When you think of waterfalls, you might imagine large expanses of land, powerful waves of water, and the thunder of water against rock. But have you considered how a waterfall might fit into your garden design?
Waterfalls, as well as ponds, can add movement and interest to a backyard or garden and bring a new element of life to your outdoor space. But waterfalls can come in all sorts of different varieties, styles, and sizes. So before you take the steps to build a waterfall in your backyard, check out this list below for some inspiration to get you started!
25 Garden Waterfall Ideas
1. Modern Waterfall in a Walled Garden Corner
If your style is more modern or industrial, consider a waterfall like this one, built into the side of a stone wall- it’s small in size and utilizes sharp angles to feel unnatural in comparison to the natural world around it.
This is a great option if you’re looking to create a minimalist or zen garden, since it doesn’t feel organic like a more natural garden waterfall would. I love how the water pours seamlessly out of the wall as if it’s all one piece!
2. Waterfall in a Zen Garden
Talk about a chic and sophisticated take on a waterfall! This contemporary take on a garden waterfall feels ultramodern but fits perfectly into the courtyard where it’s located. I love that the pool the water empties out into is shallow, allowing us to see the bed of stones underneath, which adds some natural texture back into the super solid concrete and metal shapes. The water acts as a connection between the fall and the pool.
3. Small Contemporary Decorative Waterfall
Look no further for a bold and powerful statement feature! This is a much larger take on a waterfall, having the opening span out several feet wide in either direction. It makes an excellent statement piece, and if you go this route your waterfall will naturally be the central focal point of your garden.
But that’s okay since it gives you the opportunity to build a scene around it with foliage, flowers, stones, fountains, and decor to create something unique.
4. Decorative Pond with Fountain and Fish
For a more traditional take on a Japanese garden, consider a smaller tiered waterfall that enters into a pool populated with goldfish or koi. Having fish in your pond will make the environment feel alive, and you’ll find peace by sitting next to your pond and enjoying the scenery.
Other elements, like a small mill, clay pots, and animal statues make the garden feel out of time, transporting you to a more peaceful place. Recreate this beautiful theme in your own garden!
5. White Piano Waterfall with Flower Pods
For something truly unique, consider what you can use that you already have to build the framework of your waterfall. in this excellent example, the designer used an old piano to create a waterfall drizzling out over the keys.
It’s whitewashed which gives it a more rustic feel, and the plants sitting on and around the piano make the instrument feel like it fits in perfectly with the rest of the garden. It’s a perfect conversation starter, as well as a truly special take on a waterfall feature.
6. Overlooking a small waterfall and garden pond
Just because you’re low on space, that doesn’t mean you have to compromise on style and quality! If you only have a small amount of space to work with, consider going in the direction of a simple stone waterfall built into a small pool.
In this example, the waterfall is designed of simple stone bricks and is surrounded by overgrown foliage to give it a more natural vibe.
7. Clay water feature near a pond
If you’d prefer a more subtle look for your garden waterfall, take a note from this example of a small waterfall run through an old clay pot into a pond beneath.
A smaller waterfall like this is easy to set up, and unlike other larger, more contemporary waterfalls, this one feels more organic and natural. I especially love the detail of the bright blue clay pot because it gives just a touch of whimsy to the scene.
8. Three levels home garden granite waterfall pond
Another small waterfall on this list, this time it’s a three-tiered stone waterfall. This shape gives some extra dimension and visual interest to your garden design while still feeling like a natural part of the design.
Since the waterfall is so small, it can be placed right in the middle of a flowerbed, and it doesn’t have to take up the main focus of the garden scheme.
9. Rocky wall with small waterfalls
This photo of several waterfalls emptying into a large pond is a great example of how installing falls can create a really dramatic effect in your garden. I love that some of the sections of the wall contain draping and vining plants instead of water, making the wall look more natural and less man-made.
The greenery also adds a bit of color and life to the overwhelming grey of the wall; if you try it for yourself, consider adding some brightly colored flowers as well!
10. Garden waterfall from Laterite rock
These more modern waterfalls are a perfect addition to this brick wall. I love that they fit so seamlessly into the brick pattern surrounding them, and that the rectangular patterns of the wall feel modern, despite their age.
A simple rectangular brick pattern like this would be an easy addition to your existing garden, and would be a doable task for any DIY-er with a little time on their hands!
11. Small waterfall With modern swimming pool
These waterfalls emptying out into a backyard pool are the height of understated elegance and luxury. Their simple, sophisticated shape feels modern, but with a hint of Art Deco inspiration. The spotlights pointed at the waterfalls create a dramatic and romantic effect at night, but during the day they add a unique glow to the falls and draw your eye to them.
12. Waterfall in the garden
If you’re looking for a waterfall option that will give your backyard that special something, consider taking direction from this photo! This rustic wooden ladder waterfall gives a casual, campground vibe to your backyard, but its unique shape feels new and fresh.
The water wearing down on the wood gives it a beautiful green patina that helps it blend into the surrounding foliage, meaning that it gets more beautiful with age and use.
