Whether adding a deck to your home or overhauling an existing deck, there are a lot of details to consider. Although deck stairs are not necessarily overlooked, sometimes details and options for deck stairs are not top-of-mind. However, there are a lot of things you can do around stairs to make your new deck even better. Here are a few ideas for deck stairs to consider as you think about what you want in your new deck:

1. Get Creative With Railings

Adding handrails to your deck stairs is an important safety feature, but your handrails don’t have to be boring. Some benefits of vinyl decks are how versatile and customizable they are. The same features apply to vinyl railings for your deck.

These benefits of vinyl railings mean that you have a lot of options to play with shape, color, and material in your deck and stair railings. Don’t be afraid to get creative and add a unique flair to your railings to enhance your deck.

2. Mix and Match Materials

Because vinyl railings can be manufactured to look like a variety of materials, you have the option to mix and match different material looks for your deck, railings, and stairs. A common option is to have the stairs match the decking and then choose complementary materials for the railings.

Another popular option is to pick different colors or finishes for the stair treads and risers. You can also play with the looks of different complementary finishes and colors in the railings as well. Mixing the look of wood and metal is another popular option. Upgrading railings like this is one of the exterior home remodeling ideas that can increase home value and curb appeal.

3. Add Lighting to the Stairs

Another one of the ideas for deck stairs that can improve safety while also improving the look of your deck is to add lighting to the stairs. Thin LED strips or outdoor recessed lights can ensure deck stairs are well-lit. These can even be built-in lighting options for the risers. Not only does this make them safer to use and help reduce falls, but the extra light can also add ambiance and improve your backyard.

4. Create Under-Deck Storage

Adding storage to your deck can give you convenient storage for patio furniture, cushions, landscaping supplies, and other outdoor equipment or items. One of the ideas for deck stairs is to use the space under them for storage if you have enough space to do so. This is one of the under-deck ideas to maximize outdoor space.

Depending on how much space you plan to have under your deck, you could even turn it into another outdoor living area. This is a popular option to implement more outdoor living trends for decks that are elevated to an upper floor or for homes with walkout basements.

5. Choose a Different Shape

Keeping your stairs the standard straight staircase works well for a variety of decks, even if you have a taller deck that requires a stair landing. Provided they fit the requirements of local building codes, you also have the option to go with a different shape and style for your deck stairs.

Create and Extend Angles

You can follow the angles of your deck plan and extend the stairs across it for longer planes. This is a good option for creating multiple levels on your deck and for creating geometric shapes on your deck. This can give your deck and stairs an elegant, welcoming porch-style look and feel.

Go Wider and Try Curves

You can also go wider with your stairs and opt for a curved design for your staircase, either in the curve of the staircase or by making the stairs themselves curved. This can add some soft curves to the structure of your home and create a gentle and elegant transition from your deck to your patio or yard.

Consider a Spiral

You may even be able to go with a spiral staircase! This can be a good option for a second-story deck if you want to dedicate more space to your deck or yard and keep the square footage of the staircase more compact.

6. Go Multi-Level

Multi-level stairs are not limited to second-story or highly elevated decks; you can have multi-level steps on a lower deck as well. Steps from the door to the deck and then the deck to the yard or patio can easily create levels without sacrificing a lot of deck space. If you plan to have a larger deck, you can take inspiration from sunken living rooms to create a split-level deck with two or three-tier stairs to connect the levels.

7. Integrate Your Landscaping

Another one of the ideas for deck stairs is to leave room for decor and integrate them with your landscaping. This can work well with sloped lots or yards with garden beds. Even if you don’t want to integrate your landscaping that much, you can still leave space on or around your stairs for potted plants, bushes, etc.

8. Connect to a Walkway

Integrating your landscaping and your deck stairs can also include hardscaping like patios, walkways, and other concrete. Connecting your deck stairs to a walkway is a great way to create an easy pathway from your deck to your yard or other backyard structures.

Adding a walkway, adding a deck and/or patio, and defining and connecting spaces are all backyard makeover tips that can improve your home. It can also help direct foot traffic and keep people from stomping on grass, gardens, or vegetation you’re trying to grow and keep looking nice near the stairs.

Get the New Deck You Want With Zephyr Thomas

There are a lot of things to consider when adding a deck to your home and these are just a few ideas for deck stairs to consider as you think about your new deck. The deck stairs can be a seemingly small detail, but they can make a big difference in the overall look, feel, and function of your deck.

Partnering with a reputable and experienced deck builder can help ensure you get what you need and want in your new deck. If you’re ready for a new deck, contact Zephyr Thomas at 717-399-4708 to schedule a free estimate!

Take a look at the video below to see the Zephyr Thomas team building a new deck for this homeowner!