We all would love to have a home on the water's edge, whether it’s a lake, pond or ocean. Not everyone can live that dream though, since there's only so much shoreline to go around. For many of us, we settle on a nicer alternative that keeps the chill wind from blowing across those large waters into our homes. We bring the water feature to us.

By adding a water feature on your property, you have the free will and freedom to design it to fit your needs. Waterfront homes don't have this luxury, so you're already coming out on top. While the customization is endless, it boils down to what you want. Garden ponds, waterfalls or streams.

While waterfalls seem to be one of the more popular options, especially pondless waterfalls, there is a certain limitation as to what you can do with them. You can't deny the popularity however, and people are installing them from small to large. Streams are being designed to cascade into multiple ponds over rocks. This creates a wonderful sight from afar when you look upon a beautiful stream that splits into multiple waterfalls.

While waterfalls that simply flow between multi-level ponds are nice, a stream will really flesh out the bulk of your property. By running a stream between two ponds at either ends of your property, you create a dynamic water feature that carries with it the feeling of nature - that it was meant to be there and fits your home in every way.

With just a little strategic placement of rocks and plant life, you can make your stream look as natural as ever. Transform your yard into a watery wonder, and build a masterful lagoon around your patio, fed by a natural waterfalls attached to the stream that courses through your yard. With a few palms, some imported lava rock and the right tinted stonework you can have a great little Hawaiian hotspot in your back yard – completely secluded from the outside world.

You can adjust the intensity of the streams on your property as well. A babbling brook, a roaring torrent, it's all up to you and the way it is engineered. They can be as wide or as narrow as you like and as intricately weaving as your heart desires. If you have the ability to heavily decorate along your stream with trees and undergrowth, you can create the perfect restful spot to sit on a rock, dunk your feet in the cool rippling water and shut out the rest of the world.

The water feature you create will only be limited by a few things. The first of course is your imagination. Don't be afraid to get extreme when designing your water scape. This is something that is going to last a long time, and you should get what you want the first time. Don't second guess yourself. If you want it, have it drawn up and see what a rendering of it would look like. Secondly, the installer: Make sure you carefully review the contractor to ensure that they have the talents required to deliver your desired streams and waterfalls. Once you have that locked in, it's only a matter of time before you have a vacation spot within reach every day.