Swimming pool waterfalls add a sense of luxury and tranquility to the pool area like no other landscaping feature can. At night, garden torches placed near waterfall create a stunning look as the light flickers across the water. These falls may look complicated and expensive, but in reality there are plenty of affordable options that won’t take days to install.
Installation Options for Swimming Pool Waterfalls
Thinking about buying a pool waterfall, but wondering how much it’s going to cost to have it installed? Well, the truth is, this varies greatly by the type of waterfall you choose. Many of the smaller waterfalls that cost less than $500 come pre-plumbed and ready to install by anyone with a little DIY experience. With somewhat larger waterfalls, two knowledgeable people will usually be able to get things running in just a few hours.
Then there are the large, multi-part waterfalls that cost $2000 or more, all the way up to $10,000. These come with three or four cascades of water and are often large enough to walk around on. For these you’ll most likely need a pool contractor with specialized knowledge to get it set up correctly and it may take more than a day to install.
Boulders and Stones for Casual Landscapes
By far the most popular designs for swimming pool waterfalls is that of a natural rock outcropping or collection of boulders. This style is ideal for “natural look” pool landscaping designs. The waterfalls splashes and ripples as it tumbles over the boulders down into the pool. With larger boulder style waterfalls, placing plants such as potted ferns, trailing vines, and decorative grasses.
Slab and Ledge Style Waterfalls for Formal Landscapes
If you prefer clean lines and more formal, elegant look around your pool, the slab style swimming pool waterfall will suit you best. These are most often designed as stacked rock walls with a ledge extended that the water flows over in a smooth, clear sheet. There are also waterfalls like this made from copper
Ideas on How to Landscape a Swimming Pool Waterfall
While slab style waterfalls can usually stand on their own, boulder style falls generally need a little landscaping to help them blend in surroundings. It does look a little strange to see a “natural” rock jutting straight up out of a tile deck. One simple, low maintenance solution is to place specially designed transition rocks on either side of the waterfall. These gradually build the visual line so the transition from tile to rock isn’t so sharp.
For a softer look, try ornamental grasses like tropical umbrella grass (Cypernus alternafolius) or water-loving ferns like maiden hair (Adiantum pedatum) and lady fern (Athyrium felix-feminand).
For creating a relaxing, luxurious pool environment, swimming pool waterfalls are one of the best investments you can make. Choose a style that fits your landscape, whether casual or formal, and spend a little time landscaping the waterfall and you’ll have true thing of beauty in your pool landscaping design.