Create a private oasis in Houston by implementing some of the best backyard pond ideas. At Living Trees & Shrubs, we develop custom landscaping plans for our clients in Katy, TX, and the surrounding areas. Find some of our most popular pond ideas below.
Creative Backyard Pond Ideas in Houston, Fulshear TX, and Katy TX
1. Reflecting Ponds
A reflecting pool can give your backyard calming vibes and ignite your spiritual self. Orient your pond and its seating areas to reflect the best available views.
Our pond contractors have completed hundreds of gorgeous reflecting ponds and pools in and around Houston and Katy, Texas. From natural-looking ponds to abstract reflecting pools, our experienced builders have done it all.
2. Indoor Ponds
If you can have an indoor pool, you can have an indoor pond. And, if your pond builder does good work, it can make your entry room or sunroom really pop. Your guests will appreciate the added touch of nature, especially if you decide to add fish or other animals to the pond. Plus, an indoor pond will produce a more opulent feel in just about any room.
Keep in mind that an indoor pond requires more maintenance than outdoor ponds because you must maintain a healthy ecosystem to avoid algae growth and foul odors inside your home. Representatives from a qualified pond company can instruct you on how to properly maintain your pond.
3. Natural-Looking Waterfalls
Reproduce the Garden of Eden with a waterfall that artfully blends in with its natural surroundings. You may have seen ponds with artificial waterfalls and noted how they seem fake or out-of-place. That is why you need an experienced pond contractor familiar with the local landscape and climate.
Do not feel hesitant about adding a waterfall to your pond just because you have seen some bad ones. The most natural-looking waterfalls go almost unnoticed, even if you live near the city. During your initial consultations, ask your prospective pond builders for their waterfall portfolios so you can make an informed decision.
4. Imaginative Planters
Planters often serve as the perfect solution to topographical, architectural, and aesthetic issues with your backyard. Maybe you would like to divide your backyard with a temporary treeline. Or, perhaps you want to hide an unsightly shed. Planters offer a lot of flexibility when decorating your backyard pond.
You can add an extra touch to your pond with floating planters, as well. They work great with minimalist ponds that could use more greenery. Floating planters are also fun for ponds with ducks or geese because the fowl sometimes like to sleep on them.
5. Romantic Bridges
A bridge over a pond proves both functional and beautiful if you build it well. Depending on your backyard’s accents, you may wish to construct a cement, stone, or wooden bridge. More natural-looking backyards do well with a rustic bridge made with logs and other pieces of unmilled wood.
You might want to build a bridge over your pond if you often find yourself walking around it to reach other areas of your backyard. Plus, a bridge usually serves as a great place to cast your line if you stock your pond with fish. A bridge is a perfect place for staging family photos, too.
6. Fish Ponds
Add a little life to your backyard by installing a beautiful fish pond. While a fish pond may not seem like an original idea, you can get creative with the design and stock your pond with different kinds of fish. Some of the most popular pond fish include:
- Koi
- Goldfish
- Carp
- Yellow perch
- Catfish
If you decide to hire a local pond builder for your new backyard installation, make sure they possess sufficient knowledge regarding the mating behaviors and preferred habitats of the fish you choose.
7. Decorative Borders
Match the border of your new pond with other man-made elements of your backyard. A lot of property owners like to form a hard edge to their ponds by lining the outside with decorative borders. Some of the different materials used to create borders and edging around ponds (aka coping) include:
- Wood
- Cement
- Stone
- Composite
Many homeowners prefer to maintain an overarching theme by matching the edges of their ponds with their fences, decks, or patio furniture. However, you can also create an attractive backyard with several different types of materials.
8. Secret Grottos
If you and your family intend to swim in your pond, you might want to consider building a hidden grotto. A natural grotto is a cave created by water erosion. However, man-made grottos existed before the rise of Ancient Rome. A pond grotto would provide welcome relief from direct sunlight while allowing you to remain in the water.
Think about how you want your grotto to look from the outside. You can decorate it with rocks, flowering plants, or small trees. You can even install lighting for romantic evening swim sessions with your partner.
9. Colorful Custom Lighting
A new pond creates plenty of fun outdoor lighting options. You can have light shining up from the bottom of the pond or install a ring of lamp posts around the edge of it. For special events, you can place floating lotus flower lights on the surface of your pond and hang lights that mimic the appearance of lightning bugs.
Other pond lighting options include:
- Colored flood lights
- Solar-powered lights
- Twinkle lights
- Motion-sensor lights
- Programmable LED lights
In general, you want to make sure that you install sufficient lighting in the most treacherous areas around your pond, especially if you often like to entertain guests. Beyond that cautious approach to backyard decor, you can choose whichever lighting reflects your personality and taste.
10. Interior Courtyards
When is an outdoor pond inside a home? When it is located in an interior courtyard. Interior courtyards always attract guests during a party or family function. They allow guests to get a breath of fresh air and compose themselves before socializing again. Adding a pond to the courtyard creates a space where people want to linger and maybe have a private conversation.
If you stock the pond with fish, your interior courtyard will serve as a welcome getaway for young parents with curious children, especially if you allow your youngest guests to feed the fish.
Pet Friendly & ADA Compliance Considerations
Property owners with friends and family facing mobility challenges would do well to consider them when planning their ponds. If you can’t create a flat, smooth path along the pond, you should at least create an easy way to reach the edge. Likewise, you might want to engineer a beachhead or two so pets can easily exit the pond if they accidentally fall into the water.
Is your backyard the perfect place for a small pond? Now that you have a few creative pond ideas, you can put the finishing touches on your dream home. Call Living Trees & Shrubs at (713) 464-8733 to schedule an in-home consultation for a new pond in Houston, TX.
