Winter will soon be gone and it’s time to think about the layout and decor of your outdoor space. To give you some inspiring ideas, we’ve decided to dedicate this article to a key element of any outdoor landscaping – the garden staircase. You will discover ideas how to choose the right staircase and integrate it into your garden space, as well as examples of beautiful exteriors with wooden, stone, concrete and recycled materials stairs.
Garden stairs: a key element for practical outdoor landscaping
To have a garden or outdoor space is to be lucky. Here’s why neglecting its layout and decor is a shame. The garden staircase is one of the most important elements for the outdoor landscape, but also for your own comfort. In this article, we have tried to collect some of the best examples of garden stairs made of natural materials. Scroll down and find the garden staircase designs that inspire you the most !
How to choose the right garden staircase model ?
To choose the right garden staircase, you must first calculate its size and the budget you have at your disposal. Buying it or making it yourself is not the same. A DIY staircase will cost you a lot less. It is also a more ecological solution because you can use the recovered materials. The terrain is also of great importance in choosing the right model for your staircase. Stone, for example, is a universal solution that adapts to all types of terrain. Our advice is to educate yourself beforehand on the subject before taking the first step. Seeking professional advice is also a great idea..
Which material to choose for my garden staircase ?
For garden landscaping, we always rely on natural materials. These blend in perfectly with the greenery and settle naturally in the garden. It is also possible to make a garden staircase with recovered materials, such as wooden pallets or old tires. In short, the important thing is to choose a material that is strong enough. Remember that your stairs will be exposed to sun and rain on a regular basis. Stone and concrete are arguably the two most durable garden stair materials that will last for centuries… literally. We’re not kidding… While wood is perfect for creating a 100% natural landscape.
For a harmonious exterior, it is advisable to match the design of your staircase with that of your house or your garden furniture. Many people choose the same material for their staircase as that of the facade of their house, for example.
The stone garden staircase: resistance and durability forever
There is nothing tougher than stone and you know it. Concrete stairs are also often seen in industrial-inspired gardens. These are ultra resistant and have a beautiful clean design. Like the stairs in the photo below, for example. The concrete garden staircase is perfect for fans of clean design solutions. In recent years under the influence of industrial design and recycled ideas, concrete is more and more present in modern interiors and exteriors. Its resistance and its unparalleled aesthetics are undoubtedly the two factors that make it so loved..
Do you have a sloping garden plot? The garden staircase is therefore a must for you !
Having a sloping garden plot requires a little more planning time. Often the sloping ground is difficult to mow and the land is poor. In short, its layout is a challenge, but once done, the result is spectacular. This type of land also requires a practical staircase which allows easy access to the different floors. Sloping terrain is common in mountainous regions and in cities. There are a multitude of solutions for developing this type of land. A perfect example is the one pictured below – a wooden garden staircase and large planters, also made of wooden planks. These allow vegetation to develop at different levels. The result – a stunning outdoor landscape.
The stone garden stairs live forever and we do not laugh. If left unattended, it is possible that they will be completely covered with green moss in a few years. Indeed, we find it very pretty … The more natural, the better !
The stone garden staircase below is covered with grass. Perfect and natural, no ?
The wooden staircase is a nice option for the garden.
The wooden stairs below are very designer. Its shape is original. Its designers used it to incorporate discreet lighting. We can see this wooden garden model installed in a modern and refined exterior. Indeed, this model of staircase was made of small wooden battens and the lighting was installed below. We also see that these designers also used steel.
Making your own garden staircase is a great ecological idea, practical and inexpensive..
Are you a handyman at heart? No matter if you already have several DIY projects behind you or are just getting started, making your own wooden garden staircase is quite possible and relatively easy. As we have already mentioned before, making your own staircase is ecological and economical. It’s quite difficult to explain all the steps in making a wooden staircase, but you can easily find great video tutorials online. We believe that direct demonstration is the best way to learn.
The wooden and stone staircase in the photo below is just magical, don’t you think? It transports us directly to the woods. Not very difficult to make yourself, you can make the same model, but smaller if you wish. The marriage of wood and stone is so harmonious, you can not find ?
To make a wooden staircase, you can use wooden planks or battens. Which one to choose, depends on the model you have chosen, the tools you have at your disposal as well as the terrain.
Classic wooden staircase made of wooden planks, the model below is perfect for the garden as well as for the terrace.
