Creative Ways to Use Hollow Concrete Blocks in Bangladesh
The modern construction world is trying to phase out traditional red bricks and permanently settle on using concrete blocks. There are numerous advantages of using concrete blocks over red clay bricks. However, there are many brick manufacturing plants in Bangladesh. Its ease of availability and cheap pricing are detrimental to the growth of concrete blocks in Bangladesh. The government is trying to reduce its dependency on red bricks and focus more on how to utilize the benefits of concrete blocks. Concrete blocks are eco-friendly and create a less harmful impact on the environment.
There are mainly two types of concrete blocks used in building construction. These are:
- Solid Concrete Block
- Hollow Concrete Block
The hollow blocks are also known as cinder blocks. Hollow Concrete Blocks have multipurpose use in construction. Its lightweight nature allows the building of high-rise buildings and reduces the load on the structure. Almost all modern buildings adopt hollow concrete blocks to facilitate more accessible and durable construction practices. Apart from concrete blocks’ significant use in construction purposes, there are many unique and creative ways to use them, only limited by your imagination. The structure of hollow blocks and their rigidity are excellent features for some other uses of these blocks.
Hollow concrete blocks have a very natural and industrial look. Many property owners love the rustic vibe it gives off and wants to capitalize on this feature in their homes. These blocks are gray but can be easily painted with other colors to meet your demands. The grainy texture on these blocks acts as an added design element. Hence, these blocks can be repurposed inside or outside your home to make some beautiful things.
Instead of purchasing new hollow blocks to apply the following ideas, you can use leftover hollow blocks from your building construction. With some imagination and little effort, you can turn these blocks into practical furniture and decorative pieces at your place. The best part about the ideas is that they do not require sophisticated tools to implement. It will need some of your time and creative thinking.
Checklist
Creative Ideas You Can Implement with Hollow Concrete Blocks in Bangladesh
Here are some unique and creative ideas to spark your interest in repurposing hollow concrete blocks:
Outdoor Bench
If you have a patio, this is an excellent idea to implement. Using hollow blocks as a sofa and placing lovely cushions will give it an industrial look. Traditional wooden sofas cost a lot of money and degrade over time. Furthermore, it is risky to use a wooden bench outside as it can get damaged due to rain or other calamities. Using hollow blocks instead, you can build a bench in the cheapest manner but also with a unique look and feel. It will take no longer than an hour to set up the whole thing.
Garden Planter
Sometimes it is hard to practice our gardening hobby in cities if you don’t have an open and flat surface rooftop. In Bangladesh, rooftop gardening is getting very popular. If you do not have access to the roof, you can rejuvenate your soul by greenifying your outdoors. The holes in the hollow blocks are perfect for potted plants. All you need to do is fill the holes with soil and plant trees. You can arrange the blocks at your discretion to bring nature close to your hearts.
Raised Bed Garden
Hollow blocks act as a great barrier component if you plan to make your own raised bed garden. You can also use the blocks’ holes to plant more flowers or herbs. You will only require other supplies like cardboard boxes and soil. Using hollow blocks can aid in your gardening hobby.
Firepit
If you have an ample space outdoors where you love to hang out with friends and family, a permanent BBQ place will be a fantastic extension to your home. You can make a firepit using hollow blocks to serve as a perfect BBQ space. The firepit can also serve as a place to gather around in winter.
Birdhouse
You can transform a single hollow block into a stylish and sturdy birdhouse. If you have a rooftop, you can place multiple blocks together to create a great living space for birds, bringing the chirping wildlife closer to your place. Repurposing blocks can save you a lot of costs associated with building a wooden birdhouse.
Backyard Seating Space
If you have a backyard that needs a seating arrangement, concrete blocks can be one of the cheapest yet trendy-looking alternatives. These blocks will not get damaged easily, and you can keep them for as long as you want. You can also make a table by arranging a few blocks in the middle.
Work Desk
Minimalists love to keep everything simple and easy. Using hollow blocks as a work desk is ideal for all minimalists. You can quickly gather six or eight blocks to create a shelf and then place a wooden board on top of it to create a table. You can glue the board with the blocks to make it more secure. The blocks will not move due to moderate force as they are relatively heavy. You can use the holes in the blocks as drawers and keep your stuff. It can serve you as a perfect work desk with minimal cost but can offer unique looks.
Media Center
If you plan to have a media center in your home, look no further than your leftover hollow concrete blocks. People sometimes spend thousands on building an exclusive wooden media center in the living room to arrange their TVs, sound systems, gaming consoles, projectors, DVDs, and books. Instead of building with wood, you can creatively place hollow blocks in your living space to accommodate all of these. The hole inside the blocks will act as a creative space to keep your DVDs or books. The upper platforms can be used to keep your consoles, sound systems, and TV. It will give a distinctive feel to your media center.
