When it comes to fountain placement the old mantra of location, location, location holds true. The calming sounds and beautiful sights of a well-placed fountain can transform a landscape. The number one thing to remember is that a fountain should be placed in a spot that readily allows people to enjoy it. A fountain should never be hidden in a part of your yard that rarely gets visited, this defeats its purpose.

It's best to select a location for your fountain before selecting the fountain itself. This way you know how much space is available and what type and style of fountain will best suit your needs. Picking a fountain with a particular area of your garden in mind will result in a cohesive and natural feeling, as if the fountain belongs there. If done the other way around, you may end up with a fountain that sticks out like a sore thumb.

If your garden has a formal design a fountain should be placed in a central location where it can serve as a focal point. In this case, fountains are often placed at the intersection of two paths. If your garden has an informal design a fountain should be tucked into a corner, or placed along a garden path. The goal of a fountain in an informal setting is to serve as an accent rather than a focal point.

Other things to consider when deciding on the best location for a garden fountain include:

• Where it will best be able to mask street noise
• Where it will provide the best water music for your patio
• Where it can best be seen and heard from indoors and out
• The proximity to a source of electricity for running the pump
• The types of plants in the area, ones that drop leaves could be troublesome
• The safety of children and pets