Ornamental fountains for shopping malls: 4 proposals that adapt to the space

What types of ornamental fountains are there?

1. Water show ornamental fountains

This type of fountain is truly a spectacle of water, lights, music and color. They are a perfect option when you want to amaze even the most demanding public. They can also be supplemented with other elements, including fire.

Water shows are an ideal solution for open spaces in shopping malls, like an entrance or open indoor space. The restaurants and stores around the fountain can also benefit, attracting more people to their businesses. These types of fountains can be installed in front of stores as well as near food courts and in outdoor areas.

Water show advantages

• High visual appeal: These ornamental fountains are a genuine spectacle for users, making them very attractive from both an aesthetic and a crowd-pulling perspective.
• They increase foot traffic: These highly aesthetic fountains and their visual impact are designed to be a distinctive element that attracts the public, make them an appealing and exciting feature of the mall. Not only that, but installing these types of ornamental fountains boosts surrounding businesses.
• Extensive customization options: Another benefit of this type of fountain is that it can be customized and adapted to the specific needs of each space.
• Convey strength and emotions: These fountains serve as visual stimulation, generating positive emotions that become linked to the mall.
• International brand image: Water show ornamental fountains become an easily recognizable symbol that is immediately associated with the brand and the place where they are located.
• Highly attractive visual choreographies: Another feature of this type of ornamental fountains is that choreographies can be programmed with the water jets, which provides an eye-catching visual appeal for the shopping mall.
• Refreshing: Another advantage of this type of fountains is that they cool down the environment, creating a much more pleasant and attractive atmosphere for visitors.

2. Dry deck ornamental fountains

An interactive and multifunctional solution, the basin of dry-deck fountains is installed just below ground level. When inactive, the fountain is a walkable space; when active, it produces a series of jets that can be customized to any purpose, creating fast and dynamic water displays.

Dry deck fountain advantages

• Interactive and multifunctional water feature for visitors: Users can interact with this type of ornamental fountain.
• It boosts surrounding activity and businesses: Because they’re interactive, they draw in more people to surrounding recreational and entertainment activities.
• High appeal for children: Although people of all ages can interact with this type of ornamental fountain, it is generally kids who are most interested.
• Highly attractive visual choreographies: Another feature of this type of ornamental fountains is that choreographies can be programmed with the water jets, which provides an eye-catching visual appeal for the shopping mall.
• Refreshing: Another advantage of this type of fountains is that they reduce the temperature in the surrounding area, providing a place where visitors can cool down in hot weather.

3. Digital curtains

Walls have always been a fundamental element of a building’s aesthetics. The main attraction of digital curtains is that they can be used as water screens. That is, images can be projected on the water curtain.

Easy to program and interact with, they can be controlled directly from a tablet. It is an ideal option for enclosed spaces, although use in outdoor spaces is also possible. The digital curtain can be installed in a central space where it can be seen from every floor of the shopping mall, boosting adjacent businesses and spaces.

Digital curtain advantages

• Ideal solution for tall spaces: Due to their pronounced height, they are ideal for tall spaces. Visitors will be amazed.
• Cool and relaxing: These large-scale fountains create a cozy, more welcoming atmosphere.
• Project messages: Another benefit of this type of ornamental fountains is that images like brand logos and personal messages can be projected, since the water curtain is flat and acts like a screen.
• Provide extraordinary beauty: One of the most outstanding benefits of digital curtains is how it turns public shopping mall spaces into an extraordinarily beautiful visual spectacle.

4. Vessel ornamental fountain

A classic solution that always delights. The movement, color and soothing sound of the water light up the mall environment with an ornamental touch that works inside or outside the building.

Vessel fountain advantages

• A decorative touch in any space: Available in a variety of sizes and easy to install, these fountains fit perfectly into any shopping mall space.
• Transmit peace and tranquility: The soft sound of water helps to create a sense of comfort in the shopping mall.
• They can be installed anywhere: This is a solution that is suitable for both indoors and outdoors and gardens.
• Architectural addition: These fountains are perfect for helping to define a mall’s architectural and artistic style.

Trends in modern shopping mall fountains

As the potential of ornamental fountains in shopping malls is increasingly understood, new trends are emerging that make the most of these features’ advantages for attracting visitors and creating unique experiences.

