ᐅ Design of Concrete Pathway with Stairs and Wall Area

Created on: 5 Jan 2023 07:10

Hello everyone,

I asked a similar question about two years ago. We have now been living in the house for over two years and are considering how to improve the path between the house and the garage, as well as the stairs there. Ideally, of course, for little cost.
At the moment, I don’t have many ideas. Of course, everything will be cleaned nicely with a pressure washer in spring, but that doesn’t really make it look much better.
Maybe someone here has some good ideas.
In image 1, I thought about covering the wall with facing stones and putting some coping stones on top of the wall. I have already used facing bricks on another exterior wall, and I like the look quite a bit.
But what could be done with the stairs, for example? I don’t think painting would look good. Maybe cladding somehow? Tiles might work, but I’m not sure if they would last over time.
As I said, these are just some cosmetic things. I can live with the current state, but a little refreshing would be nice. Thanks,

Concrete steps in the garden with moss, orange planter with ivy on the right, upper paved path.

Outdoor area: gray wall, moss on retaining wall, tree trunk leaning beside it, stairs on the right, hedge.

Narrow stairs between red brick wall on the left and white wall on the right; wooden boards lying on the steps.

Temporary wooden ramp over concrete steps between white wall on the left and red brick wall on the right.

ypg5 Jan 2023 22:05

Steffi33 schrieb:

I think a coat of paint would visually improve it a lot.

I find it too dark. I believe the problem will remain the same even after painting, as sooner or later moss and lichens will grow due to the low position and narrow strip, which leave no other way for moisture to escape. This will probably make it look patchy again. Personally, I like the weathered concrete in the garden. The staircase also has charm with its curved corner. Concrete is a reflection of impermanence. I think I would focus more on planting, for example, using tall, slim containers in the corridor with creeping, evergreen ground cover trailing down, placed behind the wall.

Steffi335 Jan 2023 22:09

I actually didn’t find it that bad either.. 😉 In summer, with lots of plants, it will definitely look quite different.

K a t j a5 Jan 2023 22:31

I also find weathered concrete more attractive than any kind of paint or coating. In fact, I find the upper paved path much more disruptive and would replace it with natural stone or suitable concrete pavers. The small wall would get a wooden trellis that extends up to the top step of the lower staircase. I would probably plant Virginia creeper or something similarly low-maintenance there. The flower bed above the wall would be sacrificed permanently for that.
If sudden wealth were to come my way, I would tear everything out and pave the entire area completely. 😎

ateliersiegel5 Jan 2023 22:46

#10

Since I’ve come to understand what is possible with concrete these days, I’m gradually warming up to the material more and more. One idea that comes to mind regarding your concrete path is to try grinding it: terrazzo is made this way and often looks great (including on my own doorstep). You only need to grind off a few millimeters, which would hardly change the levels.

I would test it with an angle grinder in a “less important” spot and—if you like the result—either do it yourself (which is tedious) or hire a professional company (probably not cheap).

By the way, I also think the path already has a certain charm as it is. It’s not “stunning,” but it is there—and I like your suggestion with the plants as well…

🙂

X_SH5_X9 Jan 2023 14:27

#11

Thank you for your ideas. I'll see how I can implement everything in the spring. Probably not much will happen. I still like the idea of using cladding and possibly painting the staircase on the upper level. I'll likely brighten up the rest a bit with some flowers.

ᐅ Design of Concrete Pathway with Stairs and Wall Area

Reaktionen