Railway sleepers have become a popular choice when it comes to landscaping. These simple wooden slabs are cost-effective, versatile and create the perfect aesthetic for an outdoor space. There are multiple ways these sleepers can be used including raised beds, lawn edgings, steps, garden furniture and retaining walls. Railway sleepers are one of the best ways to transform the garden on a fantastic budget whilst achieving both a rustic and modern aesthetic to the garden. Here is a guide on how to use railway sleepers in the garden.
When it comes to choosing the type of sleeper you’ll use in your garden, there are a few to choose from. It isn’t necessary to go for new railway sleepers as used ones do the same job whilst creating that rustic, lived in effect.
- Softwood railway sleepers – uniform in size and have a clean modern look to them. Lighter to handle and easier to cut.
- Oak railway sleepers – uniform in size but much heavier than softwood sleepers. Need to be cut mechanically due to their density but are more durable.
- Reclaimed sleepers – these give a more rustic look due to their finish as they have been recovered from railway lines. Take care when using these in the garden as they aren’t as smooth due to old fixings.
How to use them
- Raised beds – railway sleepers are ideal for creating raised beds. These can be used for both flowers and vegetables. This is one of the best ways to create a quirk in your garden and is a much nicer alternative to patches in the ground or random plant pots. The height of the bed is a personal choice and can be catered to the aesthetic of the garden.
- Steps and stairways – sleepers are ideal for creating steps and stairways in outdoor spaces. You can either choose to use a sleeper as flat steps and fill in between using soil and slate, or, create a stairway entirely out of sleepers.
- Retaining wall – this material is sturdy enough to make great retaining walls in the garden. Sleepers can be used horizontally or vertically to hold large amounts of soil for plants. They can also be used as posts for added security.
- Lawn edging – using single level sleepers, lawns and flower beds can be neatened and transformed just by lining the edges with sleepers of your choice.
- Garden furniture – DIY garden furniture such as benches and tables can easily be created using a good design, some screws and sleepers of choice.
If you would like any further advice, feel free to contact the experts for more information.
