DIY Cinder Block Backyard Bench

Today my pixie is out playing in the sprinklers and as I was outside in my seriously sad porch chair I thought, man I should seriously consider making that backyard bench I found on pinterest.

Here it is!

(For creating the bench pictured above click here——> http://lenasekine.blogspot.com/  For the original post on the bench/couch keep reading. )

Create inexpensive, long-lasting outdoor patio furniture out of cement blocks that you can find at any home improvement store. Quick and easy to build (just takes a bit of muscle to move the blocks around) We built a patio set that consisted of a sofa, two chairs and a coffee table/fire pit for a total of $150.00. That is a magnificent price for a long lasting outdoor furniture SET!

Cement Blocks
(A combination of Full Blocks with raw ends, Full Blocks with Finished Ends, and Half Blocks)

For the Concrete sofa, you’ll need:
25 Full/Raw
14 Full/Finished
8 Half

Step 1:

Get the required number and variety of blocks for the piece you’re building and start with a level surface. If building in the yard, you can remove sod and create a level surface with sand, if needed

Step 2:

The base of your couch will be 4 full blocks wide, 4 blocks deep and 2 blocks high. Stagger blocks as you build and tap to make sure your rows are level as you go.
For the first layer you will position all the blocks with the holes facing up as shown in picture.
Row one will consist of 2 Full/Raw and 2 Full/Finished Blocks.
Row two will be 2 Half and 3 Full/Raw
Row three will consist of 2 Full/Raw and 2 Full/Finished Blocks.
Row three will be 2 Half and 3 Full/Raw.
Please feel free to change up design if you like. The arrangement of our blocks in part is simply aesthetic as we like to have a finished look on the exterior and to strategically allow the openings to show in some areas.

Step 3:

Layer 2 will be your ‘seating’ area, so you will want to position all blocks with holes facing front so you have solid surface all the way across.
First row (front) will be 3 full/raw blocks and 2 half blocks. Stagger seams by placing both half blocks on outer ends and full/raw blocks in middle as shown in picture.
Second row will then be 2 Full/Raw blocks and 2 Full/Finished blocks.
Third row same as first.
Fourth row same as second.
Your base is completed at this point and all you have left is the arms and back.

Step 4:

When adding the arms and the back, it’s a good idea to reinforce with some green choice exterior block adhesive to secure to the base and prevent any shifting of the blocks when people sit and lean back. Place arms first…2 Full/Finished Blocks. Three Full/Raw blocks will then be positioned as the first row of your back. Top off back with 2 Full/Raw blocks and 2 Full/Finished (placed on each end)

Step 5:

Finish off your sofa by either planting in the upward facing holes for a healthy dose of greenery all around or for a more contemporary look, cut wood to size and cap off by securing with the same green choice adhesive.

Step 6:

Create cushions and pillows, if desired. Holes can also be used for additional storage, drink holders or decorative display.

Step 7: The Chairs

You can play around with other block configurations to create other pieces like tables, chairs, and firepits. To create a chair, your design is very similar to the sofa build only it’s not as wide. The base will also be four rows deep and each row will consist of two full blocks and one half, staggering rows and placing so that finished ends are facing out. See photos for suggested placement.

Step 8: Table and Fire Pit

You can also create a coffee table/fire pit out of your cement blocks. We created an enclosure out of the blocks and made a base in the open center with sand. An old metal grate can be placed over the top. The cement blocks may disintegrate over time with extended fire use. Simply replace the blocks or to make more withstanding to continuous fires, line the center with fire bricks.

For the entire post and pictures click here —-> b.organic