How do I decorate a ramp on the outside edges so it will look softer?

Susie Breece
by Susie Breece

I have a large ramp in front of my house it’s made of steel. And I was wondering how I could decorate around it so it would look better?

Around the outside of this ramp there is nothing and it stands out crazy. So I would like to put something on each side of it to make it a little more softer thank you

  15 answers
  • Janice Janice on Oct 02, 2018

    KHi Susie, could you possibly have some vines planted at the base and some type of trellis so the vines grow up to cover the bars of the ramp? Or, maybe you could have a few window box style planters attached in a few different areas to help soften the look? I'm looking forward to other ideas from Hometalkers, too!

    • Susie Breece Susie Breece on Oct 07, 2018

      I’d like to thank everyone for their great ideas and I’m sure I can incorporate something to cover the ram I am with a lot of flowers and maybe some shrubbery thank you very much

  • Jewellmartin Jewellmartin on Oct 02, 2018

    You have a perfect place to plant or place boxes of flowers on the yard side edge. Also, hang flower pots from the upper and lower railings. Just make sure there are no wires sticking out—tape them with Duck tape. Use garlands of artificial flowers for the holidays and seasons. If the person using the ramp likes chimes or hummingbird feeds, add those in. All of this will be at eye level and will be a lovely greeting to those who are cut off from most experience with the outdoors. Best wishes, Susie. ☺️

  • Jan Clark Jan Clark on Oct 02, 2018

    Best. Ramp. Ever. Love it! And you're right about softening the edges. So, first along the sides where you want more eye appeal, I would put down some heavy plastic or weed block and edge that with something (edging, pavers, bricks, rocks). Fill the empty space with decomposed granite or pea gravel - whatever you like. Then, at the corner get a half whiskey barrel or some other simple large planter and plop in some English ivy. It lasts through a lot of weather changes and can be trained to grow within the bounds of the gravelly area. I have fun decorating mine at holiday times throughout the year. The dark green contrasts well with almost anything.

  • N'Ckyola N'Ckyola on Oct 03, 2018

    Great answers already. It's also perfect for a low maintenance garden with small shrubs accented by flowering plants at the "corners". If you keep everything about the height of the ramp (or knee high) no views will be obstructed & it'll blend into the landscape. Then you can decorate the railing seasonally like mentioned in the previous comments. Have some fun with it.

  • Sandra Allen Sandra Allen on Oct 03, 2018

    I would see about lattice work. You could also do some trellis work like Janice suggested.

  • Fiddledd224 Fiddledd224 on Oct 03, 2018

    Paint the rails to blend in with the surroundings and don't worry about it any more...the ramp serves a much greater purpose.

  • Lorraine Lorraine on Oct 03, 2018

    At all the junctions, build wood frames around the support posts, paint those white, and the handrails Black. Add decorative post toppers, some are even solar lights. On the corners add a large platform to place a planter.

  • Lorraine Lorraine on Oct 03, 2018

    Making 3 sided post screw on last board once fitted around post. Many cute topper options.

  •  I found this photo online. They actually added more structure. Using this for inspiration, you could try moving the bench from under your tree with a planter box on each side, but I don't know what your view is like. Just an idea. You don't have to treat both sides of the ramp the same. The other side could have flowers, shrubs or feather grasses. You could even plant edibles if you get enough sun. It just depends on how much work you want to do. How about a water feature if you have a nearby outlet? Or you could make a bird feeding station with a birdbath, hanging feeders and birdhouses. There are solar fountains now as well. Adding solar lights would be great for safety and ambiance. They can go in the ground, flower pots or use solar rope lights creatively. Decide what your goals are, what your budget is, how much upkeep you want and go from there. Have fun!

  • Cheryl Cheryl on Oct 05, 2018

    I could see that ramp transformed into a bridge over a dry rock streambed winding out from the house and under the ramp with some rocks and grasses or succulents, or whatever streams around your area have. Maybe end it under your tree with a pebble or stone sitting area for your bench and some pretty potted flowers.

  • Homeroad Homeroad on Oct 05, 2018

    You could make a flower bed up both sides of the ramp and fill it with mums, boxwood, or some kind of evergreen trees,

  • Cindy Cindy on Oct 05, 2018

    Put some plants down the edges. You could even put window boxes on the hand rails if they are not used.

  • Deb K Deb K on Oct 06, 2018

    Low maintenance , fill in the gaps with plastic lattice cut to shape (no painting required) and pots for annuals or plant perennials, see the pictures, fill in with lattice instead of the wood slats in the picture, and plant grasses

  • I would put some evergreen in front of it and then I would add a few flowers.

  • Mogie Mogie on Nov 04, 2022

    Cover the top or upper piece of hand rail. You don't have to replace it just cover it. If it is something removable you can take it off and clean it and replace it when done.