If you're anything like most people, you probably haven't considered using cinder blocks for anything beyond their everyday use of building construction. But it turns out they're actually quite useful and multifunctional things. Whether you want to create a DIY desk for your home's interior or a backyard firepit that'll wow any house guest, cinder blocks can be very handy, so keep scrolling for doable home improvement projects that won't break the bank.
Design Your Own Garden
Making and building your own garden is already quite an endeavor. Besides having to know how to plant all the different vegetables and herbs, figuring out what goes best together, and how much sun and water everything needs, you also want to make it look pretty. That's where cinder blocks come in. Just stop at your local Home Depot, Lowe's, or hardware store, pick up some cinder blocks, and begin your design.
This person chose to make a cool "E" shape with their garden, making for a very unique and cool border for their garden patch. However, you can create whatever design you prefer!
Sturdy Outdoor Furniture for Cheap
So it's already pretty well established that cinder blocks are used to build things. That is the reason that they exist, after all. However, you probably didn't think that you could easily make your own outdoor furniture with the help of a few cinder blocks. Just stack them up and insert some wooden panels into the openings. Add some pretty cushions to make it comfortable and aesthetically pleasing, and voila!
You can even paint the cinder blocks to better match the overall look. No one will ever think or realize they are just plain old cinder blocks and not store-bought furniture.
Customize a Desk to Whatever Size You Want
Whether you are just looking for an alternative to a desk (you don't want to be mainstream) or you are looking for a less expensive option, cinder blocks can be a great choice. Or perhaps you just really like the way cinder blocks look and enjoy the industrial-style design. Regardless of the reasoning, you can create a DIY workspace with the help of a few cinder blocks purchased from your local hardware store.
You don't even have to build this one with cement and other materials. All you have to do is stack up the cinder blocks, and you are good to go.
DIY Firepit
Anyone who has an outdoor space and lives somewhere where it's chilly or cold for at least part of the year has dreamt about having a firepit. Well, we have good news: if you have the space for it, we have an inexpensive way for you to make that firepit dream come true. All you need is some cinder blocks and cement, and you are good to go.
You can create it in whatever size you want, just to fit with your yard. We're sure all of your friends, family, and even neighbors will be wowed.
A Bookcase to Make Any Bookworm Jealous
Cinder blocks are great for so many different purposes. Perhaps the best part of these strange blocks that most people overlook is the fact that they can be used to build things and also used to store things. That's precisely why they make for the perfect building materials to create a DIY bookcase. You can store the books inside the block's cubbies or also just use the cinder blocks to create the base of the bookcase in general.
If you paint the cinder blocks, you can also make this into a very beautiful design. It is a fun and cheap way to create a bookshelf to have in your home.
Just Add Some Paint and You've Got a Sleek TV Stand
Buying a TV stand for your home can be an expensive endeavor. Maybe you don't have the finances to afford it, or maybe you just want something that is more unique and handmade by you. Whichever the case may be, you can make a very simple yet sleek TV stand with the help of some cinder blocks. Combine it with wood and paint it to fit in with your decor.
This person added some wood panels to the cinder block TV stand design. They wanted it to match their wood floors, and they did a great job coordinating everything.
Make Your Own Rocket Stove
Have you ever heard of a rocket stove? If you have and have been wanting to get one for some time already, you should consider making your own with the help of some cinder blocks. They are the perfect material to create the rocket stove replica, and it is cheap and easy to do. You will have your food cooked and ready to go in no time with this cinder block rocket stove.
The main thing to remember here is to ensure air flow between the cinder blocks. This will make sure that the entire process goes over smoothly.
A Multipurpose Bar
Isn't the piece of furniture pictured below simply unique and gorgeous? Not only can it be used as a simple table or bar, but you can add some cinder blocks to the sides, and it can be used for extra storage as well. You can keep handy things like sunscreen, mosquito repellent, and more in the blocks. Or you can put plants inside and have a gorgeous, nature-infused fixture.
If you are using this as a table, you can also add some backup drinks or cups in the cinder block storage spaces on the side. It can become a very multifunctional table.
Want an Outdoor Staircase? Here You Go
Have you ever thought of building your own staircase? The answer to that is most likely no. However, with the use of cinder blocks, it can actually be a pretty easy thing to do. If you have some difficult-to-navigate slopes in your yard and never quite know how to get up to the top of the hill, you can build your own staircase with the help of cinder blocks.
All you have to do is stack a few cinder blocks together, make sure that they are securely attached to each other, and create them in the design of a staircase.
