How to Choose the Perfect Indoor Wall Fountain for Your Living Room

Adding an indoor wall fountain can be a beautiful way to enhance the ambiance of your living room. The tranquil sound of cascading water creates a relaxing oasis and pleasant focal point. With so many types, sizes, and designs of indoor wall fountains available, how do you select the perfect one for your space and decor? Follow this guide to discover the key factors to consider when choosing an indoor wall fountain for your living room.

Consider the Types of Indoor Wall Fountains

Indoor wall fountains come in several common styles, ranging from compact tabletop fountains to large decorative floor models. Consider which type best fits your living room's size and layout.

Tabletop Fountains

For small living rooms or limited spaces, a tabletop fountain is a great choice. These petite fountains feature waterfalls under 18 inches tall, designed to fit neatly on a table, bookshelf, or desktop. Tabletop fountains have a low water capacity and flow rate, so they won't overwhelm a small area or produce too loud of a sound. Their compact size also allows you to easily move a tabletop fountain around your living room to find its ideal spot. Some popular tabletop wall fountain styles include minimalist bamboo water spouts, geometric cubed fountains, and diminutive waterfall cascades.

Wall-Mounted Fountains

Wall-mounted fountains are installed directly onto a wall in your living room. They come in a wide range of sizes, from smaller models under 24 inches wide to larger statement pieces over 3 feet wide. Wall-mounted fountains work well for small to medium living room spaces. Look for wall fountains with either sleek, modern designs like floating frameless waterfalls or more ornate embellished styles with materials like copper, stones, or shells. Make sure any wall you choose to mount your fountain on is sturdy and reinforced.

Floor Fountains

For larger living rooms, consider a freestanding floor fountain placed directly on the floor. These fountains range from 2 feet up to over 6 feet tall, making a dramatic focal point. Floor fountains often have multiple cascading tiers of water and utilize other materials like metal, stone, or glass. They require a significant amount of open floor space, at least a few feet on all sides. If you have a spacious living room and want an indoor wall fountain to make a bold statement, an ornate multi-tier floor fountain or sleek modern mixed media sculpture fountain could be an excellent option.

Mirrored Fountains

Mirrored wall fountains feature reflective mirror panels behind or alongside the flowing water. The mirror creates an illusion of depth, amplifying the water's motion. Mirrored fountains have a flashy, contemporary vibe. For example, a living room mirrored wall fountain might have a sleek rectangular mirror panel serving as the backdrop to a gently cascading sheet of water. Or consider a small enclosed wall fountain with water softly trickling down each side of a mirrored cube. The reflective qualities of the mirror add striking visual drama.

Stone or Slate Fountains

For an organic, earthy aesthetic, choose an indoor wall fountain with a natural stone or slate design. Fountains can feature real slate rock walls or simulated faux rock effects. The rough-hewn, textured look of stone lends these fountains a laid-back, rustic or Asian-inspired zen ambiance. A charming slate rock wall water feature or miniature stone wall cascade brings the flavors of nature into your living room.

Consider the Size

Once you've settled on a fountain style, take careful measurements of the space you plan to place it. The size of your living room and layout will determine what size of wall fountain to purchase. Make sure to account for not just the width of the fountain but also the space needed on all sides to fill, clean, access electrical outlets, and perform maintenance. Bigger doesn't always mean better - an oversized fountain could end up overpowering your room. Use these size guidelines for selecting the right scale.

Small Fountains

For living rooms on the cozier side, stick to a small wall fountain under 18 inches wide and 24 inches high. At this compact size, a tabletop or petite wall-mounted fountain needs only a minimal splash zone around it. Small fountains are perfect for congested spaces without overwhelming the room.

Medium Fountains

In a medium or average-sized living room, look for a mid-sized wall fountain measuring anywhere from 24 to 36 inches wide. This includes larger wall-mounted fountains as well as small to medium floor fountains around 2 to 3 feet tall. Ensure the fountain has ample clearance on all sides - at least a few inches from walls and several feet from seating areas or walkways. Medium fountains make great focal points without dominating the room.

Large Fountains

Only consider a large wall fountain over 36 inches wide or a tall floor fountain over 4 feet high if your living room has abundant open floor space. These grand fountains make dramatic statements, so make sure you have plenty of room to allow them to become a room's center of attention. An oversized fountain crammed into a small room will feel cluttered.

