You have all of these ideas, but never enough money to make them come true. But have you thought of other ways of putting those projects together with materials that might not have cost as much and can be upgraded for a fraction of the cost of the original project idea?
That’s one reason why I love cinder blocks. They’re inexpensive, sturdy and can help you create awesome projects for the homestead without shelling out a ton of money. In fact, we just used them to create a foundation for our new shed! Plus you can upgrade them to make them look nicer.
Besides the typical house foundations that use cinder blocks, here are some other ideas for around your own homestead whether large or small
25+ Cinder Block Projects
Bed base – make sure to design it to fit your mattress or it might be uncomfortable. And if you do it as a frame instead of as a solid base, plus some plywood to cover, you might have some creative storage underneath as well as in the holes. This may not be the most frugal of options as metal bed frames are pretty inexpensive, etc., but it is an idea!
Brick Rocket Stove This project was made with cinder bricks instead of cinder blocks, but it here is a cinder block rocket stove.
Chicken Coop Foundation (to protect from predators)
Compost Bin – This site includes plans on how to build the bin. I would make it 3 bins because I love the idea of turning one bin to another and having the 3rd bin for the ready compost to use, but 2 will also work. And the chicken wire is a great cheap alternative to keeping it all intact.
Kindling/firewood holder 2 This was made using 2 halves, but you can use a single or cut out the middle of a cinder block and stack them. Remember to seal seams if you cut it in half.
Repair driveway ruts with cinder blocks
Retainging Wall – this one at an elementary school makes a retaining wall even more useful for kids learning to grow their own food and learn gardening skills.
Shelving (and check out their DIY Root Cellar in the process!)
Tips on Working with Cinder Block
- If moisture will be an issue, seal the cinder block.
- Cinder blocks are heavy – so have them delivered as close to the site as possible for a large project. And make sure your car can carry the load if you’re doing it yourself.
- How to build a cinder block wall by Bob Villa – use these tips when creating any large block structure from cinder blocks.
- Use Liquid Nails for the landscape to adhere blocks to each other.
How to Decorate Cinder Block
Let’s face it – we want awesome projects that are amazing, and we want them to look good when we’re done. Cinder blocks don’t necessarily weather well for those who like a little color in their home/yard, so here are some ways to spiff it up!
- Prime & Paint – skip to the bottom of this project to get instructions
- Cover with broken pottery or tile
- Put a new face on it with stone
- Stucco Cinder Block
- How to adhere vinyl to cinder block
Note: For projects where you are using fire, remember that cinder blocks weren’t made to withstand high heat, and there is a remote chance of breakage due to extreme heat. Use caution.
YOUR THOUGHTS: Have you created a cinder block/brick/slab project you’d love to share?
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Thanks for the Bob Villa link. Cinder block gardens look best when they’re level. LOL
I love all of these ideas. I made rocket stove with my husband and I have cooked on it occasionally when the power goes out. That big fire pit looks nice too. I would really love to make that one too! Thanks for sharing all these great ideas. Hopefully, I can make some of them when we get settle in a more permanent homestead.
This is fantastic! I love all the uses for the blocks. I am going to make that kinddling one this weekend! Yay. Thanks.