If you have a pool or are thinking about upgrading your existing pool, waterfalls are an option. Not sure where to start? Not to worry: we have plenty of pool waterfall ideas for you.
In this article, we’ll walk you through some of the most common and accessible pool waterfall ideas, so you can start this season off with a dazzling splash.
From deck jets to scuppers, let’s take a look at 11 of the most common pool waterfalls on the market, including high-end custom waterfalls and budget-friendly options for outdoor spaces.
11 Exciting swimming pool waterfall ideas and water features for backyard pools
| 1. Fountains 2. Water bowls 3. Pool deck jets 4. Laminar jets 5. Reverse infinity pool ideas 6. Water curtains 7. Scuppers and spouts 8. Spa spillways 9. Spouting statues 10. Cascades 11. Fire bowls |
1. Fountains
Adding an ornamental bubbling or spray fountain can make a pool look more luxurious. What’s more, when adding them in twos and threes, the effect is amplified.
Many times, bubbling fountains are added near the entrance of the pool or near pool steps. The reason is that these fountains signal to swimmers where steps are in a pool, creating safer entry and access ways for swimmers.
One of the many ways to incorporate fountains into a pool is through spray fountains. Spray fountains are also beautiful accents for homeowners looking to decorate a pool with more explosive energy. Add LED lights for a one-of-a-kind evening swim experience.
2. Water bowls
Contrary to popular belief, water bowls come in not only circular shapes but also square shapes. These vessels are often shaped with concrete and metals like steel and copper.
Spilling water bowls work well when situated atop a stone column or raised surface above a pool. Keeping a square or round water bowl on top of an elevated surface can create a more dramatic effect for swimmers, as the water descends into the pool.
In other words, water bowls can elevate an ordinary outdoor space into a luxury outdoor space.
3. Pool deck jets
Another one of the common decorative elements on today’s pools includes pool deck jets. Deck jets can give a backyard pool a feeling of relaxation and effortless sophistication.
Tube-shaped streams of water fall onto the pool surface, and their height can be adjusted accordingly. Nevertheless, pool deck jets can create arcs of water that stream several feet in the air.
Deck jets break up as they descend, leaving small droplets of water flying above the water. Finally, a swimming pool deck jet can be personalized depending on the type of pool you own.
Whether you own a rectangular pool or an oblong-shaped pool, pool deck jets are a delightful complement to a pool space, perfect for play time by adults and children alike.
4. Laminar jets
Laminars are similar to deck jets, but think of laminars as an upgraded version of a deck jet. Laminars are thicker, can stream higher, and retain their shape better than deck jets.
As you can imagine, with larger volumes, higher streams, and a more consistent shape, these pool additions tend to be more costly than deck jets. Another benefit of laminars is the fact that they can be lit up with LED lights in an elegant display.
If you prefer, you can adjust the settings of the lights to create a Cirque de Soleil-style lighting effect, making your pool the theatrical showcase of your backyard.
5. Reverse infinity pool ideas
Infinity pools are pools whose water overflows from one pool edge to look as if the pool is one and the same with the horizon line. The water then falls into a basin or collection area to ensure it can be recycled.
A reverse infinity pool turns this idea on its head. Instead of water pooling into a basin that’s not seen in the line of sight, the water instead pools from a higher elevation into a basin that’s within sight.
With reverse infinity pools, the focus is on the appearance of the infinity edge’s exterior pool wall and basin. Many homeowners even choose to decorate the exposed wall with stone or other tiling.
The focal point of the pool is on the wall of water that’s created as it falls into the basin below. Reverse infinity pools create a striking contrast to a gunite or fiberglass pool.
6. Water curtains
A water curtain, also called a rain curtain, involves a cascade-style waterfall on an elevated, framed structure. The water hitting the pool’s surface produces a gentle noise that makes for a relaxing ambiance.
Depending on the curtain’s location in the pool, you may even be able to add LED lighting to create a magical, one-of-a-kind aquatic experience.
