27 Raised Pond Ideas for Small Gardens

Innovatively Repurposed Containers

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Guests are sure to remark on the nifty ways one might repurpose a functional tool or device to create an unusual water feature. Metallic structures such as this one should cause onlookers to think about its history and the uses it may have met prior to being converted into a pond. For instance, one particularly curious guest may wonder, “did water always flow through this structure and its perforations or did it once hold something else entirely?” This goes to show that an old cement mixer, figments of a processing plant, and virtually anything that is stable and can hold water has potential as a raised pond.

The patina on the pipes and container add a natural charm to this rustic setup. It highlights the ways in which modern, industrial materials might complement the shapes and colors of flora.

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Something as simple as a bucket made of wooden planks can be repurposed into a moveable water feature. Lined with a non-porous plastic or rubber material, this innovation can brighten up an otherwise drab corner. It’s the perfect size and shape for small verandas, balconies, and porches that could use a raised element and some natural décor.

Much-needed color can enliven setups like this one through the addition of a petite, semi-aquatic or emergent plant. You can even grow water-loving herbs, like water mint or watercress, this way! Place this raised pond close to the kitchen so that you may sustainably harvest the leaves at any time of your choosing.

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Who would’ve thought that a simple faucet could be such a wise addition to a repurposed bucket? In this setup, it serves as a functional water source for the raised pond. As it spurts drops of water, it aids in the aeration of the water column. This increases the amount of oxygen available for any resident plants, fish, amphibians, and aquatic insects.

A combination of miniature floating-leaved and emergent plants complements the brown hues of the wooden structure. These plants should help protect any small animals in the water column while aiding in the maintenance of optimal nutrient concentrations. Just make sure to remove any decaying or deceased portions to prevent them from contaminating the water.

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Fancy a bit of garden whimsy? Then this idea is perfect for you! Nothing’s quite as quirky as a bathtub-turned-ornamental pond. Apart from being a conversation piece, this setup would be great for homeowners that are reluctant to permanently alter their garden space. As the entire body of water is contained in a drainable and easy-to-maintain tub, it can even be a seasonal installment for spring and summer enjoyment.

A combination of adequately-sized water lilies and emergent grasses adds interest to the water’s surface. Apart from their visual benefits, these plants help regulate the water’s temperature by adding shade. In optimal conditions, they should also help control algal growth.

Bowls & Jars as Ponds

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Large metal bowls converted into miniature ponds are elegant additions to small gardens. They complement the appearance of homes with rustic and traditional elements, though they can also be designed to suit an impeccably modern space.

Raised ponds like this one are relatively straightforward to maintain. By adding living elements, like the water lily seen here, they are transformed into decorative water features that seem to defy gravity. Floating plants are especially striking in ponds like this as they draw attention to the stillness of the water’s surface. Terrestrial plants growing along the base of the bowl allow it to seamlessly merge with the garden floor.

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Oversized ceramic or glazed jars (non-porous or lined) can also be converted into small, raised ponds. These can be outfitted with small water filters or pumps if you intend to add fish into the setup. A mini-fountain can be installed in the center of the jar for added motion and aeration. If you intend to grow floating plants on a limited surface area, however, the water should be kept relatively still.

Without the shade from floating plants or in the absence of a slight current, algae may quickly invade and spread throughout sunlit miniature ponds. The water temperature can also be expected to fluctuate significantly throughout the day. Adding complexity with the use of plants, decorative elements, live animals, or makeshift fountains, should help maintain the water’s properties.

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Jars with a vibrant glaze, such as this intensely blue one, can perfectly accentuate the colors of small fish. The orange speckles and black spots of these juvenile goldfish are made even more vivid by the colors around them. The bright green sheen of the singular lily leaf also draws attention to the diversity of forms and textures in this miniature setup.

If you intend to grow fish in a small raised pond, keep in mind that they will likely require supplementary aeration. One or two tiny guppies may survive without the added oxygen, but koi and goldfish are likely to become stressed in low-oxygen conditions. An air stone, tubing, and a small blower might be enough to keep your fish comfortable. Just make sure to keep stocking densities to a minimum.

Small Ponds in Raised Beds

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A pond can be “raised” by placing it in an elevated bed of soil. As its margins would also be raised, the pond may initially appear to be a “sunken” water feature! Using rough slabs of rocks to define its borders makes it blend into the surroundings. The rocks also hide the appearance of liner, which can be quite unsightly when exposed. A red maple sapling draws attention to the dark tones of the pond to balance out the bright tufts of green nearby.

An adorable spitter graces the edge of what looks to be an ideal pond for young terrapins – though a sloping edge would be necessary for them to enter and exit.

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This is a closer view of the previous raised pond. The canopy of the adjacent tree casts the pond and the surrounding plants in some dappled shade. It is thus important to select border plants that can adapt to ambient conditions. Raised beds like this are great for growing plants that may require a substrate type that differs from the soil found in your garden.

