An encore on the usefulness of concrete in the garden! (Our previous post on the subject focused on genius build ideas involving off-the-shelf concrete block.) Today's installment looks at custom concrete hacks, from weekend DIYs to landscape architects' own designs.
These one-of-a-kind projects have been formed, poured, and finished to fit a particular garden's specs. And we hope our list of 10 genius poured-concrete hacks will provide inspiration for your own garden:
Custom Stairwell
Above: Planters and a stairway to the basement are built of concrete layers by Scott Lewis, as seen in Landscape Architect Visit: Scott Lewis Turns A Small SF Backyard Into an Urban Oasis.
Perfect Proportions
Above: Three custom-made concrete slabs make a DIY modern bench from Better Homes & Gardens.
Luxe Look on a Budget
Above: Dalilah shows the steps of making your own concrete planter in our post DIY on a Budget: $30 Mini Concrete Planters.
Mirror Images
Above: Slender, rectangular concrete water fountains are custom made by Mark Tessier Landscape Architecture in a Los Angeles backyard.
Squared Off
Above: Layers of concrete are poured on top of one another to build a permanent fire pit in the middle of an outdoor lounge area via Better Homes & Gardens.
Optical Illusion
Above: The illusion of tile is created with irregular shapes of concrete in an outdoor shower by landscape designer David Hertz Faia in his own house in Venice, California.
Instant Fire Pit
Above: An oversized concrete bowl is an instant fire pit, spotted on Plough Your Own Furrow. A project to match? A DIY Modern Concrete Fire Pit From Scratch on ManMade.
Made to Order
Above: With Dalilah's logic (above) and inspiration from a garden on Brondesbury Park in London via JJ Locations, you can build taller concrete planters for large plants on a deck.
Tailor Made
Above: Built from pre-poured concrete pavers, a DIY Concrete Planter also could be adapted to any dimension if you pour custom slabs yourself. See the paver planter project on Home Depot.
Steep Learning Curve
Above: A neat stack of concrete stairs creates a path down a garden slope; designed by Botanica Design in Vancouver.
Circular Thinking
Above: For sculptural appeal, concrete can be cast into rounded shapes with this DIY Concrete Garden Globes project. The sculptures can be placed throughout the garden, can line a simple pathway, or used as a door stopper.
For more on concrete, see our posts:
- Hardscaping 101: Concrete Pavers.
- A Concrete Bench with a Side of Greenery.
- All-in-One: Concrete Garden in a Box.
- 10 Easy Pieces: Concrete Outdoor Furniture.
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