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» Do-it-yourself fountain using improvised materials. Do-it-yourself home fountain. Step-by-step construction of a home fountain

Do-it-yourself fountain using improvised materials. Do-it-yourself home fountain. Step-by-step construction of a home fountain

We all rejoice at the arrival of summer, but when the sun begins to get very hot, we want coolness. Therefore, many people strive to spend more time near fountains, which will not only freshen the air, but also lift their spirits with the sound of falling water. But you don’t have to go to the square to admire this action. Every person, regardless of whether he lives in an ordinary city apartment or in a private house, can make his own decorative fountain.

Pros and cons of creating

A decorative fountain is primarily an element designed to decorate the surrounding space. It has several key advantages:

But artificial fountains There are also certain disadvantages:

  • The need for special care and periodic monitoring. This structure must be cleaned regularly to prevent debris from clogging the pump. It is also necessary to monitor the serviceability of the equipment and promptly resolve any problems that arise.
  • Given that the pump requires electrical power to operate, the fountain will incur certain costs to operate, which can be particularly high if the installation will be in operation for a long time.

Types of structures

Decorative fountains may differ from each other in various parameters. For example, according to the type of placement, they are usually classified into indoor and outdoor. The former are intended for decorating rooms, and the latter are used in open spaces, where they act as component element landscape design.

Based on the type of design, fountains can be divided into several types:

Depending on the nature of the movement of water flow, fountains can be divided into the following types:

It is also customary to additionally highlight annular a fountain in which a ring-shaped pipe is provided, and holes are located in it at the same distance from each other. When water is supplied through them, a flow appears that resembles a ring.

An interesting variation is installation in the form of a hemisphere or hemisphere. It consists of several parallel disk attachments connected in a special way. When water is supplied under pressure, the stream takes on a spherical shape, which gives the entire structure a very unusual and impressive appearance.

Shapes and sizes

Although the fountain can have any size and shape, when choosing them it is recommended to be guided by common sense and do not forget that it will be somewhat more difficult to take care of an installation with a more intricate shape and large dimensions.

The bowl of the fountain can have a symmetrical or non-standard asymmetrical shape. For example, it can be made in the form of an oval, square, circle, triangle, as well as any other geometric shapes, including those that follow the contours of the silhouette of an animal or a person.

Also, fountains can be complex multi-level or made of several interconnected containers. In this case, each element can be equipped with its own nozzle, being an integral part of a more complex installation.

Stylistic design

Fountains used for decorative purposes can be made in a wide variety of styles. Whether a design belongs to one direction or another depends on various factors - appearance, shape and size, material of manufacture.

There are several design options applicable to decorative fountains:

Installation location

In order for a decorative fountain to successfully cope with its role, it is necessary to correctly approach the location of its placement.

Prepare the area in advance so that you can approach the fountain or sit close to it. Make sure that the structure is not obscured by other landscaping elements.

DIY decorative fountain

It is not necessary to pay money to the craftsman for making an original one. decorative fountain. Any owner can handle this task independently.

Materials and tools

And first of all, you need to prepare the tools, materials and devices necessary for the work:

  • container that you will use as a bowl. It could be old barrel or bath. The main thing is that the product is strong enough without damage to withstand the volume of water;
  • a pipe or a sufficiently strong and dense hose for supplying water;
  • pumping unit;
  • materials for waterproofing;
  • filter;
  • nozzle;
  • shovel.

Manufacturing process

Once you have everything you need prepared, you can proceed to making a decorative fountain:

The fountain you make will last longer if you regularly check the condition of the devices and promptly eliminate any malfunctions that arise, as well as clean the bowl of any debris that gets into it.

A decorative fountain can become one of the main elements of your site and better side change its design. You just need to approach its production correctly. With a little imagination and using unnecessary materials, you can certainly create a creation with your own hands that will look no worse than products made by professional craftsmen.

Doing landscaping personal plots, some owners at some point come to the realization that there is not enough fountain on the site. You shouldn’t give up on this idea if you have everything planned out long ago and there is no extra space left. After all, it doesn’t have to be a large structure. Even on small areas you can find a place to arrange a compact decorative fountain, which will give you coolness and become a wonderful relaxation area.

If you decide to create it yourself, then you need to thoroughly prepare for this work. And first of all, you must understand what type of installation this installation should have, what material it should be made of, and how water should flow in it. These and many other factors will determine whether you will be satisfied with the end result.

If this is your first time making your own fountain at your dacha, then you should not build a complex configuration installation. This will not only require more time, money and effort from you to create it, but will also create certain difficulties for you in the future during care. Best to build small fountain a standard form, which can be made from the most common materials and which will not be more difficult to care for than any other object on your site.

Fountains are not only cool on a sunny day. This is also positive energy spreading throughout the house from the sounds of rushing water.

