How to make a fountain for a room with your own hands. Desktop waterfall, do-it-yourself decorative fountain

The intense rhythm of our life involves periodic rest, both physical and moral, and there is nothing more pleasant than to sit in silence, enjoy beautiful view and pleasant sounds.

For this purpose, decorative fountains for an apartment can be suitable, which fully meet all these requirements.

After all, there is nothing more pleasant than listening to the sound of murmuring water and looking at a pouring fountain. And build it in an apartment, even if not large sizes, a completely manageable problem.

In addition to those listed useful properties of this facility, the fountain in the apartment is good moisturizer air.

Types of mini-fountains at the place of application

Small home fountains can be divided into several types. According to the place of application, they are divided into country and indoor fountains. It is clear that a country fountain, in most cases, is installed on the street, and a room fountain in a city apartment. The country fountain is made large and for its installation it is important to choose right place.

Do-it-yourself decorative fountain in the apartment video:

Place to install a country fountain

When choosing a place, it is important to observe three important conditions:

It is highly undesirable to install near trees. Firstly, growing roots can damage the fountain bowl and its waterproofing. Secondly, falling fruits and leaves can also disrupt the water system and the bowl.
If the fountain is installed on open areas, then water blooms may occur due to direct exposure to the rays of the sun.
If the fountain is installed in the immediate vicinity of the house, then additional dampness may form on the building during windy weather, due to the drift of water drops from the fountain towards the house.

Classification of fountains according to the type of falling water

By the sight of falling water decorative fountain can be divided into several types.

Waterfall. This view has a ledge design with falling water. He has a handsome appearance and is used most frequently.
Cascade. The installation scheme is the same as that of the first type, only it consists of several water flows. The liquid in them overflows along thresholds or inclined ledges.
An ordinary fountain, made in the form of a jet beating up and spraying spray around it.
Fountains made in the form of streams and lakes. They have an original appearance and are becoming increasingly popular.

Do-it-yourself indoor fountain

Looking at the decorations of some fountains, it seems that their manufacture and installation are very difficult to perform. Yes, there are rather bulky designs, and their installation will require you to have serious professional skills and knowledge, but a small do-it-yourself mini-fountain is quite capable of being made by almost every person who has simple skills in construction and installation work. In addition, you will create a design based only on your preferences and taste, the most suitable for your home interior. In addition, you will save a lot of money.

Materials and tools

So, if you still do not know how to make a mini fountain in your apartment, then read our step by step instructions. Before starting this work, you need to purchase necessary materials and tool.

Fountain container. It can be a basin, a flower pot or something else at your discretion.
The hose used to clean the aquarium is about 10 cm long.
Polyethylene with dimensions slightly larger than the container.
Glue waterproof, expanded clay.
Aquarium pump.
Medium or large sink, and stones or pebbles to strengthen it.
Small shells and colored ground used for decoration.

The bowl for the fountain, which we choose, needs to be checked for cracks and holes in order to prevent future leaks.

Fountain materials

Pump installation

If you are making a tabletop fountain, then you first need to find a hose to work through which a stream of water will come out. To do this, cut off 10 cm from a regular aquarium hose and insert it into the pump. Immediately check whether your system is in working condition so that you do not return to this issue later. We install the pump to the bottom of the tank and fill it with expanded clay. Do not forget to level the surface after backfilling.

Final work

After you have filled up the expanded clay, you need to cover it with a film, having previously made a hole for the hose. Then we fall asleep on the film decorative ground.

Note!

For a sea shell, it is advisable to make a base of stones and fix them to the shell using waterproof glue.

The next step is to push the tube through the stones and the sink, after making a hole in it. The end of the hose should protrude from the sink by about 1 cm. The surface of the fountain should be decorated with stones and shells at your discretion. Thus, you saw that you can make a table fountain with your own hands without spending significant effort and money.

Advantages of a fountain without a pump

If you think that when building fountain structures, it is imperative to use a mini fountain pump, then you are mistaken. You can make a small fountain without using a pump, while it will work solely thanks to the laws of physics.

Yes, in these designs there are some restrictions on the power of the jet, but then you do not have to spend money on electricity and buy and connect a pump. You need to know that such a fountain should not be large, otherwise you cannot do without a pump.

decorative fountain

How the fountain works

Such a fountain will work on the principle of communicating vessels, with only some peculiarities. They need to be placed on the same level, connected to each other by two tubes. It is better to take plastic containers and preferably of the same volume, and tubes with minimum thickness, for longer uninterrupted operation of the fountain. Tubes are inserted into the bottom of each vessel, preliminarily drilled holes which then need to be sealed.

