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Home » Home

17 Creative Ways to Use Concrete Blocks in Your Home

Modified: Feb 6, 2023 by Elisabeth Kruger · This post may contain affiliate links · 5 Comments

Concrete and cinder blocks have a very raw, industrial look, and this feature is something you can really capitalize on in your home.

concrete blocks diy projects

The grey template also gives you a lot to work with since you can paint the blocks as you wish, and the grainy texture that you get with some of them just adds another great design element.

Jump to:
  • Easy Outdoor Bench
  • Solid Bench
  • Work Desk
  • Garden Planter
  • Planter Bar
  • Centerpiece/Table Number
  • Concrete Vase
  • Bed Base
  • Shelving Unit
  • Raised Bed Garden
  • Stacked Storage
  • Entertainment Center
  • Nightstand
  • Outdoor/Dining Table
  • Fire Pit
  • Totem Sculpture
  • Low Shelf

There are a number of creative ways to repurpose these blocks in and outside your home to make something beautiful.


So should you use cinder or concrete?

Both are made from cement and aggregates; the aggregates in concrete blocks contain finely crushed stone or sand, whereas the aggregates in cinder blocks contain coal ash or cinders, thus making these a lot lighter, but not as strong.

For the DIY projects below, it doesn’t really matter which you choose – see what you can get your hands on and just take it from there.

Easy Outdoor Bench

Easy Outdoor Bench - 17 Creative Ways to Use Concrete Blocks in Your Home

This bench is perfect for a porch or patio; I just love the industrial-type look that mixes with comfort when you add some nice cushions.

You’ll also be happy to know that not only is this a very affordable project, but it’s also quick: you won’t need any more than an hour.

Similar Project:  10 Amazing Tips for Growing Loofahs From Seeds

DIY Instructions and Project Credit: TheBasement

Solid Bench

Solid Bench - 17 Creative Ways to Use Concrete Blocks in Your Home

You’ll need more blocks for this particular bench than with others, but if you can get a good deal and prefer something that looks bolder and more solid, then this is definitely the way to go.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit: C.R.A.F.T

Work Desk

Work Desk - 17 Creative Ways to Use Concrete Blocks in Your Home

This is an ideal desk for all you minimalists out there. It’s also really quick and easy to make: you just need four blocks and a wooden board. The gaps in the blocks can act as drawers, or you can find some pretty decorative pieces to keep there.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit: TheMerryThought

Garden Planter

Garden Planter - 17 Creative Ways to Use Concrete Blocks in Your Home

Don’t have much of a garden but still want some plant life outside? No problem! The holes in the cinder blacks are perfect for potted plants. All you need to do is arrange them in your own way to bring nature that little bit closer.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit: TheGardenGlove and Createsie

Planter Bar

Planter Bar - 17 Creative Ways to Use Concrete Blocks in Your Home

Well here you get the best of both worlds: a stunning concrete planter with a touch of elegant nature, combined with a place to keep and serve your drinks (or snacks) from when you spend the day outside with some friends.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit: HuntedInterior

Similar Project:  10 Steps to Get 50-80 Pounds of Tomatoes from Every Plant You Grow

Centerpiece/Table Number

Centerpiece/Table Number - 17 Creative Ways to Use Concrete Blocks in Your Home

I really love contrasts, so to me, this cinder flower pot idea really is beautiful; the dainty, pretty, natural flowers directly contradicts the cold, hard, angular cinder block, and that’s why they work so well together. This would make a great centerpiece/table number for a wedding or any event.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit: GreyLikesWeddings

Concrete Vase

Concrete Vase - 17 Creative Ways to Use Concrete Blocks in Your Home

You don’t have to wait for a special occasion to use your block as a centerpiece, you can paint the block and turn it into a vase to brighten up any part of your home. It’s so simple, yet so striking.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit: DesignImprovised

Bed Base

Bed Base - 17 Creative Ways to Use Concrete Blocks in Your Home

You can make a really cool bed base just by laying out your blocks, and placing a piece of plywood on top to rest the mattress on. These could be painted to match your room, and my favorite part is the little storage nooks you get from the holes – perfect for shoes!

DIY Instructions and Project Credit: Remodelista and DesignSponge

Shelving Unit

Shelving Unit - 17 Creative Ways to Use Concrete Blocks in Your Home

You don’t have to fork out wads of cash for an appealing and functional shelving unit; a few blocks and some wooden board is really all you need. You also won’t have to fuss with the construction since you truly only need these two materials – no nails or glue.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit: SianPascal

Raised Bed Garden

Raised Bed Garden - 17 Creative Ways to Use Concrete Blocks in Your Home


Cinder blocks make a great barrier if you want make your very own raised bed garden, and you can even use the little holes to plant even more flowers or herbs. The only other supplies you’ll need are a couple of cardboard boxes, soil and your plants.

