You probably think cinder blocks – aka those grey blocks that are usually made for building a foundation or a basement – are too ugly for everyday aesthetic purposes. In that case, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to learn exactly what you can do with these unconventional design features around your home! Whether inside or outside, there are uses for cinderblocks that you’ve likely never thought of before.
For a low-cost staircase in your backyard, stack your cinder blocks at an upward slant and fill them with a sand/concrete mix that’ll keep them in place. Surround them with different-sized boulders like in this photo for an even more interesting vibe.
If your tiny TV stand isn’t proving big enough for all the entertainment gear you need to store, make yourself a cinder block entertainment stand like this one. The spaces between the blocks are perfect for storing larger items, while the spaces
in the blocks are ideal for storing smaller CDs.
The problem with wooden outdoor benches is that they can quickly rot away after a few years of being exposed to bad weather. With cinder blocks being one of the most durable materials out there, there’s no risk of that happening if you use them to make a bench. Combine them with a bit of easy-replace wood and some pillows for a prettier, homier feel.
If you’re a big garden lover, and you think there’s nothing better than filling your outdoor space with pretty blooms, you’ll love these cinder block garden planters. Combine them with recycled metals to create a modern, sturdy place for your plants to thrive.
Think wooden bedside tables are a bit take-it-or-leave-it? You’ll think these cinderblock tables are much more exciting. They’re so simple to make, too – just take two larger blocks and a smaller, thinner block and construct them to make a table. You can decorate how you like to complement the greys.
There’s no safer material to use for a DIY BBQ grill than cinder blocks. Just make sure you use cinder blocks that are porous enough to vent the smoke and steam. You can learn how to build one
here.
There’s no point in buying a cheap and flimsy potting station if you plan to use it a lot – it just won’t last. And avoiding white will save it from looking too dirty when you inevitably cover it with soil and dirt, too. This wood and cinder block potting station looks ideal for the job.
Cinder blocks are the perfect material for stacking, which is why they work so well with this simple storage shelf design. All you need is the cinder blocks themselves and some wood that’s strong enough to support your items. It’s a simple put-together before you can decorate as you wish!
9. Succulent plant containers
Succulents are all the trend at the moment, and it’s obvious to see why – they’re pretty, understated, and they go with everything. The best way to show off a succulent is to put it in a simple plant container, like this one, made from a cinder block. The simpler, the prettier, in this case.
You have to really look to see the cinder blocks here – they’ve been used in the construction of the bookshelf behind the chair. The combination of the larger, taller block and the smaller, shorter block is an interesting design feature. Plus, the grey of the blocks looks great paired against the colors of the books.
The simplest way to liven up an outdoor wall is to add pot plants. To give them something to rest on, use some cinder blocks at varying heights as stands. They’ll add more depth to your wall – and you can paint them to match its color.
This is a particularly clever design because it combines a bar table with a planter wall. And once again, cinder blocks prove that it’s easy to create furniture like this on the cheap, without making a sacrifice in quality. The best part? You can decorate with whichever plants take your fancy.
13. Pyramid garden display
Getting creative with different heights in your garden will give it a totally unique look. That’s why this pyramid feature is so effective for displaying various plants. The choice of plants couldn’t be more perfect, either – they’re the sort that grow down and out as well as straight up.
Count yourself lucky if you live somewhere that gives you a good enough summer that you need a table like this! It’s so simple to make, and the cinder block legs are hardly going to collapse on you like those of a fold-out table would. The whole thing is super easy to clean and maintain year-round.
This is a great example of what you can do when you’ve got some spare cinder blocks and only a small yard space. You can still make the most of your outdoor area by creating benches, made from wood and cinder blocks, that line the perimeter. Bonus points for the cinder block outdoor coffee table in the middle.
You never could have imagined that cinder blocks would work for a computer desk, let alone a gaming desk, but this photo is all the proof we need. The painted-red blocks against the black of the table looks seriously smart. Just be sure to lay something underneath your blocks to prevent them from scratching the floor.
If you don’t quite need the buffet table we showed you earlier, here’s a smaller outdoor dining table made similarly with cinder block support. There’s something about the cinder blocks that gives the table an appealingly rustic feel. It’ll last forever, too.
Here’s how you make cinder blocks look pretty! The blocks look gorgeous combined with this wooden flower engraving and topped with pretty plants. Stack some 4x4s in the holes of the blocks and you’ve got yourself a really easy fence. This is definitely one to copy.
We’ve already shown you a cinder block bar, but we think you’ll be in agreement that you can never have too many! This one is a little smaller and simpler than the other, and uses three separate stacks of cinder blocks for support. There’s plenty of space inside for storing alcohol, too.
Having an actual couch outdoors doesn’t work for obvious reasons. But making a couch out of cinder blocks is ingenious – you can still relax outdoors without having to worry about materials getting grimy beyond repair. You can add a couple of cushions for comfort, too.