Illuminated fountain

Final assembly and installation of the fountain

In order for such floor fountains to work without a pump, you need to use a third vessel, equal in volume or greater than the previous two. To this vessel, in the walls, closer to the bottom, make two more holes, where you insert the two ends of the tubes from smaller containers.

We also tightly seal the inlets of these tubes, and insert a T-shaped adapter into the bottom of a large vessel. After that, the design of your fountain is considered complete. You will have to arrange it according to your taste, preferences and combination with the interior of the apartment.

Garden fountain

Where can I install apartment fountains. As you probably already understood from the above, fountains for an apartment are the most various kinds. In addition, they can be installed not only on the floor, but also on the table and even on the wall.

Note!

Desktop structures are usually the smallest in size and can even be placed on bedside tables and a window sill.

Floor fountains depend on the size of your apartment and can look quite impressive. Wall fountains look like real works of art and look like pano or paintings.

Fountains for summer cottages help to give individuality to the site. Gone are the days when such structures personified the monumental style.

Using compact equipment, there are no technical questions about how to make a fountain with your own hands. Of greater importance is the author's aesthetic sense and taste.

Fountain with bowl

These structures are distinguished by characteristic features design, dividing the types of fountains into:

dry fountain.

Most Popular open type, in which the raised water is directed into a decorative bath in jets or a stream. Water passing through a garden fountain creates a beautiful visual effect, a soothing murmur and a feeling of comfort. You can build a fountain with your own hands in a country house of this kind by simply organizing the circulation of water using the inlet and outlet pipes of the pump.

The “pedestrian” version looks more modern and original, the fountain scheme suggests the absence water surface and collecting water through decorative panels or grids installed at the level of the site.

Sometimes garden fountains are further divided into two categories.

static
dynamic

The former include designs in which water flows evenly, creating a stable pattern of jets or streams. Such a fountain in the country with your own hands without a pump can be made in the form of a cascade or a simple stream washing a stone channel.

More often, such fountains are arranged as pressure fountains so that the water forms a three-dimensional pattern, giving not only the pleasure of contemplating it, but also freshness due to intensive evaporation. A dynamic fountain in a summer cottage will require additional equipment, regulating the pressure according to a certain algorithm.

Making such a fountain for a garden with your own hands will require skill in setting up electrical circuit even the simplest automation, but the result will justify the effort.

Location selection

summer days the fountain will delight you with coolness and freshness

Selection of the site on which it will be placed homemade fountain, depends on the type of construction adopted, landscape features and aesthetic expediency. To place decorative cascading fountains for summer cottages, it is more profitable to use an artificial or natural fracture of the relief, which logically coincides with the direction of the water flow.

The pressure structure will decorate open space on the personal plot, giving it the missing three-dimensionality. A decorative fountain with a cascade will add dynamics to a static landscape, emphasizing the beauty of nature with the play of light on the water surface.

Place the fountain in a quiet, shady area, allowing you to appreciate the murmur of the jets and freshness on a hot day.

Fountain bowl device

A common type is a fountain for giving with a recessed bowl, made in the style of a small pond or pool. It performs several functions, being:

decorative element;
a tank for recycled water feeding the pump;
masking equipment installed under the surface level.

Depending on the design of the adjacent area, the country fountain can correspond to the natural landscape using wild stone, entourage of parts of trees, natural plantations.

When inscribing a decorative fountain into a well-equipped area, they adhere to its characteristic style or start from contrast, for example, wood flooring combined with a noble stone, and a ceramic coating or artificial stone- with wooden elements.

Creating a small fountain in the garden, that is, in the natural environment, you can limit yourself to the simplest tricks. Having dug a pit less than a meter deep, its bottom is covered with a waterproof film, for example, for waterproofing pools. It is strong enough, durable and easy to use.

The device of the simplest fountain

Due to the demand for small garden pools, many building networks have a good selection of in-ground baths suitable for creating decorative fountains for summer cottages.

Usually this is a molded fiberglass with an appropriate polymer impregnation or coating. It is stronger than the film, perfectly retains the desired appearance, undemanding to the underlying soil. A variety of shapes and sizes allow them to be used as fountain molds as a base. At the same time, individuality is easily given by finishing elements.

A little about how to make a fountain in the country with your own hands. This will require the construction of a bed of compacted sand in the excavation, the creation of curved formwork and reinforcement. After laying the concrete, it is necessary to wait a few days until it gains initial strength before proceeding with further work on waterproofing and finishing the stone fountain with your own hands.