Similar Project:  20 Plants For the Office to Increase Your Productivity

DIY Instructions and Project Credit: Diyncrafts

Stacked Storage

Stacked Storage - 17 Creative Ways to Use Concrete Blocks in Your Home

This is the most obvious way to create some storage shelves in your home without needing any wooden shelves in between. Simply stack the blocks however you want and then fill the gaps. You could also paint the blocks if you’re not a fan of gray and prefer a pop of color.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit: Instagram

Entertainment Center

Entertainment Center - 17 Creative Ways to Use Concrete Blocks in Your Home

The ideal TV stand can sometimes be quite difficult to find depending on just how much space you need and how much space you actually have. I love this idea of easily constructing one yourself so that you have space for everything you need (DVDs, game consoles, games, speakers etc.). The black shelves give it a classier feel, and if it were me, I’d paint the blocks so that it looks less industrial.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit: ParkAvenue

Nightstand

Nightstand - 17 Creative Ways to Use Concrete Blocks in Your Home

A few well-placed blocks gives you a nice little nightstand with space for your books and a clip-on light. Just make sure you have enough space between the stand and your bed so that you won’t accidentally bump your head when you roll over!

DIY Instructions and Project Credit: Dwell

Outdoor/Dining Table

Outdoor/Dining Table - 17 Creative Ways to Use Concrete Blocks in Your Home

This modern table is just beautiful, and as you can see, it’s really easy to make yourself. I think it would look great as a dining table since there isn’t much risk of anyone breaking their toes on the centered concrete blocks.

Similar Project:  How to Distress and Update Painted Furniture {22 Photos}

DIY Instructions and Project Credit: ImprovisedLife

Fire Pit

Fire Pit - 17 Creative Ways to Use Concrete Blocks in Your Home

All you need is 16 concrete blocks to make a nice, smallish fire pit in your back yard around which you can socialize, keep warm, or make some yummy s’mores. As far as DIY fire pits go, this is one of the easier ones to make.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit: MustAddFabricSoftener

Totem Sculpture

Totem Sculpture - 17 Creative Ways to Use Concrete Blocks in Your Home

Concrete or cinder blocks don’t have to be used purely for functional reasons, you can use them to decorate like this cute totem. Paint or mosaic them however you like and stack them up to decorate any space of your garden or home.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit: Flickr

Low Shelf

Low Shelf - 17 Creative Ways to Use Concrete Blocks in Your Home

A low shelf like this is a great way to store some stuff without taking up too much wall space; that way you can still make the room look spacious. All you need to do is prop up the blocks and get a board cut to shape that you want.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit: EmmaDime

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  1. Ana

    June 20, 2015 at 2:26 am

    Nice 1

    Reply
  2. Betty Couchigian

    June 21, 2015 at 3:25 am

    I love reading your DIY Crafts. I wish there were more for handicap people to do using the simple things they already have at home. My problem is I do not have a car and no one to go and get things for me. I try to start reading or sometimes I get started on something then it requires a trip to the store. I guess it would be pretty hard to send some DIY'S that won't need a trip to the store but maybe not. Thanks for all you do to brighten my days and fill my lonely empty hours.
    Betty

    Reply
  3. Jessica

    July 03, 2015 at 6:03 am

    These are cool ideas! Thank you! As a note to Betty, perhaps you could reach out to VolunteerMatch.org and they could put you in touch with someone who could help you pick up items in your area for projects? It can't hurt to ask them if you qualify for such a thing, I believe they are a national outfit. Good luck!

    Reply
  4. Stephie smith

    July 07, 2015 at 1:08 pm

    I love the outdoor bench! It's really creative, and all you need are wooden beams and concrete blocks. My husband and I are going to be moving to a new place soon, and we have some space on the porch we'd love to make into a lounging area 🙂 The desk is fantastic as well. These are cheap, too, and the industrial look is really big right now!

    Reply
  5. JASON

    April 17, 2016 at 10:30 pm

    Good lord, this all screams "I'm a college student who blows all my money on booze, condoms, and a used BMW 3 series payment, and pilfered all of my decor and furniture from the demolished dorms down the street." People please, for the love of god cease this nonsense. Only put masonry blocks in your home if it involves a foundation for your manufactured unit.

    The most practical use here is the firepit...and there's no reason to use cheap looking mason blocks when river rock, brick or colored concrete garden barriers not only look better, but cost about the same.

    Reply

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