Make Your Own BBQ - Hardcore Version
Although you have already seen an awesome rocket grill made of cinder blocks on this list, here is an even more extensive and intense bbq setup. It even involves a lid to cover the cooking food! This one will definitely require a lot more work than some of the other projects on this list, but if you like to BBQ, it'll be worth it in the end.
You will definitely be quite proud of your creation by the end of this experience, and your friends and family will be excited about summer barbeques at your place.
A DIY Sofa
You probably never would imagine that someone would make a sofa out of cinder blocks. After all, it does not sound like the most comfortable thing in the world. But all you need to make it comfy is some good cushions. You can easily make your own couch just like this one with just a few tools like cinder blocks, pillows, and some cement to keep it all together.
You can even make a small table like this one that is there if you want to put your feet up while relaxing on the sofa or to rest a beverage on.
The Perfect Shoe Rack/bench
Say goodbye to overpriced shoe racks or shoe storage units. With some wooden slats and cinder blocks, you can customize a shoe rack to your exact wants and needs. And you can even make it double as a bench so that you can sit on it while taking off and putting on shoes! It doesn't get much better than that. And the cinder blocks themselves provide storage, too, not just the wooden slats.
Shoes and even socks will fit perfectly in the small cubbies that are provided by the cinder blocks. And who will say no to having some extra storage space?
Turning Cinder Blocks Into Art
We've gone over many ways to turn cinder blocks into furniture and appliances. But have you ever considered using them to make a piece of art? You could make a mosaic sculpture as this person did. You just need to stack up a few cinder blocks (in whatever shape and style that you desire) and then start to design and paint them however you would like for your yard or your house.
This is also a fun project to do with kids. You can assemble the cinder blocks, and then you can recruit the kids in the family to tile them and make them unique.
Create an Outdoor Kitchen
This may be one of the most intense projects on the list, but from the looks of it, it is worth the effort. You may have dreamed your whole life for an outdoor kitchen in addition to your indoor one, but maybe you never had the tools needed to actually create it. Now you do! All you need are cinder blocks and a few other supplies, lots of patience, and the desire to work very hard.
You can even create a space for an oven, storage, and so many other things here. You can custom-make it precisely to your liking.
Put Together the Most Unique Garden on the Block
If you love gardening and also modern architecture and design, this is the perfect DIY project for you. You just need a lot of cinder blocks, and you can build a structure as beautiful as this one and have the perfect place to create your new garden. Cinder blocks are actually great for gardening since they keep plants cool and also absorb excess water. So don't be too concerned about overwatering; the concrete will help balance it.
You can add in any sort of plants that you want to create whatever type of garden that you are looking for. It's a fun way to express your creativity.
Love the Sun? Make a Cinder Block Tanning Bed
Who doesn't love to bask in the sun in the warmer months of the year? There is nothing better than getting in your share of vitamin D in the warm months. If you don't have a designated space in your yard, now is the time to create one using cinder blocks. All you have to do is essentially create a platform for the pillows, blankets, and towels that you will add to the blocks in the end.
Like most of the other designs on this list, you can customize the colors and designs of this according to your preferences (change the colors, pillows, blankets, and more).
DIY Storage for Your Firewood
If you have already created your own DIY backyard fireplace (or are considering it), then this is the perfect addition to your cinder block repertoire of DIY projects. If you have a fireplace, now you need a good place to store your firewood. You can create an easy and functional storage system. Create the base with two cinder blocks, and then add wood pieces for support on the sides, and you are good to go.
You can create it in a "V" shape like this person did, or it can be an even rectangle or square - whichever you prefer. That's the fun of DIY projects!
Looking for a New Bed Frame? Not Anymore
This is the perfect project for cinder blocks if you want to use them to create something but you don't really like the look of them. Here they can be used to create a simple and easy bed frame, but your bedsheets will also cover most of it on the daily, so you won't see too much of the cinder blocks themselves. You will see them a little, though, so you could also paint them!
Depending on how you place the cinder blocks on the ground, you could also use the openings and cubbies to store some things under the bed, like shoes.
A Chic Bedside Table
As you have already seen, cinder blocks can be pretty useful for all different areas of the house. Whether you are looking for something outside or searching for a fun indoor DIY project, cinder blocks are the perfect medium of choice. You can even bring them into the bedroom to create a fun, artsy bedside table. It is the perfect combination of storage, tabletop, and fun designs. Who could ask for anything more?
You can have a minimalist-style one like the table pictured above, or you can put two or more blocks together for more tabletop space.
Armchairs Out of Cinder Blocks
Continuing on the furniture theme, sofas and tables are not the only options you have when it comes to pieces of furniture you can make out of cinder blocks. You can make all sorts of outdoor furniture, including armchairs. They may not look (or appear) to be the most comfortable out there, but they will do the trick if you're looking for some inexpensive outdoor furniture for your backyard. Just make sure to buy some thick pillows, and lack of comfort won't be an issue.
