Recycling bricks is a great way to keep them out of the landfill and inexpensive building materials. Did you know that recycled bricks can be used for anything from landscaping edging to outdoor furniture?
Bricks have been a building foundation, literally and figuratively speaking, for centuries. People have always found ways to reuse them or repurpose them in creative ways inside and outside of the home. Here are 20 unique ideas to recycle bricks taking up space around your property:
Table of Contents
1. Brick Table
A brick table is a perfect way to bring rustic beauty and practicality together in your home. Bricks are nearly indestructible, so they can sit outside on the patio or deck without being damaged from rain or weather. You can use mortar to adhere bricks together for a more permanent option or simply stack bricks on top of each other for a more temporary look. Bricks can also be laid down horizontally for a stunning outdoor flooring option, indoors or out.
2. Brick Walkway
Cut bricks to your desired length and lay them straight from point A to point B to create a walkway. If you have an existing brick walkway, consider repurposing the bricks to make a new pattern or even cut them in half and lay them down vertically. Make sure you use mortar where the bricks will meet for a proper hold. You can also create an informal path using random pieces of brick placed haphazardly on the ground.
3. Brick Seat Wall
Stack bricks in a leaner form vertically to create a seat or back wall for your yard, garden, or patio. You can also use these brick walls as dividers between areas of the yard, such as planting beds and walkways. While it may be tempting to stack bricks without mortar, understand that this is only a temporary fix, and you will likely have to re-stack them as they begin to fall apart.
4. Outdoor Fireplace or BBQ Grill
Remove the doors from an old oven and use the brick sides as a foundation for an outdoor fireplace or grill area. You can even set up a table on top of two bricks to create a small cooking surface for a portable grill.
5. Brick Flower Boxes
Build brick boxes to flank the sides of your front steps or fill them with flowers and plants to enhance your landscape design. Bricks are fairly lightweight, so they can be easily moved around as needed for lawn care and other maintenance projects. Just remember, don’t stack bricks directly on top of each other without mortar – you will likely have to re-stack them as they begin to fall apart.
6. Chimney Repair
If you have a chimney in desperate need of repair, consider recycling old bricks to fix it up. Don’t be intimidated by the process – if you think you can lay brick, repairing your chimney should be right up your alley.
7. Brick Wall
You can create a brick wall to line the perimeter of your backyard, surround your garden or entryway – whatever strikes your fancy! If possible, try to utilize stones or bricks with color variations for the most attractive design. You will likely need mason’s mortar and concrete adhesive to hold everything together properly.
8. Slab Walkway
Slabs of brick can be laid down in a pattern or create a border for your flower garden, patio, or entryway. Make sure to use the appropriate adhesive when laying brick on top of concrete and allow it plenty of time to set before moving heavy objects over the surface. For an even more creative look, consider laying brick sideways or even upside down.
9. Brick Path
Create a walkway by cutting bricks to your desired length and laying them straight from point A to point B. If you have an existing brick path, consider repurposing the bricks, so they form a new pattern or even cut them in half and lay them down vertically. Please make sure you use mortar where the bricks will meet, so they stick securely in place. You can also create an informal path by laying random pieces of brick on the ground.
10. Outdoor Seating Area
Build a bench or even a whole outdoor seating area with old bricks for an eclectic touch to your backyard or garden. If you don’t have the tools necessary to cut bricks, ask a local masonry or craft store if they do.
11. Brick Lights
Remove the metal wiring from old lamps and hang them on brick walls to create outdoor lights for your patio, garden, or yard. You can also take shorter bricks and stack them vertically or with other materials to create unique lighting fixtures.
12. Fire Pit
Using recycled bricks, build a circular fire pit for your backyard or garden. You can line the pit with river rocks specifically for this purpose, so you don’t have to worry about the brick cracking under heat and pressure from constant use. Make sure to keep children and pets away when using outdoor fire pits.
13. Outdoor Table Settings
Instead of dining indoors, consider eating under the stars on a brick surface in your backyard or garden. You can even place flower pots on top of bricks and use them as side tables to create a unique setting outside. Brick surfaces are perfect for easy clean-up, too – remember to use tablecloths or other cloth material if you will be serving food.
14. Brick Ledge
You can build a ledge on the side of your home that is strong and sturdy enough to hold flower pots, vases, and other items so they won’t tip over in outdoor wind gusts. Try building one around your window, so you don’t have to worry about cold drafts during the winter season.
15. Bird Bath
Drill holes in bricks and stack them on top of each other to create a birdbath that will provide your feathered friends with a clean water supply while also adding an attractive touch to your garden, patio, or yard. Make sure you put enough brick pieces together to ensure it doesn’t collapse under the weight of a bird.
16. Mailbox
Repurpose an old mailbox by removing the metal door and placing it on a brick pillar to hold your mail. You can even place flowers or other plants in front of the pillar, so your post is hidden from plain sight. Just make sure to cut a hole in the bottom of the brick to allow for drainage.
17. Hanging Bird Feeder
To make a hanging bird feeder, drill holes in old bricks and string them together with wire. Fill each hole with birdseed or other treats for your feathered friends to enjoy when they come by for a visit. You can also hang smaller items like wind chimes on the brick bird feeder for an even more creative look.
18. Brick Sculpture
Bricks are perfect for making sculptures to place in your garden, yard, or outdoor space. If you have specific ideas in mind but don’t know how to make them come to life, consider looking at pictures of other pieces online for inspiration.
19. Garden Gnome/Fairy House
Create a cute house or hut in your garden for small creatures like fairies or gnomes to live in by cutting bricks to your desired height and laying them out in an arch pattern on the ground. You can also stack them vertically if you prefer to create more of a cave-like effect.
20. Old Wine Barrels
Make a wine barrel end table or stool by sanding down the exterior of an old, empty wine barrel. Treat the wood to protect it from weather damage and allow it to dry before placing bricks scented with flowers or other decorative items around the outside to camouflage the barrel for a more cohesive look.
FAQ’s
Q. Where can I find bricks for my next project?
A. Look at local masonry or craft stores for used bricks. You may also be able to find them in your recycle bin if your town picks up bricks along with other trash. Another idea is to check online classified sites like Craigslist, eBay, or freecycle.org in search of used bricks.
Q. How can I make a circular brick fire pit?
A. Stack bricks with the flat side facing down to form a circle or rectangle and fill in any gaps with smaller pieces of brick. You can sand over the entire area as an additional protective measure against heat from burning items and sparks from matches or lighters.
Q. What can I do with extra bricks?
A. If you have a few bricks left over from a project, try stacking them up vertically or horizontally in your garden to create a border or other decorative look. You can also embellish the brick surface by painting a design on it and giving it away as a gift.
Q. How can I cut bricks?
A. You can create a straight edge using a large chop saw, but make sure the blade is long enough to accommodate all of your bricks. A simple way to cut brick in half is to place it on top of an old towel and drive over it with the tire of your car or truck. Another option is to use a circular saw with a diamond blade to cut through the brick.
Q. How can I fix shattered bricks?
A. If you break your bricks for any reason, consider using mortar mix to fill in the cracks and hold them together. You can also use grout to securely fit bricks back into place if they’re loose or wobbly.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed our list of 20 Creative Ways to Recycle Bricks. If you want more information about recycling bricks, check out this guide for creative ways to recycle them! It has many ideas that we couldn’t fit into one blog post and will inspire your creativity to come up with even more fantastic projects. Please read it now and let us know what other creative ways to recycle bricks you came up within the comments below! Happy building!
