Woman Uses Flimsy Vertical Blinds To Create Large Pavers In An Impressive Backyard DIY

Most people head to the home improvement store when they need pavers, where they can expect to pay about $2 to $4 per square foot. This can really add up fast if you have a significant area to pave. While paver molds can range in price from about $12 to over $100 depending on the style, you can save a lot by creating your own to make your own large pavers. And that's exactly what Uniquely Ursula did in an impressive YouTube video. She wanted to create a fieldstone patio area with large, natural-looking stones. So she got creative and did it herself with flimsy vertical blinds. 

The best part about these budget-friendly DIY pavers is that the size and shape of them can be customized without paying for multiple custom molds. You could purchase a set of new blinds for about $15. However, if you already have old ones destined for the trash, your only cost is for crack-resistant concrete, colorant, a container for mixing, and a mixer. Ursula used a garden hoe, so this may cost you nothing if you have an appropriate tool on hand. She also used a trowel, plastic cups, a coarse-bristled paintbrush, gloves, a dust mask, and safety glasses. You'll also need a wheelbarrow and some large plastic bags.

Ursula leveled the ground to prepare for installing the pavers, and connected the ends of the blind slats with painter's tape to create different-sized molds. Then, she used landscape fabric stakes to hold them in place in the shapes she wanted. After mixing the concrete, she filled each mold and used the plastic bags to create texture. The molds were removed after about an hour, after which she used a cup of water and a paintbrush to smooth the edges, creating a more natural stone look. Once finished, the stones were covered in plastic and allowed to cure.

It's a good idea to make a practice stone first to experiment with coloring, consistency, and shapes. This is an opportunity to get creative. You don't have to make a natural-looking paver. You can make whimsical shapes or anything you desire. Color is another area where you have many options, including terra cotta, charcoal, brown, and red. Swirling several colors together will create a natural, multi-tone look.

The molds in the video are 2½ inches deep, but if you make a thinner paver, consider reinforcing it with wire mesh halfway through the pour. To add dimension to the pavers, use the plastic bag method or try crumpled aluminum foil or a textured rubber mat. Once pavers are fully cured, apply a penetrating, high-quality concrete sealer to prevent weather damage and stains.