Water Features – The Psychology Behind Them And Their Effect

It’s definitely not an unusual sight when you see a pool in a Florida home.

And with the climate here, it’s very easy to see why. Still, not every home has a pool, but you’ll notice that more and more people are adding little splashes of something special here and there.

Get it? Splashes?

We’re talking about water features – bubbling fountains on front porches, koi ponds, even table fountains. Water features are super popular in home design because of how beautiful and serene they look. Plus, you can’t beat the sound of flowing water.

The thing with water is that its appeal goes way beyond looks. 

Yes, they create stunning views, but they also have a positive effect on the energy of the home and the people living inside it. 

There’s an actual psychological reason behind why so many people are drawn to the sight and sound of water, and once you tap into that, your house goes from walls and windows to a sanctuary. 

The Calming Power of Water Features

Sit next to a fountain and see how much better you’ll feel. Even watching a video of the ocean can make you feel better. 

Why? Because for centuries, water meant life – it still does – and that deep connection we have to water is still somewhere embedded in our minds. 

Whenever you see/hear water, your brain is wired to get a signal that everything’s going to be fine. You get the signal that you’re safe. And this is pretty much when the magic happens – stress levels go down, shoulders drop, and minds stop racing. 

Now let’s talk about the sound. Regardless of the source, the sounds of water are soothing. 

It’s the type of white noise that masks all those nasty sounds like traffic and slamming doors. Water covers all those sudden noises and creates almost a blanket of quiet that lets your mind finally relax, kind of like nature’s lullaby. 

When you bring that element into your home, everything changes, and you’ll notice it. 

Water features (pools, fountains, ponds, etc.) all have their own way of turning chaos into order; stress into relaxation, unrest into peace. Basically, what they do is they introduce your own private pocket of tranquility right into your home – and that’s priceless.

How to Design Water Features to Maximize Their Impact

If you’re sold on the idea of bringing water into your home, the next step is to figure out where to start. 

There’s no single right answer to this, but your goal is to maximize that calming, peaceful energy. In order to do that, you need to choose the right feature for your space and, of course, your lifestyle. Maybe you need a massive swimming pool, maybe you need just a little tabletop fountain for your office. It depends. 

What kind of atmosphere do you want?

If you want the sounds of water to help you relax after work, a small bubbling foundation or a pondless water feature close to the patio is a fantastic choice. They’re excellent because they provide the sight and sound of water, but you don’t need to commit to a huge installation to be able to enjoy them. Naturally, if you have the space and your dream is to have that one special spot that can be both relaxing and entertaining, a swimming pool is the obvious choice. 

The thing with pools is, you need to think about your environment and make it part of the design.

Here’s a quick example of why that’s important:

If you’re here in Florida and you ask a contractor for advice, they’ll tell you you can pretty much play with features because you can use the pool all year, but you should make sure that the pool is built from materials that can withstand corrosion from the salty air and humidity.

If, on the other hand, you were to look into custom swimming pool design Macungie PA residents would go for, you’d learn that swimming pools in Pennsylvania need to be winterized and heated because of harsh winters. 

Placement is a big factor here. 

An indoor water feature will set a tranquil tone the moment you walk into your house. Outdoor features like pools and ponds can turn your backyard into an outdoor spa. Regardless of where you put it, though, be practical. You don’t want something that’s so big that it overwhelms your space or so high-maintenance that it becomes a chore. 

Create a balance between aesthetics and functionality because, although you want it to be beautiful, you also want it to be a positive addition to your life, not another thing on your weekend to-do list. 

Conclusion

If you’re ready to make a splash, then you’ll be happy to know that it will completely transform the energy of your home. No huge budget needed, not even a huge space, because table fountains fit anywhere, and they can work their magic just like ponds and pools can. 

Water features are by far one of the coolest upgrades you can bring to your home.

By ML staff. Image courtesy of Pexels.