Adding Stone Steps into Your Landscaping

Do you want to create more outdoor living space in your yard, but the slope makes it difficult to enjoy it comfortably? Those fortunate to live in Southern Oregon or Northern California enjoy a variety of landscapes around their homes, from relatively level lots in suburban neighborhoods to sloping yards with views of mountain peaks and breathtaking valleys. Building stone steps may be the solution if you’re lucky enough to have a great view but are struggling with landscaping on a slope.

Tips for Building Stone Steps

Adding natural stone or brick to your landscaping brings beauty and functionality to your front and back yards. These materials will complement your home’s exterior appearance and provide more usable outdoor space. It may be daunting to consider adding stone steps to connect various landscaping areas, but we have some tips to make it easier for you.

Start with a plan.

Before you start purchasing materials and digging into your yard, take some time to draft a plan. To do this, you don’t need to be an artist or professional landscaper. Grab a notebook, pencil, and measuring tape. Start with an outline of the yard and sketch the areas used for patios, pools, gardens, etc. Include trees, shrubs, and other botanicals. Decide where you need steps and measure the distance from the estimated beginning to end. Take some pictures of the area to share with the experts at Hilton Landscaping Supply.

Select the materials.

Your stone steps should blend with your landscaping, but they don’t necessarily need to be the same material as your walkway or patio areas. Visit Hilton Landscaping Supply to see all the options available to you. Some stones lend themselves to being better solutions as stone steps because they are thicker, broader, and more evenly flat. Choosing a different material from the walkway or patio may also make them stand out more so visitors can see them more easily.

Now’s the time to get down to details. Once you know how big your stones will be for the steps, you’ll need to figure out the height and depth for each step. The recommended height of a comfortable step is no more than 6 inches, and the depth should be between 12 to 18 inches.  

You have to start somewhere, and this is called the foundation step. The foundation begins at the bottom or base of the stairwell. Remove all the grass and debris from the area. Dig about 2 inches into the earth and level the ground with a slight slope so rainwater drains off the step. Fill the 2 inches with gravel and then place the foundation step stone on top.

Continue the process.

All you have to do now is continue the process upwards until you reach the top of your slope. Take your time and ensure you properly level each step before moving forward to the next.

Need help with your next landscaping project?

Whether you’re looking for the broadest selection of hardscape materials perfect for our local area or need help figuring out where to start with your dream project, Hilton Landscape Supply is the place to go. We’ve been serving Southern Oregon and Northern California since 1956, so we know the best materials to bring your projects to life. Our team members will walk you through the steps you’ll need to take, help you select the best materials for the project, and arrange to have them delivered right to your property. Don’t let another season pass you by. Visit us in Central Point, and let’s get started on your project today!