If you're looking to create a DIY water feature for your garden oasis, there are plenty of products you can easily buy to bring your project to fruition. If it's a simple and affordable fountain you're looking for, choose a plug-in-and-play water feature and add interesting pebbles and planting around it so the gently bubbling jet forms a vignette that flows with the rest of your garden.
From the simplicity of a mesmerising garden water bowl to a multi-level water rill, a do-it-yourself water feature can be as relaxing or ambitious as you like. With the ultimate aim of keeping your stress levels low, a pond, fountain or vertical cascade can be created over the course of a sunny weekend. So, with the right preparation, know-how and a shopping list courtesy of yours truly, imagine yourself relaxing on a Sunday afternoon beside tranquil trickling water and say job well done.
From bubbling spheres to pebble pools, low-level running water, or a cascade from a monolith, your first step is to decide what kind of water feature you want. This will be dictated by the amount of space that you have available. For small gardens, you could opt for a slim, vertical fountain or a wall-mounted water feature. Alternatively, for those who want to dig out a trench for an all-singing, all-dancing rill, we'll recommend the best mains-powered submersible pump and water treatments to keep your water flowing crystal clear.
DIY water feature ideas at a glance
• Best Corten steel garden water bowl: Corten Steel Water Bowl by Adezz – View on Flora Select
• Best solar-powered fountain: SZMP Solar Fountain Bird Bath Fountain – View on Amazon UK
• Best electric water pump: BARST 2000L/H Submersible Water Pump – View on Amazon UK
If you're on a tight budget opt for an affordable garden water feature such as a water bowl that requires no power. Quite simply, the still water mirrors its surroundings, creating new depths and dimensions to your outdoor space. But if you're looking for the uplifting sensory experience of moving water, buy a solar-powered water pump that creates a bubbling fountain without a power source. We've created a solar-powered pebble pool – and you can too – with our step-by-step guide in the FAQs below. Additionally, Modern Gardens writer Jill Morgan provides expert advice on garden water bowls and how to make a water rill.
DIY water feature – what you need
Best Corten steel garden water bowl
www.floraselect.net
The mirror-perfect surface of a reflection bowl provides a calming water feature to meditate upon. It's a simple curved container filled to the brim with still water. The hottest look right now is for Corten steel. While some genuine Corten Steel water bowls are pricey, this Corten Steel Water Bowl by Adezz is at the affordable end of the market. Showcase its rich, rusted finish with pale gravel and a tapestry of tall grasses and quietly transform your outdoor space. With its superfine edge, the reflective surface seems to float like a sky mirror.
Customer review: "Great product at the best price on the internet- many others only use 2mm steel. I purchased the 1m bowl, and have installed a small fountain. There are cutouts on the foot so that you can pass an electric cable underneath easily."
Pros
- Affordable
- Various sizes available
- Easy and low-maintenance water feature
Cons
- Run-off can cause stains on other features
Best solar-powered fountain
Pop the SZMP Solar Fountain Bird Bath Fountain in a bird bath for an instant water feature. It's made of glass so it won't corrode and it converts sunlight to energy more efficiently. There are seven different nozzle styles to give a variety of fountain effects. As well as a bird bath, you could place it in a pond or a swimming pool for a bit of fun decoration. We think this is superb value and it's available in a range of colours. Also, there are versions with LED lights for a vibrant water and light show.
Customer review: "I am very impressed with this solar floating fountain. It works on bright but cloudy days. It doesn't need full sun. The variety of jets is nice and the added straws that you can add to stop it drifting to the sides is a great idea. It provides a nice relaxing sound in my garden. Would definitely but again if I need another."
Pros
- Lots of styles available
- Very effective solar panel
- Received thousands of positive reviews
Cons
- Needs full sun to work at its best
Best electric water pump
The first thing you need to look at is the flow rate of any pump; this tells you how much water it can pump per hour. If you have a large water feature you're going to need a more powerful pump. The BARST 2000L/H Submersible Water Pump is a good option for a medium size water feature and there are pumps with a variety of flow rates that are available from this brand. This best-selling product on Amazon has an ultra-quiet design and comes with three nozzles so you can adjust the type of flow that you want. The water flow rate is also adjustable. For strong flow, versatility and a main-powered pump that doesn't consume too much energy Barst is our recommended pump specialist.