They can also be made to really match the aesthetic of your yard. It's always fun to design your own stuff, as you can customize it to your precise wants.
Make Your Own Cute Centerpieces
Centerpieces for your tables may not seem like a very important thing in life, but they can add a lot to your decor and make your place feel special when you have guests over. If you want to make something very unique that will certainly be the talking point for everyone at the dinner party, you can make your own centerpieces from cinder blocks and put plants or flowers inside.
Putting flowers inside the cinder block centerpieces is a nice way to brighten up the atmosphere while still keeping it interesting and artsy at the same time.
A Blocked off Compost Station
There is little more trending these days than creating a compost station in your backyard. After all, why not? It's great for the environment, reduces waste, and is perfect for starting your own garden. Since it can be a bit of a messy thing, you can use cinder blocks to keep everything in line and separate from the rest of your yard. You can organize it a bit better than this person, but you get the idea.
You can design the space to be whatever size and shape you want. It doesn't have to be something fancy and can be quite small too. The choices are endless.
Simple Shelving Unit
Who doesn't want some extra storage space? It almost seems like no matter how big your house is; you can always go for having a little bit more storage space. If you don't want to install expensive and complicated shelving units on the wall, just buy some cinder blocks and stack them on top of each other. You can fit books, papers, plants, and pretty much whatever you want inside.
You can place things in the cubbies themselves, or you can just use them to prop up the wooden pieces that you add in between. So many options for extra storage!
Build an Outdoor Buffet Station for the Summer
If you love to host people in the warmer months and hold small parties in your backyard, then this creation is just for you. You can make your own DIY buffet table to make for the host's dream environment. The best part is that you don't have to break the budget in the process of creating this. All you need is to add a few tabletops to the cinder block foundation.
Bring in a few tall bar stools or chairs, incorporate an umbrella for sunny days, and you are ready to host big and small parties. No need to worry anymore that you will run out of room!
A Beautiful Succulent Garden
Everyone loves succulents. Even people with black thumbs seem to be able to keep them alive, so they are always a popular choice. If you have a few too many succulents and don't know where to put them or what to do with them, you can consider bringing some cinder blocks into the picture. Stack them up in a fun manner, like this pyramid, and you can create a succulent garden.
This can be used indoors or outdoors, depending on where you want your succulent garden to be. It's perfect to place in a corner spot inside or outside.
A Blank Canvas for Painting Projects
Regardless of which project you decide to try with cinder blocks, one of the best parts is that they can be used to paint and design according to your desire and personal taste. Whether you are an avid painter and want to use them as blank canvases for your latest projects or if you are an amateur artist looking to test your skills, remember that cinder blocks can easily be painted!
You may need a couple of extra coats of paint to make sure that the colors are as bright and vibrant as you were hoping, as the concrete may absorb some of the color and liquid.
Build an Outdoor Fireplace
Having a fireplace in your backyard can be one of the best and most fun things, especially if you live in a place that gets fairly cold. There is nothing better than enjoying the outdoors with a warm, crackling fire in the background. However, these fireplaces can be quite expensive. So if you're looking to cut costs, try building your own with the help of some cinder blocks from your local hardware store.
This may be a bit more complicated of a project, especially compared to some of the other ones on this list. But it is great if you're up for a challenge.
A Simple Grill With Easy Cleanup
Grilling is a fun pass time, especially as the weather starts to get nice and warm. However, it can be a messy thing to do, and not everyone wants to make an effort involved in cleaning up after the grilling is done. Cinder blocks are a great way to get the best of both worlds. You can grill easily and have a minimal and simple clean-up at the end of the day.
This is also a great way to grill if you don't want to buy a new and expensive grill. Just grab a few cinder blocks, and you are ready to go!
An Affordable Swimming Pool
If you thought that the cinder block fireplace was ambitious, here is a project that will top that. This one will definitely take up some time. However, the end results will be worth it. Not only will you have a pool in your backyard without paying extremely high costs, but you will also be able to brag to all of your friends about how you made it yourself out of cinder blocks.
You will also need some cement to make this a reality, but if you're at Home Depot or Lowe's to buy the cinder blocks, that shouldn't be too hard to find.
A Cinder Block Outdoor Living Room
Would you ever have thought that you could create an entire outdoor living room mainly using cinder blocks? Probably not, since most people don't think of cinder blocks as the most useful and common thing for DIY projects. However, as you can see here, cinder blocks are great building blocks (literally) for creating a beautiful backyard that can also be used as a living room in an outdoor space.
