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Fountain Buying Guide
Adding a water fountain to your home or business might actually be the best investment you can make, if you take some time to study the
different varieties and styles that are available, and decide what works best for you. Some of the first questions that you should answer
in your search are:
- How much space do I have to add a water fountain?
- Do I want a tabletop fountain or desktop fountain for my office?
- Do I want a water fountain that can be mounted on the wall?
- Do I have room to add a floor water fountain?
- Am I looking for a classic water fountain, or do I want a more contemporary fountain?
Believe it or not, these questions can be answered in any price range, so considering the cost of the fountains that you like can wait
until later. The most important things for you to decide when searching for a new water fountain are the amount of space you have, what
style fits best with your decor, and what types of materials are most pleasing to you.
It is also important to remember that water fountains are very easy to maintain. Once set up, fountains simply need to be wiped clean
every now and then, and the water level needs to be maintained to prevent damage to the pump.
Where will my water fountain go?
To help you decide on the right size and style of water fountain you are looking for, you need to decide how much space you have
available. It’s okay to be creative when you think about this – water fountains can be used on tables and desks, can be hung on walls,
or you can find a variety of freestanding floor fountains to fit the space you have. The sizes and features of the different types are
as follows:
Desktop Fountains/Tabletop Fountains
Tabletop or desktop water fountains come in a large variety of styles, materials, sizes and shapes. Once you have picked out a suitable
spot on your desk or table that is clear of other objects, pick out a few tabletop water fountain designs that you like and make
cardboard templates cut to the same dimensions as the fountains. This will give you a quick and easy idea of how the fountain will fit in
the space that you have. Remember to consider the height as well as the width, and keep in mind that some water fountains that
incorporate natural elements like rock or stone can vary from the estimates, based on how you configure the pieces.
Floor Water Fountains
When you are considering floor fountains, the most important consideration is the overall footprint of the water fountain. Once again,
you can make a cardboard template the same dimensions as the fountain that you like to see how it will fit in the space you have. You
can also judge the height of the water fountain by stacking boxes on top of your cardboard template, to make sure that you have enough
vertical space. Take a close look at the space surrounding your template to be sure that you are not blocking or otherwise interfering
with other objects, or with traffic areas.
Wall Water Fountains
There are hundreds of water fountains that can be hung on a wall. Wall fountains can be either vertical or horizontal, so decide how
and where you are going to place the fountain before you make your final decision.
Once you have decided on a location for your wall fountain, then you need to measure your available space by looking at the ceiling
height & wall length. If you have very high ceilings then you should look at water fountains that are vertically taller. If the wall
is long or the ceiling is of below average height, then you should consider a horizontal fountain. It’s okay to have a tall vertical
fountain on a longer wall, if you have other objects or elements that you will be adding around the fountain. On the other hand, a
horizontal fountain would appear smaller than it actually is if placed in a room with high ceilings. Small wall hanging fountains work
great in areas such as a foyer where the wall space may be limited.
The depth of the wall fountain is also important. Be more careful about placing wall fountains in narrow traffic areas such as hallways
and foyers, any place where they might impede traffic or get bumped by passersby. Most wall fountains are only about 5” to 6” in depth
and should not pose a problem.
There are several ways for you to measure your wall for a new wall fountain:
- Four Corners Approach
This approach is simple and easy. First get a measuring device to measure out the dimensions of the wall fountain, and mark the corners
on the wall using post-it notes, thumb tacks, tape or any other item that will stick to a wall. Back up and see if the size looks good
for your space, being careful to keep in mind other elements in your decor.
- Outline Approach
This is similar to the procedure above, but gives you the complete outline of the water fountain. Measure out the dimensions of the
fountain on the wall as before, using thumbtacks to mark the corners. Then with a piece of thin string, wrap it around the four corners
on the thumb tacks to form an outline. Tie the two ends of the string in a knot.
- Poster Board Cut-Out Approach
As the name implies, this approach requires making a template the same size as your new wall fountain. This can take some time and
possible expense, and should only be done if the “Four Corners Approach” and “Outline Approach” are not sufficient enough. This
approach works well on new construction when the wall has not yet been completed. To do this take one or more pieces of poster board
or card board and cut out the dimensions of your fountain. We recommend using a color of board that is different than your wall color,
so that you have a better visual contrast. Once you have the template created hang it on the wall with removable tape. You can now
write on the board as needed with special instructions for yourself or the person installing your new fountain.
Using one of these four approaches will enable you to purchase a wall water fountain with complete confidence, and to display your new
fountain with pride.
What Material and Style Should I Look For in a Water Fountain?
- Fountains for the Home:
- Contemporary Style – stainless steel, glass and resin water fountains work really well in homes that have a
fresh, contemporary feel. In particular, a large floor fountain or wall fountain can make a bold statement and also serve as an
artistic centerpiece in any room.
- Traditional Style – tabletop fountains, and floor and wall fountains that incorporate natural slate, stone, or river rock blend well
with more traditional home decor, or in homes that have a more earthy or multicultural feel. Even the larger floor water fountains can
be used to compliment your decor without overwhelming the scene.
- Feng Shui – a popular style in a lot of homes today is the peace, balance and tranquility of Zen gardens and Feng-Shui elements. See
our Feng Shui page for more in depth ideas on how to create a Zen-like oasis in your home.
- Fountains for Business:
- Depending on the nature of your business, there are a number of water fountain options to enhance
and promote your company. Slate and Copper Fountains are popular choices for corporate offices and hotel lobbies, and many spas,
restaurants, doctors and lawyers have purchased our stone or slate wall fountains and floor fountains to provide a naturally elegant
touch to their entries and waiting rooms.
Whatever type of water fountain you ultimately decide upon, whether it is a slate wall fountain, a solar powered garden fountain,
a mirrored floor fountain, or a Feng Shui tabletop fountain, we can meet your needs. If you don’t find a water fountain in our vast
collection that suits your style, we can also design custom water fountains for your home or business. Just visit our Custom Fountains
Page for more information.
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