jelly1

If you have an outdoor space where you want to create a relaxed atmosphere but don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on fancy patio furniture, build an easy bench with basic construction materials. Concrete cinder blocks and wood posts make a clever seating arrangement, and no tools are needed.

bench1

Things you will need :

14 concrete cinder blocks
6 four-by-four wood posts, 6 feet long
Drop cloth
Concrete adhesive
Caulking gun
Wet cloth
1 gallon exterior paint
2-inch paintbrush
Sawhorses
60-grit sandpaper
Wood stain and waterproofer
3-inch paintbrush

bench2

Step 1: Apply Adhesive

Draw an outline along the solid side of a cinder block approximately 1/2 inch from the edge, and draw an X shape in the center using concrete adhesive.

bench3

Step 2: Stack Cinder Blocks

Place the long and solid side of one cinder block on top of the block with the adhesive, matching up the edges to form a solid structure.

bench4

Step 3: Build the Cinder Block Base

Repeat steps 1 and 2 until you have a stack of four cinder blocks. Allow the adhesive to dry for approximately one hour before continuing to the next step.

bench5

Step 4: Build the Second Base

Repeat steps 1 through 3, building the second side of the bench structure.

bench6

Step 5: Turn the Blocks

Bring the long side of the four-cinder block structure onto the ground. Apply concrete adhesive to the top of the 4 block base. Add adhesive to the small side of one cinder block.

bench7

Step 6: Add a Fifth Block

Place the block on top of the base so that the short side with adhesive faces the center of the base.

bench8

Step 7: Finish the Bench Seat

Place the long side of another cinder block on top of the adhesive, and push the top two cinder blocks together tightly.

bench9

Step 8: Prepare the Back Support

Apply concrete adhesive to the small side of one cinder block.

bench10

Step 9: Attach the Back

Align the block with the end of the base and place it down. Align the block before you place it down, to avoid visible adhesive. Repeat this process for the second side structure.

bench11

Step 10: Paint the Blocks

Paint all sides of the cinder block structures with exterior house paint and a good painter’s brush. Apply a heavy amount of paint so that it sinks into the nooks of the concrete blocks, and then brush away the excess paint. Check the edges for drips, and use the brush to remove them.

bench12

Step 11: Sand the Posts

Sand off the rough edges at the end of each post with rough sandpaper.

bench13

Step 12: Smooth the Posts

Sand each side of the posts to remove any rough edges or markings from the lumberyard.

bench14

Step 13: Seal the Wood

Apply a coat of wood stain and waterproofer with a wide paintbrush. Use long, smooth strokes to avoid brush marks. Turn the post once to paint the adjacent side. Allow the stain to dry for approximately one hour before turning it to paint the opposite sides of the post.

bench15

Step 14: Remove Drips

Check the ends of the posts for drips and remove with the brush before they dry.

bench16

Step 15: Assemble the Bench

Allow the painted blocks to dry overnight before assembling the bench. Move the two cinder block structures approximately 5 feet apart. Insert one end of a post through a hole in a cinder block and then into the opposite hole. Two posts will form the back support, and four posts will make the seat of the bench.

bench17