Whether you are trying to disguise road noise, add a little intrigue to a small backyard or just wanting to appreciate the peace that the sound of running water gives you – then take a look at these absolutely stunning backyard pondless disappearing waterfall designs. They are low maintenance and water efficient options with all the benefits and non of the hassle that goes along with maintaining a pond.
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I’ve been eyeing out this garden trend for a while. There is this little area between the driveway and our home that needs ‘something’.
I didn’t know what that something was until I popped over to a friends house and saw her pondless disappearing waterfall. Disappearing waterfall. Doesn’t the name even sound magical? It just rolls off your tongue.
We sat drinking a cuppa and chatting, but I swear I can hardly remember the conversation. I was obsessed with the little waterfall making this amazing water flow sound on the sidelines and I was secretly analyzing how it was built.
She must have noticed my state of distraction because she mentioned that they (hubby and her) had built it over a weekend with a DIY kit, some boulders and instant concrete. Sounded easy enough. I just have to figure out how to get the hubby involved. That might be the hard part, I guess. I might have to just get started. He stresses when I get the tools out. It’s like going fishing. You just need the right bait. In my case, all I have to say is, “Babe, where can I find the battery for the circular saw”.
The Benefits of a Pondless Waterfall
1. No Pond being the most obvious benefit. You will appreciate this if you have ever tried to maintain a pool of water in your garden. They can get pretty skanky and green without the proper care. It’s a bit like owning a pet really. By going pondless, you skip all that. Al go straight to the enjoying bit.
2. The Sound of falling water soothes the soul. And disguises any unwanted noises like vehicles passing or too close neighbours.
3. You don’t need a lot of space to set up your waterfall so you can put them pretty much anywhere: Along a garden path, in an unused corner of the property, in a flower bed or even a small entrance way or patio.
4. They use very little water. The same water is pumped in a never ending circle back to the top of the waterfall. If you live in a sunny region, the pump can be set up to be run bu solar.
5. They make a fantastic, safe water play area for kids.
How to Build Your Own DIY Backyard Pondless Disappearing Waterfall
Here are our Favourite Pondless Disappearing Waterfalls garden designs.
23 Absolutely Gorgeous Backyard Pondless Disappearing Waterfalls
1. Transform an ugly wall into something stunning
Do you have an old wall or side of the house that you just can’t disguise? Make it a feature like this red wall with a simple cascading sheet of water.
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2. Natural stone and pebbles
Battling to grow plants in a dry area of the garden? This natural rock and pebble waterfall gives a feeling of coolness and distracts from the arid landscape surrounding it. This is the one I am looking at buying. It’s a simple rock waterfall which I think I could actually DIY – maybe even without my husbands help.
3. Join two parts of a Garden
Forget boring pathways. This DIY bubbling brook is an interesting way to connect two areas of your garden and make it feel more alive.
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4. Disguise the Effluent field
Effluent fields can be a large and unsightly necessary addition to rural homes. A pondless disappearing waterfall can detract from the unsightly area without contamination as it operates within it’s own sealed off water system.
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5. Rainwater Runoff
Soggy lawns a problem when it rains? A pondless waterfall can double as an effective way to guide rainwater runoff away from the house and lawn.
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6. Patio Waterfalls
Even the smallest garden can benefit from a pondless waterfall. This waterfall was built at the end of a small patio.
7. Add a pond if you really, really want to
Maybe you want a spot to watch the birds swim, or keep a couple of goldfish? Dig a larger capture area at the base of you waterfall for a makeshift pond. The falling water should be enough to aerate the water and keep it fresh and clean.
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8. Create an Outdoor Shower Waterfall
This will keep the kids busy for hours.
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9. Driftwood Cascade
This beautiful waterfall has been cleverly made using a piece of wood concreted into river stones. I’m a little in love with it.
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10. Give it Mod look
Even the most modern designs can incorporate a disappearing waterfall into their landscaping.
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11. A Safe Water Play Zone
Keep the kids entertained on hot days with a shallow flowing waterfall.
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12. Steep bank
A steep bank can be a pain if you are trying to landscape it. Give up now and use it for what it’s meant for – A gorgeous natural looking waterfall. I would watch this all day!
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13. Water Acoustics
Create an ambient soundtrack in your garden. Drown out the sounds of a busy road or musical neighbors with the sound of running water.
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14. It’s not the size that matters.
Even the smallest waterfall adds a touch of magic and tranquility to your garden.
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15. Take a walk in the wold side
Turn up the pump and enjoy a rushing river right outside your front door. Pair it up with tropical plants and you have your very own jungle.
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16. Take the stairs
Such a clever way to beautify a set of plain concrete stairs and make use of a steep garden bed alongside.
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17. Build a Bridge
I’ve always wanted a bridge in my garden but never had the body of water to build it over. This solves that problem with the illusion of water flowing under the wooden foot bridge.
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18. Magical Fairy Garden
This disappearing waterfall is the perfect place to build a fairy garden. Big round boulders and flat sitting spots make it perfect for little kids. Look closely and see how many fairies you can count. My daughter would be obsessed with this.
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19. A LongDrop
Wow! This takes the outdoor shower to a whole new level.
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20. Awkward Spaces
We have two of them at our place. Awkward spaces where nothing grows and it’s too small to be any good for anything except gathering clutter. This is a way better idea.
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21. Night de-light
The night light shines on this little waterfall in the evening for a 24 hour water show.
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22. Forget the Garden
Not much into gardening? Consider building a waterfall that takes up the entire garden bed.
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23. No Garden?
What if you don’t have a garden? This solves that dilemma and adds an element of sound and texture to the home that makes it unforgettable.
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Want More Backyard Inspiration?
I’ll keep you updated on how I go with the pondless waterfall I’m dreaming of building next to the house. Let me know if you have any tips on getting the husband motivated to build it?
Patio waterfalls even the smallest garden can benefit from a pondless waterfall.