Indoor Water Feature Fountains - A Comprehensive Guide

Having a water feature in your yard or balcony can help provide calming sights and sounds, promoting relaxation and stress reduction. They can also help attract beneficial wildlife, like birds, butterflies, and bees. However, an outside water feature fountain is vulnerable to weather conditions and may only be accessible during specific seasons. On the other hand, an indoor water feature fountain is not subject to the whims of the weather and remains accessible year-round, which is particularly advantageous in regions with severe climates.

Like the outdoor water feature fountain, the indoor water feature fountains, circulate water in a controlled and contained manner for decorative purposes, as well as enhancing the ambiance and aesthetics of indoor spaces. Some common examples of indoor water feature fountains include:

Fountains: Indoor water feature fountains come in a variety of sizes and styles. They can be tabletop water fountains, wall-mounted water fountains, or freestanding water fountains. Water usually flows from the top of the fountain, cascading down from one level to another, creating a soothing and visually appealing effect.

Water Walls: Water walls are vertical installations where water is pumped up from the bottom of the fountain and flows down a surface, often made of glass or stone, creating a continuous flow of water. Water wall fountains are easy to install and maintain, known for their calming and elegant appearance and are often used as a focal point in interior design.

Bubbling Rocks: Bubbling rock water feature fountains are stones or rocks with water emerging from a hole in the top and trickling down onto other stones in a reservoir or small pond.

Tabletop Water Features: Tabletop water feature fountains are compact water features designed to sit on tables or countertops. They have become increasingly popular in recent years, as they can add a sense of tranquillity to small spaces. 

Indoor water feature fountains are valued for their aesthetic qualities their potential to promote relaxation and reduce stress by creating a soothing and calming environment. 

Indoor water feature fountains can be made from a variety of materials; each offers a unique aesthetic quality and durability. The material chosen usually depends on the design, location, and intended use of the water feature fountain. Common materials used in the construction of water feature fountains include:

Polyresin: Polyresin water feature fountains offer a number of attractive benefits. For instance, they are lightweight, versatile, durable, weatherproof, and resilient. They can mimic the appearance of stone, metal, or other materials. And, importantly, they are easier to move and maintain. We know that rearranging rooms can have powerful psychological and emotional effects that can help people to boost their mood and gain a sense of control. So if this relates to you, then polyresin is the ideal material.

Metal: Water feature fountains can be made from various metals, including stainless steel, copper, and bronze. Metals offer a sleek, modern, and often reflective appearance to water feature fountains.

Fibreglass: Fibreglass is durable, reliable, and, most importantly, long-lasting. One of the key features of fibreglass, and because of which it is favoured the most, is its weight. Fibreglass is lightweight, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. Fibreglass can mimic the appearance of stone or other materials. 

Mechanisms of Indoor Water Feature Fountains

Water feature fountains are not complicated in terms of its mechanism. Water feature fountains employ a system of re-circulating water. Recirculating water means that the same water is recycled again and again in the water feature, continuously being pumped through. Therefore, they conserve water, are better for the environment and will not create any additional costs to your water bill. You will need to make sure the water levels are kept the same over time. Therefore, any water lost to evaporation or spillage will need to be replaced.

Inside the fountain, there is typically a reservoir located at its base, holding the water to be circulated throughout the water feature fountain. The water pump is submerged within this base, which serves as the mechanism responsible for generating water movement. This is accomplished by transferring water from the reservoir to the wop of the water feature, creating the captivating effect of cascading water. To successfully achieve this effect, the pump must possess adequate power to efficiently circulate the water. 

Usually water pumps comprise an impeller, a small wheel equipped with blades or vanes reminiscent of those on a windmill, and fountain pumps follow this pattern. In a magnetic drive fountain pump, there is no direct connection between the pump’s motor and its impeller. Rather, the motor is linked to a ‘driving magnet,’ while a ‘driven magnet’ is affixed to the impeller. The magnets are positioned to generate a powerful magnetic attraction. Therefore, when the motor powers the rotation of the driving magnet, this magnetic force causes the driven magnet to rotate as well.

The rotation of the driven magnet sets the impeller in motion, compelling water from the reservoir to flow up through tubing positioned at the rear of the fountain. This tubing connects the pump to the ‘head’ of the fountain, where the water is discharged, cascading down the surface of the fountain before returning to the reservoir. This process constantly repeats, enabling the fountain to continuously recycle its water supply.

Benefits of An Indoor Water Feature

An indoor water feature fountain adds movement and sound into a space and can be used as a centrepiece or accent feature. Water is an important element of Feng Shui, indoor water feature fountains are thought to create a peaceful atmosphere, positive energy and well-being into the home. Therefore, an indoor water feature fountain can provide a number of surprising health benefits to help you improve your mind and body. 

Assist you sleep better

Indoor water feature fountains can potentially aid in improving sleep. The soothing sound of flowing water and the added humidity they provide to the environment may create a calming and relaxing atmosphere, which could contribute to better sleep for some people. However, the effectiveness of such fountains in promoting sleep may vary from person to person. Therefore, it is important to consider individual preferences and needs when using water feature fountains as sleeping aids.

If dry air is affecting your sleep, then water feature fountains may help add moisture to the air, making the sleeping environment more comfortable. To alleviate the effects of dry air on sleep, introducing an indoor water feature fountain can help add moisture to the air, making the sleeping environment more comfortable. What’s more, maintaining an optimal indoor humidity level can contribute to better sleep by reducing the issues associated with dry air, without introducing any pollutants into the air.

Improve air quality

Indoor water feature fountains can contribute to increased negative ion levels in the air. Negative ions are molecules that have gained an extra electron, and are often found in higher concentrations in natural settings like forests, near waterfalls, and in the presence of moving water. Negative ions pull toxins, dust, pollen and other bad things from the air. This process is beneficial to improving air quality, especially indoors where positive ion levels are highest.

Suppress unwanted noise

Indoor water feature fountains can help suppress unwanted noise, particularly when they produce a gentle, continuous sound of running water. Running water is a great source of ‘white noise’. White noise can muffle or drown out many sounds without straining your body to calm down or relax. Importantly, you do not need to concentrate on it, as it works naturally, making you fall asleep faster. 

However, the effectiveness of an indoor water feature fountain in noise suppression depends on various factors, such as the fountain’s size, design, and the volume of water flow. Also, they can help mask many noises, but the may not completely eliminate loud or sharp sounds.

Create ambiance

The type and design of the water feature fountain, as well as its location, can influence the specific ambiance it creates. Whether you are looking for a tranquil, Zen-like atmosphere or a lively, decorative focal point, water feature fountains can be a versatile addition to your indoor space.

Cleaning your water feature fountain

In order to keep your water feature fountain running well, it is important to regularly clean it. This is relevant for all water feature fountains, whether they are indoor, outdoor, small or large. Regular cleaning will remove white scale and algae for it to continue working properly.

Smaller tabletop water feature fountains should be cleaned once per month. While larger water feature fountains, every couple of months. Smaller water feature fountains have less water to dilute algae and white scale. Cleaning your water feature fountain will help keep the water clear and the pump clean and free of algae or white scale buildup. Most importantly, whether you have an outdoor water feature fountain or a smaller tabletop fountain, you should be cleaning it regularly to help prolong the life of your water feature fountain.