Having a sloped area in your garden can be really cool! You can plant on different levels, which makes your garden look more interesting. But you might need to add some steps to make taking care of your plants easier. Steps also help you walk around your garden and guide your friends to a bench, gazebo, or picnic table.
Why Use Wood For Garden Steps
Wood is a great material for making steps. Wooden steps look nice and feel cozy. They also blend well with outdoor decks, especially if the steps lead from the deck into your yard. However, wood can be slippery when wet, so think about adding textured treads for safety.
What Are Wood Steps Pros?
- Wooden steps look really charming and add a natural touch to your garden. They make it feel warm and inviting.
- These steps can fit any garden style. You can change their look to match your modern, rustic, cottage or any other garden.
- You can DIY wooden steps yourself, even using pallets, which is a budget-friendly option.
- Over time, wood can get a nice, natural weathered look.
- They mix well with pebbles, rocks, green plants, or colorful flowers
A beautiful sloped light-stained wood deck lined up with long planters with blooms and a comfy staircase is a cool spot in the garden.
A modern terraced garden done with concrete benches, and raised garden beds, a rich-stained wooden staircase and lots of textural greenery.
A rustic wood staircase like this one lined up with greenery will match a rustic or woodland-inspired garden and can be easily DIYed.
A contemporary outdoor space with rich-stained wooden steps, large rocks and greenery in between is very stylish and chic.
Weathered wood steps arranged creatively and with moss and greenery lining them up.
An elegant wooden staircase with a metal frame for maximal sturdiness, and with lush green shrubs around it.
Gravel stairs with wood retainers to make them more stable and keep gravel in place and large rocks around them.
A Zen-like weathered wood and gravel path lined up with greenery, groundcovers and large rocks is a very beautiful solution for a modern and relaxed garden.
What Are Wood Steps Cons?
- Wood doesn’t last as long as stone or brick. Wooden steps may not be as durable as you want.
- If you live in a wet area, wood can get damaged quickly. Even in dry areas, you’ll need to reseal or restain the wood to keep it looking good. Pressure-treated lumber is a way to go to prevent rotting.
- Pets and kids can scratch or damage wooden steps. Pair it with gravel or mulch for safety. Even better, consider adding textured treads or making the steps textured.”
Wood retainers and rocks will keep sand and gravel in place, while the gravel itself is softer and less slippery for walking. Add greenery on both sides and voila!.
Mulch covered with greenery and dark wood retainers plus green groundcovers create a lovely secret garden feel. Such a staircase will be great for a woodland outdoor slot.
Large weathered tree slice steps are a unique solution that will give your garden a character, and they will match a fairy-tale space perfectly.
A green lawn and wood retainers plus ornamental grasses along make up a very stylish and elegant outdoor staircase.
A small ladder or gravel and timber retainers is a lovely addition to the outdoor space covered with gravel, too.
Light-stained wood steps with small lights built into the corners will guarantee safe walking at night and will add a modern feel to the space.
A creative outdoor ladder of reclaimed wood, rusty metal and gravel with some blooming groundcovers and greenery is a gorgeous part of the landscape.
A minimalist tropical garden featuring palm trees, green lawn, greenery, light-stained steps and a raised pool.
How To Waterproof The Wood Steps?
There are two main products to protect wood from water: stains and sealants. Stains enhance the wood color and make it look nice. They also protect it from the weather. Sealants protect wood from moisture.
Water can make wood rot. To prevent this, you can attach the stair treads from underneath using exterior-grade L-brackets. This way, there are no holes on top where water can seep in.
Mulch and dark-stained wood make up a nice rustic combo, add bright blooms and voila, this staircase is like a small garden itself.
A small yet steep staircase of pebbles and wood retainers is quite safe for walking, and ferns add interest to the space.
A polished green lawn is made less formal with a weathered wood slab staircase and ornamental grasses along it.
A stylish modern farden featuring various types of greenery and groundcovers, reclaimed wooden steps and a matching pergola with a modern white lounger.
