Creating the perfect water feature starts with understanding one key thing: you. At Seeds of Nature Watergardens, we know the best outdoor spaces are personal and fit your lifestyle. That’s why the first step in the water feature design process is learning about your needs, wants, and preferences. Whether you live in Eugene, Medford, Ashland, or Grants Pass, we’re here to help create a water feature that’s just right for you.
How to Plan a Water Feature That Fits Your Life
Before we draw any plans or pick out materials, we need to know what you want in your water feature. Do you imagine a peaceful koi pond, a splashing waterfall, or a playful fountain? Understanding your vision is the first step to creating a feature you’ll love.
What Are Your Interests?
Your hobbies and preferences help shape your water feature. Think about these questions:
- Have you had a water feature or kept fish before? What did you enjoy about it?
- Are you a gardener looking to expand into aquatic plants?
- Do you prefer a certain style, like a natural pond or a modern fountain?
- Is there something about water or nature that feels special to you?
- Do you enjoy hiking? Is there a scene you are looking to recreate?
By sharing these ideas, we can design a feature that truly reflects you.
For example, if you have absolutely no desire in owning or caring for fish it would not make much sense to pitch you a koi pond. Conversely, if you absolutely love fish, then it would not make much sense in pitching you a fountainscape or pondless waterfall.
What Does Your Family Need?
Water features aren’t just for looks. They can make your outdoor space better for everyone. Think about how your family might use the space:
- Kids: Would you like shallow areas for kids to play, with interactive jumping stones for them to play?
- Pets: Do you need a pet-friendly design with safe, easy access for your animals?
- Guests: If you often have visitors, your water feature can be a fun or relaxing centerpiece for gatherings.
For example, designing a space to host 20 people does not make sense if you do not enjoy hosting. Designing a recreation pond to be 7 feet deep is impractical when most people spend the majority of the time in 3 feet of water.
How Do You Use Your Space Now?
Your outdoor space is unique. By looking at how you use it now, we can create a water feature that fits perfectly. Ask yourself:
- Is your yard a place for relaxing, gardening, or entertaining?
- Are there spots in your yard that could use a makeover?
- How do you imagine moving through your space when the water feature is finished?
These answers will guide us in designing something that works for your lifestyle. 10 out of 10 times a water feature will make more use of a space than previously.
But it would be impractical to design a feature that takes up the space of where your grill currently sits, or where you plan to have a vegetable garden.
Why It’s Important to Start Here
Taking the time to figure out what you need and want means your water feature will be more than just decoration. It will be part of your home and something you enjoy every day. With our water feature design expertise, we’ll make sure it’s something that brings you happiness for years to come.
It might sound redundant and obvious, but this is the basis for how we design your water feature.
What’s Next?
Once we understand your vision, we’ll move to the next step: looking at your outdoor space in depth and budget.
Once we have a deep understanding of your vision, we’re ready to move to the next step: aligning your dreams with the realities of your outdoor space and budget. In Part 2 of this series, we’ll explore the different types of water features—from koi ponds to fountainscapes—and how to choose the one that’s right for you.
Stay tuned as we continue this journey to transform your outdoor space into a masterpiece. If you’re ready to begin planning your own water feature, contact us today for a personalized consultation. Whether you’re in Eugene, Medford, Ashland, or Grants Pass, let’s bring your dream to life!