Nightstand
Instead of purchasing a nightstand, you can easily make one with three regular-sized hollow concrete blocks. You can place two blocks vertically and one horizontally to create a nightstand. Furthermore, you can keep small plants, books, phones, or other personal stuff in the blocks’ holes.
Centerpiece/Table Number
You can purchase small-sized concrete hollow blocks that can be used as a creative centerpiece. During weddings or other events, table numbers are usually printed on a plastic card. Instead, you can plant decorative flowers in the blocks and paint the number on the outside. It will become an attractive centerpiece for any event you want to organize.
Hollow Block Vase
People love to decorate their houses with indoor plants. You can bring nature close by planting indoor plants in small hollow blocks. Furthermore, you can paint the concrete blocks as you like to give them more personalized and creative looks. These vases can last a long time and be an excellent addition to your home.
Bed Base
One of the unique design elements you can implement with hollow blocks is building a bed base. We tend to spend a lot of money on uniquely designed wooden beds. However, you can easily lay flat hollow blocks on the floor to create a bed base. You will only require an additional plywood board on top to rest the mattress on. You can also paint the blocks to match your room’s color. You get an attractive drawer style underneath your bed with this design idea. You can have a distinct storage space due to the holes in hollow blocks.
Shelving Unit
You do not need to spend a lot of cash for an appealing and functional shelving unit. Instead, you can repurpose the hollow blocks to meet this demand. You can creatively arrange the blocks to create a shelving unit that can store the things you want to keep.
Stacked Storage
People love to store their favorite books creatively. You can spice things up by placing hollow blocks of different shapes together and placing books inside the holes and on top of the surface. You can also add some boards to give it a more appealing look. You can also have the option to paint the blocks if you are not a fan of the gray look and prefer a vibrant array of colors.
Totem Sculpture
You can use hollow blocks for other reasons apart from functional purposes. They can be used for decorative elements. One of the most creative ways to repurpose hollow blocks is by building a totem sculpture. You can paint or mosaic the blocks however you like and stack them up to decorate any space of your home. These blocks can be decorated with multiple colors, designs, cutouts from other materials, etc. These totem structures can completely change the outlook of your home. It will best suit when used in the front space of your home. However, you can also place this inside one of the corners of your desired room.
Low Shelf
Cabinets are commonly used in modern homes to store stuff inside them. It is a great way to save some space for additional furniture. However, taking up wall space can make the room seem a little small. You can implement low shelves that take less space but make the room look spacious. Hollow concrete blocks can be used vertically to hold a board on top of it to create a low shelf. The holes can act as extra space for storing things.
Source: HOMEBNC
Imagination is Your Limit
Concrete hollow blocks have multipurpose use apart from general construction requirements. You can think of new ideas to use the blocks that suit your demands. These blocks are made from concrete and are highly durable. They cannot get damaged easily. The blocks are resistant to water and other chemical attacks. The gray blocks can be painted with various colors. So, if you are not a fan of the original color, you always have an option to alter the look of the block. Furthermore, there are different types of concrete blocks. You can choose any block that helps you decorate your house most uniquely and pleasantly.
Why Should You Consider Using Hollow Concrete Blocks in Bangladesh?
The discussed ideas offer distinctive ways to redecorate your house. One of the significant benefits of using blocks in a creative method is that it can save you money. Apart from saving money, these blocks can help your house radiate a completely different vibe. The popularity of concrete blocks is rising in Bangladesh. Hence, applying the blocks in home decoration can give you an edge. The hollow blocks also cost cheaper than other decorative materials.
Summary
Reusing a simple element for a new task always amazes people. We think that hollow concrete blocks can only be used in construction works. But with a pinch of creative thinking, we can turn these mundane blocks into something new and exciting. Your home should reflect the ideas you hold close to your heart. Repurposing the hollow blocks in creative ways should help you to stand out from the rest of the crowd.
Mir Concrete Blocks offer one of the best quality concrete blocks in Bangladesh. They offer a variety of categories that are built by maintaining international standards. These blocks are robust to ensure the durability your home requires and are also impeccable in quality to enhance the beauty of your home decoration.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Where can I use hollow concrete blocks?
Ans: Hollow concrete blocks can be used in partition walls, boundary fences, immense structures, etc.
Are Hollow blocks suitable for building?
Ans: High dimensional accuracy and consistent finish make hollow blocks an ideal building material.
How do get unused hollow blocks for home decoration?
Ans: You can ask your contractor to provide you with the remaining hollow blocks after construction work is completed, or you can purchase new blocks.
Do I need any tools to work with hollow concrete blocks?
Ans: No. But you can ask the help of professionals to carry the blocks to avoid any risks.
What kind of paint should I use on concrete blocks?
Ans: Masonry paint or elastomeric wall coating is a good option for concrete painting.