Many people want to surround themselves with artificial ponds or at least small fountains so that they can relax and unwind next to them after work. You can do all this yourself: just learn how to make a homemade fountain with your own hands and build it, quite quickly and efficiently. And just such a fountain, created with your own hands, will become an exclusive decoration of your site and home!

Types of fountains

All fountains can be divided into fountains intended for indoors or outdoors. The first type includes indoor fountains. They are used rather for the purpose of decorating the interior of the house and can be different in shape and size, depending on the parameters of the room.

Outdoor fountains are designed to decorate a personal plot. They are placed on the site in front of the house or in the garden. They can be made of plastic, natural stone, marble, porcelain.

In addition, such a fountain can be equipped with lighting, and then you can admire it not only during the day, but also in the evening and at night. A festive atmosphere is guaranteed with such a fountain!

Country fountain

Many people ask themselves the question - how to make a fountain in the country? Before you start arranging this hydraulic structure, you need to decide on the desired model. Its appearance directly depends on general style plot. So, if a country-style dacha is perfect, a fountain in the shape of a mill is perfect, but for a site in a classic style, it is better to build a fountain with a minimum of decor or in the form of a statue.

If your dacha resembles a picturesque corner of nature, you can make a small fountain, reminiscent of a geyser, gushing directly from under a stone. You can also place the fountain near an artificial pond surrounded by boulders.

Many lovers of country life are tormented by the question of how to make a simple fountain on their site. To do this, the fountain pool is buried in the ground, and a special recess is made at the base for all the equipment and the pump.

The main advantages of such a fountain are its elegant design, shallow depth and convenient built-in overflow-drain system. However, there are also disadvantages - high costs when installing the pool itself, cables and fittings. If you decide to make a fountain at home and settle on this particular type, arrange it so that each element pleases the eye and creates a feeling of harmony and peace.

Tools and materials for arranging a fountain

Before you begin installing the fountain, you need to acquire materials: a beautiful fountain is unlikely to come out of nothing. The choice of materials for the fountain depends on the place from which its arrangement begins. It is better to use a small pond to build a fountain. summer cottage, and then before making a home fountain, you will not need to think about water drainage. If you already have a reservoir, then for work you will need:

  • storage tank;
  • set of nozzles;
  • the fountain itself;
  • pump.

The most crucial moment is the choice of pump. The modern market offers electromagnetic, centrifugal and vortex pumps. For country fountains it is recommended to use centrifugal pumps, since they are more powerful, but at the same time quite economical. If there is no pond on the site, you need to dig a pit and install an artificial pond in it, equipping it with special film and a concrete block on which the pump will be placed.

Stages of fountain construction

The organization of a country fountain requires careful planning. In order to understand how to make a fountain with your own hands, you need to correctly calculate the location of the future structure, its proximity to power sources and water supply.

Water from the fountain can be drained down the drain into the sewer, or it can be recycled - reused, which significantly saves the process. When preparing sewer channels for draining water from the fountain, a rainwater inlet may be used.

If there is a ready-made bowl for the fountain, a pit is dug for it. Otherwise, they also dig recesses and equip it like a small pool: drainage in the form of sand, strengthening the walls, waterproofing layer, sewer connection.

The construction of the fountain itself begins with the installation of a pump. It is important to remember that there is an underwater and above-water position for fountain pumps, with the above-water pump being more often used for larger fountains as it produces a higher, stronger jet. It is also necessary to ensure that the electrical wiring is well insulated. The fountain itself is usually installed in the center of the pond so that water does not spill beyond its boundaries.

Fountain decoration

The uniqueness of a homemade fountain can be emphasized by decorating it. How to make a fountain at home so that it becomes a decoration of the yard both day and night? This is possible thanks to the effect of artificial illumination of the fountain using special lighting equipment. Lamps that illuminate the fountain around the perimeter and even in the water will help create a fabulous harmony of water and light.

You can also plant bushes or flowers around the fountain, and the bottom of the reservoir itself can be landscaped using various aquatic plants. The fountain can be decorated with wood, stone or statues.

When equipping a fountain, you can use ready-made statues and figures. But it depends on you how much a standard fountain will become exclusive.

Indoor fountain

Any apartment interior can be revived with small fountain. Before starting work, it is better to figure out how to make an indoor fountain with your own hands and think through all the nuances. To implement this idea you will need the following materials:

  • container on which the fountain will be located;
  • aquarium pump;
  • a small piece of hose for cleaning the aquarium;
  • glue;
  • large sink;
  • color decorative soil, shells and expanded clay.

First you need to find a container in which the fountain will be located. For this purpose, you can use any vessel you like, for example, a flower pot. You can also choose a beautiful flower pot or basin for a fountain, the main thing is that the water does not leak out.

In addition, you need a pump with a sprinkler and without a tip, since the container for the fountain will be small. The main task of the pump is to raise the stream of water.

