16 DIY Bird Bath Plans

Bird baths can attract more birds to your garden and add a decorative element to your yard. Though you can find bird baths for sale at home improvement stores, DIY bird bath plans help you upcycle the clutter in your garage, or put broken items to good use again. 

Upcycling is a way to reuse and refurbish items in your home so they don’t end up in the landfill. Creating a bird bath out of things you already own will help free up space, save money, and be more environmentally conscious.

Important Details to Consider When Building a Bird Bath

Choosing DIY bird bath plans over a store model is a great way to reuse old items. However, there are a few things you need to consider before you begin.

Bird Bath Size and Type

The size of the bird bath will depend on your garden space and materials. Typically, a bird bath will consist of a shallow dish with a lip. You won’t want to make your bird bath too deep as most birds aren’t swimmers. Therefore, any flat surface with a lip can provide the best bath. 

Types of Materials to Use

Keep in mind what you have available to use. If you want to avoid spending money during your project, take inventory of what materials you have, and choose a bird bath plan accordingly. 

Some bird bath plans may call for a specific kind of material. However, you can sometimes substitute items if you don’t have those required. For instance, if the plan you are following calls for a lipped saucer but you don’t have one, you can always use a Frisbee or similarly shaped item.

Some plans might call for special glue. If you have only basic craft glue, you will have to make a substitution. But many of these plans can work with a weight placed on the main bird bath. So if you don’t have the proper glue, you can also use a stone to complete the project.

Other Considerations

Consider what kind of birds generally visit your area. You may want to consider a fountain bird bath if you have hummingbirds, as hummingbirds prefer water sprays to flat pools.

You can also pair bird baths with bird feeders to help attract more birds.

If you have cats in your neighborhood, consider a hanging bird bath or a tall, pillared one, so cats can’t easily attack the birds who arrive.

Free Bird Bath Plans to Consider

Our top 16 DIY bird bath plans won’t cost you anything.

Rustic Bird Bath

As another of the more straightforward, homemade DIY bird bath plans, all you need is a bowl and some sticks. Balance one of your old mixing bowls on top of four or more pieces of wood for a rustic-style bird bath. If you have a tree in your yard, you can use old branches to prop up the bird bath. You can also ask your friends and neighbors if they have any pieces of wood you can reuse or recycle.

Terracotta Bird Bath

This terracotta DIY bird bath requires minimal setup, especially if you already have an old flower pot and saucer. Simply put the pot upside down and set the saucer on top. Flower Pot saucers have enough of a brim to hold water while giving your birds a safe place to perch. You can also decorate the terracotta surface.

Lamp Bird Bath

As far as DIY bird bath ideas go, this one can give your garden some flair without being too much work. If you have any old lamps lying around, this is your chance to recycle them for the better. However, this particular bird bath requires some skills. If you’re a beginner DIY-er, or not confident in refurbishing old lamps, feel free to skip to the next option.

Stump Bird Bath

This option is another simple bird bath idea for anyone who isn’t much of a DIY-er and has a stump in the yard. Simply stick a lipped plate on top and fill it with water. You’ll have an instant bird bath with no tools required. 

Hanging Bird Bath

This hanging DIY bird bath uses a glass casserole dish lid as the bath. This option is great if you’ve got a glass lid lying around without the dish. Instead of throwing the lid away or trying to sell it in a garage sale, you can hang it from a tree as a gift for the birds. This bird bath plan is a little trickier than the stump plan above. If you’re a seasoned DIY-er, go ahead and give it a whirl. 

CD Mosaic Bird Bath

This DIY mosaic bird bath will look stupendous even if you aren’t that great with tiles. You can reuse old or broken CDs to make a shiny and attractive surface without worrying about color coordination.

Concrete Bird Bath

If you are a DIY nut with a lot of experience, this DIY bird bath is a great challenge. Concrete projects can be straightforward if you know what you’re doing, but if it’s your first time, do some research to learn how to make concrete. 

Heated Bird Bath

If you want a heated DIY bird bath, the simplest way to do it is by reusing a heated pet dish. If you don’t have a pet or a heated dish, you may need to spend some money to commit to this idea.

Tea Party Bird Bath

If you have an old tea set in your home and don’t want to throw it out, fashion it into a DIY bird bath fountain. Even with broken cups or chipped saucers, you can easily stack them for the bird bath pedestal. A little glue and a sturdy lipped saucer, and you’re set.

Tomato Cage Bird Bath

If you want to build a bird bath, chances are you have already done some work in your garden. You need a tomato cage and a lipped saucer for this DIY bird bath. The saucer balances on the tomato cage, so all that’s left is fill to it with water.

Painted Flower Pots Bird Bath

For any DIY bird bath project, you can add ways to express your personality. With this terracotta flower pot bath, painting puts your own spin on things. It doesn’t matter if you’re not particularly artistic; the birds won’t mind.

Oil Pan Bird Bath

If you want to try something more complicated like a DIY bird bath fountain, this one’s for you. It involves a pump to keep your birdbath refilling, so it will likely take more cash or skill than the average DIY project.

Step Stool Bird Bath

This plan is perfect if you have an old step stool you do not use anymore. Place a lipped plate or bowl on the top, and decorate the steps with other garden amenities to complete the picture. 

Trash Bird Baths

Despite the name, these baths deliver. Collect old trash can lids and flip them upside down on piles of rocks for a quaint and free bird bath extravaganza. 

Shower Bird Bath

Though this DIY bird bath plan reuses older containers and materials, you likely won’t be able to do it with objects found in your garage. This bird bath shower is one to check out if you want a more challenging DIY project. 

Brick Bird Bath

If you are a homeowner who has gotten some work done on your house, you might have some bricks left over from that project. You can use these bricks to make a quaint bird bath pillar. Top it with a flower pot saucer, and you have a lovely bird bath.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are all sorts of ways to create fun and exciting bird baths for your yard’s frequent visitors. We’ve explored designs from the easy to the intricate to spark your imagination along the way. Hopefully, one of the DIY bird bath plans we have selected will perfectly complement your situation.