13. Home garden stone waterfall pond
There’s nothing like the sight of a trickling stream running down a series of stones to give a garden timeless, enchanting energy. The stones in this three-tiered waterfall have been laid out carefully in differing directions to create a more organic feel, and the overgrown plants surrounding it help to add age to the falls.
This is the kind of waterfall that can fit into practically any garden theme, whether modern or traditional!
14. Pool with small fall in a tropical garden
A waterfall is an absolute must when creating a tropical paradise, and this waterfall emptying into a swimming pool is a perfect example of why!
To bring the tropics to your own home, especially if you don’t actually live near a white sand beach you’ll want to combine a contemporary resort look with a more organic feel, like in this example. The border of the pool is in a dark stone instead of tile and the waterfall itself is topped with piles of mismatched stones, but the lines of the pool and the fall are clean and straight.
15. Garden flowers with stone walled stream
This sweet backyard garden with its wildflower bed makes you feel like you’ve been transported back in time to a country cottage, but the modern shape of the stone waterfall and the straight-lined stream below it are totally modern.
I love this mix of new and old because the chaos and colors of the flowers help to soften up the more severe shape and design of the waterfall, and the streamlined look of the falls makes the garden design feel clean and minimal.
16. Water feature at a swimming pool
This charming feature emptying out into a backyard swimming pool adds interest and a bit of fun to an otherwise traditional design. The blue tiles behind the waterfall and bordering the pool help to create a smooth transition between the two elements, almost like they’re made of water themselves. I also love the inclusion of a variety of potted plants to make the space feel more colorful and alive!
17. Japanese home garden bamboo waterfall pond
There’s something so incredibly serene about a traditional Japanese garden. A properly laid out Japanese (or Japanese-inspired) garden space will have a calming flow and soothing atmosphere that is helped along by the use of natural elements, colors, and shapes. In this example, the soft flow of a small waterfall from a bamboo outlet is a tiny but impactful detail in the scheme as a whole.
18. Wall stones and waterfall
Adding water to your garden scheme is the perfect way to create movement and life in your backyard. First, decide whether you want to use a waterfall as a subtle detail or statement feature. This waterfall is showcased in front of a beautiful stone wall that helps highlight the beautiful pond below.
19. Small artificial waterfall in man-made tropical garden
With the amazing natural colors and variety of the stones, plants and flow of the water, it’s hard to believe that this is an artificial, man-made waterfall feature!
This gorgeous waterfall begins up high and falls through several tiers, then finally pooling over a flat surface before dropping into the crystal clear pond below. With a feature like this, your garden will feel like an amazing secret getaway that you don’t have to travel to see!
20. Garden with waterfall on stone bricks wall
I adore this beautiful waterfall shelving setup! The straight, clean edges of the bricks in the stone wall give the overall look a modern feel, while the variety of colors keeps the wall from looking too man-made.
Take some inspiration from this amazing setup that uses a waterfall not just as a beautiful decorative feature but also as a shelf to display your plant collection! And, of course, be sure to choose plants that thrive in lots of water and wet, humid environments so that you can have an enchanting garden year-round.
21. Aquatic garden with planted rockery and waterfalls
This lovely traditional garden pond feels vibrant, colorful and alive, and is located right near the patio, making it the perfect location to relax and entertain during the summer!
The pond is filled by two separate small waterfalls on either side, which add to the natural-looking beauty of the pond without distracting from it. All it really needs is some fist and some string lights above it to become the perfect warm-weather paradise in your own backyard!
22. A cascading garden water feature
When you’re going for a calming or serene backyard space, remember that shapes, colors, and textures matter. The simple design and muted colors of this lovely stone garden feature helps to give the garden a feeling of zen, and the tiered levels make the falling water seem almost meditative.
I love that it almost matches the bark of the tree behind it, helping it blend into the garden as a whole but still feel like a primary feature.
23. Waterfalls in the house for a relaxing and cool atmosphere
With its breathtaking stone tiers and a huge array of brightly colored plants, this waterfall feels like it was taken right out of the jungle! This is a fantastic way to incorporate a waterfall element into a natural swimming pool or small pond, especially in warmer areas where tropical plants have a chance to thrive.
When creating your own waterfall, remember that variety matters – incorporate lots of levels, textures, colors, and plants to make the waterfall seem more realistic.
24. A modern water garden with stepping stones
It’s the backyard waterfall of the future! This ultramodern garden design features sharp, clean lines in every aspect (even the plants chosen are smooth and straight! The cubed stepping stones and tiles sit nicely against the clean, simple stone wall behind it.
But the main star of this garden is the stunning waterfall feature that falls in a smooth, crisp line into the pond below, highlighting the minimalist and highly curated feel of this backyard.
25. A small decorative waterfall in the garden
Waterfalls are a unique feature in a garden because they’re usually entirely decorative. But with a stunning view like this one, the addition of a waterfall is entirely justified! I absolutely adore the use of flat rocks at the bed of the waterfall to soften the blow of the water and add an extra tier.
The overall effect is charming and simplistic, and you’d be forgiven for thinking this waterfall has been there longer than the garden itself!