Stages of construction of a decorative fountain:

  1. Cut a small piece of about ten centimeters from the aquarium hose. You need to immediately put it on the pump tip and make sure that all the holes in it are open at full strength, since the power of the jet depends on this. Then you should strengthen the pump at the bottom of the selected container.
  2. We fill the pump with expanded clay and level its surface.
  3. Cover the expanded clay with plastic wrap with a hole for the hose.
  4. Sprinkle decorative primer onto the surface of the film.
  5. If you need a stand for a sink made of stones, then it should be glued with epoxy waterproof glue to the sink.
  6. Install the stand by first inserting the hose into it.
  7. We put the sink on through the drilled hole at the end of the hose and pull the hose into it one centimeter.
  8. Decorate the surface of the fountain with beautiful shells or stones. And the sink from which water flows can be replaced with something else, as long as there is a hole for the hose. The design and style of an indoor fountain depends entirely on the imagination of the craftsman who makes it.

Decorative mini fountain

A cool fountain on a hot summer day improves your mood and invigorates. In such a situation, even a small fountain will be a lifesaver for you. How to make a mini fountain? This is quite easy, you just need to stock up on the following materials:

  • flower pot with tray;
  • small water pump;
  • paints for ceramics and glass;
  • contours;
  • decorative plants for the aquarium;
  • artificial translucent balls or stones.

Stages of work:

  1. The flower pot will serve as the basis for the fountain. If desired, you can decorate it with unusual painting. To do this use special paints on ceramics and glass.
  2. Then install the pump under the tray to circulate water; you need to make a small hole in the bottom for drainage.
  3. Pass the pump tube through the hole and fill the bottom with decorative stones.
  4. Assemble the entire structure and fill it with water. Decorative aquarium plants will help revive the landscape.

Thanks to this scheme, anyone can make a mini fountain with their own hands, using their fantasy and imagination.

Fountain lighting

One way to make even an ordinary fountain magical is to use lighting. It could be:

  • surface lighting in the form of lanterns along the perimeter of the fountain;
  • underwater lighting using waterproof lamps;
  • floating backlight on built-in autonomous batteries.

With underwater lighting, the effect of water glow is created; if the lighting is rotating, then the whole process turns into a water-light extravaganza. A rotation mechanism is used for this.

An important stage of lighting equipment is laying the wiring in a water-repellent busbar. For safety, it is equipped with an automatic breaker (in case of current leakage). To comply with safety precautions, when installing fountain lighting, lamps with a voltage of 12 Volts are used. These are primarily halogen lamps, and lamps based on fiber optics and LEDs. Connect the lamps to the network or transformer.

If you want to illuminate the water surface, place the lamps around the perimeter above the water. If you want to emphasize some element of the composition, use a directional beam of light, if the entire composition is a spotlight. Using spotlights, you can focus attention on one detail, for example, a group of plants in a pond.

Fountains have always decorated any interior. Today they are widely used for the purpose of decorating premises and ennobling personal plots. Therefore, they are widely used in landscape design. A fountain on the lawn, near a gazebo, near an artificial reservoir surrounded by rock gardens - there are many options for the location of fountains. They can occupy any free space or become a central place in the design. garden plot. By giving free rein to your creativity, you can figure out how to make the fountain not only beautiful, but also unusual.

By making an indoor fountain with your own hands at home, you can not only save a fairly large amount of money, but also purchase useful decoration interior According to the Chinese teachings of Feng Shui, the symbol of Water, placed in the northwestern part of the home, ensures prosperity in the family. An excellent embodiment of the moving element in the house can be a babbling brook, a cascade of waterfalls or another form of fountain.

Small decorative cascades for interior decoration should be made taking into account the fact that there is nowhere to drain the constantly rising water at home. This means that the amount of liquid in the system must be constant. To comply with this requirement, the fountain installed in the room must be made to operate in a closed cycle. In this case, water will collect in storage capacity. The pump installed in the system must lift it to the top point of the structure, from where the liquid will flow out, again falling into the tank.

In order for a thin stream to beautifully flow, drip or shoot up, decorative obstacles should be made of shells, stones, shards or other objects in its path. IN Ancient China and Japan, specially trained craftsmen built a channel for a stream so that it would babble beautifully. Tuners of the “music of water” created real masterpieces from ordinary pebbles, laying them so as to form cascades with depressions into which drops and streams fell, producing the noise characteristic of a stream or waterfall.

What to prepare for work?

To create a mini fountain, you need to choose a suitable pump. Its power depends on the height to which the liquid needs to be raised. This value is dictated by the dimensions of the structure and is determined individually. If you want to make a fountain with your own hands so that the stream of water shoots upward, it is better to buy a pump with more power and a regulator. To assemble a small tabletop cascade, an aquarium pump for filtering water is sufficient.

Before you make a fountain with your own hands, you need to prepare:

  • a reservoir into which water will flow;
  • silicone tubes;
  • waterproof glue;
  • materials for decorating the product.