Here, a variety of colorful hosta cultivars are used to add diversity and texture to the setup. The rough slabs of stone blend in with the trunk of the tree and may function as an ornamental feature for hiding artificial materials like PVC pipes or plastic liner.

Natural Materials as Edge Elements

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Planks of wood make for great borders around raised ponds. As they aren’t able to keep in water on their own, a liner for reinforcement may be necessary.

The use of wood can render a cottage-like or farm-inspired finish. Here, the planks complement the appearance of surrounding plots of raised vegetable or herb beds. Additional pots of plants placed close to the sharp corners of the pond help soften its appearance. Emergent pots within the pond itself can be used to grow plants with a penchant for having wet roots.

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A rough finish like the one seen here is another great way to hide plastic liner in raised ponds. Irregularly-shaped slabs of light-colored stone can enhance the timelessness of your pond’s design. Surrounding portions of the rocky margins with a diverse selection of plants can help hide the fact that the pond itself is raised. For example, the succulents found in the upper left corner of this photo appear to raise the level of the ground to the full height of the pond.

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This is a great example of how liner can be used as a low-cost means of making a raised pond leak-proof. No amount of digging is required for a pond like this, which is simply constructed using large sections of chopped wood.

If you aren’t after the ornamental value of small ponds and would instead like to focus on their uses in aquaponics or permaculture, you may find that it isn’t necessary to hide pond liner. If, however, this type of finish is one that displeases you, know that it can always be transformed with more natural edging materials. This can simply serve as the base structure instead of the finished look of your raised pond.

Raised Pond Edges With Fixed Corners

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Fixed corners and concrete edges are common features of modern ornamental ponds. Their rigid forms strike a balance with nature’s dynamic and diverse shapes. Attention is drawn to the stillness of the water’s surface as well as the rounded shapes of the aquatic foliage. When the sun hits just right, you can expect the exposed parts of the surface to elegantly mirror the sky and the canopies of nearby trees.

A gutter around this raised pond prevents the surrounding turf from being flooded during periods of heavy rainfall. It should also help prevent potential wild vectors of pathogens from entering the pond.

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Large and smooth tiles of cement or marble can be used to create a remarkably elegant raised pond. Pay attention to how the tiles along the top of the border slightly jut into the pond’s surface area to help hide the underlying liner. Apart from contributing to the pond’s pool-like appearance, the border also doubles as a sturdy spot on which one may sit and observe the fish.

A combination of submerged, emergent, and floating-leaved plants adds structure and color to the pond’s water column and surface. These can help keep the fish comfortable by preventing the pond from overheating, removing excess nutrients, and providing natural cover from overhead predators.

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A multi-level pond border is a great way to make a raised pond more inviting and accessible. Even young children can comfortably stand close to the edges (with supervision, of course) of this pond’s wide borders. The muted tiles and potted plants around the pond delightfully contrast the brownish-red sheen of the surrounding bricks. A large pot on each corner helps break the rigidity of the rectangular border.

Nuanced touches of nearby garden furniture, quirky decorative structures, and well-kept herbs significantly add character to the garden, but they don’t distract from the pond itself. Ponds like this, which double as outdoor sanctuaries, can make homes in developed areas extra inviting!

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When a garden is small, a focal pond can look quite big. In this case, it takes up almost the entire outdoor area! This raised pond, which shares one side of its borders with a covered (possibly indoor) area, looks more like a natural pool. A Buddha sculpture on the far end gives it a Zen-like feel. On its left-hand side is a low waterfall that appears to be built into the edge itself. This likely helps maintain optimal dissolved oxygen levels, which are crucial for raising ornamental fish. The oriental theme of the pond is enhanced by a couple of pagoda sculptures and bonsais, the curves of which draw attention away from the pond’s sharp corners.

Perfect Circles

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A raised circular pond is a great spot around which to have striking conversations with friends. When visiting a spot like this on your own, you’ll find that the sturdy, raised edge is an inviting surface for a brief period of rest. When seated on the edge, one can easily get lost in thought while observing the patterned ripples of water and listening to the gentle flow of the central fountain. The continuous curvature of ponds like this one helps relax the eye. Natural materials are perfect for creating circular edges as the shape highlights their versatility.

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Circular ponds are excellent focal pieces in small gardens because they tend to have well-proportioned qualities. Moreover, they are considered to be functionally advantageous and beginner-friendly. The lack of corners creates a balanced water flow and ensures that the pond has no oxygen-poor zones. Anoxic waters are sites where potentially dangerous bacteria or algae can accumulate.

A raised edge makes it easy to care for aquatic plants and maintain water parameters. The added height protects the pond from floodwaters and contaminated substrates. Adding visual enhancements around a circular pond is also relatively straightforward. Arranging garden furniture in a semi-circle that corresponds with the pond’s outline should highlight its perfect shape. The brown and reddish hues of the chairs, tables, and edge bricks draw attention to the vivid green hues of the marginal plants.

