I love a project that makes the front porch feel styled for fall without asking me to buy a bunch of seasonal décor I have to store later. This harvest firewood display does exactly that: it turns a few cinder blocks and a stack of split birch logs into a clean, geometric accent that looks surprisingly high-end. The pale wood against the darker block frame has that modern farmhouse look, but it still feels practical and grounded.
This is a great weekend project if you want something simple, affordable, and sturdy enough for outdoor use. I especially like it for busy households because it goes together fast, doesn’t require fancy carpentry, and can double as actual firewood storage once the season is over.
Materials
8 charcoal cinder blocks, standard 8 in x 8 in x 16 in
Instructions
1. Choose a flat spot by your porch with at least 24 inches of depth and 40 inches of width, then sweep it clean so the blocks sit evenly.
2. Lay down the 24 x 36 inch piece of landscape fabric, then spread a 1 inch layer of pea gravel over it to help with drainage and leveling.
3. Set four cinder blocks on the gravel in a rectangle, placing two blocks on each side with the hollow openings facing upward and keeping a 16 inch-wide center cavity for the wood display.
4. Check the blocks front to back and side to side with a level, and slide rubber shims under any low corners until the base is solid and even.
5. Run a bead of exterior construction adhesive between the first and second layer contact points, then stack the remaining four cinder blocks directly on top so the frame becomes two blocks high.
6. Let the frame sit for 15 to 30 minutes so the blocks settle, then wipe away any visible excess adhesive from the edges.
7. Sort the split birch logs by length and face color, setting aside the palest and most uniform pieces for the front-facing rows.
8. Stack the birch logs horizontally inside the center opening, placing the cut faces outward and alternating slightly different widths so the stack feels tight and balanced.
9. Fill the frame nearly to the top, then make small adjustments so the front faces of the logs create a clean, intentional grid of pale wood.
10. Sweep the surrounding area and check that the stack feels secure; if needed, tuck one or two slightly narrower pieces deeper into the center to tighten the fit.
Variations & Tips
Make it taller: If you want more visual height beside a front door, build the same footprint to three blocks high, but only on a very level surface and with adhesive between every layer.
Try a different wood: Birch gives the sharpest contrast, but split ash or maple also works if that is what you can find locally; I’d just choose pieces with fairly uniform lengths for the cleanest look.
Add a planter moment: The open holes in the cinder blocks can hold small nursery pots with mums or ornamental kale, which is one of my favorite ways to make the whole setup feel more finished without much extra effort.
Use it after fall: Once porch decorating season is over, move the stacked logs to your regular firewood area and keep the block frame as a simple outdoor shelf or garden accent.
Keep it looking polished: The little detail that makes this look expensive is consistency, so take an extra few minutes to turn the prettiest cut faces outward and keep the top line of the stack as straight as possible.