25 Easy DIY Water Features for Your Garden

When I moved into my builder grade house, the backyard was just… well, boring. And if you’ve been around here before, you know that boring just isn’t my thing. So I’ve been on a mission to not only get rid of the bland, but also update my garden so it doesn’t look so blah.

A water feature adds that perfect “wow” factor, bringing in relaxing sounds and a totally custom look. Here are 25 amazing DIY water features I’ve found!

DIY Water Features for Small Gardens

Turning an old vintage bathtub into a pond? It’s not as hard as it sounds. Adding a bit of greenery makes for a really dashing garden makeover.

Plus, vintage bathtubs are a hot trend right now, so this is an even better addition for a beautiful urban garden. You can get all the details and the full guide from Empress of Dirt.

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This one is so colorful and bold, but it’s also full of rustic panache. The Gazing ball bubbler fountain DIY feels both vivacious and understated, all at the same time.

That bright ball is definitely the piece that draws your eye, but the stones and metallic tubs make a really smart impact, too.

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I love how clever people are. You can turn almost any container into a water feature. An old metallic one? That brings in so much rustic beauty. Just add a few floating flowers and some greenery.

The best part is you can place this water feature pretty much anywhere you want. It’s a great way to add freshness and color to the garden. This tiny addition packs quite a punch!.

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Let’s start with something really simple and small: the backyard pond in a barrel. Seriously, few small DIY water features are this gorgeous and easy to make.

All you need is a barrel you might have in the garage, some greenery, and a pump to get it all working. It’s such a smart and easy way to start a cool garden makeover.

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All you need is a rubber hose, some stones, and a couple of PVC pots to make this awesome DIY Tiered Water Fountain. It’s super-easy to craft. Just stack those pots and you can get going right away!

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Here’s another idea that’s just as beautiful as the barrel pond, but it feels a bit more contemporary. It’s a small pond in the wooden box.

I think this is a perfect idea for a modern garden. You just need the right base of soil and sand with the water, and this tiny pond makes a really big visual impact.

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This is arguably one of the simplest and most elegant tiny garden features out there. It’s just a couple of ceramic bowls, some stones, and a water fountain at the heart of it all.

Unlike a still pond, this water feature is so much more dynamic. I bet the little ones in your house will be jumping for joy. A cute idea that costs next to nothing!

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This wooden water fountain is so minimal and slim. It could easily become the central focal point of your garden. I love that it looks both classic and modern all at once.

If you’re inventive, you could add a little statue on top to make it even better. But even without that, it’s a water feature that really stands tall and commands attention.

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Planet-Friendly DIY Water Features

Honestly, few DIY garden projects are as dramatic, unique, and just plain outstanding as this one. This water canoe is a total showstopper.

That bright orange color makes it so enchanting and stylish. I’m not saying you need to hunt for a canoe right now, but it’s a great idea. It just proves you can reuse pretty much anything from your garage.

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Okay, one thing I have to remind you about: a great water feature needs time to grow into its setting. It’s not always instant. This imaginative teapot fountain is the perfect example. Just look at it!

The landscape around it was so clearly curated. After about a year, you get this brilliant, flowery result. So patience is definitely a virtue with this one.

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If you’re a green addict like me, this project is so gratifying. Check out the DIY solar water fountain. It relies on clean solar energy for the pump and has upcycling benefits, which I love.

This smart green niche in your garden just makes everything more charming. All you do is hook it up to some photovoltaic panels and you are good to go!

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This one is pretty similar to the watering cans wall water feature we’ll see in a bit. But this version has a bit more engineering mastery, with pipes added into the mix.

The buckets and taps just give it even more whimsical charm!

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I just love water features that are easier on the planet and help with recycling. This galvanized water trough pond is definitely one for the list.

It’s a stoic kind of addition that will actually grow in beauty with time and care. I think it’s perfect for those reflective evenings in the garden.

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Who knew all those old watering cans we throw away could be so handy? This striking and artistic watering cans feature is amazing.

It helps keep the planet clean and turns a boring, bland garden wall into a total sculptural masterpiece.

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The Flower pot fountain has so many variations. Once you get the basics down, you can put your own custom twist on it.

This one just uses two simple clay flower pots. It’s a compact feature that looks amazing in a traditional entryway or a tranquil garden.

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If you love an organic, Asian-style vibe, nothing does it like bamboo. And this small bamboo water feature is just perfect. It’s a tiny fountain that uses materials you can easily find in your garden, like stones, pots, and of course, bamboo.

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Innovative DIYs for Every Garden

Here’s another fountain you can make using pots of different shapes, sizes, and materials. The bubble fountain. It looks just as good indoors as it does out in the garden.

You can find the complete DIY guide and everything you need for it over at Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom.

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This stacked stone waterfall might be my personal favorite. It’s so simple and has this whimsical appeal that reminds me of being a kid.

You could obviously use other materials, but I just love the look of these random stones stacked up so neatly.

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Are you bored with the usual stuff? Then the DIY copper rain chain is the perfect water feature for you. It’s so slim and smart, you only need a square foot or two of space for it. That metallic dazzle combined with the sound of gushing water makes it an instant showstopper.

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Using old shower pipes, a wooden wall, and this additional water feature at the bottom gives you a flowing, lively addition to your garden.

It becomes the life-source for all the nature around it. Add a couple of statues and a few plants, and you could turn an indoor atrium into a totally zen-like nook.

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Here’s another rustic beauty. This one uses wooden barrels, and it’s a really smart water feature if you want a beautiful focal point without spending a fortune.

My advice? Always add a few flowering plants around it. That just makes it even more pleasant.

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Not many of us dare to build a whole water wall. We usually go for a fountain or a pond. But for an urban setting where space is tight, this classy and sophisticated DIY water wall is the perfect solution.

I’ll admit, this DIY demands more time and effort. But just look at the result. It is so worth it!

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Do you want a fountain that feels more like a natural geyser? Then this DIY Disappearing water fountain is perfect.

It doesn’t have a lot of frills. It’s that understated presence that gives so much beauty to the garden, and you don’t have to do too much to get the look.

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This water fountain just seems so grand, all because of its aesthetic beauty and the design around it. The overflowing fountain is a huge hit in most gardens.

You’ll also spot an additional bubbling water feature nearby. Honestly, more than the fountains, you can learn so much from the landscape design here.

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