17 NICE GARDEN STEPPING STONE DESIGN IDEAS

One of the most versatile, easy to use and imaginative accessories for your garden is the stepping stone. From their original use as a functional yet decorative way to delineate a path through ornamental gardens, stepping stones are now considered a part of the garden.

Commercially, there are almost endless themes available to suit any taste or interest, come in a variety of shapes and sizes, even 3 dimensional. There is also the option of making your own garden stepping stones for an even more personal touch.

There are ready made molds available, or you can almost any container you may have that is the right size and shape for what you wish to make; just make sure the container is the same size or smaller at the bottom, or you may never get your completed treasure out.

Normally, there are 3 types of base material used, depending on the use of the stone. Regular concrete is used most often when a stone is actually part of a pathway, and decorations, such as small mosaic tiles or colored stones are used for visual effect. Stepping stone concrete is used when a more intricate pattern (or 3-d effect from a mold) is used.

It is finer grained, so there is less likely to be an air pocket in a detailed area. Finally, there is plaster of paris; it is VERY fine grained, and will hold the best detail of all; but lacks the strength necessary to hold up under harsh weather or traffic conditions. Garden stepping stones of this material should be ornamental only, and in an area protected from weather and harsh temperatures.

Decoration for these stones is limited only by your imagination. From a simple hand or paw print (name and date optional), up to a recreation of your favorite piece of art made out of shattered teacups, your inner artist can run wild.

Even photographs can be used- simply put it between 2 sheets of glass and seal the edges with silicone. When using glass as decoration for your stones, it is best to place the glass in the container first, laying it out as you wish it to be in the finished product, then carefully pour the concrete over it; this way there will be no sharp exposed areas.

You can also give it a different look by using colored grout between the pieces of glass. (Putting the grout on the glass may change the perceived color of the glass in the finished product).