Studies have shown that water can help one to relax. Whether it's listening to the trickle of water from a small fountain, or just looking at the reflections on the surface of a pond, a water feature can help you to de-stress after a hard day of work. A water feature can make a great addition to your yard, and they aren't too difficult to build, if you do your planning. Certain things need to be kept in mind when you're planning a pond or water garden.

Location: The primary consideration for a pond will be location, and there are several things to consider when choosing the right location for your pond. You'll need to decide whether you want a small pond in a secluded corner of your yard, or if you want it to be the centerpiece of your backyard. You'll also want to consider the amount of sunlight that the pond receives. Plants or fish need a certain balance of sunlight and shade. Trees can provide shade to your pond, but also make more work in the fall, when you have to skim off the dead leaves from the surface of the water. Is your yard level, or are there hills that need to be taken into account? A level location is ideal, but you can dig a pond into the side of the hill if necessary, but it takes more work and planning.

Formal or natural: A formal pond is geometric, shaped like a rectangle, square, circle, or other regular shapes. Usually, a formal pond is symmetrical and has a distinct border made of bricks or flagstones. Often a formal pond will feature statues or fountains, which draw attention to the pond. A natural pond has no straight lines or sharp corners. A natural pond looks like it is a natural part of the landscape, surrounded by plants and boulders.

Size: You'll need to plan the size of your pond carefully. You don't want the pond to be so big that it completely overwhelms the landscaping, but at the same time you don't want it too small. If you're going to have fish in your pond, keep in mind that fish need a certain size pond. Knowing what size pond you want will prevent regrets over making it too big or too small later on.

Purpose: Ponds have several different purposes. You may simply want to enjoy the sound of a waterfall or a fountain. Or you may want to raise fish, or perhaps grow aquatic plants. Or you may want a pond for any combination of these purposes. Whatever your reason for installing a pond, you'll need to know your reasons to plan a successful water feature. If you want a waterfall or fountain, you'll need to consider where it will be placed. You'll also need to plan the plumbing for it, and an electrical line to run the pump. If you want fish and/or plants in your pond, you'll need to take that into consideration as well. Some fish, like koi, just won't do well if the pond is too small or too shallow. You'll also need to plan a way to keep predators from getting the fish. You certainly don't want to stock your pond with expensive koi, only to find out that they became a midnight snack for your neighbor's cat. If you're putting in plants, you'll need to consider the amount of sun that the pond gets.

You'll need to keep all of these points in mind while you're planning your pond. Why do you want a pond? Where do you want it, and how big do you want it? A well planned water garden is much easier to build, and in the long run, will be much more enjoyable.