All the same for the model below. We can see it being part of a house in Japan … Its design has been perfectly matched with the design of the house.
The exterior concrete staircase is intended for frequent use. It is always made up of a few large slabs of concrete or reconstituted stone. Ultra resistant, the concrete (or stone) staircase will last for long, long years …
When the whole house has been built of concrete, it makes perfect sense to do the same for the outside staircase.
What a magnificent exterior! Everything is in stone and a beautiful fountain instead makes the whole thing even more magical. 
Maintaining your outdoor garden stairs regularly is important.
Even the strongest garden stairs need maintenance every now and then. The more you maintain a thing, the longer it will live … Wooden stairs are the most maintenance-intensive, whereas concrete or stone ones can be serviced from time to time. If you don’t have a lot of free time in general, keep this in mind when choosing your garden staircase..
This concrete staircase matched the gray facade of the house. The result – a harmonious exterior with a simple and uncluttered design.
The lighting of your staircase is also an important element to consider.
For your safety and that of your family and friends, consider lighting your outdoor stairs. You don’t need very strong lighting, but rather strong enough lighting to see where you put your feet when you go up !
Very resistant concrete staircase, once again, matched with the exterior facade, also in concrete.
How beautiful is nature! The stone staircase below blends naturally with the surrounding environment …
What a magnificent exterior! With such rich vegetation, it is no wonder that these designers chose to make a stone staircase since …
You do not find that the forest has real mysterious magic ?
You won’t find large stones, like the ones in the photo below, at the park next door. We have to look further, in careers, for example. Finally, it is sure that your landscaper will have ideas where to look for them! Indeed, there are certain corners in France where it is easily found, but it is necessary to inquire before not to make unnecessary journeys..
You won’t find large stones, like the ones in the photo below, at the park next door. We have to look further, in careers, for example. Finally, it is sure that your landscaper will have ideas where to look for them! Indeed, there are certain corners in France where it is easily found, but it is necessary to inquire before not to make unnecessary journeys..
Making an outdoor garden staircase with large stones is tedious. The latter weigh a tone! You will need the intervention of a professional.
Another possible garden staircase option is ceramic tiles. Inspired by Mediterranean design, this staircase model also allows you to vary the patterns and create a truly unique exterior. On the other hand, be aware that they must be maintained regularly.
A water basin decorated with large stones and small stairs, also in stone, nice. The rocking chair makes you want to sit down with a good book, a hot coffee and soak up the soft sun …
We haven’t found many examples of a staircase designed in rusty metal and pebbles and yet it exists in quite a few modern exteriors. Indeed, this model of staircase has a very charming industrial side.
Wood and stone: a harmonious classic marriage
Large stones are easy to find (for free!) And perfect for designing a garden path or outdoor staircase. Combined with wood, they form a wonderful outdoor landscape. The proof, in the photo below.
Beautiful and resistant, the exterior staircase below was made of large stones and sturdy wooden battens. To have such a garden is to be really lucky. That makes you dream …
What a magical staircase, right? Set in the heart of a magical forest, it reminds us of long walks in the woods during cool spring days. Patience, spring will soon arrive and we start again with walks in the mountains and long picnics in the park. We too, we can’t wait ! 
You can combine your stone or concrete staircase with another decorative element such as a water basin or a small fountain. Did you know that in Japanese-style gardens, installing a water source is a must? Listening to the flow of water has been shown to have a calming effect on our mind. As you probably already know, Japanese gardens are an important place for relaxation and reflection..
What a great idea for recycling! Make an exterior staircase with old tires. This low cost solution is not only super original, but also ecological. There are several ways to recycle tires, such as making a coffee table or an ottoman. Think about these possibilities before you throw it in the trash. The same is true for any item that you no longer find useful. Before throwing it away, think about how to give it new life and use it again.
A good garden arrangement is a well thought out and aesthetic arrangement.
A lot of people think that to get good results, you need a lot of resources. Indeed, the key to everything is to have imagination and enough patience. If you’ve started your garden staircase project, you know it won’t happen overnight. This is a project that takes time. Our regular readers know that we are big fans of DIY and salvage projects. Here is why, we strongly recommend that you consider this possibility of making a garden staircase. Even if you don’t do it yourself and ask someone more experienced for help, you are guaranteed to be more than happy with the end result …
