12 Indian Homes With Spectacular Indoor Waterbodies
Composed of Zen-like qualities, these water features exude an aura of stillness, soulfulness and serenity
As one of the four elements, water has long been a celebrated icon of purity and peace. While it has traditionally been associated with magical outdoor settings, its harmonious effects inside the home can cast a spell of equal proportion. When it comes to indoor water features, choices abound – they can be grandiose or diminutive, sculptural or understated, serve as accents or centrepieces, be designed to draw focus or diffuse attention. Here is a spotlight on beautiful waterbodies hosted by modern Indian homes, ready for you to dip into for ideas.
2. Turquoise splashes
Actor Irrfan Khan’s Mumbai residence, designed by The Orange Lane, explodes with colour, shapes and textures. In his living room, featured here, the emphatic layering of artistic styles is tranquilised by a vibrant turquoise indoor waterbody, crowned by a burnished old-world urn. With the sound of water gently gurgling out of the urn, the space is also a shell for serene natural acoustics.
Tour Irrfan Khan’s eclectic home here
Actor Irrfan Khan’s Mumbai residence, designed by The Orange Lane, explodes with colour, shapes and textures. In his living room, featured here, the emphatic layering of artistic styles is tranquilised by a vibrant turquoise indoor waterbody, crowned by a burnished old-world urn. With the sound of water gently gurgling out of the urn, the space is also a shell for serene natural acoustics.
Tour Irrfan Khan’s eclectic home here
3. Touch of trad
Today, courtyard homes are seeing a resurgence among modern Indians, with many taking on a more contemporary form version of their erstwhile counterparts. VDGA puts an otherworldly spin on traditional courtyard design with a sweeping water courtyard in this heritage-modelled boutique villa. The waterbody, dotted with lovely water lilies, showcases a striking interplay between the outdoors and indoors, as also between the sky and the earth.
Dying to see the rest of this trad Pune home?
Today, courtyard homes are seeing a resurgence among modern Indians, with many taking on a more contemporary form version of their erstwhile counterparts. VDGA puts an otherworldly spin on traditional courtyard design with a sweeping water courtyard in this heritage-modelled boutique villa. The waterbody, dotted with lovely water lilies, showcases a striking interplay between the outdoors and indoors, as also between the sky and the earth.
Dying to see the rest of this trad Pune home?
4. Waters of worship
This character-filled Surat home by Studio Lagom frames the entrance of its puja room with a pebble-strewn, sun-kissed waterbody with stepping stones. Given its length, the bespoke path serves to build a sense of anticipation on the lead-up to the puja room.
This character-filled Surat home by Studio Lagom frames the entrance of its puja room with a pebble-strewn, sun-kissed waterbody with stepping stones. Given its length, the bespoke path serves to build a sense of anticipation on the lead-up to the puja room.
5. Sunlit paradise
Ceiling slats filter slanted beams of sunlight across a vast water feature in this contemporary Bengaluru home by Architecture Paradigm. Bordered by stepping stones on one side, the indoor water body acts as an enriching backdrop to the living area, enhanced all the more by the unique shadow statement cast across the space.
Ceiling slats filter slanted beams of sunlight across a vast water feature in this contemporary Bengaluru home by Architecture Paradigm. Bordered by stepping stones on one side, the indoor water body acts as an enriching backdrop to the living area, enhanced all the more by the unique shadow statement cast across the space.
6. Blue lagoon
Usine Studio paints a picture of paradise with an azure-blue water feature in this sun-dappled Ahmedabad foyer. Spotlighted under a circular skylight, the aqua undertone of the water accentuates the focal floral accent, as well as the whimsical canary-yellow flower petals scattered on the water.
Usine Studio paints a picture of paradise with an azure-blue water feature in this sun-dappled Ahmedabad foyer. Spotlighted under a circular skylight, the aqua undertone of the water accentuates the focal floral accent, as well as the whimsical canary-yellow flower petals scattered on the water.
7. Spray of serenity
Echoing the shape of the rectangular skylight above it, this clean-cut waterbody is an engaging melange of classic and contemporary elements. Note how the golden suspensions are reminiscent of the kalash (sacred metal pot) and the lotus, both traditional emblems of India. The black-tiled backdrop used by designer Inch design & Co infuses a contemporary edge that seeks to diffuse the heavy-duty gold ornamentation.
