Ideas, Pond Construction, Ponds
“Stay-Cation” design ideas for the backyard!
Your very own destination spot – your backyard!
Your home should be a place you want to escape to – not from
With many Americans choosing not to travel this year – due to the recent health warnings – we encourage you to invest back into your property instead, by creating your very own “stay-cation” you can still sit back, relax and enjoy any time off, from the comfort of your own home!
Your next Vacation Destination
The term “stay-cation” is trending. People are spending their money on improving their homes and less on traveling internationally this year. We suggest you “stay-cation” at home without compromising the benefits of a trip! Feel like you are on vacation by creating an outdoor space, you can de-stress, unwind and enjoy anytime of the year!
A typical pond costs about the same price as your next family vacation would, but you get to enjoy this expense for years and years to come…
Ideas for a personal “Stay-Cation” spot
Koi Pond (see above for before and after): Koi Ponds, also called “water gardens” are a man-made ecosystem body of water that are home to koi fish and turtles. Imagine stepping outside your home into your very own backyard oasis, complete with a beautiful water garden or koi pond. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the soothing sights and sounds of running water and beautiful koi fish. Feel the cares of the world slip away as you enjoy your personal backyard pond!
Pondless Waterfall: Waterfalls are extremely low maintenance, energy efficient, and attract a variety of wildlife. Pondless waterfalls retain water within a hidden underground basin. Children love exploring nature in and around the waterfall. Whether you add a waterfall to your front or backyard, be sure to locate it near a window so the melodious sounds can be enjoyed from inside your home, too!
Bubbling Rocks and Basalt Fountains: A natural look paired with the sound of water. These can be added to any space in your yard, making them an ideal choice if you want a smaller water feature. Butterflies and birds will enjoy the refreshment your fountain brings to the garden.
Disapearing Urns, Vases, Spillway Bowls: A more formal and elegant look – options for urns are endless. These fountain work by pumping water contained in a large, in-ground reservoir up and through your fountain of choice, allowing the water to flow back into the reservoir.
Interactive experience for the whole family
Many vacation destination revolves around a body of water, whether it’s a cabin by the lake, or a hotel on the beach in Hawaii, people LOVE water and interacting with it.
Be more engaged with nature
Koi Ponds, also called “water gardens” are one of the most rewarding features you can add to a backyard or patio. Imagine stepping outside your home into your very own backyard oasis, complete with a beautiful water garden or koi pond. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the soothing sights and sounds of running water and beautiful koi fish. Feel the cares of the world slip away as you enjoy your personal backyard pond!
Spend quality time relaxing by your water garden with family and friends. You’ll wonder why you waited so long to enhance your yard with a beautiful Aquascape water garden!
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Blog, Pond Construction, Ponds
Ponds are growing in popularity in Southern California, and it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise since there are many benefits of backyard ponds. Imagine coming home every day, walking into your backyard and relaxing by a trickling waterfall leading to a pond filled with koi fish. It’s a great way to unwind without having to leave your home!
If you’ve been thinking about adding a pond to your property, you can either do it yourself with a pond kit or hire a professional contractor to do the work for you. Pond kits are popular among homeowners who choose to do it themselves, but they’re also widely used by contractors as a starting point for a custom-built pond.
Pond Kits vs. Custom-Built Pond
Pond kits are pre-built and include all of the materials necessary to create a pond in your backyard. Pond kits vary from company to company, but many of the kits include items such as:
- Skimmer
- Filter
- Pump
- Hose
- Liner
- Underlayment
- Fittings and Sealants
- Maintenance treatments
- Instructions
The idea of a backyard pond kit is to take the guesswork out of trying to gather the right materials and assemble a pond. The kits come in a variety of sizes, however some common sizes include:
- 8’ x 11’
- 11’ x 16’
- 21’ x 26’
Professional Contractors utilize pond kits as well. In many cases, custom-built ponds start out by using the materials provided in a pond kit, but professionals take it one step further by bringing the aesthetics of a natural looking pond. After installing hundreds of ponds, the pros have discovered that the secret of the natural look of ponds is the creation of plant pockets and the placement of rocks and boulders in just the right way.
Large Pond Kits: Do It Yourself or Hire a Professional?
Do a quick online search, and you’ll find an abundance of backyard pond kits available for purchase. For do-it-yourself homeowner, you can buy a pond kit and install it yourself with the help of the provided instructions. However, there are challenges involved, including elevation, choosing the right location, filling the pond and adding hardscape elements such as large stones which could easily weigh up to 100-150 pounds each.
Contractors have experience building ponds – both from pond kits and from scratch. They understand that building a pond is both an art and a science. Plus, a contractor can help you come up with a design that’s unique to your style and property while making sure everything is operating properly.
Here are some examples of homeowner built ponds that just don’t look quite right:
Whereas ponds built by pros look more natural and coexist with the surrounding context:
Reasons to Consider Hiring a Professional
If you want more than just a simple backyard pond, it’s often beneficial to hire a professional. A professional pond contractor can help you choose the right water feature for your property and customize it to your exact specifications.
Here are some other reasons to consider hiring a professional:
1. They Have Experience with Design and Installation
You can install a backyard pond kit on your own, and some people have done it with very few problems. However, if something doesn’t work right or you make a mistake, you may be stuck tearing up sections, spending more money, or worse, starting over. This leads to more work (and frustration) on your end.
Professional contractors have many years of experience both designing and installing water features. They can help you determine the right location on your property, choose decorative materials, or add safety features if you have children. This experience leads to a better product for you.
2. They Can Customize a Pond for Your Property
While professionals often start out by using a pond kit, they can mix and match items to choose the best materials for your project. Plus, they’ll be able to provide you with a more customized water feature by adding in additional landscaping and hardscaping elements. This allows you to create a pond or water feature that best matches your style and is unique to your home.
3. It Takes Less Time
If you’re installing a pond without the help of a contractor, it can take several weekends to get the job done, and you’ll likely need to enlist the help of a few friends. On the other hand, a professional contractor can typically put together a pond in one day, and they may only need to come back a second day for additional landscaping work.
Getting Started With a Custom-Built Pond or Pond Kits
There are many factors to consider when adding a pond to your Southern California property including sizing, placement, material selection, pond depth, planting, landscaping, fish and more. If you want a customized and unique pond or waterfall, it’s important that you work with an experienced company.
A water feature installation company, such as California Waterscapes, can help you choose the right type of water feature for your home and guide you through the entire process from design to installation. In addition, they’ll be able to oversee all aspects of your project, answer any questions you may have and ensure you’re satisfied with the end result.
At California Waterscapes, we offer design and installation services for ponds, other water features, and pondless waterfalls. To learn more about how we can help you with your next pond project, check out our gallery and contact us today for a free quote.
Imagine coming home from a long day at work and relaxing in your backyard next to a pond filled with plants and koi fish. It’s a great way to unwind without having to leave your home.