Whether indoors or outside, a water feature can add a lot of character to your property. Not only that, but the therapeutic qualities associated with flowing water (e.g. people just sitting on a river bank and listening) can bring a greater sense of peace - a feeling many people want to associated with their homes.

The type of water feature you can have will naturally depend on budget, any restrictions to your property (e.g. property lines, whether you rent or own the home, etc.), and whether or not the ambition of the feature can be supported. In terms of the latter point, consider an indoor water feature. Will you need to account for additional plumbing, working on preventing leaks, etc.

Either way, today we'll be listing a number of water feature (indoors and outside) to give you some inspiration.

A river runs through it

Water features that create a stream or river-like effect aren't just restricted to outdoor areas. The below water feature by Deep River Partners shows just how an interior water stream can be achieved.

Keep in mind, of course, that such a water feature isn't something that you're just adding on top of a current structure. This effectively requires you to make changes to your home, particularly your flooring, while also likely needing to account for additional piping, ensuring no leaks occur, and so on. 

Suffice it to say, creating a stream may be more cost effective in the front or backyard. But if you have the money, the ambition and can design it in a way that the stream doesn't prevent people from being able easily move about your home, an interior one could form a powerful focal point.

Don't go chasing waterfalls... bring them to you

Whether inside or outside, vertical water features are a great way of creating artificial waterfalls. That said, if you've got the landscape to work with, you can often bring a more natural waterfall into your yard - even if you'll still need to use a recycled water system that consistently feeds the water back and forth. Inside, you could always opt for a waterfall that is as massive and awe-inspiring as this one...

By Collaborative Design Group-Architects & Interiors

The above is, of course, just an example. It would require a lot of money and planning to make an interior waterfall of this nature to work. Alternatively, you could opt for the aforementioned vertical water feature that's simply installed as a separate piece that doesn't require you to fundamentally change your home. One such example is that of the one below by Water Studio.

Sunrise, sunset

Water features can also bring a lot of character to a patio, balcony or general outdoor space/semi-exterior space where you'll be spending more time out in the fresh air. Coupling a water feature with changing colours brought on by a sunrise and/or sunset can make for some pretty impressive moments. You could build a water feature to enhance a near-enclosed (but exterior space), such as this Asian-style patio.

Then again, a more cost effective, classic water feature can evoke some great moments when the lighting is just right.

By Harrison's Landscaping

Do you have any water features at your home? Tell us about them in the comments below.