Fountains have long been associated with elegance, tranquility, and artistic expression. But in the world of DIY projects, people tend to stretch the limits of creativity—sometimes to absurd, humorous, or downright bizarre extremes. While some homemade fountains are engineering marvels, others leave us wondering, “Why?” In this post, we’ll explore some of the weirdest DIY fountains people have actually built, their inspiration, and what makes them so unique.
1. The Toilet Bowl Fountain
One of the most infamous DIY fountain designs is the repurposed toilet bowl fountain. Some adventurous DIYers take old or discarded toilets and transform them into bubbling water features. The water flows from the tank into the bowl, creating a cascading effect that mimics a miniature waterfall. While some see this as an eco-friendly upcycling project, others find it an unusual way to add a “classy” touch to their gardens.
Why It’s Weird: Most people associate toilets with waste disposal, not relaxation. Seeing a fountain built from a bathroom fixture can be unsettling, but it’s undeniably a conversation starter.
2. Bathtub Waterfall Fountain
Similar to the toilet bowl fountain, the bathtub waterfall fountain is another strange yet functional DIY project. People have been known to repurpose old clawfoot tubs or standard bathtubs into outdoor water features. Some go the extra mile by adding koi fish or floating flowers, turning their backyard into an eccentric yet relaxing retreat.
Why It’s Weird: A bathtub belongs in a bathroom, so seeing one bubbling with fresh water in someone’s garden is a bit jarring. However, it does serve as a unique way to recycle an old tub instead of sending it to a landfill.
3. Mannequin Fountain
A particularly eerie DIY fountain idea involves using mannequins as water features. Some DIYers dress up old store mannequins, drill holes through their arms, hands, or heads, and attach tubing so that water pours out in unexpected ways. Imagine a mannequin with water flowing from its eyes like tears or spewing water from its fingertips like a mythical goddess.
Why It’s Weird: Mannequins are already unsettling to some people. Adding running water to them only enhances their uncanny valley effect, making them look like haunted relics from an art installation gone wrong.
4. Old Car Hood Fountain
For automotive enthusiasts who refuse to part with their beloved vehicles, some have opted to transform old car hoods into fountains. The water flows over the hood, sometimes bubbling from the engine area or cascading from the headlights.
Why It’s Weird: Cars and water don’t typically mix well. Seeing a car hood used as a water feature might make car lovers cringe, but for others, it’s a nostalgic tribute to their favorite vehicle.
5. Bicycle Wheel Fountain
For those who love quirky kinetic sculptures, the bicycle wheel fountain is an odd yet mesmerizing creation. Water flows over a spinning bicycle wheel, creating a dynamic and ever-moving effect. Some even mount multiple wheels for a steampunk-inspired contraption.
Why It’s Weird: While the engineering is impressive, the bicycle wheel fountain can look like an unfinished science project, making people wonder whether it’s art, an experiment, or just a very creative accident.
6. Doll Head Fountain
One of the most unsettling DIY fountains involves repurposing doll heads as water spouts. The water gushes from their eyes, mouths, or scalps, creating an effect that is equal parts horror movie and avant-garde art.
Why It’s Weird: There’s something deeply unsettling about water flowing from a doll’s face, making this one of the creepiest DIY fountain ideas out there. Unless you’re trying to create a haunted garden aesthetic, this might not be the best choice for a peaceful outdoor space.
7. Beer Keg Fountain
For beer lovers looking to immortalize their passion, turning an old beer keg into a fountain is an oddly popular DIY project. Water (or sometimes colored liquid resembling beer) pours from the tap, making it look like an eternal keg party.
Why It’s Weird: It gives off the impression of a never-ending beer tap, which can be fun but also oddly out of place in a tranquil garden setting. However, as far as recycling old kegs goes, it’s one of the more creative options.
8. Fish Tank Fountain
Some DIYers have merged the ideas of aquariums and fountains, creating bizarre hybrid fish tank fountains. Water cascades over or through a tank filled with live fish, sometimes with pipes that create floating water tunnels for fish to swim through.
Why It’s Weird: While it looks cool, fish typically don’t appreciate being part of a constantly moving water system. The continuous water flow can stress them out, making this idea more aesthetically interesting than practical.
9. Upside-Down Umbrella Fountain
An upside-down umbrella as a water feature may sound whimsical, but it’s one of the odder DIY fountain designs. Water pours over the inside of the umbrella and cascades down in a circular pattern, creating a soft, raining effect.
Why It’s Weird: Umbrellas are meant to keep water out, not collect and dispense it. Seeing one used in reverse is visually striking but definitely an unexpected sight.
10. Gnome Peeing Fountain
Garden gnomes are already a classic decoration, but some DIYers have taken things a step further by converting them into cheeky fountains. A popular design features a gnome standing with a hose or stream of water coming from an ahem anatomically questionable location.
Why It’s Weird: It’s playful yet slightly inappropriate, making it a hilarious but eyebrow-raising choice for a backyard.
11. Shoe Fountain
Some people have taken old boots or sneakers and turned them into miniature fountains by running a small pump through them. Water flows from the shoe’s tongue or laces, dripping into a basin below.
Why It’s Weird: While quirky, using shoes as fountains can look less like an art installation and more like someone left their footwear in the rain for too long.
12. Toaster Fountain
Perhaps one of the most absurdly dangerous ideas, the toaster fountain involves an old, non-functional toaster rigged to have water spill out of the slots, mimicking the image of a kitchen mishap.
Why It’s Weird: Toasters and water are a deadly combination, even in artistic form. While the idea of a never-ending toast fountain is humorous, it definitely raises safety concerns.
Conclusion
From toilet bowls to doll heads, DIY enthusiasts have built some truly bizarre fountains. While many of these creations are impressive in their ingenuity, they also make us question the limits of artistic expression. Whether you admire these oddities or find them baffling, one thing is for sure—DIYers will always find new and unusual ways to make their mark on the world of fountains.
Would you ever consider building one of these strange fountains? Or do you have your own odd DIY fountain ideas? Let us know in the comments!
