Concrete stepping stones add a special decorative touch to any outdoor landscaping. These stepping stones are also functional when used as a garden pathway, or anywhere else they may be needed. Decorative concrete stepping stones can be rather expensive to purchase, but you can easily make your own.
For this project you will need concrete mix, a plastic tub for mixing, a small spade, decorative stones, flat glass marbles, small ceramic tiles, stained glass mosaic pieces, and reusable vinyl molds. Heavy cardboard pizza boxes also make fantastic molds for concrete stepping stones. They are just the right size and are very sturdy. Use any pliable plastic containers as molds, or any appropriately sized cardboard boxes. Optionally you can buy a powdered additive to tint the cement a color of your choice.
Begin by mixing an adequate amount of concrete according to package directions. Mix in colored concrete powder if you desire. Use a small spade to fill the mold you have chosen, and level the surface. While the concrete is still wet, add decorative items such as flat glass marbles or small polished stones. Use your mind’s eye to create a one-of-a-kind stepping stone.
Broken ceramic tiles are great for creating mosaic designs. Either purchase broken tiles, or break them yourself using a small hammer. Create designs and pictures in wet cement using the broken tiles. Gently press them into the wet cement.
Create a colorful sunburst using various shades of gold, yellow, and orange tiles. Use broken blue and white tiles for the background.
Another idea is to make color flowers using broken ceramic tiles. Use slender broken pieces of green tile for the stem, and larger randomly broken tiles for the leaves. Use a flat yellow marble for the center of each flower, and place the petals indiscriminately around each center.
Make a beautiful butterfly or dragonfly using stained glass mosaic pieces. Either match the colors and designs of a real dragonfly or butterfly, or you can make a unique rendition using colors of your choice.
Create a rainbow of colors on a stepping stone. Place either broken ceramic tiles or stained glass mosaic pieces in the order of the spectrum. Surround the finished rainbow with broken pieces of sky blue ceramic tile.
You can also create a lasting impression of a child’s hands. Gently press your child’s hands into the center of the wet cement. Surround the prints with decorative stones, flat marbles, or spell out the child’s name and the current date using broken ceramic tiles.
Be sure to clean off the spade and plastic tub as soon as you’re finished with them. They can be easily cleaned outdoors using a garden hose. Once the cement hardens it will be difficult to remove.
Allow the cement to cure for at least 24 hours before removing the finished stepping stones from their molds. Your stepping stones should be easy to remove from vinyl molds, and cardboard molds can be easily ripped away and discarded.
Use a spade to dig out the soil in the area where the stones will be placed. Level the ground as evenly as possible, and remove any gravel or debris. Doing so will help prevent the stepping stones from cracking when they’re walked on.
These versatile concrete stepping stones also make beautiful outdoor plaques which can be placed on wire stands for display. They also make wonderful gifts for friends and family. You can personalize them according to the recipients preferences. Anyone would love receiving a beautiful concrete stepping stone that has been thoughtfully designed and personalized by you.
