He Turns Concrete Blocks And Wood Planks Into A Simple, Durable TV Stand
When you see cinder blocks, a stylish TV stand probably isn't the first thing that comes to mind, but their industrial look and built-in openings make them surprisingly well-suited for the task. TikTok creator adrianvlogs puts the would-be building material with wooden planks to work as a minimalist TV stand. The finished piece repurposes cinder blocks into something decorative and functional, all while looking way more intentional than you'd expect from something you could also find on a construction site.
Even better, this is one DIY that doesn't require a pricey stash of power tools or advanced woodworking skills. Adrian says his version cost about $80, noting that he splurged on more expensive wood, so a good portion of your budget will depend on the lumber. For this cinder block furniture DIY, all you need is eight cinder blocks and four wooden planks and you'll be on your couch binge-watching a new series in no time.
One important caveat: Adrian's TV is mounted to the wall rather than resting on the DIY stand, which is an essential detail to maintain when recreating this project. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends only placing TVs on furniture designed to hold them, and mounting flat-screen TVs to the wall or otherwise securing them to prevent tip-overs. If you recreate Adrian's project, be sure to keep this in mind, especially if you have children or pets.
Building a concrete block TV console
@adrianvlogs starts by arranging the eight cinder blocks into three stacks, with the center stack sitting one block lower than the stacks on either side. He then feeds the four wood planks through the openings in the blocks, creating horizontal shelves across the stand. From there, he styles the finished TV stand with a speaker, books, and decor beneath his wall-mounted TV. Because the blocks and boards provide much of the finished look all on their own, the project requires surprisingly little actual assembly.
@adrianvvlogs DIY Cinder Block Media Console #boyapartment
If you don't want to bring your blocks when selecting your wood, measure the openings to ensure a snug fit. Standard 8-by-8-by-16-inch concrete blocks may have openings around 5.5 inches square, but dimensions can vary by manufacturer. Choose boards with actual dimensions smaller than your measurements so they can slide through the openings without being forced. You can also sand the lumber and add a variety of wood finishes depending on the look you're going for.
If you want to follow Adrian's idea of painting the blocks, start by cleaning them and letting them dry completely. Then, use a bonding concrete primer followed by durable acrylic-latex paint. Apply both with a nap roller to help cover the rough, uneven surface of the blocks, and use a brush for corners and other hard-to-reach areas. Lastly, if you're worried about rough concrete coming into contact with finished flooring, add a rug or other protective barrier beneath the blocks.