Look on into the living room, and see how the gold suspensions inform the selection of metal accents on display, many of them traditional designs and statuettes of mythological characters.
Echoing the shape of the rectangular skylight above it, this clean-cut waterbody is an engaging melange of classic and contemporary elements. Note how the golden suspensions are reminiscent of the kalash (sacred metal pot) and the lotus, both traditional emblems of India. The black-tiled backdrop used by designer Inch design & Co infuses a contemporary edge that seeks to diffuse the heavy-duty gold ornamentation.
Look on into the living room, and see how the gold suspensions inform the selection of metal accents on display, many of them traditional designs and statuettes of mythological characters.
8. Layered reflections
This refreshing waterfront living room by Architecture Paradigm is invigorated by a slim indoor water channel that catches slatted beams of sunlight and offers a burst of organic blue to the otherwise restrained monochrome space.
This refreshing waterfront living room by Architecture Paradigm is invigorated by a slim indoor water channel that catches slatted beams of sunlight and offers a burst of organic blue to the otherwise restrained monochrome space.
From the other side of the room, with the water feature out of sight, the sunlit slats still cast a decorative design against the textured chalk-grey wall.
9. Water under the bridge
A long, gleaming waterbody aesthetically separates two parts of this Bengaluru villa by Fulcrum Studio. The jet-black surfaces that cradle the water feature serve to highlight it as the focal point against the pure white walls. A sequence of panel-mounted fountainheads cascade fresh water into the waterbody, inspiring visions of little waterfalls and gushing mountain streams.
A long, gleaming waterbody aesthetically separates two parts of this Bengaluru villa by Fulcrum Studio. The jet-black surfaces that cradle the water feature serve to highlight it as the focal point against the pure white walls. A sequence of panel-mounted fountainheads cascade fresh water into the waterbody, inspiring visions of little waterfalls and gushing mountain streams.
10. Zen retreat
A square-cut waterbody, designed by Spaces Architects@ka, makes a soothing escape in this transitional area. Decorated with mosaic tiles in various aqua hues, the water feature floor offers visual stimulation that contrasts with the plain polished white flooring of the corridor. A steady fountain stream casts a sense of calm in the space, while an exquisite statue of Buddha is a quiet emblem of contemplation and retreat.
Discover other ways to bring Zen into your home
A square-cut waterbody, designed by Spaces Architects@ka, makes a soothing escape in this transitional area. Decorated with mosaic tiles in various aqua hues, the water feature floor offers visual stimulation that contrasts with the plain polished white flooring of the corridor. A steady fountain stream casts a sense of calm in the space, while an exquisite statue of Buddha is a quiet emblem of contemplation and retreat.
Discover other ways to bring Zen into your home
12. Charcoal spells
A compelling marriage of black and gold, the pensive atmosphere in this Mumbai apartment by ShroffLeón is diffused by a sparkling waterbody that reflects the decorative, star-inspired coffered ceiling. The understated water feature is emphasised by a breathtaking buttercup yellow glass-blown chandelier.
A compelling marriage of black and gold, the pensive atmosphere in this Mumbai apartment by ShroffLeón is diffused by a sparkling waterbody that reflects the decorative, star-inspired coffered ceiling. The understated water feature is emphasised by a breathtaking buttercup yellow glass-blown chandelier.
Read more:
Gorgeous Water Features for Indoor & Outdoor Spaces
5 Indoor Pools That Lap Up All the Attention
Tell us:
Which of these water features would you love to recreate in your home? Tell us in Comments below.
Gorgeous Water Features for Indoor & Outdoor Spaces
5 Indoor Pools That Lap Up All the Attention
Tell us:
Which of these water features would you love to recreate in your home? Tell us in Comments below.
This peaceful Delhi cocoon by Spaces Architects@ka echoes notes of calmness and tranquility through its Zen-invoking custom water feature. With a seated statue of Buddha at the fore, the waterbody takes on a classic oriental touch, emanating peacefulness and poise.