Creating a path in your garden will get you from A to B - whether that's to the compost heap, herb bed, washing line, or greenhouse. Although a path is functional, a stepping stone path will also add an attractive feature to your garden, giving it shape, focus, and symmetry. Laying stepping stones is a relatively simple and low-cost way to enhance your outdoor space.
Ready to start your paving project? Below are ten quick steps to laying stepping stones. For a more detailed look, keep reading til the end.
How to lay stepping stones: 10 quick steps
- Decide where you'd like to position the stepping stones.
- Make sure there's an equal distance between each stone.
- If you want your path to be straight, line the stones with pegs and taught string.
- Spray paint around each stone to mark their positions.
- Remove the stones and dig a space for each one to sit, deep enough to allow for a type 1 sub-base (50mm - 100mm depending on ground conditions)
- Create a mortar mix using water and 3:1 sand and cement.
- Put the mix in the hole you've dug for each stone.
- Lay stepping stones on to the mix, making sure they're aligned.
- Make sure they're level using a spirit level and rubber mallet
- Leave the stones to set for 24 hours.
What tools and materials do you need to lay stepping stones?
Before you start laying stepping stones, there are a few things you're going to need. Make sure you have all of the safety equipment, tools, and materials you need here:
What safety equipment do you need to lay stepping stones?
- Gloves to protect your hands from cuts and abrasions while handling the paving stones
- Safety glasses to shield your eyes from dust and debris
- A dust mask - these are especially important if you plan on cutting stones
- Toe-capped boots to avoid injuring your feet and toes
- Knee pads to keep you comfortable while laying the stones
- Ear protectors to avoid damaging your hearing if you cut stones with power tools
What tools do you need to lay stepping stones?
- Wheelbarrow
- Spirit level
- Rubber mallet
- Tape measure
- Protective gloves
- Spade
- Spray paint
- String line and pegs
- Rubber mallet
- Pointing trowel
- Garden tamper
- Cement mixer (if required)
- Dust suppressive cutting equipment (if required)
What materials do you need to lay stepping stones?
- Sand
- Cement mix
- MOT Type 1
- Gravel & week membrane (optional)
- Builders' primer
- Stepping stone slabs
Do you think you'll need to cut some of your stepping stones? Read our guide to discover how to cut paving slabs.
Things to consider before laying stepping stones in your garden
When plotting your stepping stones, it's important to make sure your plans are well-defined and clear; otherwise, you risk things going wrong and potentially wasting a lot of time and/or money.
To help you plan the perfect path, you need to consider the following things:
- The layout of your path
- The type, size and style of the stones you want to use
- The spacing of the stones
- Drainage and whether puddles could form
- The rest of the garden and whether the path complements existing features
- Safety and how you'll ensure the stones don't shift or become loose over time
- How you'll maintain the stones and the ease of mowing and weeding around them
- How much the project will cost, including tools and materials
How to lay a stepping stone path on grass
1. Get into position
First, place your stones a stride's length apart on the ground. Move them around until you're happy with their position.
2. Keep your distance
Next, use a tape measure to ensure the stepping stones are the same distance apart. This will make the final result look neater.
3. Set in stone
When the pavers are equally spaced, take your string and line pins and outline the path's edges. To make laying the stepping stones easier, leave a small gap between the edge of the string and the slabs.
4. Spray of the land
Once the string is sorted, it's time to spray paint the ground around the corners of the stones to mark their position. Be careful not to get paint on the stones themselves.
5. Dig in
Now, remove each stone and put it to one side. Dig a hole in the ground for the stepping stones within the sprayed area. Each hole must be deep enough to allow for MOT Type 1 sub-base mortar and the paving flag to lay safely in the grass (50-100mm room for the MOT Type 1 sub-base, depending on the ground conditions).
When you've dug out the pathway, use a tamper to flatten and compact the soil, add the MOT Type 1 sub-base and use a tamper to flatten this layer ready for the mortar. This will give you a solid foundation and reduce the chance of the stepping stones sinking or moving.
6. Mixing and priming
After you've dug your trench, mix your mortar using three parts sand and one part cement. Add enough water to make the mortar stick to a spade. Using your spade or a pointing trowel, fill the hole with the mortar.
When you're happy with the mortar mix, apply a thin layer of builders' primer to the bottom of the stones. This will help them stick to the cement bed.
7. Let it lie
Next, lay each stone on the wet mortar mix. Use the string and a spirit level to make the slabs neatly aligned and level with the ground. If they're not level, gently tap them into place with a rubber mallet.
8. Lay in wait
Leave your stepping stone path to set for 24 or 48 hours before you walk on it. The time it takes for the path to set will depend on the cement you've used - you can find the drying time on the cement bag. You can add decorative gravel to the path at this stage of the process.
If you don't have the time to do the work yourself or would prefer your stepping stones to be installed by an expert, find a Marshalls-approved installer.
How to maintain your stepping stone path
Once you've finished installing your path, the next thing you need to do is make sure you look after it. Poorly maintained paths can be dangerous, expensive to fix, and unsightly. So, follow these three steps to keep your path in tip-top shape.
Keep them clean
Keeping your stepping stones clean by regularly sweeping off small rocks and other debris will reduce the chances of them becoming scratched or damaged. You should also wash the stones with a hose or pressure washer. If you notice tougher stains, use a mild detergent and scrubbing brush.
For more advice on keeping paving clean, check out 'How to clean a patio'.
Stay on top of weeds
If you leave weeds for too long, they can dislodge your stepping stones, leaving them uneven and wobbly. To avoid this, remove weeds between the stones as soon as you notice them. Alternatively, you can apply a weed killer, but make sure any chemicals you use will not damage your garden stones.
Make sure the stones are level
If your stepping stones become loose or uneven due to ground movement, which can be attributed to fluctating climate changes, then it is recommended to lift, remove the old mortar bed and re-set the stones following the above guidelines.
Choose the right stepping stones for your outdoor space with Marshalls
Now you know how to lay and maintain your stepping stones, it's time to plan the work.
If you need help choosing which stone will look best in your garden, let us help. Using augmented reality, the Marshalls Outdoor Reality App lets you see which types of stone perfectly suit your outdoor space's aesthetic.
Or, look at our leading range of garden path stones and start plotting your dream walkway. Our selection includes concrete and natural stone choices in various colours, including sleek greys, reds and pinks.
Not ready to start buying yet? Our inspiration hub is brimming with guides to get your creative juices flowing, including design ideas for small back gardens and tips to transform your front garden.
