Creative Ways To Completely Redecorate Your Home Using Cinder Blocks
Move over shipping pallets-- cinder blocks are the new go-to item for DIYers. Think of un-used cinder blocks like LEGO for adults. They can be put together and used in a million different ways as long as you're creative enough to envision it.
And if you're not creative enough to think up a cinder block BBQ pit yourself, don't worry, the internet has done the leg work for you. Check out these genius ways you can use cinder blocks all around your house.
Create Your Own Industrial Bedside Table
Bedside tables are surprisingly expensive. Even though they're one of the smallest furniture items in your house, they somehow always end up more expensive than your living room coffee table. Instead of spending the cash on a tiny table, make it yourself with cinder blocks.
For this DIY, all you need are two sturdy blocks for the base. Then, you can use a piece of wood, glass, or another cinder block as the top. The cinder block holes make it perfect to store your phone and books at night.
Piece Together A Funky Planter
Who says adding a planter in your backyard has to be boring? The best part about this DIY planter is that you can make it whatever you want to fit the space. This is the part where all that time spent as a child building up LEGO will come in handy.
To make sure these planters don't end up stacked in a strange way, make sure to count how many plants you want showing before you cover up too many spaces.
Set The Outdoor Mood With Some Ambiance
Cinder blocks might seem clunky at first but they can actually be used to make a delicate, intricate decor piece. Using the cinder blocks as pieces of a puzzle again, you can create an outdoor wall and decorate it as you please depending on the season.
This person decided to add in candles and pumpkin for a festive fall look, but you could add small flowers in springtime or lay holly out in the winter.
Create An Entire Outdoor Entertaining Area
Cinder blocks don't have to be just used for small arts and crafts around the house. By using the cinder blocks as the base for an outdoor bar, the area still looks upscale and open.
If you want to DIY a project like this it might be worthwhile to still shell out the cash for finished wood to use as the bar top, but that shouldn't be a problem with all the money you'll save using cinder blocks as the base.
Raise Your Bed And Your Decor Game
If you've flipped through an Urban Outfitters catalog then you know platform beds are all the rage. Millennials want cool decor that is simple and, most importantly, cheap. Using repurposed shipping pallets is a great way to support your mattress and create an industrial style bed.
This person stepped their DIY bed frame up a notch by using cinder blocks to raise the platform. Not only will it add to the industrial look but it also creates an extra storage space.
Set Up An Impromptu BBQ
This DIY cinder block barbecue is everything you need without all the bells and whistles. If you own a cottage, cabin, or staying at a regular campsite then this would be the perfect DIY. Rather than cooking everything over a small campfire get the grill going with an actual backwood barbecue.
The only items you'll need to buy are the metal racks to place between the blocks. You can even repurpose those for cheap though from an old oven.
Step Up Your Landscaping Game
Use cinder blocks to quite literally step up your backyard landscaping by creating a DIY staircase. The cinder blocks will add a sturdy stairway to the ground that might otherwise be unlevel and slippery. To complete this DIY, start with two rows of cinder blocks for the first step and then continue on for each level.
You can choose to either turn the cinder blocks on their side and use the flat surface like a step or fill in the holes like this person to add more dimension.
Sit Back And Relax On A DIY Bench
Outdoor furniture can be surprisingly expensive and, let's be honest, they're never fully waterproof. Why spend thousands on an outdoor sofa when you can build your own bench? Simply buy pillows to add some extra comfort and style.
All you'll need to create this bench is a few well-placed cinder blocks and a square piece of wood. The wood and cinder blocks will last a lifetime in the weather and all you have to worry about it bringing the cushions inside.
Set Up A Sweet Entertainment Unit
If you're trying to achieve the rustic industrial look but can't find an entertainment unit to match, we don't blame you. Most of the styles out there today are either ultra sleek modern, mid-century modern, or very traditional. If you want something more unique then use cinder blocks and wood to create the perfect entertainment unit.
Just be sure to either mount the television on the wall if you don't buy wood planks that are sturdy enough to hold the weight.