Customer review: "This pump was good because it comes with three different fittings so it will fit any existing pipes from your water feature. It also has different heights/power levels for a greater flow of water."
Pros
- Pumps of various strengths available
- Wide application for use
- Quiet
Cons
- Research needed in order to buy the right pump for your project
Best glass sphere water feature
www.primrose.co.uk
Gorgeous and delicate, this glass translucent round water feature features beautiful colour-changing lights to brighten up your garden and has an integrated control so you can switch between colours at any time. The Translucent Sphere Water Feature with Colour Changing LEDs by Ambienté also comes with a black reservoir, hose and fittings. This reflective sphere could form a part of a larger water feature or stand alone as decorative vignette. We think it would look fabulous in a sharp and chic urban courtyard.
Pros
- Unique
- Integrated control
- Self-contained
Cons
- No reviews yet
Best DIY solar-powered water feature kit
www.ebay.co.uk
The perfect budget solution to creating your own garden water feature. The sump serves as a reservoir for water features when paired with a lid/grid, available in plastic or galvanised options. Suitable for embedding in the ground, the DIY Water Feature Kit Solar, Reservoir Kit includes a 50cm diameter reservoir, a solar pump kit with battery backup for optional indoor charging. Use this kit to create your own solar-powered pebble pool with our step-by-step guide in the FAQs below.
Customer review: "Exactly what we ordered and super fast delivery."
Pros
- Value for money
- Solar-powered so costs nothing to run
- Lots of possibilities
- Rechargeable lithium batteries
Cons
- Rubber tube is not provided
Best water blade
A water blade is a sleek and elegant way to oxygenate the water in a pond or water rill. This simple stainless steel accessory creates a waterfall effect. Attach a water pump to it for continuous circulation of water and an infinite cascade. Add LED lights for a magical night-time water feature that would look amazing as the focal point of your water rill. The LONGRUN Pond Waterfall Cascade has two holes: on the rear and bottom, so you can choose how you want your connectors to fit.
Customer review: "Installed in Gabion Wall the waterfall worked perfectly running it off a 6500LPH pump with a three-way splitter. The longer blade on the waterfall creates a silky smooth stream of water clearing the gabion with no dribbling."
Pros
- Good quality
- Aerates water
- Sleek and stylish
- Seven colour variations
Cons
- Kit does not include a pump
Best small water feature reservoir
Build a pebble fountain with this simple water reservoir and create your own aquatic garden. Used in conjunction with a water pump, and covered with decorative pebbles, the Pisces Round Pebble Pool Fountain Reservoir allows you to build your own water feature. Dig and hole to contain the reservoir or install it in a watertight container – put a metal grid over the top if you're piling lots of heavy slate or stones on it. Whether you want to turn a mill stone into a water feature or create a bubbling arrangement of gazing spheres, there's no limit on the potential this reservoir offers.
Customer review: "I tried to make a water feature using a bucket etc., and gave up. Bought this and it's now running with a fountain coming up through stones, the plastic top is quite weak so i needed to put a strong grid on top to support the stones."
Pros
- Ideal for a budget water feature
- Heavy duty plastic
- Get creative
Cons
- Take care not to pile too much weight on the plastic lid
Best pond algae remover for DIY water feature
Algae thrive in strong sunlight and in addition to being unsightly, it can block pumps, pipes, and filters. That's bad news for the working life of any water pump. This envii Algae Klear Xtra treatment will keep the water clear and algae-free. A 500ml bottle treats 10,000 litres. It's a multipurpose formula that kills submerged algae, blanketweed and green water. The formula has a UV light filter that prevents algae from returning. Always use diluted and ensure pH is below 8.6 and it will not be toxic to fish and other aquatic wildlife.
Customer review: "Heavy blanket weed. Removed by hand all that had bubbled to the surface in mats at the end of day. Applied this product, diluted as instructed, early following morning. Noticed significant improvement within days. A week later, pond clear but could still see some blanket weed at bottom which was now dark and dead looking, and had a string like consistency, so applied second application. Pond now perfectly clear."
