15 Lovely DIY Pond Designs
Updated on May 24, 2019
Now that spring is here, we’re basically obsessed with the idea of improving our outdoor space and turning our backyard into a spring and summertime haven for our friends and family. It’s already quite nice, featuring plenty of little DIY touches that we’ve added over the years, but we’re feeling pretty intent lately on adding some kind of lovely statement piece that we can be proud to announce that we made ourselves! That’s why we’ve been looking at different kinds of DIY guides and tutorials that might help us make our very own backyard pond.
Just in case you love the idea of making an awesome homemade pond this spring just as much as we do, if not more, here are 15 of the very best ideas, designs, and tutorials that we’ve come across so far in our search for inspiration and guidance!
1. How to build a rocky front yard pond
Have we absolutely caught your attention with the idea of making a pond but you’re actually convinced that you might prefer to put your brand new, impressive water feature in the front yard instead of the back, since you’ve got a little more space there? Perhaps the front of your house just needs a little more character. Either way, we think you might appreciate how Mom Dot Com made this rocky pond in their own front yard, outlining how they even added a small water fall for that calming water sound.
2. Simple wooden deck style pond
When you first started envisioning the concept of what you’d like a pond in your own backyard to look like, were you actually picturing something a little more minimalist, or maybe something looks slightly more like a zen garden than a natural rocky grotto? Then we have a feeling you might get along a little better with something like this stunning wooden deck style pond outlined step by step on The Garden Glove.
3. Small patio garden pond
Are you actually in search of some kind of very little, independently standing pond because your house only has a very small deck or patio rather than a full lawn? Perhaps you actually live in an apartment and you’re looking for a way to add a water element to your balcony. In any case, we think this adorable little patio pond concept, which DIY n’ Crafts shows you how to build in a concrete planter, might be a little more up your alley!
4. Small pond inspired bubble fountain
Just in case we’ve really caught your eye with the idea of making a small, freestanding pond for a spot in your yard but you’re actually open to the idea of making something a little more challenging, maybe you’d prefer to take a look at the way Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom created this tiered or stacked style fountain that’s inspired by small zen ponds.
5. Upcycled stock tank garden pond
Perhaps you’re scrolling through our list looking for a pond that’s a lot bigger than the last few concepts we’ve shown you, but you’re just not sure that digging into the ground in your yard is the way you want to go with the project? Well, especially if your yard might suit a slightly rustic chic style? We’d definitely suggest taking a look at the way Penick made this fantastic garden pond from a metal stock tank.
6. Contemporary concrete and stone pond from a plastic tote
Are you actually still thinking about how much you loved the idea of the small, inset pond that looked a little more streamlined and minimalist but you think you might prefer a slightly more industrial inspired materiality than the wooden deck idea we showed you before? In that case, we’d definitely suggest taking a look at the way The Garden Glove made this contemporary looking garden feature in an affordable way using a simple plastic tub.
7. River rock waterfall and pond
Did you actually really love the rocky, natural looking pond idea we showed you earlier but you’re just not sure you have quite enough space for that configuration? Perhaps you’re actually just scrolling through our list wondering whether or not you can find a tutorial that will help you make something similar but with slightly more emphasis on the waterfall itself. Either way, we have a feeling Oh My Creative has the perfect tutorial for you.
8. High, piled rock waterfall
With all this talk of little pond waterfalls, have we actually got you convinced that what your backyard and greens pace really needs is a much larger water fall feature than what you’ve seen here? In that case, we’d absolutely suggest taking a look at the way Remodelaholic made this fantastic fall by strategically stacking rocks. We love that it was made on an affordable budget!
9. Pond feature made from a tractor tire
Just in case you’re the kind of DIY enthusiast who adores turning just about any crafty project you get your hands on into an opportunity to upcycle and repurpose old things, here’s a tutorial that will help you do just that! We’re huge fans of the way DIY n’ Crafts created a pond and garden feature complete with miniature side pools by working with old car and tractor tires.
10. Liner-less natural pond
Just in case you’re still feeling very intent on building a stunning pond in your backyard but you don’t like the idea of lining the ground with plastic first, since you’ve much prefer to make the feature as natural as possible so it becomes one with your yard’s natural ecosystem, here’s a tutorial that will help you create a rocky, liner-less pond that the animals who call your yard home will welcome. Get the full details for making one of your own on Hyper Brain.
11. Multi-basin pond
If you’re going to put in the time and effort that it takes to make yourself a backyard pond from scratch, would you rather make sure it’s got something slightly more unique about it, just to make it stand out and give you the full experience? In that case, we’d absolutely suggest taking a look at the way Handimania made themselves a multi-basin pond that features two slightly smaller pools beside is largest water feature.
12. DIY bathtub fish pond
Speaking of water feature options that are a little more unique than what you might have seen so far in your search, here’s a concept that’s perfect for those who adore vintage inspired things! We can’t get over how stunning this above-ground pond made from a vintage bathtub is, especially the way Empress of Dirt made it so that it’s friendly for fish to live in.
13. DIY water container garden
Of course, we’ve already shown you a number of free standing, smaller space friendly ponds, but what if you just haven’t quite seen the idea that grabs your full attention? In that case, we’d definitely suggest taking a look at how What’s Ur Home Story made this simple water garden from a large planter. Sure, it’s a pond, but they show you how to put a little more emphasis on the greenery you’re putting into it.
14. How to build a jumbo backyard koi pond
Have you actually been scrolling through our list hoping to find some kind of idea or tutorial that will help you turn almost your entire backyard into a pond, since you don’t often use the lawn and you’re really just aiming to make that outdoor space as relaxing and beautiful as possible? Then we think you just might be the perfect person to give this jumbo pond tutorial featured step by step on The Pond Digger a try!
15. Wooden deck-top pond
Just in case you’re still considering your options when it comes to smaller, above ground ideas but you’re also feeling quite partial to the concept of building your pond out of wood for a zen, natural looking effect, here’s one last idea for your consideration before we go! Check out this tutorial from Lowes to see how this fantastic wooden deck-top pond was made.
Have you made another kind of fantastic DIY pond that you were very happy with indeed but that you don’t see here on our list? Tell us all about what you created and how you did it or link us to photos of your finished work in the comments section!