This post is sponsored by Aquascape®.
Patio design and opinions are my own.
You guys, I can hardly contain my excitement. We finally have a new patio pond and a bamboo pouring fountain on our side patio — and there’s a giveaway for an Aquascape Patio Pond in the comments below!
If you haven’t seen this area before, our side patio sits just outside the kitchen beyond the Dutch door. I’ll share a full before-and-after in a future post, but for context you can recall where we started. The space is almost unrecognizable now.
door to the patio from our kitchen
This project had many bumps and delays, so it sat unfinished for a long time. We nearly gave up on it, but with a stretch of beautiful weather we decided not to wait any longer. Even though the patio isn’t completely finished, we made huge progress and it already feels so much better. A patio pond makes any space feel more peaceful and inviting, and that’s exactly what happened here.
We’ve lived in this house for almost two years and this small area outside the kitchen felt underused because it wasn’t finished. When the sun returned a few weeks ago we decided to finish enough to enjoy the outdoors for the season. With quick creative fixes for the unfinished bits, we focused on making the patio pretty and welcoming.
I’ll explain more about what went wrong with the patio, what still needs to be done, and share additional progress photos in another post. For now I’ll say this: imperfect and incomplete can still be beautiful and useful, and we’re enjoying the space as it is.
Seattle treated us to a string of sunny days, which gave us the perfect window to set up the patio and enjoy it for the first time. The mild, low-humidity weather here makes outdoor spaces particularly pleasant — no swarms of bugs, just birds and the occasional distant seagull heading toward the Puget Sound. It reminded us why we love living here.
My dream was always to have a patio pond with a fountain, so that became the inspiration to move forward. The sound of water draws you outside and instantly calms the space. Our block is quiet and peaceful; the patio sits in the small gap between our home and the neighbor’s, so I wanted to enhance privacy and make this feel like a secluded oasis.
We also considered our dog, Jack. He’s a six-year-old Goldendoodle who can get anxious when other dogs pass or bark, so I aimed to make the patio feel soothing for the whole family — two-legged and four-legged alike.
An Outdoor Room
The first step was to treat the patio like an outdoor room. An outdoor room borrows many principles from interior spaces: define a conversation area, add comfortable seating, textiles, lighting and plants. This setup will stay in use through summer and fall. If rain comes, cushions are easy to bring indoors, and the sectional has held up well over time.
We began with a rug to anchor the seating area, then placed our sectional (the same one from our previous home). Cushions are a mix of older pieces and newer outdoor options. A striped umbrella provides shade and works as a “ceiling,” which helps the space feel cozy and more private. Whether from a tree, pergola, awning or umbrella, a ceiling element always settles an outdoor room.
Plants were added for greenery, color and texture — some are still maturing but already make a big impact. Garden stools add function and charm, giving a place for morning coffee or a small plate during dinner outdoors.
An umbrella brings shade, privacy and a sense of enclosure, and the striped fabric adds playful personality. With thoughtful pillows, plants, and accessories, the area feels finished and welcoming.
Patio Pond
The patio pond itself is a beautiful focal point. We chose a textured gray slate basin with a bamboo spout fountain, which creates a gentle, soothing sound. I can hear the fountain from the kitchen, and it invites people to come outside and relax.
The installation was straightforward. Aquascape includes clear instructions and videos — the system is essentially a basin with a separate pump and spout that you place together. We aren’t expert DIYers, and we found the process simple and manageable.
You can customize the pond with floating plants, additional potted plants on the built-in shelf, lighting, or even fish if you follow proper preparation steps. The pond adds movement, sound, and a calm focal point that enhances any outdoor room.
As tempting as fish might be, our pets are curious — so for now we’ll enjoy plantings and the fountain itself rather than risk our furry friends reaching the water.
I expect to spend many mornings and evenings here this summer — working, chatting, reading or simply listening to the water. It’s become a favorite spot for calm and connection.
We’re thrilled to finally have this space usable for the season. It feels like a little dream come true, and I’ll share more project details and the full patio story, including how we handled the concrete color issues, in an upcoming post.
ENTER THE PATIO POND GIVEAWAY!
Be sure to enter the Aquascape Patio Pond giveaway in my blog comments, below! You do NOT have to have a website or blog to enter (Winners can be from U.S. and Canada only). One winner will be selected June 15, 2017.
How to Order a Patio Pond:
If you’d like a patio pond and fountain of your own, Aquascape offers several options and clear ordering information. The model featured here is a 27-inch gray slate basin. Aquascape also provides installation resources and videos to guide you.
Outdoor Furniture and Decor:
All outdoor furniture and decor sources from this space are available via the shop links provided on the blog.
Paint Colors:
The house is painted Reserved White (Glidden) and the Dutch door is Blue Note (Benjamin Moore).
Related Posts:
My Backyard Fire Fountain
The Side Yard Project BEFORE
P.S. I’ll cover the patio project in more detail in a future post, including how we resolved a concrete coloring mishap. Long story short: the patio was supposed to be dyed before pouring, but only half was poured in the darker mix. The lighter half was dyed afterward — yes, you can dye an existing patio — and I’ll share the pros, cons and process soon.