Good garden steps have an even, comfortable height for every step, a tread deep enough for a whole foot, and a width that suits how the route is used. They should be built on a solid base, match or complement the patio, and be held in by proper edges or retaining walls where the ground changes level. On a steep slope, steps often work best combined with a raised patio, so you get flat, usable space as well as a safe way up and down.
Steps, a raised patio or both
A gentle slope can sometimes be handled with a ramped path or a single step. As the gradient increases, you need a clear way to move between levels. Steps on their own suit a slope that you mainly walk through. Where you want to sit and eat outside, a raised patio with a retaining wall creates a level terrace, and steps then link it to the lawn or the rest of the garden.
Our patios page mentions that sloping gardens may need a raised patio with a retaining wall and steps, like several in our gallery. Thinking about steps and levels together at the design stage avoids awkward single steps and odd landings later.
Comfortable rise and going
The rise is the height of each step and the going is the depth of the tread you stand on. Outdoor steps are usually more comfortable with a lower rise and a deeper going than indoor stairs, because people walk more slowly and often carry things. A common guide is a rise of around 150 millimetres with a going of at least 300 millimetres, but the key is that every step in a flight is the same.
Uneven steps are the main cause of trips. Once the total height of the slope is measured, it is divided into equal rises, and the going is set to suit the space. On long flights, a landing every so often gives a natural pause point.
- Keep every rise in a flight the same
- Give treads enough depth for a whole foot
- Add a slight fall so water runs off each tread
- Use landings on longer or steeper flights
Width and layout
A main route used for carrying shopping, bins or garden furniture should be wide enough to move comfortably, while a secondary path through planting can be narrower. Wide, shallow steps can double as informal seating or space for pots. Curved or angled flights suit informal gardens, while straight flights aligned with doors or paths look crisp in a modern scheme.
Materials: matching the patio
Steps look best when they relate to the paving around them. Using the same slabs as the patio for the treads, with matching or brick risers, makes the whole area read as one. Brick steps are hard-wearing and suit traditional homes. Natural stone such as sandstone gives a soft, textured finish, while porcelain treads with a bullnose or crisp edge suit contemporary gardens. If you are still deciding on paving, our guide to porcelain versus Indian sandstone compares the two.
Whatever the material, the step needs a solid concrete or block base and a full mortar bed, so it does not rock or crack under foot traffic.
Retaining edges and brick retaining walls
Where steps cut into a bank, the soil at each side has to be held back. Low cheeks of brick or block either side of the flight keep earth and gravel off the treads. For bigger level changes, a properly built brick retaining wall holds the ground behind a raised patio, with drainage behind it so water pressure does not push it over. Our brickwork and garden walls page covers retaining walls, pillars and planters.
Lighting and handrails
Low-level lights set into risers or walls make steps safer after dark and look attractive. Running the cable before paving is laid is far easier than adding it afterwards. A handrail is a sensible addition on steeper or longer flights, steps used by older family members, or where there is a drop at the side.
What affects the price
The cost of garden steps depends on the height of the slope, the number of steps, the width, the material, the base and any retaining walls needed at the sides. Matching an existing patio, building curves and adding lighting all influence the time involved. Access for removing soil and bringing in materials matters too.
Superior Build & Landscape builds steps as part of new patios and wider landscaping projects. George can measure the slope, talk through options and prepare a quote.
Frequently asked questions
How wide should garden steps be?
Wide enough for how the route is used. A main route carrying furniture or bins needs more width than a path through planting. George can suggest a width when he sees the space.
Can steps match my patio paving?
Yes. Steps can be built using the same slabs as the patio for the treads, with matching or brick risers, so the area looks like one design.
Do garden steps need a handrail?
Not always, but one is sensible on steeper or longer flights, where there is a drop at the side or where older family members use them.
Can you build steps into a retaining wall?
Yes. Steps can be built into or alongside a brick retaining wall, which is common where a raised patio meets the lawn.
Do I need planning permission for garden steps?
Usually not for ordinary garden steps, but raised platforms and patios over a certain height can need permission. Check with your council if a raised area is involved.