The reservoir bowl should be spacious. In addition to its direct function - collecting liquid circulating in the system - it will also serve as the basis for a composition made of stone or other materials. Some of them can be placed directly in the container.

What to do if there is no pump?

A low-power pump that can raise water to a height of about 20 cm can be made independently. For this you need:

  • a motor from a children's toy, camera or other, protected from water;
  • batteries (phone or finger batteries);
  • charging connector if using a mobile phone battery;
  • LEDs - optional;
  • switch of any type;
  • electrical wires;
  • plastic gear;
  • a small round container (aerosol cap, plastic bottle);
  • waterproof glue.

Make an impeller for supplying water from a gear from an unnecessary mechanism: adjust the wheel to the diameter of a round container, glue 4 pieces of plastic crosswise onto the shaft: fig. eleven). Drill a hole in the bottom of the container for the motor shaft, and in the side for water. Place the motor shaft inside the container, glue the motor housing to the bottom of the pump reservoir from the outside, and secure the impeller to the shaft inside (2). Cut a piece of plastic, make a small hole in it, and seal the open part of the pump body. Attach a tube to the hole in the side and seal the connection (3). Connect the wires to the motor and carefully insulate the connection, protecting it from water. Any sealant will do for this.

To connect the motor to the power source, use diagram (4). It is important to remember that batteries should not be exposed to moisture. You can attach them to outside pool, glue the switch here too.

You can include a resistor in the circuit to adjust the speed of rotation of the motor or LEDs for decorative lighting.

Assembly method

A homemade or purchased pump must be attached to the bottom of the tank (storage container). Its depth should be such that the pump is completely submerged in water. You can hide the pump in different ways: place a mesh cover on top of it, on which pebbles or shells will be placed to represent the bottom of a reservoir, or hide it inside a large decorative element. One of the design options - a dry fountain - provides for a completely hidden water surface in the storage tank. To do this, you need to lay a grate on top of it and secure the stones. Water will pass through the stones into the container without forming visible pool. Rice. 2.

A short master class will tell you how to make a mini fountain in an apartment with your own hands from ceramic pots (Fig. 3):

  1. 1 Prepare 2 ceramic pots and 5 trays (2 large and 3 small). Cover them with waterproof varnish, drill a hole for the tube in the center of 1 larger and 1 smaller tray. Make cuts on the edges of the pallets to drain water.
  2. 2 Install the pump at the bottom of the tank, following the diagram in the figure. Cover it with a large pot, and lead the tube through its drainage hole and drilled holes in the trays to the very top of the structure.
  3. 3 Place a smaller pot next to it and secure the tray to it. The next tier consists of 2 small pallets (one is upside down and serves as a base for the bowl from the other). The pallets must be placed so that the holes cut into their sides allow water to flow from one to another, forming a cascade.
  4. 4 Decorate a fountain, assembled with your own hands from the simplest materials, with beautiful pebbles, plants and shells, figures of aquatic animals or birds.

Such a miniature pond can be placed on a table or given a special corner among indoor plants. Iridescent water will not only enliven and decorate the composition, but will also slightly humidify the air.

Waterfalls in the room

A stylish and fashionable interior decoration is a vertical waterfall (Fig. 4). Making this type of indoor fountain with your own hands is not much more difficult than a mini tabletop fountain. The only difference is the pump power for such a large structure. When looking for a pump, you need to pay attention to the fact that the height of the water column is at least 1.8-2 m. This will make it possible to build a water wall or stream originating from the ceiling of the room.

Before you do home waterfall, you need to waterproof the floor in case the tank leaks. Polyethylene film can be used for this. It is advisable to cover with it a section of the floor 15-20 cm larger than the perimeter of the future structure.

For the panel on which water will flow, you will need:

  • thick glass or mirror;
  • 5x5 cm bars for support posts;
  • boards for the base of the top cover;
  • pipe plastic diameter 2 cm to distribute water over the glass;
  • a block or thick board for the clamp step.

The structure of the fountain supply system is the same as discussed above.

On top of the fountain tray, you need to install and secure a board with a stop to fix the glass in a vertical position. Knock down the frame from the support bars and crossbars on top. The role of the crossbar can be played by the horizontal bar of the top cover.

Drill a piece of plastic water pipe, the length of which is equal to the width of the glass panel, in one line along the axis. The holes should not be located too far from each other so as to avoid the impression of separate streams. Plug one end of the sprinkler tube and secure it to the top cover strip. Install backlighting if necessary.

Place the glass panel vertically, resting the lower edge against the step of the latch. Attach the side parts to the support bars using liquid nails. To prevent water from spreading beyond the panel, sides made of strips of glass, wood, and plastic must be glued to its edges.

