DIY Network

Safety Alert: It goes without saying that cinder blocks are heavy. Be careful when lifting and moving them. If hauling the blocks home from the store yourself, make sure you use a vehicle that is up to carrying the weight.

• Choose a level location for the cinder block sofa. Try to build this project outdoors or in a basement – regular indoor floors aren't designed to hold this kind of weight.

• Start by building the front row of the sofa's base: Place two full raw blocks end to end, with the holes facing up. Place a full finished block on each end, making a row four full blocks wide. Butt the blocks tight against each other.
  

  	Figure A
  	Figure B
  	Figure C
  	Figure D

• To build the second row of the base, place a half block with a finished end at the start of the row with the holes facing up. Follow this up with two full blocks and another half block. This staggers the seams between the blocks, making the sofa more stable.

• Add two more rows to complete the base. Stagger the seams and make sure to have finished sides on all of the edge blocks. When completed, the base should have four rows of four cinder blocks; all of the blocks should be pressed together securely, with the holes facing up (figure A). Secure the blocks with landscape adhesive, if desired; Michele Beschen prefers not to use the adhesive, so that she can easily take the sofa apart.
  
  
• Build the next level of the base on top of the first level, continuing to stagger seams and butt the blocks tightly together (figure B). Orient the holes outward on this level to create small storage cubbies. Secure the blocks with landscape adhesive, if desired.

• With the second level in place, the base is complete. To start the arms and the back, place a full block flush with the back and one side of the sofa to make the back of one arm (figure C). Place two cinder blocks along the back of the sofa, then place a block with the holes facing up for the other arm.

• Stagger the seams and build a second level on the back of the sofa (figure D). Add two more blocks to extend the arms to the front of the sofa.

  Note: Secure the back and arms of the sofa with landscape adhesive so the blocks won't shift when leaned on. Michele Beschen likes to build the arms and back with the holes facing up to accommodate plants, drinks or other objects.

• Dress up the sofa with cushions or throws, and you're ready to enjoy your rock-solid furniture.