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Where plants are located relative to a raised circular pond can drastically change the pond’s overall appearance. Here, the arrangement of plants indicates where one should stand for the best view. A lush backdrop of upright leaves, in the form of tufts of emergent grass, creates a natural screen. Leafy hedges around the pond’s perimeter help soften its well-defined edge. Evenly spaced pots of highly textural grasses add more vertical complexity and liveliness to the raised edge. As opposed to the previous circular pond, this one’s continuous edge is intentionally hidden from the viewer’s line of sight.

Irregular Shapes

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There are no true rules when it comes to how a raised pond should be shaped. However, it’s important to bear in mind that some shapes are better for water flow than others. An organic shape, such as the peanut-like one seen here, will need to be designed with water movement in mind. The location of the pump, filter, or an additional water feature for aeration should allow for oxygen to reach all parts of the pond.

Shapes like this one can help soften the look of adjacent corners and walls while taking up minimal space in the garden. The tufts of emergent grasses clearly designate a “back portion” of the raised pond. They prevent the pond’s shape from looking too pre-meditated or outlandish in this space.

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Generously covering some sides of an irregularly-shaped pond gives it a more casual or natural appearance. A combination of bromeliads, ferns, tropical shrubs, and leafy ground cover plants seems to highlight the life-giving properties of pond water.

The organic look of this pond is further enhanced by the materials used to create its raised edge. Rocks of different sizes, topped with a light brown mixture of natural stone or concrete, make the pond resemble a hot spring.

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A separate island within an irregularly-shaped pond can invite onlookers to make their way around the entire attraction. It creates a pathway for water flow – one which energetic types of ornamental fish are likely to explore and enjoy. Of course, the size of the island would be determined by the size of the pond itself. It should not significantly slow or impede the flow of water.

Functional and decorative structures add charm to this raised pond’s curved edges. A faucet serves to add water and increase oxygen flow, whereas the sculpture of a kneeling woman may inspire deep thought.

Adding Complexity With Plants

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Something as simple as a medium-sized ceramic bowl can be made larger than life with the addition of aquatic plants. A few clumps of upright marginals add elegant height without blocking one’s line of sight. Adequately-sized floating plants likewise enhance the appearance of the water’s surface. In small setups, plants may have to be cut back or harvested at a faster rate to prevent them from outgrowing a small area.

Terrestrial plants surrounding repurposed bowls like this one can be just as important as their aquatic components. Flowering shrubs can attract beneficial insects and amphibians. Many of these are likely to perch on the pond’s edge for a drink. They should help increase a small garden’s natural diversity.

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Large bowls made out of natural materials can be converted into some of the most stunning aquatic gardens. The neutral tones of these ones bring out the vibrant hues of floating leaves. Healthy lily pads are definitely a common favorite in the aquascaping world, and there’s no mystery why. Their unrivaled elegance is only matched by their impressive list of ecological services. As these provide shade and cover for aquatic organisms, they also serve as surfaces on which healthy microbes may grow. Additionally, they aid in the maintenance of optimal water conditions by absorbing excess nutrients.

Functional Structure

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A bench built into a pond or a pond built into a bench – either way, this creatively made, raised pond showcases how structures can be designed to have multiple uses.

The wall on one edge boasts simple water spouts and posts that support an overhead trellis for shade. The C-shaped pond surface opens up calm pockets in which aquatic plants can comfortably set out their leaves and roots. Marginal papyrus plants on the back corners help soften the appearance of the wall.

To further naturalize raised brick-and-stone features like this one, you can strategically place pots of leafy ornamentals along the base of bare edges. Vines can also be grown along the wall and trellis.

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A raised pond that looks as though it was taken straight out of a fairytale, this unique water feature has both decorative and functional elements. Vibrant blooms draw one’s eye to the raised edge and accentuate the warmth of its wooden finish.

A bird feeder, miniature windmill, and wall-mounted fountain are propped on the wooden walls, which likely house the tools used to maintain this elaborate setup! In preparation for all seasons, this pond is even equipped with mesh covers (see far end), which should effectively keep out fallen leaves or opportunistic animals.  

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When it comes to functional structures within a pond itself, you’ll find that makeshift features for flowing water are incredibly beneficial. If you look closely at the raised pond edge with light fixtures, you’ll see a simple, multi-tiered waterfall made with a basin and more natural materials. This allows water to flow into the small pond without causing too much turbulence, keeping any resident fish and turtles happy.

You need not look far or stick to man-made objects when it comes to outfitting a pond. Functional structure may also come in the form of border plants! The small tree right next to the pond provides shade on hot days, keeping the water cool. This one will, of course, eventually produce a larger canopy for more extensive coverage of dappled shade.