You can go for a tabletop fountain if you want something small yet able to provide you with the benefits of any other fountain. You can select a wall fountain to add zest to an otherwise austere wall in your home or at the office. A floor fountain you think may just do the trick to liven up your interior decoration. A gigantic regal outdoor fountain for your garden, perhaps, is your thing. For your home, there are a lot of water fountain types to choose from.

While it is true that a wide range of water fountains are available in the market and most of us can afford to buy at least one for our homes, the exquisitely designed, grandiose fountains that are displayed in palaces, renowned hotels and other structures remain to be things we only see in movies or read in books.

The 3- tiered water fountain in my garden makes me happy of course, but water fountains the world over amazes me still. Some of the most famous around the globe are:
The Bellagio Fountains (Las Vegas, Nevada, USA)

Every night, the Bellagio Hotel showcases a breathtaking program featuring majestic lights, wonderful music and the world renowned Bellagio fountains. Costing roughly $40 million dollars, these fountains go up to 240 feet. The free shows of water and light display are programmed to go along with assorted music. From 7pm to midnight, these shows run every 15-20 minutes.

Now, if are on tour in Europe, you would not want to miss these spectacular sites.

Versailles Park and Fountains (Versailles, France)

Located in the garden of the Versailles Palace, the Versailles Fountains run with more than 1,300 gallons of water. Some of the fountains found here are the Baths of Apollo, the Flora Fountain, the Encelade Fountain, and the Colonnade Grove; and along the Allee d’Eau, you will find the adorable cherub fountains. You will surely fall in love with the fountains as you will find them at every turn.
Trevi Fountain (Rome, Italy)

If you have seen the Federico Fellini film ‘La Dolce Vita” you would definitely be familiar with the Trevi Fountains. From 1732 to 1762, Nicola Salvi created sculptures on the fountain which is located in a piazza towards the northern part of the city. Established as one of Rome’s landmark, you have not been to Rome if you have not seen the Trevi.
Jet d’Eau (Geneva, Switzerland)

Who would have thought that something “accidental” would become a tourist attraction? In 1886, at the end of Geneva Lake, pressurized water was pumped and distributed for craftsmen’s machines. At nightfall, there is a decreased need for this water and one night, a hole in the pumps led to this beautiful accident- the Jet d’ Eau. It rises up to more than 450 feet and runs with more than 130 gallons of water. It became an official fountain in 1891.

From Switzerland, let’s go to Russia, where we will find—

Peterhof Palace (St. Petersburg)

Known as the Russian Versailles, Peterhof is a series of gardens and palaces. Peterhof was created made possible by Peter the Great. There are hundreds of fountains in this place you can only call fountain lover heaven. Some of the more famous are: The Adam and Eve, Samson and the Sun. It is interesting to know that the fountains in Peterhof Palace operate without any pumps. Natural springs supplies water to the fountains.

You have very well read on the benefits of water fountains and it is high time that you get one for your home. You cannot just close your eyes and ignore the wonders a water fountain brings in your home. Aside from its aesthetic value, water features are known to relax and relieve you of stress because of the soothing sound of water coming from them. Water features also mitigate noises, naturally give off negative ions and humidifies the air. They can also be a very accessible drinking source for your pets.

Water fountains are very popular not only because of the mentioned benefits but also because you get all those without the hassle. Maintaining a water fountain requires very minimal attention and then, if you follow these helpful tips, you would still decrease work being done on maintenance.

What plays a great deal in minimal maintenance is location, location, location. First you would need to decide on where to place your water fountain. It is very important that you choose a room that would maximize all the benefits that a water fountain gives. If you spend most of your time entertaining, then the living room may be an obvious choice to place your water fountain; however, if you would like to take refuge from the hustle and bustle of the world and get some relaxation at the end of the day, you might want to install your fountain on a more private room, say the den. Of course, you can also choose to install a beautiful tiered fountain in your garden or patio.

When you have decided on the location for your water fountain, there are still some things to consider before you choose a specific area for water fountain placement. For example, if you want to place a fountain in a hallway, you would need to consider the space available and the size of the fountain. If there are a lot of people going to and fro, chances are there would be traffic and people will brush on your water fountain. You would not want this to happen as this may damage your fountain if it happens often. You do not want to get a super sized fountain only to cram spaces. Or placing a fountain on top of the stairs may not be a good idea as water droplets around the area may cause people to slip and fall.

Here are some more tips that you will find most useful.

• Do not put your water fountain on surfaces that is prone to water damage. Untreated wood is an example. You do not want to find yourself with damage that could have been avoided in the first place.
• Maximize the aesthetic worth of your fountain by getting maximum exposure. Make sure that your water fountain is seen by everyone. It would be such a waste if a thing of beauty is hidden from its would have been admirers.
• Do not over decorate your water fountain. You may be tempted to buy all, if not most of fountain accessories available in the market but take a hold of yourself. Think again. Your fountain is a thing of beauty by itself. You do not really need to accessorize.
• If you like watching TV or listening to the radio, do not put your water fountain beside these appliances as the sounds coming from your water fountain will not be appreciated or will just compete with the sounds coming from your appliances.

Now that you know these helpful tips, you are ready to buy the fountain of your dreams and install it.

You might think, “Sure, water fountains are really nice looking, but why do people say it relieves you of stress and relaxes you?”  We understand how looking at a water fountain make you appreciate its beauty but not really appreciate all its other benefits. After all, those other benefits are more than what meets the eye.

For example, you may be surprised to know that water fountains generate negative ions. Negative ions, for the benefit of those who are not acquainted to the name, is the latest craze in total well being. Scientists and researchers agree that negative ions alleviate your mood and relieve you of stress. Remember how good you feel about yourself and just about everything else when you commune with nature, like when you are on the beach, in a forest or near a waterfall. That peaceful feeling is brought about by negative ion abundance.

Now you may be curious at how something beneficial form nature is actually present in your home water fountain. See, whenever there is running water; molecules are broken down and create negative ions.  And so, you get the same effect as if you are actually out on a beach or near a waterfall.

Other benefits of water ions are they clean the air and get rid of allergens. So if you are allergic to dust and other allergens, this is another reason why water fountains help you relax. Oh, and think about it, you get this special benefit without having to leave your home and spend money on a nature trip. Isn’t that another blessing to count?

Actually, just for this benefit, I would buy a water fountain.

But there are other reasons why a water fountain relaxes you.

Sure, you love looking at it. Who would not fall in love with its exquisite look? But when you listen to it, really listen to it, you would find yourself taken to another place. A place where everything is soothing and calm and all the day’s stress slowly melt away. Perhaps you would enjoy the moment more, with a scented candle and a foot stool, or add a bottle of beer or a glass of wine. After a long day at the office or a day’s load of household chores, that other place of serenity and calm would surely help.

Not only does the sound of flowing water relaxes you, it also drowns out unwanted noises around you. It may be the loud stereo sound coming from your neighbor kid’s room or your husband’s hammering and sawing at his workshop, hey, we all have different ways of relaxing after a long day, or your kids playing and fighting and playing again after school, but it would be really nice if these noises are drowned out for a little peace and quiet. A water fountain’s flowing water does the job of keeping those unwanted noises down.

So, you see, a water fountain is a beautiful piece of art but besides that, it does relieve you of stress. There are other water fountain benefits like, it serves as a natural humidifier and it can serve as your pet’s drinking source–but that would be another story.