Skip The Furniture Store And Easily DIY A Sleek Industrial Coffee Table Using Concrete Blocks

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It's amazing how some DIYers can transform everyday objects into something that serves an entirely different purpose. For example, most people probably wouldn't think of concrete blocks when looking for the best living room decor ideas to get inspired by. In fact, you can make all kinds of things from these mundane construction materials, from nightstands replete with shelves for your books and glasses to sleek glass-topped coffee tables. For the latter DIY, you simply spray paint three concrete blocks black top two with a round glass tabletop and the third with a smaller sheet of glass. With a little monetary outlay and very little effort, you have two unique, statement-piece coffee tables to shake up your living room decor. Plus, this is an easy DIY to customize — take the opportunity to add your own personal spin on the project.

In fact, probably the most difficult part of this project is getting the concrete blocks outdoors to spray paint them! Concrete blocks weigh at least 28 pounds each, so don't plan on hauling them around by hand. To make this coffee table happen, you'll need three concrete blocks from a hardware store. You can buy 8-inch by 8-inch by 16-inch concrete blocks from Home Depot or Menards for around $2 each. You'll also need a ¼-inch-thick The Better Bevel 24-Inch Round Glass Table Top, which costs about $36, and a smaller glass table top for the second coffee table. Look for tempered glass with a polished edge, and each round of glass should be wide enough to overhang the concrete block bases by at least a few inches. The few other things you'll need for this DIY include a can of black spray paint and some Pretwad Glass Table Top Anti Slip Pads.

There's a long list of ways to make the perfect DIY coffee table, but this idea is one of the more affordable options out there. On top of that, you can likely pull it off in one afternoon. Once you have all of your materials in one place, the first step is spray-painting the concrete blocks. Make sure to do this in a well-ventilated area — ideally outdoors with a tarp or old sheet to protect the ground. Wear a particulate mask (indoors) or respirator (outdoors), too. Spray them inside and out with a single coat of paint, allow them to dry completely, and then spray on another coat in a different direction for uniform coverage. If you want a really sleek, solid look, add a coat of concrete primer to the blocks before painting them black. Once the paint has dried, transport the blocks to your living room.

Stand two of the blocks vertically in front of your couch, spacing them roughly 8 to 10 inches apart. You can alternate the direction the holes face for visual interest. Lay the third block on its side about 7 inches away from the other blocks. Add your anti-slip pads to the top corners of the concrete blocks to protect the glass from scratches and stop it shifting on the blocks. Carefully set the larger of the two round glass tabletops on the two blocks. Top the single block with the smaller tabletop. Just like that, your new industrial chic coffee table is ready to hold the book your currently devouring or a mug full of freshly brewed coffee.

The concrete blocks used in these DIY coffee tables really set them apart design-wise. These easy-to-construct pieces of furniture add a raw, warehouse aesthetic to a living room. To help them blend in — or contrast with, if you prefer — your existing interior palette, switch out the black spray paint for a different color. For example, add some white to the black paint or paint the blocks cream for a neutral look. Since moody hues are in right now, consider cobalt blue, burgundy, or deep orange paint. You could texture the blocks with white plaster or add adhesive strip lighting for a contemporary vibe. Pop some LED tea lights or a bundle of EXF Warm White Battery-Operated Fairy Lights into the holes. 

There's no reason you can't decorate the glass tabletops, too. Use stencils to add patterns or an inspirational quote. Experiment with layouts using more concrete blocks and a larger tabletop. You could, for example, stack two blocks on top of each other, raising the table's height and creating a chunkier, more sculptural base. If you're really crafty, you could make your own blocks using an MWYZGmold Concrete Brick Mold. The large mold will set you back about $80, but it may be worth the investment if you have other block-themed projects in mind. Use a tabletop made of reclaimed wood, wooden planks, or pallet wood to channel a rustic vibe. Keep the wood raw or add a few coats of paint or stain to match your existing living room decor.