A reclaimed wood staircase accented with rocks, candle lanterns and lavender looks spectacular and such styling will do even for parties.
Sand steps and wood retainers plus rocks lining up the stairs are a great solution for a rock or desert garden.
A simple reclaimed wood staircase with green groundcovers and a wooden rail plus greenery along it is a lovely solution for a rustic outdoor space.
A large light-stained staircase on a steep slope, with blooms and greenery along it is a perfect idea for a relaxed garden with a woodland feel.
How To Protect Wood From Sun Damage?
Sunlight can make wood fade or darken. Use varnish, which comes in different finishes from flat to high-gloss, to protect wood from UV rays, heat, water, and wear and tear.
A large tree slice descending path surrounded with greenery and bright blooms is a perfect idea for a fairy-tale or secret garden and it looks impressive.
Reclaimed tree slices look all-natural, and green groundcovers and pebbles add to the look of the staircase.
A weathered stained wood staircase lined up with green groundcovers and lush green shrubs is amazing for a modern garden.
A pretty terraced garden including wooden steps and raised wood edge garden beds with blooms and veggies.
Build in some lights into the steps to make walking at night secure, it's especially important if you love outdoor parties at night or just entertaining guests outdoors.
A weathered wood staircase with moss and with greenery and wildflowers around is a great idea for a woodland or secret garden, the texture of the wood feels magical.
Weathered wood steps paired with rope railing and bright blooms will be a perfect match for a coastal garden.
How to DIY Wooden Steps From A Deck To A Garden
- Precut stringers make the job easier. They are notched to fit standard tread and riser sizes, reducing the need for complex cuts.
- First, you need to prepare the area. Start by clearing and leveling the ground where the steps will go. Remove any plants, rocks, or debris to create a smooth surface
- Measure the height from the top step to the ground and divide by the desired rise height (typically around 7 inches) to determine the number of steps needed. Cut your stringers, treads, and risers accordingly.
- Ensure a stable foundation for your steps by creating a base of compacted gravel or a concrete pad at the bottom of the staircase.
- Attach the stringers to a 2×4 anchor board secured to your deck or porch. Then, add the treads and risers, securing them with corrosion-resistant screws.
- Apply a protective coating of your choice to guard against moisture and UV damage. Reapply periodically as needed.
Modern weathered wood steps with hydrangeas and ornamental grasses along them are a super stylish idea for a modern space.
Bring more texture to your garden rocking whitewashed wooden steps and large rocks, they will also look cool in a coastal space.
Rustic wooden log steps with green lawn between and bright blooms along are amazing for rustic outdoor spaces.
A refined modern garden showing off perfect lawn, lavender and grasses and simple wooden steps with blooming groundcovers to make it look less formal and more relaxed.
Whitewashed wooden steps lined up with garden bed with green and blue hydrangeas to add a spectacular touch to the simple wood.
Rocks here not only prevent soil erosion but also add interest to the wooden steps and provide the landscape with more texture.
Pallet-like wooden tiles are great to build a deck or a staircase, you may add lights to them and to soften the look, surround them with greenery.
A wooden deck with matching steps, gravel hardscaping and extra bold purple and yellow blooms create a stylish and vibrant modern outdoor space.
Even the simplest wooden steps can be made eye-catching with groundcovers, whether they are green or blooming ones.
How to Fix Common Problems
Loose steps can be a safety hazard and are usually caused by natural wear and tear, or wood expansion and contraction due to weather changes. Regularly check and tighten screws and nails. Use corrosion-resistant screws to ensure longevity. If necessary, apply a strong wood adhesive to the joint where the step meets the stringer.
If you find rotten wood, cut out the rotted sections using a saw. Be sure to remove all affected areas to prevent the spread of rot. Apply a wood hardener to the remaining healthy wood to strengthen it. Use an epoxy wood filler to fill any gaps left by the removed wood. Shape it to match the original contour of the steps.
Apply a fresh coat of sealant, stain or paint to protect the repaired area from future moisture exposure.