Do you want to give life to that boring corner in your garden? Would you like a decorative item for the outdoors, but you only have a small patio or balcony? Today we bring you the step by step of a fountain that looks spectacular and is very practical since it can be placed in small spaces.
The best thing about this idea is that it is made with just a few clay or plastic pots and other easily available materials; it is quite simple and quick to make. What do you say if you turn this pretty font into your next weekend project?
Remember the relaxing effect that the sound of rain produces on you, observing the waves of the sea or the cadence of a river. The sight of moving water and the sound it generates is hypnotic and comforting. With this simple fountain, you will be able to have a small sanctuary of peace in your patio or garden.
What do you need?
- Scissors
- 13 1/2 inch wavy edge planter.
- 11 1/4 inch wavy edge planter.
- 8-inch wavy edge planter.
Two other simple plain-edged ceramic pots. Its diameter should be enough to fit invertedly in the 13 1/2 and 11 1/4 inch pot.
- 375 gallon/hour water pump.
- Flow control valve.
- Liquid silicone or sealant foam.
- Wood wedges or tile fragments.
- A 1/2-inch flexible tubing or plastic hose.
- Order the pots
You can choose another model of pots with a design or finish that you like, just make sure they are in three different sizes. The other two pots are indoor, so it does not matter that they are simple in terms of shape and finish, remember that their upper diameter must fit in an inverted way inside the large and medium pot. Another detail that you should pay attention to when choosing your containers is that the base of the larger inner pot is similar to the outer medium since these will be joined at their bases, as well as the smaller inner and outer pots.
Place one on top of the other to get an idea of the final result and make sure the sizes are appropriate. This is how they should look:
The wavy edge pots (or whatever other design you have chosen) will be the ones that make up the exterior of the fountain, which will have three levels. The other two pots will be inverted on the first and second levels, that is, the 13 1/2 and 11 1/4 inch pot. You should check that the internal containers fit properly and do not exceed the edge of the external pots.
Now, measure the total height of the assembled fountain to perform the next step.
Plugin the pump
The pots have a hole in the bottom to drain the water when the plants are watered, however, some can have multiple holes. Make sure the pots you choose have only one center hole, as the half-inch hose will run through that.
In the larger pot, you should cover the drainage hole with silicone or sealant foam, since this is the base of your fountain.
- Cut the hose to a size 6 inches larger than the height of your assembled fountain.
- Connect this hose to the water pump.
Place the bomb
The water pump should be inside the larger pot, allowing the electrical wire to pass over its edge. Remember to pass the hose through all the feeding holes of the pots as you assemble the fountain and seal it with foam or silicone.
When you place the indoor pot upside down, leave some wooden shims or small pieces of tile between both pieces to make room for the power cord and, at the same time, allow water to flow between both pieces.
Place the second outer pot, followed by the inner one, doing the same procedure with the shims and finally the smaller pot on top. Seal the bases of the pots that are attached with silicone or foam.
Decorate and personalize your font
This step is optional since you can leave the fountain in the natural color of the clay in the pots or with the finish that you have chosen at the time of purchase. At The Home Depot, we have a wide variety of pots in materials such as clay, clay appearance, terracotta, in colors, with designs on their surface, etc., so that you can choose the one you like the most and go according to the style you want to achieve or that combines with space where you are going to place it.
However, if you like to print your personal stamp and show off your creativity, you can use various painting and decoration techniques on your fountain. Make sure the mud is free of varnish or any other finish so that the paint will adhere without problems and that the materials you use are resistant to water. If you decide to decorate your fountain, it may be easier to paint the pieces before assembling them.
Worn effect
This technique won’t take long and it looks great. Apply acrylic paint in a light shade, like pastel blue or pistachio green. Before the paint dries completely, use sandpaper to abrade some areas. To finish, apply waterproof varnish.
Drained effect
For this technique, it is best to paint the pots before assembling your fountain. Apply a light-colored foundation and let it dry. Flip the three outer pots over and apply paint in the desired color from above and let it drain. Wait for it to dry and apply varnish.
Two-tone
You can keep the pretty terracotta color of the pots and combine it with a contrasting shade. Divide on a slanted, vertical, or horizontal line and paint a single half with your chosen color.
Other ideas
To decorate your fountain you can simply use your imagination and decorate freehand with mandala-type drawings, geometric figures, polka dots, lines.
- Glue mosaic pieces, small sea snails, stones, or colored glass gems.
- With an air gun or spray paint, make a gradient of two or more colors.
Add the water
- Install the flow control valve at the end of the tube.
- Make sure the sealant foam or silicone you used is completely dry. Wait a few hours if possible.
- Now comes the fun part. Fill each level with water until you reach the edge.
Turn on the fountain and enjoy the effect of the falling water. If you find that the waterfall is not enough, apply more liquid little by little until you get the effect you want.
Whether you decorate your clay pots with any of the ideas that we show or decide to preserve their original color, the result will be a beautiful, perfectly functional fountain, ideal for outdoor decoration in small places such as patios, terraces, or the garden. You could even place it inside the house if you wish, it will look great in some corner of your living room, study, hall, or wherever you want. Relax with a good book and your favorite drink while listening to the soothing sound of falling water.
Does a resin driveway If you’re looking to extend your existing tarmac or concrete resin driveway, you can save money by only applying groundworks to the extension and overlaying the current surface with resin bound gravel, again this is only possible if the existing surface is structurally sound. There is a lot to take into consideration when pricing a resin driveway path or patio. The prices we have quoted are for straight forward installs based in the North of England, some customers want one of a kind prestige driveway