Pros
- Effective
- Positively reviewed
- Safe for fish if used as directed
Cons
- Harmful if used undiluted
Best fountain cleaner for DIY water feature
For crystal clear water in your fountain, opt for Hydra Fountain Clear Water Feature Cleaner. It's a hugely popular product on Amazon and can be applied to all types of water features, including stone, resin and metal. It's effective against limescale build-up as well as algae. Additionally, it sterilises the water, destroying bacteria that can cause Legionnaire's Disease. Safe to use around pets and animals.
Customer review: "My water feature had green staining and some red staining from use during the previous summer which I could not clean off. I used the shock dose when I refilled the water feature and now the staining (including the red staining) has gone. The water is crystal clear. Was shocked at the size of the bottle when it first arrived however upon reading the instructions only a very small amount it needed."
Pros
- Effective
- A little goes a long way
- Positively reviewed and popular
Cons
- Do not use in ponds or water features that contain aquatic life
Best water treatment against freezing for DIY water feature
www.ebay.co.uk
When it comes to protecting your water feature in winter, Fountain Care – Dual Pack De-Icer and Water Cleaner TWINPACK offers great value for money. Protect your water fountain or bird bath from potential freeze-thaw cracking with Fountain Frost Free. It prevents stone or resin from cracking and provides access to drinking water for birds during the coldest months of the year. Importantly, this product is safe for wildlife and to use around pets and children. Additionally, Fountain Safe protects your water feature from algae build-up.
Pros
- Environmentally friendly
- Suitable for ponds too
- Gives wildlife access to water in winter
- A little goes a long way
Cons
- No customer review
Factors to consider when creating a garden water feature
When you are buying a water pump – be it solar or mains powered – there are a couple of factors to consider. First is to note the flow rate, which is measured in LPH, litres per hour. This is the volume of water the pump can push through in 60 minutes. Secondly, note the pump’s head height. This is the pressure the pump can deliver and the height that it can shoot the water. The higher these values, the more powerful the pump.
Consider the practicalities and have a measuring tape handy. Vincent Moulinier, water features buyer at online retailer Primrose advises: “If you are fitting a new pump into an existing water feature, you must check that the new pump will physically fit into the existing feature’s dedicated space”.
Once installed, keep water levels topped up because all submersible pumps require water to run. If the water feature runs dry it may cause irreparable damage.
Use a water treatment to prevent slime, algae, and bacteria growth. Additionally, use a frost treatment in winter to prevent the water from freezing or drain the water feature. Also, if you live in a hard water area use an eco-friendly water cleaner that will stop the chalky residue from forming. Add treatments as needed, generally once a month.
FAQs: DIY water feature
How do I install a garden water bowl?
A garden water bowl is the simplest of water features. It is a freestanding watertight container that you fill to the brim with water. Water bowls come in different widths, from 60cm diameter up to 180cm, and even larger for custom-made designs. The current trend is for containers that are wide and low, with shallow curved sides. Choose from powder-coated steel bowls that ensure clear reflections. Or, if you love an aged industrial look, opt for Corten steel which rusts over time. After nine months it self-seals with a deep rusty finish.
The bowl generally has a flat central base that's designed to sit straight onto a level surface.
Alternatively, if the bowl has a curved back it can be bedded into a layer of soft sand and made steady so it's level. Water will always be level itself so be sure to adjust the bowl when it’s part-filled to avoid a sloping waterline.
Use can fill a water bowl with rain water or with a hosepipe. Just be aware of limescale build-up in hard water areas that can leave a chalky tideline. You can use Hydra Fountain Clear Water Feature Cleaner to combat this.
You will not get algae build-up as long as your water bowl remains full to the brim. Rain fall will keep the water feature topped up naturally, but you may need to top it up in the summer. There are wildlife-friendly algae treatments available, such as envil Algae Klear Xtra, or you can use a non-toxic pond dye that acts as a UV filter to stop algae growth.
Finally, avoid positioning a water bowl under trees because falling leaves can cause water to become stagnant. Skim the water's surface to remove debris if this does occur.