7. Scuppers and spouts
One of the most popular pool waterfall ideas our customers have mentioned include scuppers and spouts. Scuppers and spouts channel water through a metal piping that’s shaped in intricate ways.
The water then exits and flows out of the water feature, creating a soothing sound as it makes contact with the rest of the pool water. Similar to cascade water features, contractors install scuppers and spouts on a raised area. These features can be placed in spas, landscape areas, or even water bowls.
The most common scupper shapes include:
- U-shaped scuppers
- Round scuppers
- Spherical scuppers
- Square scuppers
- Rectangular scuppers
Most scuppers are made of concrete, while most spouts come in metal finishes and shapes. Spouts funnel water into narrow jet streams to create a sleek and stylish finish in a backyard oasis.
8. Spa spillways
Similar to the effect created by reverse infinity pools, spa spillways are open sections of a spa dam wall, in which water can overflow to the pool below.
The larger the distance between the water and its descent to the pool’s surface, the louder the splash in the pool below. Spa spillways and waterfalls add a touch of elegance to an outdoor space.
With spillways, you can opt for a single, larger-sized spillway, or several mid-sized spillways. Finally, you can even opt for a few smaller openings.
Contemporary pools often incorporate spa spillways with tiled walls for visual appeal. The possibilities are limitless.
9. Spouting statues
A spouting statue can be the centerpiece of your outdoor custom inground pool, creating a truly one-of-a-kind, resort-like experience. Whether opting for an animal, figure, Roman column, or more, a statue adds personality and a grand sense to a pool.
Plus, one of the ways to transform your entire pool is by placing the statue above or near your pool waterfall. A plumber can plumb the statue to have water flow out of the center of the statue and over the waterfall’s edge into the pool.
Think of a dolphin spouting water out of its mouth, or Cupid shooting water out of his bow and arrow, creating a dramatic cascade into the pool below.
10. Cascades
The sound of water flowing over rock formations is both hypnotic and among the most common decorative ways to dramatize the flow of water in and around a pool.
Cascade waterfall features, also known as sheer descents, offer a range of affordability and versatility for an outdoor living space. Sleek cascades come in two styles:
- Separated raindrop patterns
- Smooth sheets of water
These waterfall features usually descend from a raised wall, and the water cascading from the top of the raised wall usually falls away from the wall some distance. Sometimes, cascades come in sets of two, creating a sleek finish to a backyard oasis.
11. Fire bowls
While not quite a water feature itself, a fire bowl placed next to a custom pool waterfall can add a dramatic contrast of natural beauty to a backyard paradise. We design fire bowls using a variety of different natural elements, such as:
- Concrete
- Ceramic
- Copper
- Bronze
- Stainless steel
- And more
Place a fire bowl above a glass waterfall of a modern pool, and you have yourself a striking balance of fire and water elements for your outdoor landscape.
Spotlight on Good modern pools
When we think about waterfalls, we think about the good life. However, Good Day Living is more than a name or even a way of living.
It’s about feeling at home.
It’s a reminder to start each day with gratitude, to greet life with a smile, and to build spaces that bring families closer together. From our family to yours, we’re here to help you create a home and a pool that feels like a good day, every day.
Curious to see what Good pool waterfalls and water walls look like in action? Check out this post on our Instagram page.
Need a pool installer or waterfall design team?
If you’ve ever considered revamping your pool, consider adding a beautiful waterfall in your patio pool. With the pool design market growing, you couldn’t have picked a more perfect time to consider installing a new pool waterfall to your backyard design.
If you want to create a beautiful backyard space, and if you’re looking for a pool design specialist in Middle Tennessee, get in touch with us. Our pool builders have decades of experience adding water features that dazzle and entertain.
Whether you’re looking for color-changing spouts, a handsome spillover, playful bubblers, or natural stone tiles around your pool edge, we’re Middle Tennessee’s go-to pool design team.
Contact our pool contractors today for more pool waterfall ideas or a custom quote on your next backyard pool project.
