Water fountains bring soothing sounds and interesting focal points to our environments. Their ability to reduce stress and help people relax has made them a favorite for interior designers and garden planners for years.   No matter which fountain you choose, you’re sure to enjoy the benefits for many years to come. 

How do you choose the fountain that will best fit your style, space and life?  Here are seven questions to ask yourself before buying your fountain:

1. What style of water fountain will fit best with you décor?  You want to make sure they style of your fountain complements the style of the space or room it will be located in.  Look around the space you want to put the fountain to decide what style it is.  Is it sleek and modern, rugged and natural, traditional?  If you have a modern environment, a mirrored or stainless steel fountain with strong, sleek lines will complement the space.  If you’ve got a more natural environment, a bamboo fountain or stone fountain might be a better option. 
2. What colors are in the environment?  Water fountains come in just about any color you could ever want.  Do you want your fountain to stand out as a focal point or blend in to the space for a more subtle statement?  It’s important to pick a color that will either complement or create contrast with the colors of the environment. 
3. What level of sound would you like from your fountain?  Depending on the size of the fountain and flow from the pump, the level of sound from your water fountain can vary from a soft trickle to a strong splashing.  Indoors, a softer flow will create a tranquil, peaceful sound, whereas outdoors, that same sound may be dwarfed by the sounds from the neighborhood.  A stronger flow from a larger fountain may be easier to hear above environmental noises. 
4. Where would you like your fountain to be placed?  Will it be a centerpiece of the room?  Then a floor fountain is a great choice.  If you’d like it to accent a wall, like a piece of hanging art, then you may want a wall fountain. 
5. How much space do you have for your water fountain?  You want your fountain to complement your space, not overwhelm the space or completely fade into the background. If space is smaller, like an office or apartment, consider a compact tabletop fountain.   If you have a large space, choose a fountain that won’t get lost in the other elements of the room.
6. Do you want an indoor or outdoor fountain?  Indoor water fountains have many benefits, like masking outside noises and adding humidity to dry indoor spaces.  If you spend most of your time outside, however; you might get more enjoyment out of an outdoor fountain.  If you have trouble deciding, you can always get both so you can enjoy your fountain both inside and outside.   
7. How much maintenance do you want to perform?  All fountains require some maintenance and cleaning.  Smaller, tabletop fountains can be easily cleaned inside the house and shouldn’t require any special cleaning supplies.  Large, outdoor fountains take a little more work to clean, but can be cleaned less often.  Outdoor fountains also need to be stored for winter or covered to prevent damage from winter weather.  (See our Water Fountain Care and Maintenance information.)

Whatever water fountain you choose, you’ll surely enjoy the relaxing, soothing sounds and stress relief benefits.