Install the pump into the pan and run the water supply tube up to the open end of the distribution pipe. Connect and seal the connection. Hang the front part of the top cover. Perform decorative finishing home fountain with your own hands according to your own taste. Through many holes in the sprinkler pipe, streams of water will fall onto the glass and flow down it into the pan, creating the illusion of a falling stream.

Materials for decorative finishing indoor fountains, made with your own hands in tabletop or floor-standing options, can be found in pet stores (colored soil, castles, shells, ships in the aquarium department). Flower shops sell bamboo plant supports and beautiful containers. In the souvenir departments you can find artificial bonsai, figurines of birds and animals.

There is nothing more pleasant than to relax after working day under the quiet splash of water in a man-made stream. The decorative functions of the fountain are perfectly combined with its main purpose - to humidify the air in the room. You can add live indoor plants to the streams of flowing water.

The modern rhythm of life, created by people, tires them and exhausts them nervous system constantly experiencing stress. Daytime stress often leads to problems with sleep, and in the fight against this trouble, a small indoor fountain becomes our reliable ally.

The main advantages of decorative home fountains are aesthetic pleasure and air humidification. If there is a small fountain in the room, then there is no need for an air humidifier, and besides, the “fountain” method of humidifying the atmosphere looks more natural. If this fountain is quite large, then it will easily create the most comfortable microclimate in the home for all its inhabitants: people, plants and animals.

Selecting a fountain for the interior

When choosing a decorative home fountain, you should take into account the size of the room. In a spacious room there is a small desktop version the fountain can simply get lost, but floor mini fountains for an apartment with a bowl more than a meter in diameter, they will certainly become one of the centers of attention in the entire room - they will sufficiently humidify and refresh the air. Artificial ones also look impressive in the interior of an apartment if there is a sufficiently large free space. wall compositions , which are a decorative drip or thread-like fountain. True, we should not forget that when arranging wall fountains, heavy building materials are used, such as cast iron and stone, so such decorations can only be started against a strong and reliable wall.

Depending on the interior of the room, you need to choose the material of the fountain, which is usually glass or artificial stone. In a room decorated in minimalist or hi-tech style, fits in perfectly stele, shrouded in a film of falling water (the so-called “ wet wall"), especially considering the fact that occupies one of the main roles.

To the bedroom It is best to find small decorative tabletop fountains and waterfalls that can serve as an elegant night light in the evening. Tabletop fountains with lighting are especially valued - dim light combined with the quiet murmur of water will be the best background for going to bed (this is especially true for children). As you can see, in these cases we can already talk about the therapeutic effect of a decorative fountain, and, therefore, its functionality are expanding even more. And if you buy a fountain model in St. Petersburg not only with illumination, but also with fog, you will provide your bedroom not only with additional decor, but also with an element that creates an intimate atmosphere.

An ideal sculpture would be one depicting grotto, waterfall or water mill. Typically, waterfalls sold for such premises are equipped with flower pots where you can plant live plants, as well as lighting and an additional humidifier. The niche under the stairs, by the way, can also become very suitable place to create a “mountain waterfall” there.

If you have a question about where to buy a fountain for your home, contact the worldwide network - several addresses of stores closest to you search system will probably give you away or show you which websites you can order these fountains from. But at the same time, if you are planning to buy home fountains in an online store, ask how noisy its pump is. Usually pump power directly affects the noise level of the structure , so you shouldn’t chase too powerful options. The sound of the water should prevail over the sound of the pump running.

Fountain lighting

Even the most trivial fountain can be made magical if you apply lighting to it, which can be different:

Using underwater lighting arises glowing water effect . If at the same time you want to make a floor fountain for your home with lighting with your own hands so that it turns out to be a real holiday extravaganza, then you need lighting, rotating using a special mechanism. A very important aspect of underwater lighting equipment is laying the wires in a waterproof busbar. For greater safety, it should be equipped with an automatic circuit breaker that trips when current leaks. According to safety requirements, only 12-volt lamps can be used for underwater lighting: halogen, fiber optic or LED, connected via a transformer.

For water surface lighting better lamps place above water along the perimeter . To highlight the separate element composition uses a beam of directional light. A spotlight can draw attention to one detail.

Varieties of unusual indoor fountains

Fountains-pictures

Water elements, which are indoor decorative fountains for apartments in the form of paintings, look very unusual and interesting. For example, the painting depicts a landscape with a waterfall, and the entire landscape, as usual, is painted, but the water in the waterfall is real. At the same time, the design of the fountain is such that the water does not fall on the floor at all, but is captured by a special drain built into the frame, from where it returns to the tank, closing the cycle. You can buy a decorative fountain-picture in almost any souvenir shop - today they are in great demand, so sellers strive to keep up with fashion and provide the buyer with all the latest in interior design.

