Think Outside the Pot with Cinder Blocks

TRENDING DIY INSPIRATION – CINDER BLOCKS FURNITURE

Who doesn’t love affordable solutions for patio furniture?  It is a living area the most of us cannot use year-round and it can see all types of weather.  The ever-popular cinder block patio bench was a great solution for our walk out patio space as it is not covered and the basic blocks with cedar wood poles fit in great with our Simple décor style.  A few cushions that can be tied down for those windy months and we are all good.

DIY BY STYLE TWIST FOR CINDER BLOCK FURNITURE

Every spring I look forward to planting a few containers with annuals and replacing perennials that didn’t quite make it through the harsh winter. It can be a messy job, and I needed a potting bench outside with some sort of counter so I was not always bending down (I usually just sat in the middle of the driveway). I also wanted storage for water cans and extra pots to get them out of the garage. 

I was thrilled with the budget-friendly solution of our patio bench and decided to use a combination of cinder blocks and an old pallet to create my potting bench.  Since it was in a location that would be viewed from the street, it needed a little curb appeal to soften the edges. The cinder blocks themselves became planting pots for succulents!  An old shutter door from a local Restore provided an opportunity for a little more color as well. In the future, I plan on hanging small pails for more plants and added color.  Finally, I stained the pallet a dark brown to contrast with the grey cinder blocks and continue my exterior color scheme.  I decided not to apply adhesive between the blocks as I like the ability to relocate the potting bench.

GARDEN POTTING BENCH DIFFERENT LOOKS

Cinder blocks are nothing glamorous, but that’s what makes them perfect for a Simple style like farmhouse or even industrial.  If your décor requires a little more oomph, paint is an easy solution.  Painting a few of the cinder blocks and staining the pallet a different color is an instant transformation.  The shutter door and choice of plants adds more opportunity to incorporate your whole house color scheme. 

In the cottage and boho style renditions above, I’ve also added a simple stencil.  Instead, you could use this opportunity to insert your architectural repeat pattern like a small rosette.  Just be sure to use an adhesive that can stand up to your weather conditions.

Want the material list and building plans for this potting bench?  Get access to the Style Library checklist!