Sandstone steppers
Buff, gold and grey tones can complement brick and planted gardens. Texture and wet slip performance vary by product, so choose a finish suitable for the intended outdoor use.
Garden Paths & Stepping Stones Inner West
Garden paths and stepping stones that connect the house, lawn and everyday destinations, with a route and surface suited to the people using them.
- Routes and spacing planned on site
- Compacted base under every stone
- Routes planned for everyday access
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Overview
Paths that actually get used
A path should connect the places you need to reach: the gate, clothesline, tap or a seat in the garden. Stepping stones can make a walking route through lawn or planting; a continuous surface is often more practical for bins, wheels or frequent access.
Our North Ryde project created a stepping-stone side route, while the Dulwich Hill backyard refresh replaced concrete with lawn and a path. Stone size, spacing, bedding and the material between the stones are chosen together.
- Routes follow where people walk
- Spacing set to a comfortable stride
- Each stone bedded to prevent rocking
- Stones set at mowing height in lawns
- Infill matched to shade and traffic
- Edges connected to beds and paving
What the work covers
What the path work involves
Stone, spacing, base and how the path meets lawn and planting
Bluestone steppers
Dark, dense and even in colour. It reads more contemporary than sandstone and shows less dirt, though it holds heat in an open, sunny position.
Concrete steppers
Consistent size and thickness, which makes for a very regular path. Useful where the layout needs to be exact or the budget is doing more work elsewhere.
Irregular flagstone
Natural shapes fitted together. It suits informal and cottage planting, and takes longer to lay because each piece has to be cut and matched.
Paths across lawn
Stones set flush with the turf so the mower runs straight over them, with the base built up under each one to stop it sinking.
Steppers in pebble or gravel
A courtyard treatment where full paving would feel heavy. Edge restraint matters here, or the loose material ends up everywhere else.
Completed work
Our garden paths & stepping stones work
Explore the work, materials and before-and-after photographs from these Outdoor Blitz projects.
How it works
How the path work runs
From setting out the route to a stable, level finished path
- 01
Work out where the path has to go
We look at the routes already worn into the yard, what the path connects and who uses it, including anyone carrying bins or pushing a barrow.
- 02
Set out and walk the spacing
Stones are laid out dry and walked before anything is fixed, so the stride feels natural rather than measured to a number on a page.
- 03
Excavate and bed each stone
Each stone is dug out and bedded on a compacted base or mortar, depending on the traffic and the ground, then levelled so it does not rock.
- 04
Fill and finish
Gaps are filled with pebble, ground cover or turf, and the surrounding lawn or mulch is made good so the path reads as part of the garden.
Customer reviews
What customers say
Read customers’ experiences of working with Outdoor Blitz.
Common questions
Garden path questions
Stone choice, spacing, bases and how paths hold up
Are stepping stones suitable for bins or wheels?
Gaps between stones can make wheeled access awkward. A continuous paved or concrete path may better suit bins, a pram, a mobility aid or regular deliveries. The required width, slope and surface should be considered for the intended users.
How far apart should the stones be?
Close enough that you are not lengthening your stride to reach the next one. We lay the stones out dry and walk the path in both directions before fixing anything, because it is a body measurement rather than a drawing.
Do the stones need a concrete base?
Not always. A compacted base is enough for most garden paths. Mortar bedding is used where traffic is heavy or the ground is likely to move. We decide after looking at the soil and how the path will be used.
Will they be slippery when wet?
Both the selected surface and its conditions matter. Check the product’s suitability for outdoor pedestrian use, including wet conditions. Shade, leaf litter and surface growth can increase slipperiness, so cleaning and drainage also need consideration.
What goes between the stones?
Pebble for low upkeep, turf where the path crosses a lawn, or a low ground cover if you want a softer look and can accept some trimming. Sun and shade will rule out some of the ground-cover options.
Can stones be set into an existing lawn?
Yes. Turf is cut out, a base is built up under each stone and the stone is set flush so the mower can pass over it. That flush setting is what stops the lawn wearing into a rut beside the path.
How do you choose the route for stepping stones?
Start with the places people walk between, such as the door, clothesline and gate. Test the route and spacing before fixing the stones, allowing for turns, steps and plants as they grow.
Planning guides
Planning your garden path
Choosing the route, comparing surfaces and finishing the edges.
Where we work
Areas we cover
Explore our landscaping coverage across the Inner West and surrounding suburbs.
Talk through the path
Tell us where the path has to get to and who uses it. We will set out the route with the rest of the yard.