Wooden front steps give our home's exteriors a sense of warmth. It makes a home look more welcoming, which is a great thing, especially when you're new to your neighborhood. If you've been around for a long time, it doesn't hurt to get an upgrade to make your house feel brand new.
Upgraded wood steps do more than just beautify a home--they improve people's first impression they'll feel more at ease. You want your steps to be cohesive with the rest of your exterior, and you also want them to reflect more of your personality and preferences.
Wood is a versatile material that you can transform as you wish. You can go rustic, classic, or elegant--it will depend on the vibe you want. There are many ways you can elevate the facade of your front steps, so we're going to help you narrow down your options and choose one look that suits your house best.
11 Great Wooden Front Step Ideas
Dressing up your front steps can be challenging. You have to consider the space available and whether your idea will suit the structure of the house itself.
Upgrading your steps can be as simple as lining the area with greenery and sculptures, or it can be as complicated as replacing the entire stairway with a different--often more expensive--type of wood.
You also need to be familiar with what paint to use. This usually starts with determining your outdoor color scheme. This is crucial since mismatching colors can be an eyesore, so you want to test the colors out first before painting all the way.
Here are some ways you can style your front steps to make your home look more inviting.
1. Pillared Porch
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Front porch columns can make your front steps look more classic and opulent. These front porch pillars are usually found in the South, their appeal being in the way it connects them with their neighbors.
It can also add character to your home, especially if you have a more minimalist exterior.
You have many options for how your arch looks like--it doesn't always have to look dated and vintage. Flat-top arches and slim columns are a great way to still make your steps look modern and still have that intimate vibe.
2. Flower-lined
Flowers are a great way to spruce up your front steps all year-round. You can plant them at the bottom of the steps so it lines the walkway, or you can place fresh flowers in shiny pots to make your steps look posh and chic.
If you want to go for a rustic theme, you can incorporate decorative hay bales with your fresh flowers and place them above your steps as a focal point--just make sure you place your blooms on a wet floral foam, so they don't dry out easily.
For a more cohesive design, match the flowers with the wreath on your front door. This will make your house look more intimate and inviting.
3. Semi-circle Steps
If your steps do not have high risers, you can go rail-free and make the entire stairs curve over your front porch. This will make your porch look wider than it seems, and it will make your exterior feel more elegant.
Rail-free stairs have a semi-circle shape so it gives off the illusion of wideness. This is ideal if you have a narrow front porch and you don't have enough space to build a larger one.
4. Free-standing Steps
If you want your front steps to be low-maintenance, go for free-standing wooden steps. They will give a rustic feel to your home especially if you line them with potted plants and flowers.
Free-standing steps are also more mobile, so you can bring them on your RV road trips, especially if they're not large.
These steps are the easiest to construct, and they can still satisfy your aesthetic through staining and decorating. It's also a great way to utilize leftover wood so you won't have anything to waste.
Read: "What To Put On Outdoor Stairs To Prevent Slipping."
5. Darkly Painted Or Stained
Dark-colored front steps can make your steps look polished and structured. This color will look great on a light-colored exterior with matching dark trims as it makes the color scheme more cohesive.
If your house exterior is made with dark colors, dark steps will make your home look more uniform. It will also accentuate the greenery if you have them on your walkway.
As a focal point, the dark color will be able to command more attention. It also highlights the elegance of wood especially if your rails have intricate moldings.
6. Lightly Colored
Light-colored front steps will make your home look more whimsical and inviting. It also gives a more friendly impression.
Cool-toned neutral colors will give a soft dimension to your front steps without being visually overwhelming; while warm-toned light colors will make your design more versatile.
Light colors will also make your home look timeless. It can make for a classic and visually satisfying backdrop against your front porch decors and walkway.
Light-colored steps are also a great way to tie up your home's exterior. If your house is made with bold colors, light-neutral colors will make the look more balanced.
7. Accent Lighting
Installing lighting on your steps is a great way to make your porch safer during nighttime, as well as make it look sleeker and cosmopolitan. Since it's a central point of your home, the lighting can elevate the look of your entire house when the lights turn on.
It's also an effortless way to look your exterior more chic and sophisticated. Warm lighting is the best and classic solution, but you can spruce it up with neon LED lights to make your home more vibrant and party-ready.
If you want a more romantic and zen-like atmosphere that looks timeless, go with warm orange lighting.
Check out these step lights on Amazon.
8. Contrasting Colors
If you want an artful flair on your stairs, you can contrast the colors on the staircases and risers. It will add dimension to the staircase itself, and it will keep your porch from looking plain.
For example, if you have light-colored steps, you can paint the risers a dark color and vice versa. This is also best for safety since the contrasting colors will make the steps more visible.
Neutral colors aren't the only hues you can explore. Vibrant colors like indigo and yellow will add character to your front porch--just make sure they complement your color scheme and your accents.
9. Hardwood Treads
Hardwood steps are ideal to be installed outside, specifically on your front porch. This is because these steps don't gather dirt and debris, unlike other materials, so you won't have to fuss over them every day.
Hardwood is also durable, so the value of your house increases with it. It can last a long time as long as you maintain it properly.
Having these steps will also give you more freedom to explore other aesthetics since they are naturally cohesive with other exterior designs.
One drawback you need to address is that hardwood can be slippery, especially if you don't have an arch cover to catch water when it rains. Make sure to install a hand railing when you decide to go for hardwood steps and coat it with anti-slip solutions to make them safer.
Read: "How To Prevent Slipping On Wood Stairs."
10. Opt for Treated Lumber
Treated lumber is one of the best wooden step solutions you can get for your house. They are durable, rot-resistant, and easier to maintain. They also have a versatile structure that you can paint and decorate to match your exterior.
There are pre-cut treated lumber staircases available, so you can easily have them installed on your front porch.
11. Matching Railings
Of course, when building your exterior front steps, you shouldn't ignore your railings since they can also make or break the look of your focal point.
Make sure you paint them with a matching shade or at least a complementing one to make your exterior design integrated.
Final Thoughts
Wooden steps make your front porch look warmer. They improve your outdoor scape, especially when they complement your walkway. Make sure the stairs are built with great quality so you won't have to worry about them deteriorating over time.
