supply. If it’s a self-contained unit, then you’ll just need to top it up occasionally. However, if it has moving water, you’ll need a water supply and electricity." From gorgeous basins to tall water features, we have rounded up our favourite water features for under £150, so you can add a touch of tranquillity to your outdoor sanctuary.
Best affordable water features under £150
Best painted water fountain under £150
www.coxandcox.co.uk
This gorgeous pastel blue water feature with a concrete finish and splayed wooden legs holds a shallow pool and one singular gentle water fountain. Illuminated to emphasise the movement of the trickle of water, this feature gives a soft glow once the sun goes down. The round-shaped basin only needs to be connected to a power supply to enjoy.
Pros
- Contemporary design
Cons
- Small water flow
Best solar powered water feature under £150
www.diy.com
Powered by a solar supply, this chic fountain has a built-in LED lamp and will give you the feeling that you are close to nature wherever you are. This rockery decoration is a lovely way to create a peaceful and comfortable environment.
Pros
- Built-in LED lamp
Cons
- Small size
Best water feature under £150 with long cable
www.therange.co.uk
Relax to the sound of water flowing smoothly from this fountain for a calming refuge. Made of resin and equipped with a five-meter-long outdoor electric water pump and two single warm light lamps, this traditional water fountain will look fabulous among the flower beds.
Pros
- Classic design and good size
Cons
- Mains powered
Best barrel shaped water feature under £150
www.therange.co.uk
This retro water pump feature is practical and classic. The barrel design is made from a carbonised wood colour and comes fitted with a submersible electric pump, it rotates 3600 per minute, and the flow rate can be controlled to suit you.
Review: "I wasn't too sure what to expect, but it's perfect. It's small, yes, but it looks nice. I've managed to put it on my shed shelf with my garden ornaments. Which keeps it away from my dog drinking it and any kids touching it. For the price, it's certainly worth it; we just wanted to hear the water, and it's perfect for that. Shame there's no option to share a photo."
Pros
- Large size
Cons
- Not real wood
Best water feature under £150 to blend in
www.wayfair.co.uk
Coming in five different sizes, this very affordable fountain is made in a lightweight solid pine frame and is the ideal modern water feature to spruce up your garden.
Pros
- Range of sizes
Cons
- None
Best small water feature under £150
Crafted from durable material, this stone-like centrepiece will make a beautiful addition to your garden. Water flows from the top of the fountain into its own little reservoir while the warm white LEDs make it stand out and dazzle, especially when the sun goes down.
Pros
- Sophisticated design and LED lights
Cons
- Mains powered
Best mosaic water fountain under £150
www.coxandcox.co.uk
This French provincial-style fountain is the perfect way to add a little European charm to your garden. Classic yet contemporary, this fountain has a mosaic-style tiled backdrop of concentric circles in soft white. Elegant and calming, this water feature has a gentle flow of water and will reuse the water in its compartment once filled, so it does not require a water supply.
Pros
- Elegant, eye-catching feature
Cons
- Design may not fit all garden decors and small gardens
Best Buddha water feature under £150
www.wayfair.co.uk
Buddha statues can promote calmness and help with meditation. Nestled against a wall or as an end-of-path focal point, this Buddha radiates peace and tranquillity, and the steady curtain of water is lit with integrated LED lights.
Review: "Lovely serene water feature. Fits my small garden perfectly. Excellent buy."
Pros
- LED lights and good size
Cons
- More expensive than other water features
Best modern water feature under £150
www.thompson-morgan.com
Short on space or want an excuse to fit in extra planting? This self-contained contemporary water feature gives your garden a sensory focal point. Plant a flower of your choosing, give it a splash of water and plug it in with two outdoor sockets.
Pros
- Planter and water feature
Cons
- An investment purchase, but worth it for the uniqueness of the water feature
10.
Genoa Cascade
Best geometric water feature under £150
www.waitrosegarden.com
Tiered geometric shapes and a pitted stone effect finish give this tumbling feature plenty of impact. Solar-powered and recirculating, it brings life and movement to any sunny part of the garden and attracts wildlife too.
Pros
- Solar powered
Cons
- Not to everyone's taste
Where should I put my outdoor water feature?
This is entirely up to you, but one thing we would say is to place your water feature where it can be appreciated the most and don’t be afraid to move it depending on the season or how you wish to use your garden.
Vincent suggests placing it away from overhanging branches if it’s an open pond and away from other decorative items if it’s going to be a statement piece, "If it’s a flat water wall, then consider what planting to put around it. Most water features work in the same way, with a reservoir of water and a pump that moves water up a pipe. Gravity then brings the water back down to fall into the reservoir."
A water feature is a great way to introduce light and movement to an otherwise undecorated area to create a focal point. When deciding on its position, consider how you could enhance the surrounding areas to bring attention to it. Water features come in many different shapes and sizes: from back-to-wall features to tall and stately spirals or curvy bowl and sphere pairings that go centre-stage on the patio.
You could paint the wall behind a tall and airy cascade to showcase the water flow and make it stand out, or you could place a bubbling stone basin into a dry river of pebbles - and use grass to decorate. Use your imagination and creativity to make it your own.
What is the flow rate of water features?
It is good to know what a flow rate is before you buy. Ask yourself if you would prefer a gushing sound or a quiet, gentle trickle. Most taller features with multiple levels will always be louder than a low bubbling pool, so it's worth investing in a taller feature if you want to detract from noisy surroundings.
By looking at the water flow rate of a garden water feature, you will find out just how much water is pushed through it. Plus, you'll know how much noise it will make.
Water features typically come with a pump that is appropriate for the size and volume of their design. Usually measured in gallons per minute (GPM), this measurement defines the rate at which the pump can push water through the system; the higher the rate, the noisier it will be.
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