Empty the water bowl once a year to give it a thorough clean, wiping to remove mould and algae. Rinse clean and this should keep your water feature in tip-top condition and bacteria-free.
How do I create a solar-powered water feature?
Solar-powered pumps depend on a small solar cell that absorbs sunlight, which it then converts into electricity to power the water pump. The solar cell takes some of the converted electricity to run the water pump while the rest is stored in the battery to be used later. Choose which source to use with the flick of a switch. Solar-powered pumps charge up a battery so the water feature can be enjoyed on cloudy days and in the evening. Additionally, some designs also come with a mains adapter, so you can charge up the battery indoors when there is little or no sun. The key benefit is that a solar-powered water feature costs nothing to run.
For a faff-free and easy-to-maintain water feature, Jill Morgan explains how to create a simple solar-powered pebble pool.
What you need:
DIY Water Feature Kit Solar, Reservoir Kit
Spray can
Edging iron
Spade
Spirit level
Sand or topsoil
Brown pebbles
Decide on the position of your pool and place the large plastic reservoir on the cleared ground. Use a spray can to draw around it and remove. Use an edging iron to cut around the outline, working carefully to create a neat edge, then use a spade to dig the rest of the hole to sink the reservoir in.
Place the reservoir in the hole and check it’s sitting level by using a spirit level. You can use sand or topsoil at the base of the hole, under the plastic shell, to level up the reservoir if needed.
Connect the pump to the pipe provided and slot on a fountain head to get the type of spray/water flow you want.
Plug the LED light cable into the pump and then place the pump in the bottom of the reservoir. Support with bricks and run the cables out of the reservoir through the side notch provided.
Place the lid on top of the reservoir making sure the fountain head protrudes through the hole. Fill with water, making sure the pump is fully submerged.
Put the solar panel in place, and plug in the cables. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to charge. Turn on the pump.
Arrange the pebbles on top of the water feature to completely cover the plastic lid.
How do I create a simple water rill in my garden?
A water rill can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be. A rill is a water channel or gully, that's rectangular. These water-filled channels can be seen as far back as the formal gardens such as the Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain.
Modern Gardens writer Jill Morgan explains how a sleek and stylish water rill is a garden water feature that you can build if you're a keen DIYer and are confident with mixing cement and laying concrete blocks.
What you need:
White spray paint
Concrete mix
14 x concrete blocks
Pond liner plus underlay
Submersible pump with cable and connectors
Suburban Stone 50-80mm Scottish Cobbles - Major Bag
2 x 25mm x 3mm 316L Stainless Steel Flat Bar
Mark out a 264 x 64cm area (or your chosen size) on the ground using white spray paint. A length of timber will provide a straight edge.
Dig out the channel to a depth of between 25cm and 45cm. Keep the sides of the hole at right angles to the ground for a neat finish.
Widen one end of the trench to create a sump, which will house your submersible pump. Raise the base level at the other end of the trench by around 8cm to form a reservoir.
Dig a small trench, running parallel to one side of the main trench, that’s just big enough to house the pipe that will recirculate the water plus the cabling for the pump.
Level the bottom of the trench, sump and reservoir using a flat-headed rake, then pour over a 10cm layer of concrete to cover the soil. Flatten the wet concrete with a section of timber cut to the same width as the channel.
Leave to set, usually around 48 hours.
Line the sides of the channel with concrete blocks, making sure that the tops of the blocks sit just below ground level. Cover the rill and the blocks with pond liner underlay, then lay a sheet of butyl liner on top, making sure that there is a
generous overlap on each side. Smooth the liner carefully to remove any creases.
Lay decorative cobblestones in the base of the rill on top of the exposed liner, creating a neat edge.
Place the pump in the sump and, following the manufacturer’s instructions, connect the flexible pipe and electric cables. Fill the rill with water up to your chosen level and start the pump. Once working properly, backfill the pipe trench with soil. Using a sharp blade, trim off any excess liner that is still visible. Concrete the stainless steel trim into position to finish off the edge of the rill.
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Natalie Knowles is a Homes & Garden Product Writer for Modern Gardens, specialising in garden trends. When she's not flexing her mow-how, Natalie is a successful artist and illustrator.