Create All The Storage You've Ever Needed
If your house is in desperate need of some extra storage area but you don't want to spend the money on yet another bookcase then try building your own with cinder blocks and reclaimed wood. Simply stack the cinder blocks as high as you want and use whichever cheap wood you can find as the shelves.
Not only will you add more storage space to your home but it will add a laidback, industrial style that—dare we say it—almost looks expensive.
A Little Paint Goes A Long Way
Every cinder block DIY doesn't have to be fancy or intricate. This DIY planter is upscaled simply by adding a painted pattern to it. This person used a stencil to create their unique planter but you can go freehand with it if you're feeling extra creative that day.
The best part is that since cinder blocks are so inexpensive, if you mess up on a design you don't have to feel like you wasted a canvas.
Cozy Up Around A Cinder Block Campfire
If you've been dying to add a fire pit in your backyard but don't know how to go about it, try using cinder blocks. Not only will the cinder blocks resist high temperatures but it will allow you to build the fire up rather than dig a hole down.
As you can see in the photo though, make sure to flip some of the cinder blocks on their side so that the fire can breathe.
Store Firewood In A Unique Way
Once you build that cinder block fire pit you're going to need a place to store your firewood. Rather than just pile it all up against the shed, use two cinder blocks and four wood planks to create a neat storage system for firewood.
This DIY is as easy as it gets. Set up two cinder blocks where you want your storage to be, then let the wood planks rest diagonally inside the holes, pointing outwards.
Level Out Your Garden With Cinder Blocks
Anyone with a green thumb knows that gardening on a slope can be frustrating. The drainage is not equal and often time, even the top soil can be different depending on the area. Instead, use cinder blocks to create a raised planted on the side of uneven ground.
This photo shows an example of how using one layer of cinder blocks can even out the three layers on the other side. This person even added a walkway so they could assess all areas of the planter.
Get A Little Extra With Your Raised Planter
This raised planter might seem confusing but it's actually incredibly simple. Rather than just building up the cinder blocks in a normal pattern, turn one of the blocks outwards to reveal another spot to plant.
By doing this cinder block pattern, you'll turn your backyard landscaping into a chic, modern planter. The smaller plants can even be used to grow individual herbs and spices, while the top can be used as your main flowerbed.
Feed The Birds In A Unique Way
Not only is this bird feeder modern and sleek, but it's also probably the safest bird feeder out there. Seriously, any bird that comes across this feeder in your yard will think it's their own armored fortress.
This bird feeder will take a little bit of extra carpentry skill. You'll have to fit all the cinder block holes with a piece of wood that won't slip or fall out if another animals tries to get into it.
Organize Your Shoes With A DIY Rack
There's nothing more annoying than walking in the front door and tripping over a bunch of shoes. If you want to add some organization to your front entryway without spending too much money, stack some cinder blocks and you have an easy DIY shoe rack.
Certain cinder blocks work better than others. Traditional blocks with smaller holes will work for children's shoes but larger cinder blocks will be better for adults.
Build A DIY Fence For Half The Cost
Fences are one of those hidden costs that many homeowners don't realize can bust their budget. Building a rail or fence around your deck and yard can cost thousands. A DIY cheap alternative is using cinderblocks as posts and wood slats as rails.
The trick with this DIY is to make sure the cinder block posts are secure. A normal fence will have the posts inserted into the ground with concrete, so consider reinforcing your cinder block base.
Enjoy A Cinder Block Wine Cellar
Everyone dreams of one day being fancy enough to own a wine cellar. While most of us have to settle for simply keeping a case of wine in our basement storage room, you can spruce up that case of wine by placing the bottles in a DIY wine rack.
It's as simple as layering the cinder blocks with the holes facing outwards, then sliding each wine bottle inside. If you want to be extra fancy, use chalkboard paint on each block to label the wine.
Create An Outdoor Gardening Desk
If you've got a green thumb then there's a good chance you've also got a DIY thumb. Why not show off your love of gardening with a cinder block gardening bench? By layering the cinder blocks in whichever way you want, you can make as many shelves and holes necessary to hold your equipment.
This person used their gardening bench to show off plants, but you could also use the holes to store your small shovels, gloves, and unplanted seedlings.