Scheme of the original fountain

But such a design will be extremely durable and reliable, it can be installed under a footpath or built into a platform to create a “dry” fountain. A model of the fountain, made to scale, will help to correctly evaluate the idea, and the coloring of the fountain will allow you to better navigate when choosing materials for decoration. An example of arranging a fountain in a country house with your own hands, see this interesting video:

The concrete base is finished with any suitable materials, creating a stone fountain:

ceramic tiles;
artificial stone;
natural stone.

The coloring of the garden fountain for giving on a plastered surface looks good. At the base of the concrete structure, holes must be provided for installation drainage pipes, and if necessary, the supply system.

Pump equipment

Types of pumps for country fountains

For the operation of the fountain on the site, a pressure of water is required, created by a natural drop or using pumps. Modern equipment is small in size and quite economical, therefore, general-purpose pumps or specialized types designed for installation in garden fountains are usually used to circulate the liquid.

It is possible to use submersible and surface pumps, each of which optimally meets certain conditions.

A rational step would be to combine the pump with solar panels

Modern look The solution to the problem has led to a complete floating fountain machine that combines a compact pump with solar panels to power it.

This option is ideal in the question of how to make a mini-fountain with your own hands in a summer cottage or garden plot, eliminating a lot of the hassle and costs associated with installing a stationary system.

To install a submersible pump, a sufficient depth of the bowl is required to allow it to be placed on optimal level. Therefore, when creating a fountain for a classical type garden, it is recommended to use such equipment. Water is sucked in through the inlet and supplied under pressure to the outlet connected by a pipe to a device designed to form a jet or flow of liquid.

It is somewhat more difficult to use a submersible system for building a cascading stone fountain with your own hands due to the fact that it does not always need a bowl, and the reception of recycled water can be organized in a miniature disguised container.

Depending on its dimensions, the question of the appropriateness of using a submersible pump is being decided.

Pump outdoor installation removes the requirements for the depth of the reservoir and does not require electricity to be connected to it. They can be fed both garden fountains with high water pressure, and cascade fountains, in which the dominant criterion is a significant flow of fluid at a minimum pressure. An example of the operation of a fountain on solar batteries, see this video:

However, such equipment has its drawbacks:

the external pump must be installed out of sight, providing some way to mask it;
a significant distance from the points of water intake and water supply negatively affects the efficiency of a do-it-yourself fountain, it may require the calculation of the generated pressure;
for the same reason, the length of the supply and discharge lines increases, which increases the cost and labor costs;
the noise produced by the unit is not dampened by the layer of water, making it necessary to soundproof the unit.

Pumps of this type should be installed at a significant flow or pressure of water, creating a complex and extended system of cascades and fountains.

Fountain without pump

Ideal for creating a mini-fountain not only outside the building, but also in the interior. Such constructions are more of a funny incident. Since you can make a mini fountain without external power sources and even a bowl device, instead of which you can fit a suitable vessel.

The principle of operation is that through an open container for a fountain, under the influence of gravity, water enters a system of hidden reservoirs connected to each other.

To start the fountain, it is enough to fill the system with your own hands, after which it will be able to function for some time until it reaches equilibrium. In this case, the liquid will rise to the upper point of the water intake and return by gravity from the receiving bowl. For information on how to make an original device from bottles, see this video:

A fountain without a pump will not create elastic high jets, but in this way it is possible to ensure the movement of water on the surface, creating a complete illusion of its natural flow.

The volume of the working fluid, the diameters of the pipelines and the capacity of the tanks are selected empirically or calculated before building the fountain.

Even the smallest pond is able to decorate your own summer cottage and give it a twist. And a do-it-yourself fountain will not only become a favorite place to relax and provide aesthetic pleasure, but will also become an occasion for compliments from invited guests.

But not everyone decides to build this mysterious hydraulic device with their own hands. Some summer residents mistakenly believe that the construction of a fountain is a laborious and expensive process, and one cannot do without the help of specialists in this matter. But every fan of spending time in nature can give himself such pleasure, the main thing is to know all the nuances of building a fountain with his own hands.

SELECTING THE TYPE OF THE FOUNTAIN

There are two types of fountains according to the type of construction.

The open version involves the supply of water to the nozzle. The formation of a jet in this version of the device occurs due to changes in the water level. The water pressure in this case is weak, so it is necessary to constantly monitor the water level. In addition, the water in such a fountain quickly becomes contaminated. To create it, you need to install a small tank at a height of about one meter above the nozzle.
A fountain with pump installation is the most practical and effective option. Thanks to the placement on the bottom of the pump, continuous circulation of water is ensured. Here, the pressure is stronger and the visual effect is more beautiful.

