Most backyard fountains are some sort of sculpted, concrete tower with water coming out the middle and pooling in the bowl below. There is nothing wrong with this design. It can look elegant and put-together. However, it also tends to be a bit boring. If you want your fountain to stand out from the crowd, you'll want to opt for something more unique. Here are a few ideas to discuss with your fountain contractor.

Stacked Balls

If you like more modern styles, one option is to have your concrete company make a fountain that looks like a series of balls stacked on top of one another. The balls can grow progressively smaller as you go up the stack — like they would on a classic snowman. The water will make a really fun cascading pattern as it rolls down the outsides of the balls.

Sculpted Animals

Another option is to have your fountain sculpted or molded into the shape of an animal. If you like dogs, choose a dog. If you like horses, choose a horse. Homeowners often steer away from this option because they figure that the water would then need to come out of the animal's mouth or another orifice, which can look strange. But this is not the case. The water can simply flow out of the animal's back in a steady stream. This way, the flow of water won't really interfere with the look of the concrete animal at all.

Initials

Depending on what your last initial is, you might be able to have your fountain shaped like it. For instance, it is easy to create a capital "I" or "T" with water flowing from the top. Curved letters like "S" and "Y" may be harder.

Flower Planters

Another option is to have your fountain contractor build you a standard fountain with pre-made, built-in concrete flower planters around the top. The flowers will look lovely and fresh paired with the flowing water. They might get just enough water splashed onto them from the fountain that you rarely have to water them. You can at least see if your contractor is able to set things up this way.

All fountains are beautiful, but they are not all unique. If you want one that really stands out and calls attention to itself, then use the options above for inspiration. And in general, don't be afraid to think outside the box.

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