Here’s another take on the outdoor planter wall using cinder blocks. This unique design has blocks stacked different ways, and the holes are filled with plants. The flowers along the base of the wall help it to blend in and look like a natural part of the garden.
Cinder blocks are cool and shady, which makes them good materials for building homes – not just for us, but for animals too. This simple birdhouse has a wooden opening and stand for birds to easily get in and out. There’s no chance this birdhouse would be knocked over by the wind – just be careful of placing it up high because of its weight.
If you enjoy the industrial theme in your back yard, you’ll love this cinder block outdoor vase. Just combine multiple cinder blocks of different colors, or paint each block a different color to make a pretty pattern. Place them around your garden and fill with your favorite flowers.
This bench is perfect for big families! Instead of having a few chairs scattered around, you can make a cinder block bench that’s big enough to fit three, four, maybe even five people. With this design, there’s plenty of room to stretch your legs out in front of you, and you can get creative with layering your favorite pillows and cushions to add a bit of comfort.
Just in time for Halloween, this outdoor lighting display should get you in the spooky spirit for this time of the year. Simply stack cinder blocks and place candles inside the holes. With cinder blocks being virtually completely fire-proof, this is a completely safe way to show off your favorite scents.
Solid bed foundations are all the range right now, and this DIY cinder block design is totally unique to anything you could buy in a store. Use rubber or glue beneath the base to prevent the blocks from rubbing against the floor, and be careful to make sure any edges are protected if you’re prone to stubbing your toes!
We’ve seen cinder blocks used for making a BBQ grill, and here’s an even simpler fire-related use for them: make a cinder block fire pit. It’s so simple and cheap to make, yet the end result is ideal if you’re a big fan of toasting marshmallows in the summer evenings.
You might think we’re showing you another fire pit here, but this fire pit is actually made from regular building bricks – it’s the benches in this case that are made from cinder blocks. With them all painted different bright colors, this looks like the perfect place for the kids to hang out after a long day of play.
29. Indoor futon with cubbie space
This is a genius storage solution if we’ve ever seen one – make an indoor futon out of cinder blocks and you’ve got your own cubbie space too. This would be great near to your front door, offering a quick and discreet place to store shoes. Who said cinder blocks were ugly?
Cooking outside is something completely dream-worthy, but reality isn’t always quite the same. You need to make sure that any outdoor cooking furniture is durable enough to withstand temperature changes, and cinder blocks are a great material for this. They have plenty of heat resistance, too, so they’re fine for hot cooking on.
If you’re not content with using cinder blocks to make a basic wall, why not go all out and build a swimming pool? This step-by-step video shows the entire process of making a cinder block swimming pool. Just make sure you’re prepared for lots of hard work if you plan to do this yourself!
The cinder block fire pit was pretty cool, but this outdoor fireplace is the winner. Like the swimming pool, it’s a big project, but the end result is more than worth the hard work. You can find out exactly how to make it
here.
33. Simple firewood storage
From one extreme to the other, here’s just about the easiest thing you could make with cinder blocks: a storage holder for firewood. Just place wooden slats at an angle at either end of two cinder blocks, as shown in the photo. You can then stack your firewood beneath the slats in a neat pile.
You don’t only have to plant things inside cinder block holes – you can also use cinder blocks to mark the edge of a raised garden bed. In this example, the soil has been filled inside the bed and also inside the cinder block holes to create even more space for growing plants.
Cinder blocks have been used creatively in this garden, including for a quick and simple compost bin. The bricks have been built to offer four different compartments for different types of soil and dirt. You can use chicken wire to keep the unwanted wildlife out, too.
This look might not be for everyone, but if you want outdoor furniture that’ll last years and years and literally never need to be replaced, cinder blocks are your best friend. Plus, you could always add a few colorful cushions and throws to make everything look a little less industrial.
Remember that cinder block can withstand heat, which makes it a great outdoor kitchen material. You can make your own cinder block grill by placing some charcoal in the holes, lighting it, and laying kebab sticks across the top to grill meat and veggies.
No-one really wants to take their inside centerpieces outside when they throw a garden dinner party, do they? You don’t want your delicate, pretty fabrics and flowers from getting ruined – which is why durable cinder blocks and outdoor plants are the perfect solution. Much easier to maintain, and less likely to be damaged by the elements.
You don’t always have to turn your cinder blocks into a recognizable
thing. This person made a colorful tower out of their spare blocks, and though it serves no obvious purpose, it’s definitely a cheery addition to their garden. The mosaic ball on top adds the perfect finishing touch.
It’s rumored that a rocket stove reduces fuel consumption a good 80 to 90% when you compare it to conventional stoves. If you’re looking for an efficient cooking solution, this cinder block rocket stove might be exactly what you’re after. The video shows how to make one from start to finish.
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