How to Update Outdoor Stairs
Even if the rest of your yard and garden are meticulously landscaped, old outdoor stairs can ruin the look and curb appeal of your house. Update them to reflect the rest of your exterior decorating scheme. It only takes a little time and effort to create decorative steps that are as attractive as the rest of the outside of your home. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Repair materials and tools (if needed)
- Water and detergent
- Paint or stain
- Decorative railing
- Outdoor lights
- Plants or other landscaping decor
Instructions
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Reapir any cracks or chips in concrete or stone steps and any loose or broken boards in wooden ones. Fix any safety hazards, such as cracked concrete or loose boards. As Oregon's government website notes, "According to the National Safety Council, when it comes to off-the-job safety, falls in the home are the second leading cause of accidental death in the community (and) the second leading cause of accidental death within the home.
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Sometimes a little elbow grease is needed to get steps clean. Wash the steps thoroughly using a detergent meant for the type of material they are made of. Ask for help at a local home improvement or building store if you are not sure what to use. Sometimes just a good scrub can make outside steps look new.
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Almost any decorative paint technique you use for interior design can be used in exterior design. Paint or stain the steps to match the rest of your exterior design. Use stencils and other decorative painting techniques to update outdoor stairs.
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Install decorative railing that complements the rest of your landscape design. Install a decorative railing that complements the rest of your landscaping. For example, if you have wrought iron benches and other garden decor, use it for outside step railings as well. Paint it to match if necessary.
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Bring in more light to decorate your outside steps. Install outdoor lamp posts or solar lights in front of or to the side of the steps. Not only is this a decorative element, it also provides extra safety at night.
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Bring in color and style with a little landscaping alongside the steps. Plant flowers and landscape alongside the steps to update outdoor stairs. Potted plants, statues and other lawn decor items can also be used, depending on the amount of space you are working with.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit outdoor wooden steps image by Janet Wall from Fotolia.com stone stairs image by Inger Anne Hulbækdal from Fotolia.com stairs image by Litle from Fotolia.com red steps image by Mat Hayward from Fotolia.com stairs image by martini from Fotolia.com lamp post 2 image by Lise Powell from Fotolia.com stairs image by AGITA LEIMANE from Fotolia.com
