How to Easily Make a Concrete Buoy DIY Door Stopper

Create a concrete buoy DIY door stopper using cement and a plastic bottle. Make charming nautical decor that doubles as functional door stops. If you make a purchase using any affiliate links below, we may earn a commission.

Looking to add a touch of nautical charm to your home decor?

Learn how to easily create a concrete buoy with just cement and an empty plastic bottle.

This step-by-step guide will walk you through the process of making these adorable and functional doorstops that also double as charming nautical decorations.

With their simplicity and versatility, these cement buoys are the perfect addition to any coastal-themed space.

Get ready to showcase your creativity and enhance your home's style with this delightful DIY doorstop!

Supply List:

• Bolthouse Farms Smoothie
• Water Bottle
• Cement
• Decorative Jute Rope
• Zip Tie
• Popsicle Stick
• Disposable Plastic Mixing Bowl
• Scissors
• Craft Knife
• Sanding Block
• Acrylic Paint (optional)
• Masking Tape (optional)

I purchased my cement mix and Michaels, although it looks like this brand is no longer available. Any cement mixture should work. Just make sure to follow the package instructions for mixing ratios.

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Preparing the Mold:

My mold is a Bolthouse Farms Smoothie drink bottle. The shape of this bottle is perfect for a buoy, but you can use any disposable plastic bottle.

First, drink the smoothie, It's delicious!

Then rinse out the bottle and cut off the top rim using a craft knife.

Cut the second empty water bottle about 3 inches down from the top. This will give you a funnel.

Mixing the Cement:

Make sure to follow the instructions on the package of the cement you are using.

I am using CraftSmart Cement and it is 3 parts cement powder to 1 part water.

With a ⅓ measuring cup, I combined 1 cup of cement with ⅓ cup of water.

Stir thoroughly with a popsicle stick, making sure to scrape the bottom of the bowl until all of the powder is mixed with the water.

When completely mixed together you want a nice smooth cement. I ended up adding about 1 tablespoon more water to achieve that.

If you do add more water, add it slowly. You don't want your mixture too liquidy.

Pour the Cement into the Mold:

Place your homemade funnel into the opening of the buoy mold.

Scoop the mixture out of the bowl with the popsicle stick into the funnel, then bounce the bottle, hitting it on the table or countertop to get the cement to move through the funnel into the mold.

My first batch only filled my mold about halfway. Once that was gone, I mixed another batch and continued filling my mold.

Continue until you have all of the cement in the mold, or until the mold is full.

Adding the Rope Handle:

Cut a length of rope 12 inches long.

Create a loop with a zip tie.

Bring the ends of the rope together and place them through the loop of the zip tie.

Tighten the zip tie as tightly as you can around the rope ends, and then trim off the end of the zip tie.

You are going to use that zip tie end to help push the rope into the cement.

Push the zip tie end between the two lengths of rope and push it into the buoy mold.

You'll want the zip-tied section about an inch into the cement.

Tap the bottle on the counter a couple more times to level the cement, and let it dry.

Unmolding the Buoy:

I checked for dryness by touching the exposed cement through the top of the mold. It felt pretty dry so after 4 days it was time to unmold.

Using a craft knife carefully cut into the plastic bottle, not the cement.

If you can, tear the plastic away from the cement buoy. I was able to do this in sections.

When I got to another section I could no longer tear, I cut another inch-long slit.

Repeat until you are able to completely remove the cement buoy from the plastic bottle mold.

Doesn't it look awesome?

Sanding the Buoy: (Optional)

The top of my buoy was a little jagged. To smooth it out, I went around those top edges with a sanding block.

Painting the Buoy: Optional

To give my buoy more of a nautical look, I decided to paint on some stripes.

I masked off some areas using painter's tape.

I wanted to paint the base of my buoy, but it wouldn't stand upside down. So I found a little container in my trash that would hold it steady.

I used a cut-down round container, but I imagine a yogurt container would work great too.

Then painted the strip and base with navy acrylic paint.

The paint soaked into the cement and dried really quickly.

I only applied one coat of paint, but feel free to add more to get your desired look.

Once dry, I removed the painter's tape.

And I love my finished cement buoy! I think it looks so great!

By following these simple steps, you can easily create your own concrete buoy DIY door stopper.

With its functional purpose and charming nautical appeal, this DIY project is a fantastic way to add a touch of coastal decor to your home.

Whether you use it to keep your doors in place or as a decorative accent, your homemade concrete buoy door stopper is sure to impress.

Happy crafting!

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