By design, pumps that act as fountains are divided into submersible and surface (stationary).

THE OPTIMUM PLACE FOR THE FOUNTAIN

When choosing a convenient place for the construction of a fountain, it is recommended to take into account the degree of slope of the earth. If the plot is uneven, it is better to place such a decoration in a lowland. This option for the location of the reservoir will allow not only to adjust the volumes ground water, but will increase the oxygen saturation of the air.

too close to the house so that moisture in windy weather does not get on the walls;
in open areas, in order to prevent water from blooming due to sunlight on the reservoir;
next to the trees so that the leaves, seeds, fluff falling from them do not clog it, and the roots do not damage the waterproofing.

The fountain should be located in such a way that it is not an obstacle on the way to other buildings and is visible from all points. It is recommended to place the structure near the resting place.

The minimum distance that must be maintained between the fountain and plants, buildings, furniture is 50 cm. So the plants will not die from excessive moisture, and the furniture will not become unusable. Perfect option for the location of the fountain - partial shade and a place protected from the wind, located in proximity to a source of water and electricity. This arrangement will save you from unnecessary wires and additional work for their isolation.

Having decided on the place, it's time to think about the shape and depth of the future fountain.

PREPARATION OF MATERIALS FOR CONSTRUCTION

To build a fountain in order to save money and effort, you can use the construction technology ornamental pond with the equipment of his pump.

Materials needed to build a fountain:

fountain container;
pumping station;
durable film;
bayonet shovel;
natural stones of various sizes;
sand, gravel;
decorative elements.

TANK SELECTION AND INSTALLATION

If you plan to build a miniature fountain, you can use an ordinary plastic basin or any other small container as a reservoir.

For large reservoirs, old bathtubs or a self-dug pit are suitable. If a bath is used, it is necessary to dig a hole of such a size that its edges are not higher than the ground. All holes are securely sealed in the bath, after which it is lowered into the pit and strengthened with earth, stones and sand.

Make a hole for a homemade tank required depth and covered with a dense, high-quality film, which is fixed along the edges on the surface with stones. Stones are also poured to the bottom various forms and sizes. It is important that the stones do not have sharp edges and cannot cut through the film. The stones are evenly distributed over the entire bottom of the future fountain.

SELECTION OF A PUMP FOR CONSTRUCTION OF A FOUNTAIN

In order to construct a fountain on the site on your own, it is not necessary to purchase expensive materials, you can adapt any old elements. However, you should not spare money - the pump, the better it is, the more beautiful the fountain will turn out and will decorate the site for longer without causing problems.

Submersible pump - best option for the construction of a fountain at their summer cottage. Works on the principle of a centrifuge. You can also install a surface pump, it is mounted on the edge of the reservoir, but is most often used on large fountains and cascading reservoirs.

When choosing a pump, it is worth starting from the pressure that is constantly present in the pipe and the differences in this pressure. Therefore, buying the most powerful pump may not be justified, since not in all cases it will be able to work out its full power.

Regardless of which type of pump is chosen, it is important to remember that its power must be related to the diameter of the pipe. The jet of the fountain should come out under powerful pressure, and not slowly flow out of the pipe, since there will be no effect from such a design.

HOW TO MAKE A FOUNTAIN WITH YOUR HANDS: A STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTION

The construction of the fountain includes several main stages:

pit preparation;
fixing the trench;
installation of a container or covering the bottom and edges with a film;
installation of pumping equipment;
fountain decoration.

FOUNTAIN WITH A POND FROM AN OLD TIRE

To build such a fountain you will need:

an old tire from a truck or tractor;
cement mixture, water, crushed stone and sand;
container for mixing cement and a shovel;
sealant;
building level;
mastic;
stones;
pump.

Stages of work:

VIDEO - FOUNTAIN FROM THE TIRE WITH YOUR HANDS

FOUNTAIN FOR COTTAGE USING FILM

For such a fountain you will need to prepare:

thick film;
shovel;
sand;
pump;
stones different sizes without sharp corners.

Stages of work:

we dig a hole, clear it of stones and tamp the bottom;

NEW LIFE FOR AN OLD BATH

For such an option country fountain you need to prepare:

shovel;
pebbles;
pump equipment;
bath;
insulating tape;
metal scissors;
colored iron sheet;
drill.

Stages of the construction of the fountain:

we dig a pit corresponding to the size of the existing container;
we put the bath inside and plug all the holes;

we cut out wide strips from iron and lay them around the bath, close them with stones;

MINI FOUNTAIN FROM A PLASTIC BOTTLE

For this sprinkler you will need:

plastic bottle;
metal, strong wire or nail;
insulating tape;
garden hose.