Features to Look for

Indoor living room wall fountains integrate pleasing design features that enhance their ambiance and functionality.

Lighting

Many indoor wall fountains incorporate soft lighting elements to beautifully illuminate and accentuate the cascading water. Options include warm white LED lights situated behind or within the water stream or small spotlights directed at the water's path. This lighting casts a tranquil glow and creates fabulous water shadows on the surrounding walls. The light levels are adjustable on some models to set the perfect mood.

Water Sounds

The sounds produced by indoor wall fountains range from a soft, peaceful trickling to the rush of a powerful water surge. Consider how loud you want the water noise to be to mask unwanted living room sounds. Fountains with an adjustable flow allow you to control the water volume. If you prefer a serene, whisper-quiet babbling, look for a fountain with a low gallons-per-minute rating.

Filtration Systems

Indoor wall fountains circulation systems should always include hidden submersible water filters to keep the fountain water clean and prevent mineral buildup. Self-contained fountain pumps and tubing prevent leaks. Some fountains feature automatic water replenishment systems that refill the water to the preset level. Filtration keeps maintenance hassles to a minimum.

Placement Tips

To select the optimal fountain location in your living room, keep these key placement tips in mind:

• Install wall-mounted fountains on a sturdy, reinforced wall, avoiding proximity to vents or wiring.
• Position the fountain near an electrical outlet to plug in the pump.
• Avoid placing fountains in direct sunlight, which promotes unsightly mineral deposits and algae buildup.
• Don't block walkways, entrances, or doorways.
• Allow open space in front for accessibility and viewing.

Take measurements and use painter's tape to map out the footprint on the wall or floor where you intend to install your fountain. This will help you visualize the placement and ensure it fits as desired before mounting the fountain permanently.

Design and Material Considerations

Be sure to choose a wall fountain design and material that complements your living room's existing style. Here are some tips for selecting fixtures and finishes:

• For a contemporary living room, sleek metal like stainless steel or chrome paired with glass makes a striking modern statement.
• In traditional living rooms, opt for classic materials like stone, copper, or wood paired with urns or shells.
• Modern natural edge slate slabs or rough riverstone work well in earthy, rustic living rooms.
• Glass, crystals, and LED lighting add a glamorous flair to any dramatic waterfall fountain.
• Opt for high quality, durable construction to reduce cleaning and prevent deterioration.
• If choosing an LED-illuminated fountain, ensure the lighting gives off a pleasant, natural white glow.

Browse photos of fountains in room settings similar to yours. This can spark ideas for design styles that would look cohesive in your space.

Safety Precautions

Indoor fountains come with some common-sense safety precautions to keep in mind:

• Never place directly on carpeting, wood, or uneven surfaces. Install on tile, stone, concrete or a sturdy base.
• Check electrical safety certifications before installing and use a GFCI outlet.
• Supervise children around fountains and teach them not to play in the water.
• Avoid installing underneath electrical cords or directly above outlets.
• Turn off, unplug and drain the fountain before performing cleaning or maintenance.

Following basic safety measures ensures your new living room wall fountain provides tranquil enjoyment for years to come without worry.

Maintenance Requirements

While indoor fountains require minimal care, some periodic maintenance is essential for lasting function and beauty. Plan to perform these simple upkeep tasks:

• Change the water every 2-4 weeks to keep it fresh and prevent algae or mineral buildup.
• Wipe down the fountain surfaces every few weeks using mild cleaner to remove residue accumulation.
• Check tubing and pumps every 3 months for any clogs or obstructions and clear as needed.
• Replace fountain filters as directed by manufacturer, generally every 4-6 months with regular use.

Many homeowners find the calming sights and sounds of their new living room wall fountain makes the occasional maintenance well worth the effort.

An indoor wall fountain can add beauty to your living room. Carefully measure your room's space and contemplate how you want the fountain to complement your existing decor. Consider the practical needs like safety, maintenance and electrical access along with the fountain's aesthetics. Features like integrated lighting, sound volume control, mirror or stone effects and high-end materials add to a fountain's ambiance. Following this guide will help you discover the perfect indoor wall fountain to adorn your living room with the peaceful magic of water.