Fountain "wet wall"

An aqua interior can be created not only with traditional indoor tabletop fountains, but also with more unusual means. One of these techniques is the fountain " wet wall": on a wall lined with ceramics, stone or waterproof mosaic, water flows at different speeds drops, trickles, and finally streams of water. A waterproof drainage device is placed in the floor, from which water returns to the top. A variety of modes of water supply, lighting and wall cladding allows you to obtain numerous transitions and effects. Such a wall of water amazes, shocks, makes you dumbfounded, but will not leave anyone indifferent. Of course, the price of floor-mounted indoor fountains and waterfalls may be prohibitively high for people of average income, and only wealthy people can afford to buy an indoor fountain of a similar design and scale. However, do not despair - we will tell you how to make an indoor fountain with your own hands, and you will understand that it is not so difficult, and such a miracle can be made with your own hands using ordinary materials.

The floor version of an indoor fountain can be surrounded indoor plants, for which it will create a favorable microclimate. If you use special settings in a decorative fountain, you can achieve a fog effect.

Fountain curtain

No less stunning is the effect of the curtain fountain, through which water flows down in a wide stream. The picture gives the impression continuous water wall , which flows down the glass. If such a system is placed in a doorway, equipped with motion sensors, then you can get a kind of water door separating the rooms. When a person approaches, the sensor blocks the flow, and the passage is free. Carefully thought out illumination of such a fountain will turn your apartment into a fairy-tale palace.

There are varieties of decorative home fountains depicting water columns : along special fishing line strings, water flows down from the ceiling lamp in a continuous stream, thereby forming a hollow, transparent water column inside. In cross-section, such a pillar can represent a circle or a polyhedron. Often a sculpture or decorative tree. You are unlikely to be able to buy interior fountains of this design in ordinary souvenir shops, since such impressive decorative elements are often made to order.

DIY indoor fountains

A miniature fountain can unusually enliven any interior. You can even build it with your own hands, but to do this you need, of course, to understand its design and think through a work plan. Knowing how to make a decorative indoor fountain with your own hands, you will save money on buying new decor, but ensure yourself a great mood for many years.

Step-by-step process for creating an indoor fountain

For this work you will need:

  • Container for the future fountain.
  • Aquarium pump.
  • A piece of hose for cleaning an aquarium.
  • Large sea shell.
  • Expanded clay, shells, decorative colored primer.
  • Waterproof glue.

You can choose any vessel you like as a fountain bowl, even flower pot. The main thing is that the vessel is reliable and water does not leak out of it. A pump that lifts water upward and creates a stream will be required with a sprinkler, but without a tip, taking into account the small size of the fountain bowl.

The procedure for making a fountain:

If you first learned about how to make a fountain with your own hands, then you should understand that the work is quite painstaking and creative, but its result will not only significantly decorate your interior, but will also be a source of pride in front of your admiring guests.

Decorative fountain from a flower pot

There are a huge number of master classes showing what decorative things can be made from ordinary flower pot. But today we will tell you how to make a home fountain with your own hands from the same flower pot. If you want to make a larger fountain, take a larger container, but if your plans are for a small tabletop fountain, a flower pot 20-25 cm in diameter will be enough.

To make a fountain at home, you will need the following materials:

Progress

  • A flower pot is needed as a bowl for a fountain; it can be painted with special paints if desired.
  • Under the pan you need to install a pump that will circulate water, and you need to make a small hole in the bottom for drainage.
  • A pump tube is passed through the hole, and decorative stones are poured onto the bottom.
  • The entire structure is assembled and filled with water. Appearance can revive aquarium plants.

According to this scheme, anyone can build a miniature fountain with their own hands - all you need is desire and imagination.

We make an indoor fountain without a pump

Independent arrangement own apartment or summer cottages are preferred by many people. And sometimes, to add special elegance to the interior, the owners think about how to make a fountain without a pump, since not everyone is “friendly” with electrical appliances and their connections. You can, of course, make a decorative imitation of a fountain, for example, from paper or plasticine, but in this case you will not hear the soothing murmur of real water. A small fountain can be made from a bottle or from something more suitable for the designed design. plastic containers, but you need to remember school curriculum in physics.

In order to make a mini fountain with your own hands without a pump, you will need the following materials : three plastic containers, tubes, tools, an adapter, sealant and decorating elements (you can come up with a composition of stone and artificial flowers, or you can limit yourself to just one thing).

Miniature preferences

Determine the dimensions of the future product, but do not strive for gigantism. After all, a large fountain will definitely need a pump, but this is not our case. It is better to make a preliminary sketch of the fountain. If your imagination fails you, look at what a DIY fountain could look like in a photo or video - this way you will have an idea of ​​what final version you should strive for.

Let's remember physics

It is best to base the design principle of communicating vessels , a friend from school physics. If two vessels connected by a tube are placed at different heights, then top water will flow into the lower one. But this simple system It’s better to modernize it a little: install both vessels at the same level, connecting them with a pair of tubes. The tubes are connected to a “T”-shaped adapter. If you pour water into the vessels from above, the fountain starts working.