Materials for a decorative fountain

Construction stages:

decorate the pot with paints;
make a small hole in the bottom of the pot;
install a pump under the pallet;
we drag the pump tube through the hole made in the pot;
we fill the bottom with pebbles;
decorate artificial plants and figurines;
fill the pot with water.

VIDEO - DECORATIVE FOUNTAIN OWN HANDS

FOUNTAIN DECORATION

You can emphasize the uniqueness of a handmade fountain by decorating it. It is recommended to lay out beautiful, multi-colored stones of different sizes around the reservoir, put flowers in pots, place cute figurines of animals, birds, and so on.

In order for the fountain to amaze with its beauty and unusualness at night, you can make it illuminated with the help of special equipment. Lamps installed around the perimeter of the fountain and lighting at its bottom will create a fabulous, magical atmosphere.

The bottom of the reservoir can be planted with special plants, bushes can be planted around the fountain.

Any country pond and fountain, including, needs careful care. To maintain the order and transparency of the water, a pleasant spring appearance of the structure, it is necessary to regularly clean the tank. Via special devices it is required to remove leaves, seeds, fluff and other objects from the surface of the water that can not only spoil the appearance of the reservoir, but also lead to a malfunction of the fountain.

At the end holiday season it is necessary to drain all the water, transfer the removable parts of the structure to a closed room, and cover the remaining parts and the bowl with a film so that dirt does not get into them.

Building a fountain with your own hands in a country house or even in an apartment is not difficult and does not require large financial resources. Before building a decorative fountain, you need to decide on the shape, size and installation location. There are many options for the location of such structures - at the gazebo, on the lawn, in the garden. After the construction of the fountain, you need to carefully monitor the purity of the water, regularly remove debris and add water, as it will evaporate.

Such structures are widely used in the design suburban areas. Fountains can decorate any ownerless area or become the highlight of a summer cottage. And by connecting fantasy and decorative elements, you can make it even more beautiful and unusual.

contemplative

landscape design

Now many people have a desire to have (especially in summer) a small fountain that would make the atmosphere more exotic. But many are sure that this idea is beyond their means. At home, you can try to realize this dream. Homemade can be done in a few hours, even if you have never created such things.

Such products are divided into indoor (decorative) and yard, arranged on summer cottages or in yards multi-storey buildings(if they do not interfere with garages, etc.). There are many different designs of home fountains. Consider how to make at least a small indoor fountain with your own hands. To begin with, we will think over the future design according to the following parameters:

Desired sizes.
Form.
The number of cascades in your fountain.
Proper design of the closed water system of the product, otherwise the fountain will not work normally.

So you have passed the first stage, and you have a drawing of your fountain on paper. Now comes the next stage: you need to prepare materials and parts for the assembly you invented. Here is a rough list:

Small. If you are planning to do desktop version, then you can use an aquarium pump-pump.
Hermetically sealed container made of metal or plastic. For these purposes, you can adapt any dishes available in the house (vase, plastic bucket, basin).
For decorative design you can use pellets, shells, decorative colored glass, etc.
Electric cords, sockets for connecting the pump.

Self-made fountain at home

The assembly begins with the installation of the pump on the bottom (bottom) of the container you have chosen. To do this, you can use synthetic adhesives or suction cups (if an aquarium pump is used, they are included in its kit). The rise of water to the upper level is carried out using a tube (plastic, silicone). We put it on the outlet of the pump and fix it strictly vertically. Further, to mask the pump and isolate it from external environment it is necessary to close the equipment with a home-made or purchased, suitable-sized frame. If you are going to make it yourself, then do not forget to prepare the materials and tools you need for this.

if you have plastic box with sizes suitable for the pump, then, cutting out in it ventilation holes, use it as a casing. In extreme cases, you can shove the pump under a layer of colored pebbles. Next, you need to turn on your imagination, since the final result depends on it. We take any tank we like ( nice mug, large sink, plate, etc.)

It must be installed on some elevation.

This can be achieved by creating a slide of stones with your own hands, on which epoxy glue we mount our decorative tank, into which a tube is inserted from the output end of the pump.

If there are no stones, then you can make cubes from foam or use ready-made plastic ones. To do this, we drill a hole in the vessel we have chosen according to the diameter of the tube, which is inserted into the tank (into its internal cavity), by 6-12 mm. We seal the hole with our own hands and fix all the elements using waterproof glue and sealants.