Stepping Stones

Many people just lay them on top of the ground but I like to set them. I remove the grass and level the ground with sand to get a nice solid base and the surrounding grass anchors them in one spot. I have also cut out large areas of grass, laid the stones and surrounded them with rock. This creates a nice affect and a very clean look. Although the stepping stones may not be that large, people feel secure since the pathway appears quite wide.

I love the flexibility of the stones since they can be moved at any time. You can even use them to create a small secondary seating space by placing them under a couple of chairs out in the yard away from the main seating area.

I prefer them over crushed stone because they are typically less trouble to maintain and I don't get anything on my shoes to drag in the house. I often just like to take a quick walk around the yard without putting shoes on which works fine with pavers. Some people don't like the feeling of having to step from one to another, if thats the case then butt them together. It may cost more but if it makes everyone comfortable, then it's worth it.

I have several paver stones throughout my yard. Some pass through grass, some through beds and others are widened with rock. Each path looks totally different from the next even though I used the same pavers.

There are several kits available to create your own steppers. They come with a form, lightweight concrete and ceramic tiles, pebbles or letters. They can be purchased at department stores and craft centers. It can be a lot of fun to create your own steppers and even the kids can participate. There are also more heavy duty concrete stamp kits that can be used if you need to build longer walkways.

Try stepping stones as an alternative to poured concrete and crushed stone. You can customize your yard with many style options and colors.