Sleepers are very versatile, highly useful and very valuable interior design and garden design tools, employed in a huge range of situations and circumstances. One of their great benefits is that they are strong and robust, as well as very beautiful, so they can withstand harsh weather conditions and can be used out of doors. They will also often be used for furniture or dining, so they need to be strong and load bearing – two capabilities that sleepers can definitely have. If you are thinking about using sleepers in a project but do not really understand their full scope and what you can get them to do, here is some valuable information about them.

Always bear in mind that sleepers come in many different types and varieties. One sleeper does not fit all purposes. It is essential you obtain sleepers from a good retailer, especially if you are going to use them in a structural sense. Make sure they have been milled to the correct length so you do not have to do this yourself (unless of course you want to). You also need to know their weight bearing capabilities if you are going to be using them in a custom project, so you should find all of this out from your suppliers. A timber merchant will usually be a good stop if you are on the hunt for quality railway sleepers.

The Different Types of Sleepers

If you are buying sleepers you will generally see two different descriptions: new, or reclaimed. All this means is that the sleepers have been custom milled and are brand new, or that they have been used previously and they have been recycled. Railway sleepers are very environmentally friendly for this reason; however many new sleepers are also environmentally friendly because they are made from wood that comes from sustainable sources. People also choose railway sleepers because they are seasoned and achieve a certain look, rather than being brand new in their appearance.

What Can Your Do with Sleepers?

Sleepers can be used in a multitude of ways around the house and garden. These are some of the ideas for using sleepers, both new and reclaimed:

• Raised flowerbeds. Sleepers can be used to create flowerbeds, delineating the edges and creating a raised area. This is one of the simplest and yet, most effective uses of sleepers.
• Garden furniture. You can use sleepers for making furniture items such as tables, chairs and even