How to make a home waterfall with your own hands

Home decoration is an important part of its arrangement, allowing you to create a cozy atmosphere. It is especially convenient when a decorative element also carries a functional load, becoming useful. One of these devices is a home waterfall fountain, which helps to humidify the air, which you can easily make yourself.

Characteristics and varieties of decorative waterfalls

The construction of a home waterfall is based on the water cycle, which is carried out in a closed system. It is started by a powered pump that lifts the liquid upward. After that, it flows independently into the underlying or storage bowl.

Decorative waterfalls can be divided according to the type of base material:

• Glass. Waterfalls flowing down the glass are an accent spot in the interior, allowing you to visually expand the volume of the room. When installing such a structure, it is important to ensure its stability, which can be increased by using additional clamps. In work, you can use not only transparent, but also frosted glass, as well as a mirror surface or decorative film with a pattern or pattern.
• Metal. A waterfall, which is based on metal, will look harmonious in a high-tech room.

  Note! When creating a structure, stainless steel should be used. Both sanded and non-sanded material will work. LED lighting can be used as an additional decoration.

• Stone. A waterfall flowing over a stone will create a lively, close to natural atmosphere and will blend well with other natural materials, such as wood. Typically, this structure has an aluminum frame, which is decorated with marble, granite, slate, onyx or travertine.

There is also a classification according to the principle of operation:

• Cascade type. Such waterfalls imply a gradual descent of water along the steps into the reservoir. Typically, such a device is combined with a finish made of artificial or natural stone.

  Note! A cascading waterfall makes a lot of noise, so it is better to install it in a walk-through room.

• Jet-drip type. In these waterfalls, the water looks like a stream and flows down uniformly. This type of device works well with glass and metal, and can also be used in an unsupported structure. The head, quantity and rate of falling water are adjustable. The constructions are practically silent.

How to make a waterfall with your own hands

Room

Indoor waterfalls, made by hand, perform several functions at once: they decorate the room, promote relaxation and humidify the air, maintaining an optimal microclimate. However, so that they do not bring inconvenience, it is important to correctly place them so that the structure does not create interference, physical or sound.

Design selection

When choosing a waterfall design, the size of the room should be taken into account.For a spacious room, it is better to use not small tabletop structures that will visually get lost, but floor models, the bowl of which exceeds a meter in diameter. Such a waterfall will not only become one of the accent centers of the room, but will also be able to provide sufficient humidification and air freshening. A wall composition in the form of a drip or threadlike waterfall is also suitable for a spacious room.

Manufacturing materials are selected based on the interior of the room. For example, for a high-tech or minimalist room, a glass waterfall of the "wet wall" type, along which water flows smoothly, would be optimal.

Making a waterfall

After developing the appearance, size and position of the waterfall, you need to prepare the materials. In general, you will need the following:

1. an airtight container, in the role of which you can use a flower pot, a plastic basin, a planter, a vase or a small bucket;
2. a water pump, which is suitable for an aquarium pump;
3. flexible hose or silicone tube;
4. waterproof glue;
5. decorative elements that depend on the concept: pellets, colored stones, shells, LED strips and lamps, aquarium decorations.

The order of work is as follows:

1. Cut a piece about 10 cm long from the hose. It is important that its diameter matches the pump tip.
2. Attach the pump to the bottom of the tank. To do this, you can use both the special suction cups included with the pump and waterproof adhesives, for example, liquid nails.

   Note! When installing your pump, it is important to minimize the ability of the equipment to run dry. For this, the device should be located at the lowest point of the structure.

3. Place the tube on the pump outlet and fix it in an upright position. This will allow the water to rise to the top point.
4. Visually hide the pumping equipment. To do this, the pump must be covered with a layer of pebbles or expanded clay, or closed with a decorative frame, which can be made of any material.

   Important! When decorating, the position of the outlet tube should be kept unchanged.

5. Decorate the waterfall. To do this, you can use shells, pebbles, glass balls, or large stones.

In the country

Fountains and waterfalls are very popular as a landscaping element in gardens. They allow not only to visually diversify the site, but also to provide moisture and freshness, which are especially relevant in hot weather.

Choosing a place for the waterfall

The correct arrangement of the structure allows not only to provide maximum decorative effect, but also facilitates its maintenance. If you place a waterfall in an open area that is actively warming up by the sun, then the water will quickly evaporate and can bloom. According to feng shui, the symbol of Water must be placed on the northwestern part of the dwelling, which will ensure financial well-being.

For the construction of a waterfall, a slight slope is required, which should also be taken into account when choosing a place. It should be at least 15 cm for every three meters, which will allow for free drainage. If there is no natural slope on the site, then you will have to do it yourself, digging the right amount of land.

Choice of shape and depth

The size of the waterfall should be in direct proportion to the size of the site so that it looks harmonious. The depth of the pond depends on the purpose of the waterfall: if it is used exclusively for water circulation, then the depth can be any. If it is planned to have fish, turtles or other animals in the pond, then the depth cannot be less than a meter. This is necessary to give the animals the opportunity to spend the winter, since the water does not freeze to the bottom.

Waterproofing

After choosing the dimensions with a rope, you should outline the contours of the waterfall, and using stones - indicate the paths along which the water will flow. Next, you need to dig out the base of the reservoir of the required depth and provide insulation. This will prevent the rapid absorption of water into the soil. Waterproofing can be:

• Film. In this case, the film is spread along the bottom of the pond and fixed by means of stones. Places where the film remains visible are decorated with stones.
• Concrete. This is a more time consuming method, but it allows for greater durability. For its implementation, the bottom and walls of the pond, covered with a metal frame, are poured with concrete.

Installing the pump

For a small waterfall, you can use a pump with a power of about 100 W, and for larger structures, more powerful equipment is needed. The pump should be attached to the bottom of the reservoir so that the pump is completely covered with water. After the pump is hidden by decorative elements.

Slide construction

The slide can be made of concrete, stone or containers. The details of its arrangement depend on the composition and height, but in any case, it is necessary to carry out a preparatory stage:

1. Form an embankment of the required height. It will become the base of the waterfall. For its manufacture, you can use the soil that was dug out when digging a foundation pit. It must be applied to the shore of the bowl and given the desired shape.
2. Tamp the embankment thoroughly.
3. Insulate the slide to avoid ground contact with water.
4. Place slabs or beautiful stones on the slide.

To decorate your home in an original way, you can use handmade decorative fountains and waterfalls for your home. They will not only decorate the space, but also create a favorable microclimate.

Video: DIY decorative waterfall

Examples of decorative waterfalls in the photo