Gardening is a great way to spend your time and be creative. With the right materials, you can make something truly special for your outdoor space. Railway sleepers are becoming an increasingly popular choice for garden design due to their unique look and sustainability. From patios to raised beds, there are so many ways to use railway sleepers in order to bring your garden ideas to life, and create a rustic aesthetic.
In this handy DIY article from Builders Marketplace, we take a look at some of the best ways you can create garden designs with railway sleepers, so you can get inspired to get busy in your garden.
Landscaping with Railway Sleepers
Railway sleepers have been used for many years in garden design, and they are a great way to give your garden a truly unique and stylish look. The natural charm of these sleepers provides an interesting contrast to other landscaping materials, and makes them stand out in any garden design.
Railway sleepers are incredibly versatile; they can be used for anything from creating raised beds or flowerbeds, to building decking or terraces. They’re also great for making edging borders around patios, lawns and paths, giving you more definition in your garden design. No matter what the style of your garden is, whether that’s traditional or contemporary, railway sleepers will fit right into the overall theme. The best part apart using railway sleepers for garden design and landscaping is that they are easily implemented too!
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Benefits of Using Railway Sleepers
Not only do railway sleepers provide a decorative touch to your garden, but they offer numerous benefits too:
- Increased stability and strength compared to traditional materials usch as timber or plastic
- Various sizes available making them easy to tailor to individual project requirements
- Rustic aesthetic
- Various uses available, such as being used as an edging material or to construct raised beds
Why not take advantage of all that railway sleepers have to offer?
Different Design Styles
The possibilities for creating stunning garden designs with railway sleepers are endless. From built-in seating areas and raised flower beds, to pathways and steps, railway sleepers can help bring any project together with their homespun charm. Let’s take a look at a few of the different garden designs you can create Garden Designs with Railway Sleepers:
Raised flower beds
Creating a raised flowerbed using railway sleepers is an attractive and creative way to spruce up your garden. With the addition of this design, you can create a unique garden space with an authentic touch. Railway sleepers are available in various sizes and shapes which makes it easy to create any desired shape or size flowerbed. They also provide great drainage systems when used as raised beds, so they’re perfect for growing flowers, herbs and vegetables. By adding these railway sleepers to your garden design. You can turn any ordinary backyard into something truly special that you’ll love for years to come.
Edging material
You can use railway sleepers as edging material around lawns or flower beds, combine them with other paving materials or simply create a feature wall with them. Railway sleepers work equally well for traditional and modern designs so no matter what style you’re going for, it’s easy to find the perfect size and colour that will blend in nicely with your existing landscaping plans. You can simply stack railway sleepers on top of each other to reach your desired height, just make sure they are fastened together to avoid risk of them toppling over.
Steps
Adding steps to your garden is one of the best ways to make use of railway sleepers, as they provide an eye-catching and practical feature. The possibilities are endless when it comes to creating bespoke steps; you can opt for a straight staircase or get creative with winding curves – whatever suits your individual style! Not only do railway sleepers look great, but they are also incredibly tough and durable, making them ideal for areas that will be subject to foot traffic on a daily basis.
Retaining walls
Railway sleepers are an ideal material for building sturdy and aesthetically pleasing retaining walls in any garden. They come in different sizes, making them perfect for constructing walls of any size or shape you desire without having to worry about whether they will fit together correctly or not. Plus, they are durable enough to withstand all kinds of weather conditions, so you won’t have to worry about replacing them anytime soon!
Getting Started
Getting started with your railway sleeper design project in your garden is easy!
Firstly, you’ll need to decide on what kind of design you would like for your garden. Some of our suggestions in this guide should have given you a good idea to get started with. Nextly, consider how much space you have available for the project, as well as what size of railway sleepers you’ll need. Finally, draw up a plan on paper or online. So that you can visualize how it will look before construction begins.
What Tools will I Need?
- Gloves (to protect your hands)
- Sanding paper (to take out any rough edges or surfaces)
- Landscaping tools (to prepare your flowerbed or areas for landscaping)
- Saw (incase you need to resize your railway sleepers)
Choosing the Right Size
Before selecting the right size of railway sleeper for your project. It’s important to plan ahead and consider how the sleepers will be used in the design. At Builders Marketplace we have two main sizes available; 10×5” and 8×4”. However, we also offer a wood cutting service incase you require a more specific dimension. Small sleepers are light and easy to handle which makes them well suited for edging projects such as lining flowerbeds or paths, where as larger sizes are better used to create steps or seating areas if required.
Installing Railway Sleepers Safely
It’s important to take the correct safety precautions when installing railway sleepers in your garden. Make sure that when handling them, you use gloves to protect your skin. If you will also be working on your knees a lot. Getting a pair of knee pades to reduce tension on your knees isn’t a bad idea.
If you can fit the railway sleepers in good weather conditions this is preferable, however as this is not always possible, you should remember that railway sleepers will be slippery when wet, so be careful when handling them. Also, if you are using them as steps, it may be a good idea to get some grippy protection such as chicken wire to fasten over the top to prevent people from slipping on them when they are damp.
Conclusion: Unlocking Your Garden’s Potential
In conclusion, using railway sleepers for your garden can be a great way to add character and style to any outdoor space. With the versatility, durability, and aesthetic appeal that they provide. Railway sleepers can be used in many ways to make any garden look amazing. What’s more, railway sleepers are fairly easy to install and require little maintenance. If you’re looking to add a rustic design touch to your garden without breaking the bank. Railway sleepers should be your go-to choice.
Railway Sleepers at Builders Marketplace
At Builders Marketplace, we make it easy for you to start your DIY railway sleeper project in your garden. With railway sleepers available in 10×5” or 8×4” configurations, we have the right sizes available for you to get landscaping. Make sure to check out our range of tools and fixings as well. So you have everything you need to see your garden design project through from start to finish.