We work with two identical vessels

Pick a pair of exactly identical vessels, preferably plastic ones. Then you will need as thin a tube as possible. Moreover, the thinner it is, the longer the fountain will function. A tube from a kitchen filter may work just fine. Holes are carefully drilled in the bottoms of the vessels, which are slightly smaller in diameter than the taken tubes. The tubes should be inserted into the holes (this happens with some interference). Then it is better to treat these places cold welding or other sealant to prevent water leaks.

The third vessel is the final one

Next you need to move to the third vessel, the volume of which equal to the sum the volumes of the other two vessels or even more - so that the water poured out of them completely fits into it. Exactly in the middle of the bottom of a large vessel you need to install a “T”-shaped adapter, and holes need to be drilled in the walls of the vessel near the very bottom. Two tubes are passed through them, coming from the vessels located above. These areas should also be securely sealed. This completes the installation of the main structure of the fountain.

Installing an indoor fountain

Next, you need to install the fountain in the designated place. In this case, it is necessary to do this so that the upper vessels are located not only above the large one, but are themselves at the same level. For home use, the receiver container of an indoor fountain must be removable so that the water from it can be returned to the upper vessels. And, of course, such a fountain needs to be decorated, relying mainly on your own imagination.

Regardless of the fountain you choose, you will quickly fall in love with it for its vibrant streams of water and its calming effect on all the inhabitants of the house.

Sometimes, I just want to say a huge thank you to technical progress, because thanks to it on our own, you can turn a dull summer cottage into a piece of paradise.

Not so long ago, it was possible to admire a fountain only in city squares or parks, but today, it is enough to build a fountain in your dacha with your own hands and enjoy the splash of water at least every day. A common misconception is that your own fountain is expensive and complicated; as a rule, people who do not delve into this issue think so.

The most important thing is to cast aside all doubts and boldly take on the construction of a decorative fountain in the country.

But don’t immediately grab a shovel and start digging a pit. Most important stage in the construction of a fountain is correct calculations, the choice of shape and materials, and for this, first of all, you need to understand what kind of fountains there are and how they differ from each other.

Submersible

If we talk about the complexity of construction, then a submersible fountain for a summer house is the simplest option, with minimal costs. Its peculiarity is that the stream shoots straight out of the water. This structure does not require the installation of additional technical devices; it is enough to select a spray nozzle that will form a jet and fix the hose from the pump.

The water will rise into the air and fall back. By the way, there can be several jets, if the pump power allows, which we will talk about below. By experimenting with nozzles, you can create various compositions from rising water that will harmoniously fit into any setting.

Stationary

They are the ones most often found in city parks and squares. The word “stationary” implies the presence in the design of the fountain of various decorative elements, which act as a source of water.

In a stationary country fountain the following can be used:

  • Statues.
  • Sculptural compositions.
  • Any items of landscape decor.

The design of such a fountain is somewhat more complicated than a submersible one, but it also looks more impressive. Especially if you include a composition in general concept landscape design.

Interesting ! Stationary garden fountains made of polystone are very popular today. This polymer material imitates a natural stone, but products made from it are much cheaper.

Polyresin compositions have relatively a light weight and at the same time completely not subject to deformation and rotting.

Compositions made of stones with water flowing over them look very stylish. To do this, a hole is drilled in the middle of the boulder through which a hose is passed. At the same time, the source of water is not visible, and one gets the feeling that it is coming from stones.

"Falling Water"

This is a combined composition that combines a fountain and a waterfall. In this case, the fountain stream, rising, does not simply fall back, but falls on a cascade of stones, along which it returns back to the reservoir.

There are few difficulties when building such a fountain in a country house; it is much more difficult to achieve harmony so that the waterfall and fountain look like a single whole.

Of course, the listed species are far from full list what can be created on the site. A lot here depends on personal imagination. You can even combine several types, creating an original composition that will become key element landscape decor of the dacha.

Building a fountain at the dacha

The type of fountain for the dacha has been selected, and you can proceed directly to work on the site, but it’s too early to take up the shovel again.

Popular wisdom says: measure twice, cut once, and for the construction of such a structure as a country fountain, it is very relevant.

Choosing a place in the country

The choice of location, as they say, is a matter for the owner, but if you do not take into account all the nuances, as a result, instead of a beautiful country pond, you can end up with a stinking puddle with very undecorative frogs. To prevent this from happening, several important factors must be taken into account:

  1. There should be no trees near the reservoir. Falling leaves will constantly clog the filter and can even damage the pump. A root system, sooner or later it will feel moisture and destroy the entire structure.
  2. You should not place a country fountain near a house or other buildings. Constant humidity and splashes have a negative impact on the façade and foundation.
  3. The predominant direction of the wind at the dacha also needs to be taken into account. By placing the reservoir on the leeward side, all kinds of debris will constantly fly into the reservoir. As a result, most of the time you will have to do cleaning, and not enjoy the views of falling water.
  4. An open area of ​​land where the sun constantly shines is also not suitable for a country fountain. At the height of summer, high water temperatures can damage the pump, and, moreover, flowering begins faster in it. Light and shadow should alternate evenly throughout the day.

