Beautiful clay bricks aren't just good for building houses - they are one of the most versatile construction materials on the market.
But if you've got a few leftover bricks hanging around from your past masonry projects, you may be wondering what to do with them - especially now that Summer is almost here and the garden is beckoning...
As always, we've got your back - we've also got a free Estimation Service designed to ensure you only buy the bricks you actually need in the first place!
Take a look at these seven super project ideas to help you make the most of what you've got.
Shop reclaimed bricks1 Pizza oven
Pizza parties are always a hit for those who love to entertain - and as the warmer weather approaches, having an outdoor oven in which to cook home-made 'za is a winning addition to any garden.
Building one doesn't exactly fall into the 'starter projects for novice DIYers' category, but it's certainly an acheivable task.
Structures of this kind don't require too many bricks, but you may want to use specialist fire bricks for part of the construction - and, yes, we can help you get your hands on some of those!
2 Firepit
Another bound-to-impress focal point for outdoor entertaining, firepits aren't just effective as a source of heat and light - you can cook over them too. Win win!
For a long-lasting firepit, you should use a few fire bricks on the interior. Just one layer standing on a soldier course should be enough for a regular-sized pit.
You'll need to dig out the space for your pit in the garden, leaving a hole about eight inches deep and levelled off at the bottom. Following this, lay a concrete footing and place the fire bricks in a circle leaving a gap at one point to allow air to flow into the fire.
Complete the exterior by laying facing bricks and finish with a top lip (bricks on their sides) for an impressive-looking feature. It's really important to build this safely, so use mortar to secure the bricks and maintain long-term strength.
Firepits aren't just effective as a source of heat and light - you can cook over them too. Win win!
3 Boundary wall
A truly impactful and practical way to use leftover bricks in the garden is to build a wall with them.
If you've already got a wooden fence in place, replacing this with a brick structure could be beneficial in a few different ways: it'll last significantly longer; it'll provide more privacy; and it'll add value to your home.
And, if that's not enough, it'll look fantastic too!
Whether you go big and opt for a high wall or decide on a brick-fence combo, this is a project that will add real character to your outdoor space - but, depending on your circumstances, you may need planning permission in order to build one.
It's always worth checking with your local planning authority (LPA) before you start any project, but if your wall doesn't form a boundary with a road or footpath and it doesn't exceed two metres, you should be good to go (please check though!).
4 Steps
If your garden sits on different levels, some simple brick steps will make an attractive feature while making it quicker and easier to move around the space too.
Many houses have a patio or decking area at the rear which transitions up or down to a garden. It's here that a set of brick steps can have max impact.
Creating them is simple - you just need to carefully dig out the space required and lay the bricks in a neat fashion, using mortar to keep them in place.
5 Secret garden
Depending on the size of your garden, you may be able to create a few secluded sections for those much-needed moments of 'me time'.
Using bricks to create a small walled courtyard, herb garden or 'secret garden' can add bags of character - and these can be great spaces for kids to let their imaginations run wild as they learn more about our natural world.
Again, depending on the size of your space (and the level of your ambition!), you may need planning permission for this; plus, it'll certainly require more bricks than some of the other ideas on this list.
Having said that, it's perfectly doable - just make sure you dig deep foundations!
6 Footpath
Neat pathways can make for a simple-yet-effective feature in all styles of garden - and constructing one with bricks is a sure-fire way of adding a beautiful aesthetic to your outdoor space (it's an acheivable project for DIY first-timers too!).
What they look like will largely depend on the type of bond you use, as this will determine the how the bricks fit together to create a recurring pattern.
A popular choice for garden paths is the herringbone bond. This is where bricks sit in an 'L' shape at a right angle to each other, creating a zig-zag pattern when complete.
There are plenty of other bond patterns to choose from too - it's all down to personal taste.
7 Edges for flower beds
... or anything that needs an edge, for that matter!
If you've got flower beds around the edge of your garden, you may want to add something to highlight the space between the soil and the lawn. You don't need many bricks to do this, which makes it nice and easy to achieve.
Could this be the starting point on your journey to successful brickwork (and more ambitious projects)? We think it just might...
We're here for you
If you don't have any leftover bricks but fancy getting creative in the garden anyway, we have a range of services designed to help you do exactly that.
If you can't decide which bricks to use for your outdoor project, our free Brick Selection service could be just what you need; if you want to use bricks that blend seamlessly with the rest of your home, our Brick Matching service could be right up your street; or if you'd prefer to browse bricks for yourself, we have more than 3,600 products to choose from in our Brick Library!
Our expert Brick Advisors are standing by to help you figure out how many bricks you need for your project, then source them and find you the best price - we'll even arrange delivery too!
