Do you have creative ideas for concrete steps?

Ang
by Ang

Hi! Our back door was moved to a different area of our house. What is left are these old concrete steps. Rather than remove them, is there something creative, yet inexpensive, I can do with them? Don't mind the picture. It was taken quickly. Thanks in advance for any ideas!

  9 answers
  • How about putting some planter boxes/containers on them for flowers or herbs?

  • Jan Clark Jan Clark on Jun 12, 2019

    I don't know your taste, but if you have a lot of rocks, you could make a combo fairy/rock garden. Just add a few small shade loving plants (in pots, even!) and maybe a fairy house or two of sticks or pine cones or something.. If there's room in your budget, the change in elevation can even be used to create a small waterfall. Fun!

  • You could set a bird bath and some potted plants that spread and climb, so they basically cover the stairs.

  • Robyn Garner Robyn Garner on Jun 12, 2019

    I agree that filling the area with plants would look best. Perhaps cover the steps with astroturf first so they don't look like abandoned steps. You questioned plants earlier as the area is in shade. Talk to the people at your local nursery for shade loving plants that are native to your area.

  • Vimarhonor Vimarhonor on Jun 12, 2019

    Paint them? If you are receptive a decorative rug or welcome mat might be considered as an option.

  • 17335038 17335038 on Jun 13, 2019

    I do not think that adding anything growing on putting in any plants so close to the house is a good idea. It will just look more cluttered and it will be physically difficult to access them for maintenance.


    My suggestion is to remove the right hand railing, and build a deck completely over the step block, and the whole uneven mess that is there now. Play table, BBQ, all that stuff then goes on one even-level deck.

  • [re]FɄB19 [re]FɄB19 on Jun 15, 2019

    I have concrete steps and I am planning to cover them with wood this summer. For one of my previous houses, I installed new steps somewhere else and I built a planter around the concrete step (I only had one).

    Yours could be multi levels!

  • Debi53 Debi53 on Jun 16, 2019

    I agree with those who say to cover the area with a wooden deck.

  • Ang Ang on Jun 16, 2019

    Thank you. I like the idea of the deck to cover it. Where I live, I need a building permit. Thank u for your suggestions!

    • 17335038 17335038 on Jun 18, 2019

      Hi Ang,


      Don't shy away from making improvements to your property just because a construction permit may be required. Think of it more as assurance that you are proceeding the right way.


      If you are hiring any labour for the project, make sure that both you and the builder, sign a written contract for the job before any work is started, and before any money changes hands. Examples of simple contracts for jobs of this size and nature can be found on the Internet, and simply printed out.


      This is your insurance that the work will be completed in such a way that the outcome is safe and longlasting.