Emerging themes in ornamental fountains are characterized by incorporating modern possibilities, such as contemporary design features and technologies. This combines with the natural allure of water, which tends to captivate attention and enhance the atmosphere of shared public spaces.

As such, distinct shopping mall ornamental fountain trends today include:

• Walk-through fountains
• Multimedia fountains, where water merges with digital art and lighting
• Water walls
• Themed water fountains, which reference local culture
• Water shows where water is in sync with music and lights
• Reflecting fountains or water mirrors

Interactive and immersive visitor experiences

Interactive and immersive ornamental fountains stand out as a key trend in ornamental fountains. These features can be defined as the type of fountains that actively engage visitors so they become participants in an experience rather than passive observers.

While there are many approaches to interactive and immersive fountains, they typically showcase one or more of the following characteristics:

• Visitors can influence the experience by activating certain elements.
• They present enveloping environments where various senses are engaged (sound, touch, sight…).
• They promote a sense of surprise or exploration.

Examples of immersive or interactive fountains include installations where users can activate jets or lights through their actions, walk-through fountain features and multimedia water shows.

These features go beyond the mere decorative role of conventional water fountains, expanding the user experience. As such, they are a key addition to any public space, attracting foot traffic and promoting positive experiences that make visitors want to return.

Technology integration in fountain design

A number of digital technologies are facilitating ornamental fountains in malls to offer unique experiences that surprise and engage visitors.

From the integration of digital art into light and water shows to implementing eco-friendly pumps, these technologies can take many forms in order to enhance what water features can offer. However, smart controls and lighting technologies lie at the heart of the most innovative technologies.

Smart controls and dynamic lighting effects

On the one hand, smart controls refer to the technologies that manage how a fountain operates. This includes advanced sensors, software and programmed or automation settings. All of these create a smart ecosystem where settings such as water jets, timings and sequences, music or lighting synchronization are controlled.

As such, these smart controls not only allow for more efficient fountain management, but also for the advanced possibilities in immersive and interactive fountains. For instance, this combination of technologies is capable of responding to real-life inputs, such as movement and people approaching.

On the other hand, dynamic lighting effects are responsible for creating changing lighting shows within ornamental fountains. Shifting in color and intensity or synchronizing with music, current technologies allow for programming lighting or for lighting to be interactive.

Both of these technologies align to generate elevated experiences, redefining what ornamental fountains can be for visitors.

Ornamental fountains that captivate and create engaging experiences

Each idea and concept surrounding ornamental fountains explained above offers its own set of features that make it exceptional.

In short, ornamental fountains today go far beyond the merely aesthetic to help enhance user experience and create more pleasant and attractive environments for visitors. A unique experience that is capable of generating business for surrounding stores and turning shopping malls into captivating spaces where visitors will want to return to.

Explore Fluidra’s dynamic fountains to discover what contemporary ornamental fountains can offer for your space.

FAQs about ornamental fountains

How do modern fountains work?

Most modern ornamental fountains operate using a combination of water circulation systems, pumps, and control technologies. As such, pumps are in charge of drawing water from a basin where water is stored as a reservoir. A system that ensures water is circulated and then returned to the basin, creating a closed-loop environment.

Additional specific controls are installed to manage any potential extra equipment, including jets or lighting elements, among other possibilities.

What are the disadvantages of water fountains?

Installing a fountain requires awareness around safety and efficiency issues, which will be different depending on each unique fountain. However, as a general rule, maintenance needs and safety concerns will need to be managed (the latter considering fountains may attract pets or young children). In the case of fountains located outside, maintenance tasks specific to winter or the need to manage insects around the fountain may also emerge as issues to deal with.

Do fountains use a lot of electricity?

As a general rule, electricity consumption for fountains depends on pump wattage requirements and the number of hours fountains operate per day. Today, energy-efficient pumps exist that allow fountains to operate with reduced electricity costs. The addition of efficient lighting elements such as LED lights is also key to ensure minimal electricity costs.

Why do malls have water fountains?

Ornamental fountains in shopping malls serve as an element to enhance shopping experiences and increase visitor engagement. Modern fountains act as visual landmarks but also as potential immersive and interactive experiences. As such, they serve as an entertainment opportunity that attracts visitors and transforms the mall into a destination they want to revisit, rather than just a retail space.

Published on November 10, 2021, updated on January 26, 2026