You can see here that you can make a table, benches, "chairs," and so much more just using cinder blocks. That is a very versatile item that can be used for many different things.
Make Your Own Gardening Shelf
If you are not lucky enough to have space for a garage in your yard that allows you to store things without worry, you can consider making a makeshift cinder block creation like this one that will help you organize and store things without too much hassle. It fits the vibes of the outdoors when you use cinder blocks, and it makes for a great way to store little items and keep everything organized.
This is great to use for plants, tools, supplies, and so much more. There is almost no limit to what you can do here with just a few cinder blocks.
Customize a Fence
Creating a fence is not always the easiest thing to do. It can be time-consuming, complicated, and downright difficult. If you really want to create a fun fence for your yard, you should consider using cinder blocks. With the help of cinder blocks, you can create the perfect connecting posts for the fence, and then you just have to add in some wood. You can also decorate them however you like.
This may not be the most visually appealing way to build a fence in your yard. However, it does the trick and is easier than some other methods.
Mediterranean Sleek Decorations for Your Home
If you were to just see this photo, there is no way that you would know there are cinder blocks involved. After all, this sleek Mediterranean look is not what you usually picture to be associated with cinder blocks. However, it's crazy what a simple paint job can do! Once you attach the cinder blocks to the wall with cement, in whatever pattern you desire, you just need the paint to cover everything at the end, and you will have this beautiful design.
It's perfect as a place to hold your plants. It can be used both indoors and outdoors and adds some interest and design to a plain and boring wall.
Cinder Blocks for Flower Pots
Sometimes it feels like it's time for a change when it comes to the flower pots that you use. After all, why are almost all of the flower pots exactly the same? It doesn't have to be that way, and as can be seen here, you can use cinder blocks as a great alternative. Cinder blocks are also really great for growing plants as they protect from the cold and absorb excess water.
Once again, if you want to paint the cinder blocks, you can make very unique and pretty flower pots as well, creating the most beautiful and special pots.
Build Your Own Bar
Who didn't dream of having a bar in their yard at some point? It always seemed more of a faraway dream than something that could actually be achieved without a huge budget. If you want to build your own bar, all you have to do is buy some cinder blocks at your local hardware store, pick up some cement, and start building. It is trendy and fashionable while also being functional.
As you can see, this works for an outdoor setting, but there is no reason that it couldn't also be used for an indoor bar as well. It's a very versatile design.
A Simple and Easy Birdhouse From a Cinder Block
Are you a bird lover? Do you want to sit in your yard and watch as all the different types of birds come to your house? It is a very fun way to spend an afternoon or a morning with coffee. However, it is not always doable if you don't have a birdhouse. However, you can build your own with just one cinder block! All you have to do is add a small perch and an opening.
Birds will love this little design. Add in some bird food, attach a hook and string to the top, and watch as the birds come to their little cinder block oasis.
DIY Romantic Candles
Imagine you have an important date. You are excited for the person to come over to your house, and you are trying to get the atmosphere just right. You want to set out candles, but it is too windy, and you think the wind will blow out the candles in an instant. That is just why you need to create a cinder block lighting and candle setting like the one here.
It is cute and romantic at the same time. Perfect for real candles and also fake candles or any other kind of light. Now you're ready for your romantic date.
Create a Mini Garden Anywhere
Gardening is a very fun task, but one of the main questions lots of gardeners have is how to design the garden space and differentiate it from the rest of the yard. That is where cinder blocks come in. While other people may use things that they bought from Home Depot or Lowe's, you could consider using cinder blocks to get the exact look that you want for a fraction of the price.
All you have to do is get some cinder blocks and then start designing. You can make a snake-like design or a plain square or rectangle one. The choices are endless since you are the designer.
Decorate Your Backyard
Who doesn't want to decorate their backyard and make it feel like home? You always want to add your own personal touch to your home and your yard, and cinder blocks are (surprisingly) a great way to do that. You can create your own bench and tables and other outdoor furniture, and you can paint it to your liking. All options are in your hands if you want bright colors or something more subdued.
You might need to add in some wooden pieces for the bench tops, just to make it a little bit more comfortable, but you can also just use rows of cinder blocks if you prefer.
Use Cinder Blocks for Interior and Exterior Design
Whether you are planning an event like a wedding or a party in your backyard or just want your backyard to look interesting and unique, cinder blocks can be perfect for you. They are very versatile, and you can use them in so many different ways to spice up a backyard and turn it into something that is beautiful and unique. This arrangement almost looks like it was done for a wedding.
This is a very interesting idea for a wedding and is actually very unique and should be considered in more backyard events.