2026 Home Design Trends: DIY Cinder Block Seating and Exposed Brick Backsplashes

TikTok creator @teee.gvbe popularised a low‑cost outdoor lounge by stacking cheap cinder blocks and threading pressure‑treated wood beams through the block hollows. The method creates built‑in‑looking benches around a fire pit without metal brackets, offering a sturdy, architectural look that blends concrete, wood, and gravel.

At the same time, kitchens are moving away from flat tile and slab surfaces toward exposed brick backsplashes. Designers are using washed, red, thin, or aged brick in herringbone, full‑wall, or mixed‑material layouts to add texture, depth, and a sense of warmth. The brick becomes the visual focal point, complementing wood beams, black cabinetry, and steel accents while reducing the need for additional decor.