Founts of good chi

TRENDS

Many years ago, people discovered the positive effects of flowing water in homes or outside the homes.

Gone are the days when decorative water fountains were only used in big hotels, offices etc. Fountains have become very popular over the last decade and people are realising the benefits a water fountain can have.

Fountains, whether they are indoors or outdoors, have their uses. They not only add instant beauty to their surroundings,  but are relaxing and calm the mind and body.
Whether it is a large fountain, a tabletop fountain or a garden fountain, it adds style to the house.

Focal point in decorating

A wall fountain can become a piece of art and become a centrepiece of your home interiors. Wall fountains are used by interior designers as a focal point in their decorating.

Indoor water fountains can turn any room into a soothing place.

The natural sound of water trickling down a water fountain is calming to the ear and the beautiful surface of water is calming to the eye.

Everyone has a little stress in their lives. With the soothing sound of flowing water, a fountain can bring you much relief. It can be great for your favourite room, office, garden or patio.

Moisturisers!

Fountains act as natural humidifiers, adding moisture to the room. Water fountains can also help your indoor plants by adding extra humidity that is lost when air conditioning units are running.

The sound of soft flowing water can drown out other sounds around you, such as traffic, voices in the next room or the dogs barking. The sound of water can cut out all the other noises around you. In today’s electronically guided world, there are plenty of devices around that emit negative ions.

Negative ions attract airborne impurities like dust.

Running water attracts negative ions and many people believe that it cleans and purifies the air around a water fountain.

Good chi

According to Feng Shui experts, a water fountain in the right area of the house is said to release the chi of the home. Water fountains can make you feel better, just by your being around them. It is something any anti-depressant pill can’t give and it is all free and harmless. Do you know that in dreams and in some cultural beliefs, liquid stands for ‘rebirth’?

Therefore, having a water feature in your home can lead to new and positive changes inside your home and surroundings.  In addition to its magical benefits, a water fountain can also be an inspiration, and can trigger a person’s awareness and positive thinking.

Of many types

From contemporary to sophisticated to rustic and charming, there are many different fountains in the market today to choose from, to fit the décor.

To fully enjoy a fountain outside, it’s great to have those huge ones, if space permits but keep in mind that huge water fountains are not easy to maintain and cannot be simply moved from one place to another.

That’s why it is advisable that before any installation, you have to be certain about where to put your water fountain because once it’s already there, it will serve as a permanent location.

You also need to think about the overall look of the fountain, if you wish to bring in some magical feel in your garden. Choose the best colour, design or features you want to add like that of fogs and lights. If you wish to express your own artistic ideas, then you are free to do so, knowing that there is a wide variety of water fountain designs to choose from.

You can even add forms to  your fountains like angels, birds, animals and whimsical creatures such as fairies and dwarfs. Also you can pick a theme that you prefer most:  like that of spiritual, nature or classic art. This gives you the option of substituting a piece of art or sculpture in your home or garden with that of a water feature.

Indoor, outdoor

There are many varieties in indoor and outdoor water fountains like wall fountains, floor water falls, and table top fountains. Wall fountains are majorly hand crafted and make soothing water sounds.

They come in a variety of natural materials including copper, slate bronze and silver. One of the best indoor water fountains for inscribing logos or signatures is the glass and metal fountain. Some of the other varieties are mirror glass indoor fountains, hand painted etc.

Freestanding fountains

Floor fountains are free standing and do not need to be hung or fastened on the wall. Thus floor fountains offer flexibility in placement that many people value.

They can be moved from room to room, require no installation and minimal assembly. Floor fountains come in a variety of natural materials including stone, copper and glass.
Table top fountains are versatile,  effective on office desks and add that soothing touch to a hectic workplace. They can also double up as table accents at home. Desks, nightstands, coffee tables and end tables, all look much better with a stylish, peaceful fountain atop it. A truly inspiring fountain can enhance the aesthetics of any room. Select a good water fountain that can match the size of the room and can provide maximum benefits according to your requirements.

Households are taking great interest in these water fountains. People with any budget can afford to purchase these indoor fountains and spruce up their interiors.

These benefits are feelings of relief, serenity, lessened anxieties and above all artistic pleasures. Everyday exhaustion and sadness a lot of people endure nowadays are thought to be treated by the sound of falling water. Thus a water fountain in a home surrounding can be counted as a small investment and a source of magical benefits for you and your home.

(The author is an interior designer and decorator,ModcconInterior. She may be contacted at [e-mail])