As you can see, pick up at the dacha perfect place, is not so simple, but it is better to do this now, when the conditions can be created artificially, than to suffer later with a failing and rancid reservoir.

Choosing a bowl for a country pond

In this matter, much depends on the chosen type of fountain and the size of the reservoir. In order to make a mini fountain at your dacha with your own hands, the easiest way is to use ready-made bowls made of plastic or composite. You can find many different shapes and colors in hardware stores.

Advice ! When choosing a bowl for a pond in the country, it is better to give preference to composite materials, since they do not have temperature deformation.

In order not to ignore the topic of country mini fountains in a plastic bowl, you can watch the video

But if a pond with a fountain is planned at the dacha large sizes, then you will have to make the bowl yourself. The process, of course, will be much more complicated, but as a result you can get exactly what was intended, and not what was offered in the store.

Because, self-production bowls, more difficult than installing a ready-made one, we’ll look at it in more detail a little later. But the selection of elements for the fountain at the dacha has not yet been completed.

Choosing a pump for a country fountain

Unlike a country waterfall or artificial stream, where you just need to raise water through a hose to a certain height, the pump for the fountain must also push the stream to the desired height.

People with a technical education can easily apply the necessary formulas for calculations, and for humanists and simply lovers of country landscape design, we will present several tables that will help make the right choice.

Fountain with cascade nozzle:

Required jet height. cm

300 or more

25 or more

8000 or more

Fountain with bell nozzle:

Required bell height. cm

Optimal hose diameter. mm

Pump performance. l/h

Meter or more

25 or more

6000 or more

Geyser type fountain:

Required geyser height. cm

Optimal hose diameter. mm

Pump performance. l/h

80 or more

25 or more

7000 or more

Making a pond at the dacha

Well, the time has come to take up the shovel. Using pre-made markings, a hole of the required size is dug.

Important ! The depth of the pit should be approximately 50 cm greater than the depth of the planned country pond.

The banks and bottom are compacted with a shovel. Then again there is a choice. You can make an outdoor fountain for your dacha:

  • In a concrete bowl. Then, a drainage cushion is poured onto the bottom, flexible formwork is installed and concrete mortar is poured.
  • In a “lightweight” bowl, it is more optimal for a country fountain, since people will not swim in it, reinforced walls optional. To do this, small pebbles mixed with sand are poured onto the bottom, and the entire pit is covered with dense polyethylene. The laid film is fixed along the banks with stones, and the bottom is also lined with them. The bowl is ready and needs to be filled with water and checked for leaks.

Important ! All stones used in the “lightweight bowl” must be river stones, that is, rounded and without sharp edges, so as not to tear the film.

A pump is placed at the bottom of the reservoir. As a rule, they have a decent weight, and there is no need to fix them. A spray nozzle is put on the pump outlet hose, and now it needs to be firmly installed in the desired position.

Some models of pumps for fountains in the country are already sold complete, with special spacers, but if they are not there, you can simply clamp the hose with several stones, but in such a way that it is not pressed and nothing interferes with the free passage of water.

Before you start decorating, you need to check the operation of the pump and adjust the fountain.

Decorating a country fountain

There are practically no restrictions in this matter. Complete freedom of imagination. And if compositions made of polystone were chosen for the fountain at the dacha, then it does not need additional decoration at all. Such fountains are more laconic and less demanding to maintain.

And when creating a reservoir with a claim to naturalness, you should adhere to a few simple rules:

  1. The stones in a country fountain should be one, or maximum two, types. There are no places in nature with a pile of stones different colors and forms.
  2. Plants for the fountain should be selected especially carefully. They should not be afraid of being hit by jets of water. It is better not to use bright coastal flowers, but to give preference to those for which water is their natural habitat.
  3. If it is decided to place fish in a fountain at the dacha, then they must calmly tolerate the falling water and its noise. Some fish that live in lakes and rivers become nervous when they hear splashes.

Lighting

In addition to plants, stones and fish, multi-colored lighting is often used to decorate a country fountain. These could be solar lanterns along the banks, which gain energy during the day and then release it all night, or special waterproof lamps that can be installed directly on the bottom of the reservoir. This decor looks very impressive.

Can also be used LED strips, they are installed along the banks, emphasizing the contours of the fountain. The soft glow of small diode lamps does not look intrusive, but it is enough for illumination in the dark.

Conclusion

Having understood in detail the question of how to make a fountain at the dacha with your own hands, it becomes clear that there are not as many difficulties as it might seem at the very beginning. And the presence of such a decorative element on your own site will transform it beyond recognition.

Beautiful is not always a synonym for the words expensive and difficult.