To follow up on last week’s post on our DIY Cinder Block Raised Garden Bed, I wanted to share pics and instructions for our coordinating DIY Cinder Block Bench.
We got the idea (naturally) from Pinterest. I like the way cinder blocks look, while also being cheap and easy to work with. I love the look of gray and concrete, and with cinder blocks, you don’t have to shape the concrete yourself… they are ready to go!
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The bench we liked the most was this one from Kayla’s Basement. We pretty much followed her instructions, but without the cushion (I liked the zen look of the bare wood), and changing the size.
Supplies needed:
- 12 cinder blocks (I used these 8″x8″x16″ cinder blocks from Home Depot at about $2 each)
- 4 – 4″x4″x8′ pieces of wood (I got these ones from Home Depot)
- Thompson’s Waterseal
- Liquid Nails construction adhesive
Instructions:
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Kayla Retich says
Love the bare look for the bench! Thanks for linking back to my post. Fun to see what others do with it. Great pictures too!
ramonaruby says
Thanks for the inspiration and the tutorial, Kayla!
John Fox says
The beauty of this is its very simplicity. For added stability you could bang small wedges into the 'holes' to secure the wood lengths. Whilst I like the open nature of the other holes another thing you might do to make your bench wildlife friendly would be to create insect homes in a couple or all of the remaining holes. See here for a guide: http://www.rspb.org.uk/advice/gardening/insects/building_homes.aspx
Yesenia Garcia Key says
My husband and I are making this tomorrow… When it stops raining! Great idea!
Boni Patterson says
I love this bench! I as a female senior can even do it myself to put down by the river where I live. Thank you!
betonaloka says
Yes, the idea of using a cement block was very interesting and beautiful
Ramona Cruz-Peters says
Thank you 🙂
ramonaruby says
Yesenia and Boni let me know how it turns out for you! We still love ours a year later!
Betsy Howell says
Add one more cinder block standing upright at the back and add two 4×4's and you have a back. Secure cinder block so if you lean back on it, it won't fall back. Add cushions on back and seat and have a comfortable seating.
ramonaruby says
Good idea, Betsy!
Kuanyin says
I want to make this but with the back, but I was wondering how sturdy it is, to lean on
ramonaruby says
@Kuanyin – I don't have a back on mine, so I don't know how sturdy that would be, but the bench itself is incredibly sturdy.
Armand Salmon says
Great idea. Definitely want to do this project. Also wondering how the back suggestion from Betsy would stabilize. Has anyone successfully made this with a back?
(deleted previous comment, forgot to check notify me)
MomHomeGuide.com says
I LOVE this! I am working on a DIY curb appeal project right now, and I plan to make this bench. I hope mine comes out as nice as yours!
ramonaruby says
@MomHomeGuide – let me know how it turns out!
Kayleigh McCann says
Hi! I love this idea and was wondering if you had any idea how much weight it would support? We have some larger friends and I would HATE for the wood to crack! Thank you for any insight!
ramonaruby says
@Kayleigh it's pretty strong since it uses concrete blocks and 4x4s!
ROBYN says
My husband did it. very easy to follow. Thank you for your sharing!
Ramona Cruz-Peters says
I’m glad to hear it! We just made a smaller version to use as a plant pot stand, and it was so quick and easy.
ROBYN says
Easy to follow, but I did it more simple by wood together. Thank you for sharing!
Adilah says
Hi there am thinking of completing this DIY bench you completed. How’d you do it more simply?
Diya says
That’s amazing information. Thanks for sharing
Ramona Cruz-Peters says
Thank you!
Steph K says
I love the look of gray and concrete, and with cinder blocks,!
Ramona Cruz-Peters says
Thank you! We do, too. I just made a half-size version to use as a plant pot stand/bench.
Alicia says
Would this bench be wide enough for a standard twin mattress. I’m looking for more kids sleeping space and thought this would be perfect with mattresses in my basement.
Ramona Cruz-Peters says
The great thing about this bench is that you can customize the width (by adding my concrete blocks and 4x4s, and even adjusting the spacing between them – just make sure the blocks are secured with some liquid cement), or length depending on how long your 4x4s are and where you place the blocks (farther apart, etc.). I would measure the mattress then plan your 4×4 and block placement accordingly.
Mary says
I painted mine with a primer then painting them crayons colors. . They look good & the grandkids love the colors.
Ramona Cruz-Peters says
What a fun idea! I’d love to see a photo of how it turned out!