| Before you buy an outdoor fountain, do a little | | | | pyramids, and freeform designs. Fountains can be |
| pre-planning to ensure you get the perfect fountain | | | | square, circular, rectangular, spheres, pedestals, pillars, |
| for your space and your taste. | | | | towers, or almost any shape imaginable. |
| 1. Decide on Your Budget. | | | | 4. Pick a Style. |
| Outdoor fountains come in a wide range of | | | | Outdoor fountains come in so many different styles |
| prices-starting at about $50 and going up to | | | | and designs that you can find one to fit in just about |
| thousands of dollars, depending on the size, materials, | | | | any setting. But first you need to know what your |
| amount of customization, and other factors. So set | | | | decorating style is for the area in question-and yes, |
| your budget ahead of time and then shop | | | | you can have a decorating style for outdoors, just as |
| accordingly. | | | | for any room of your home. For instance, you may |
| 2. Select the Location for Your Outdoor Fountain. | | | | want to create a classic, park like setting or an Asian, |
| You want your outdoor fountain to be easily visible, | | | | zen retreat. Or perhaps you prefer a rustic, antique |
| in an attractive location where it will be a focal point | | | | country style or want to create the look of a formal |
| in your landscaping, your garden, your patio or your | | | | English garden. Your preferred decorating style will |
| courtyard. Since location will impact several other | | | | help you select the shape and design that best suits |
| factors in your choice of fountain, it's best to know | | | | your fountain location. |
| where you want to place it first. Ideally, you will want | | | | 5. Consider Different Materials. |
| an area that is close to an electrical power source or | | | | Your personal style, the availability of materials in |
| in a brightly lit sunny area to accommodate either an | | | | your geographic area, and your budget will impact the |
| electric or a solar model. You will also want to place | | | | choice of materials for your outdoor fountain, but |
| the fountain on a flat, stable surface such as hard | | | | before you go shopping, it's good to have an idea of |
| packed soil or a small cement slab or patio blocks. | | | | what your preferences are. With outdoor fountains |
| You will want to avoid placing it under or too close to | | | | available in various metals such as copper and bronze, |
| trees or bushes that will drop a lot of debris into the | | | | wood, glass, ceramic, natural stone, faux stone, |
| fountain. | | | | acrylic, fiberglass, resin, and other components, |
| 3. Choose the Size. | | | | certain materials will likely appeal to you more than |
| Based on the location selected, decide on the size of | | | | others. |
| your desired fountain-in approximate height and | | | | With your budget in mind and your preferences |
| width. You can purchase tall slender fountains or low | | | | clearly defined, you are now in the perfect position |
| outdoor fountains with a wide base. The options are | | | | to go shopping for a beautiful outdoor foundation for |
| almost unlimited, as there are many shapes and | | | | your outdoor space. You'll find many options to |
| configurations, from traditional tiered fountains to | | | | choose from in home and garden centers, |
| cascading fountains, waterfalls, spillways, aqueducts, | | | | department stores, boutiques, and online. |