There are many ways to inject your personality into your home. From the color of your walls to the style of your furniture, your living space can be a reflection of yourself and your interests. What’s more, a home that’s designed around things that you love will make you feel even more comfortable.

Water features like fountains are one way to showcase your personal style. It’s also a perfect way to create a welcoming ambiance, not to mention an easy way to introduce some luxury into your home. Here are some ideas on the different kinds of water features that can match your personality.

The Zen Master: Indoor Water Fountain 

The crashing ocean waves, the whispering streams, the pattering rain on your window or rooftop — why does the sound of flowing water have such a soothing, even drowsing effect? Some people believe that the smooth cadence of these sounds are non-threatening and therefore calming, while others say that the resonance pattern drowns out rather unpleasant noises.

Whatever the reason, having the sound of water nearby can do wonders to soothe and relax our senses. You don’t even need to have a big house to have a dedicated Zen space. Square off a small corner in your home and set up a tabletop or wall fountain, a cozy chair, and perhaps a small shelf of books, and voila — your personal haven awaits.

The Gardener: Outdoor Fountain 

Whether you tending to a large courtyard of flowers or a small patch of crops and herbs, a fountain will definitely add more charm and character to your garden. A pedestal or tiered fountain may even attract birds and other animals, making your plants grow healthier and your garden more alive with a symphony of wildlife sounds.

An outdoor fountain can also help keep your garden cooler during the hot summer months. And with the reflective properties of water, a fountain can help your yard look bigger. To make the most of this effect, make sure that you regularly clean the fountain to keep the water crystal clear. A dark-colored fountain — like terracotta or dark slate — will also help in making your garden look more spacious.

The Low-Key Animal Lover: Aquarium 

Fish make great pets. They don’t need to be walked or groomed, they come in wide variety of sizes, shapes, and vibrant colors, they are easy to keep clean, and are considerably less expensive to feed. Fish are also known to have a calming effect on anyone who watches them glide peacefully across the water. If you want to take care of a pet but don’t have the time or enough physical space to keep a bigger animal like a dog, a fish or two can be your best option.

However, fish do require a proper environment to thrive, especially saltwater fish like clownfish, tangs, and gobies. If you don’t trust yourself to be able to keep your pet alive for more than a few days, you can always get a wall fountain designed with paintings of tropical fish — at least, until you cross that hurdle of hesitation and get yourself an aquarium of fish to look after.

The Holidayer: Backyard Pond 

Having a backyard pond, even just a small one, is a great way to have a mini-vacation right at your own home. It can also be a great gathering spot for friends and family to spend some quality time, even if it’s just to sit back and listen to the sound of the water and gaze at the greenery. Turn off your gadgets for a while to complete that out-of-town vibe and just enjoy nature.

Koi and other ornamental fish and some aquatic plants will also add more beauty and character to your pond. Just make sure to also install a pond fountain to better aerate the water, help the fish thrive, and make your pond easier to clean.

Whether you’re the outdoorsy type or a homebody, there’s a water feature for your home that will suit your tastes. Have you decided on one yet?

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