BACK TO CRAFTS

Concrete Crafts for the Home and Garden

A 50kg bag of cement costs under R100 and there are so many concrete crafts ideas that you can make with a single bag.

07/08/2022

At a cost of under R100 for a 50kg bag of cement, there are hundreds of crafty ideas and DIY projects that can be made with a single bag of cement and some sand. If you are looking for an inexpensive way to add decor to your home or garden, discover what crafts you can make and DIY projects you can do with cement.

For more decorative projects, a mix of sand to cement 4:1 is perfect for a host of cement crafts and it is only when you need a bit more strength for concrete projects such as tables or benches that you need to add gravel to the mix.

Safety First when using Cement

Did you know that cement or concrete can burn your skin? Anyone working with cement or concrete will tell you that it is important to wear rubber gloves, don a facemask and pop on safety glasses. Breathing cement dust can cause a variety of lung infections and diseases, while wet cement can burn the skin. Protect yourself from wet cement and cement dust when working with this.

Correct Mix for Cement

There is no single mix for cement and there are various ratios for mixing cement with sand and gravel depending on the type of project you want to do. The most basic mix for cement for mortar or decorative items is a sand to cement ratio of 4:1. This gives you a smooth, easy flow cement mixture that can be easily poured into moulds. The trick is to add just enough water and not too much to make it runny.

1:4 is the most common mix for cement. 1 part cement to 4 parts sand

For a stronger cement mix, say for concrete furniture, etc., is 1:2;4 which is 1 part cement to 2 parts sand and 4 parts aggregate (gravel). This combination creates a strong structure when mixed with water and cured for a length of time.

1 | Concrete Door Stop

When the wind comes blasting through open doors, having a heavy door stop will prevent bangs when doors slam shut. It is easy enough to make a door stop using old plastic containers and thick jute rope. With spring only a couple of weeks away, who won't want to open doors wide to clean out the cobwebs!

2 | Decorative Fire Pit

Add a decorative fit pit to your outdoor decor and set the mood for evening entertaining. You can use liquid gel or gas canisters to produce a small flame to enhance the ambiance.

3 | Colourful Cement Vases

Recycle plastic bottles into pretty and colourful vases. Make up a batch of sand and cement and place disposable kitchen wipes into the mixture. Layer these around the plastic bottles. Wet sand once cured and paint in your favourite colours.

4 | Candle Holders

Bottles, cans, bowls, glass food jars - all can be used to create a range of unique candle holders for indoors or outdoors. When pouring the cement into the container, make a cylinder in the centre that will allow you to insert candles.

5 | Plant Pots and Containers

It is fun to recycle old cans or plastic tubs into unique and decorative plant pots or containers but don't forget to have holes in the bottom to allow for water drainage. If you are making the pots for succulents, fill with a sandy mix and you can leave out the holes at the bottom since these plants do not need a lot of water.

6 | Cement or Concrete Light Fittings

Everyone loves to experiment with different materials and styles and using concrete is a fun and exciting way to design and create your own light fittings. You can use assorted items as a form for the light shade such as balloons for a circular or spherical shade.

6 | Concrete Stools and Tables

Tables and stools are an easy DIY project, and you can save a lot of money by making your own. The most important part is designing and creating the form (mould) for the project, and you can do some online research to find suitable materials that you can use. The concrete stool (below) is one of many projects featured in the HomeMade Modern book, 'Smart DIY Styles for a Stylish Home' by Ben Uyeda and available at Amazon.

7 | Jewellery and Other Organisers

Craft your own concrete accessories for the bedroom and bathroom lets you experiment with shapes and designs, plus you can make a custom piece to blend in with the room decor. Think items such as practical places to store or display your jewellery, waterproof storage for a bathroom countertop, and so much more.

8 | Office Accessories

Minimalist and modern, it is easy to craft concrete accessories for your home office or workspace. Thinking about it? Design the piece you want and then consider what you have around the home to make it. Cardboard boxes, food containers, old plastic tubs - almost anything will work as a form for casting the concrete. I always keep the cardboard boxes from items that are delivered to me - they are bound to come in handy someday!

9 | Home Decor Accessories

Concrete is not only fun and affordable to work with, but you can also use it to make custom decor accessories that you can possibly sell online if you are thinking about ways to make some extra cash.

back to top