Now that the weather's warming up, it's time to turn a critical eye to your outdoor living space. Flowers, fences, gazebos and benches are all pretty ... but what really makes your landscape a peaceful paradise is the sound of running water in the landscape. Combine a variety of elements in your landscape to create a beautiful outdoor living space you can enjoy for hours on end.

A cottage-style gazebo provides the optimal viewing vantage of this lovely pond and waterfall.

A simple patio with a bistro table creates a cozy, intimate spot for dining by the waterfalls.

You may remember this gazebo, patio, and waterfall from a previous post, which you can see here.

Houzz recently featured it in an article on decks and views.

Click here to see the Houzz article on dream decks.

Lots of shade and cool waters provide sweet relief from summer's heat.

French-style patio furniture fits snugly under a pergola for pondside enjoyment.

Flagstones create a natural-looking patio to complete this ecosystem pond.

Note the large windows for indoor viewing!

The charming gazebo provides an idyllic backdrop for a pond dotted with lily pads.

A grand home deserves a grand, waterfront view.

Settle into a comfy rocker and enjoy the view from your deck!

Linking to ...

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Inspiration Friday at At the Picket Fence