Asked on Feb 14, 2018

Need creative ideas on merging two walkways into one

Bec27831797
by Bec27831797
The steps on my porch go down to a landing and then split into two sets of steps that go in opposite directions. We had a walkway built on one side that leads down to the pier, but I would rather have two short walkways that merge into one that is the same width as the pier. I appreciate your ideas. See photo of steps.
  15 answers
  • William William on Feb 14, 2018

    I would remove both of the steps at the landing. Remove the railing on the landing Take one set of steps and mount it on the front of the landing facing the pier. Close off both sides of the landing where the steps were with railings.

  • Sharon Sharon on Feb 14, 2018

    Can't see in your photo how much area is available in front of the space between the two steps.... but I would create a semi-circle with some form of gravel/pavement/pavers etc. to lead down to the pier walkway.

    • See 1 previous
    • Sharon Sharon on Feb 16, 2018

      Then I would do some kind of pavers that are easy to walk on from stair landing to landing in a semi-circle design. Since its deep enough you could even put a fire pit in the center that you could store some chairs under that deck to bring out at night.

  • Jewellmartin Jewellmartin on Feb 15, 2018

    I’m afraid I can’t see the problem. You should be able to lay pea size stone from each staircase around to the pier walkway. If the posts at the top of the walk interfere, just remove the two or four posts and make the center walkway the width you want. You have a beautiful place. Reminds me of some of the river plantations in Mississippi and Louisiana. ☺️

  • Your walkways need to follow the symmetry of your house, so whatever you do, both sides need to be identical. A raised boardwalk - like your dock - would be cool

    • Bec27831797 Bec27831797 on Feb 15, 2018

      That's kind of what I had in mind. I have about 15 feet from my stair landing to the steps going down to the pier. I'm looking for a walkway design/drawing to bring it all together.

  • Janet Coryell Smither Janet Coryell Smither on Feb 15, 2018

    What a gorgeous setting. I'd start at the top, widen the stairway so that it starts at the support posts instead of having that short bit of rail on each side of those posts. Then I'd build a pyramidal style or semi-circular stairway. Or I'd do that from the landing. That would open up the front and would allow access to the sides of the yard as well. You could also widen the stairs from the dock at the top. That way you would have an inverted Y shape heading down to the dock and a Y shape heading into the yard from the dock. Walkways can be good and wide--wider than most are, since IMHO, most walkways are too narrow. With a house this close to the river, wider walkways give guests lots of room!

  • QBSF QBSF on Feb 15, 2018


    Beautiful home and setting!

    I think it would be beautiful and useful if you remove the two stair sections that split in opposite directions.

    Where those stairs used to split, it looks like there's a small landing.

    I would widen that landing (a little wider than the width as your pier would be a nicer visual transition), then build steps down from there that wrap that landing on all three sides. Kind of like a three sided tiered stage.

    I think it important that the "platform" be wider than your pier though, because you need a gradual transition from your beautiful wide house, to medium width platform, to final pier size. A platform that's the same width of your pier, would give a too long and narrow "walk the plank" look from the house to the water.

    This would still give you the ability to walk down and head in any direction, yet makes the stairway and transition to the pier a little grander.

  • V Smith V Smith on Feb 15, 2018

    I think brown/beige/grey pavers from the base of the steps set in a semi-circle joining and forming a walk way down to the stairs (almost a heart shape). Then you can plant some flowering shrubs between the walks in front of the deck. If that much paving isn't in the budget you could build a board walk in a symetrical pattern.

  • Lauren Lauren on Feb 15, 2018

    I SEE A BEAUTIFUL CIRCLE STONE FIRE PIT WITH ADIRONDACK CHAIRS OVER LOOKING THE WATER WITH AREA TO WALK AROUND CONTINUING THE WALK OUT TO THE DECK ON THE WATER WITH FLOWERS ECT. OR YOU COULD DO A OPEN ROUND/OCTAGON PERGOLA WITH A FIRE PIT IN THE CENTER

  • William William on Feb 15, 2018

    I understand! I that case. I would pour either a circular or oval concrete pad the two stairs would empty on. From there a walkway that leads to the pier. Some nice low maintenance bushes or plantings around the pad and walkway.

  • Karen Karen on Feb 15, 2018

    Create a walking path of your choosing from each set of stairs to join together @ the dock. (Creating a trianglur shape with the point at the Dock). Then create a focal point in the middle that can be centrally seen from the deck and dock. I would suggest a nice fountain. Then plant a variety of garden plants around the fountain, and out to all three sides...This could be enjoyed from all angles and appear that the stairs were built the way they are for this purpose. It's beautiful property, no matter what you do, and my opinion is that this type of addition would further compliment it.

  • William William on Feb 15, 2018

    You could even use pavers for a circular or oval patio at the bottom of the stairs tying them together with a walkway to the pier.

  • TAMMY SPALSBURY TAMMY SPALSBURY on Feb 15, 2018

    I would Open up the railing at the top of the deck / belcony widen the steps. Then when you get almost to the bottom stager the lengths of the boards so they fan out.

  • TAMMY SPALSBURY TAMMY SPALSBURY on Feb 15, 2018

    I think this would look beautiful, of course you would be able to fan the stairs out larger, because the space you have.

  • Kelly Denoyer Russell Kelly Denoyer Russell on Feb 16, 2018

    I personally would pour a large stamped concrete pad that encompasses both ends. Use the very middle as a back drop/wall for patio furniture, bbq etc. If you want to keeps costs down then paver both to meet like a big heart.

  • Kellie Kellie on Feb 19, 2018

    You could mirror the shape of your staircases onto the ground. I think it would compliment your house.

    • Bec27831797 Bec27831797 on Feb 19, 2018

      What do you mean? How would I do that? I'm not picturing what you're saying, but I would love a description or illustration. Thanks so much.