Create More Outdoor Seating With a DIY Cinderblock Bench

Jennifer Perkins
by Jennifer Perkins
5 Materials
$75
2 Hours
Medium
Like most of us that love entertaining in the summer I was in the market for some extra outdoor seating. I of course decided to make my own and this spiffy new DIY cinderblock bench was born. I had a ton of bricks left from my umbrella weight planter so an easy stacked concrete block bench seemed perfect.
The first step in making your new DIY patio bench is laying out the shape.  How many bricks you need will depend on how big you want the bench.  Determine the length and ask yourself questions like: will it have arm rests, will there be a back and will it have to sections like mine?
Your DIY patio bench probably needs to be at least two cinderblocks high for comfortable seating.  Otherwise it will be too low for most adults.  Double stack the blocks.  If you want to add industrial glue to attach the cinderblocks to each other you can but mine have stayed in place for over year without crushing any toes.
Gather up adhesives that will work outdoors like Gorilla Glue.  You will also need outdoor fabric or outdoor beach mats.  Remember in the heat and elements almost nothing besides the cinderblocks will last forever but they will look cute for an entire summer.
Just like you were folding a present start by sticking part of the mat underneath the top row of cinderblocks.  From here apply your adhesive (folding alone might work depending on the material you are using to cover) and stick  the mat to the cinderblocks.
Cover as much or as little as you like.  I wanted to leave a bit of my cinderblock bench exposed so I only covered the top level of bricks with the outdoor mats.  You could also add outdoor throw pillows for a bit more cushion. For more fun and colorful ideas, stop by the blog here https://jenniferperkins.com/
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Jennifer Perkins
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Frequently asked questions
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3 of 11 questions
  • Janice Nicol Janice Nicol on Sep 13, 2019

    Love it, but I'm concerned about the fabric in the winter and in the rain. I love the velcro idea, but think it might become worn quickly being outside all the time. Any ideas on keeping it looking good?

  • Jane Rice Jane Rice on Aug 04, 2020

    Can you use as a wall to help prevent water running down hill?

  • Taree Taree on Jun 27, 2022

    I’ve been dying to do a cinder block project but only have a small car. Any idea how to transport all those cinder blocks?


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  • Angie Weisheit Angie Weisheit on Jul 01, 2021

    Love it!! If you had some outdoor bench/seat cushions/pads laying around or wait until they go on clearance, you could put those on top with velcro, or put them under the material before you place material in between blocks, to add a bit of cushioning. 😊

  • Kelly J. Tinney Kelly J. Tinney on Jun 27, 2022

    I think I’d use Velcro strips to hold cushions on the blocks. They could be easily removed and changed. Sitting on the cinder blocks surely can’t be comfortable.

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