DIY Network

More Creative Birdhouse Ideas Create a high-style birdhouse neighborhood! From "B. Original" episode DBOR-105

You can make any birdhouse a creative piece with tips from Michele Beschen.

Birdhouses aren't just great for birds—they're also a great way to B. Original with fun and funky materials, techniques and graphic ideas. Host Michele Beschen offers her tips on making your yard a high-profile address among our feathered friends.

You'll learn how to turn almost anything into a birdhouse post, see some fun ideas for decorating your own birdhouses and even get a taste of Michele Beschen's vision for a birdhouse "neighborhood."

Note: Non-traditional birdhouses—and birdhouse neighborhoods—don't attract all kinds of birds. The fun colors and cool designs we love just don't appeal to some species. If you want to attract a specific kind of bird to your yard, do some research or talk with a local naturalist. That will give you an idea how to best attract your desired birds while you B. Original.

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Figure A

Michele Beschen knows there's more to a stylish birdhouse neighborhood than just great houses: You have to display them creatively, as well. If a birdhouse isn't nestled in the trees, she likes to display it atop a non-traditional post, like a giant candleholder, table leg or newel post (figure A). Here are her tips on using non-traditional wooden posts.

Materials:

table legs, newel posts or other thick, wooden posts
½" rebar or metal stakes
drill
spade bit
pocket jig for drill
wood screws
outdoor-use adhesive

	Figure B
	Figure C

• Finish the wooden post if needed. Use a couple of coats of polyurethane to help protect it from the elements

• Use the spade bit to drill a hole in the bottom of your wooden post the same diameter as the rebar or metal stake.

• Use the pocket jig (figure B) to drill holes at an angle through the top of the wooden post and into the bottom of the birdhouse. The pocket jig angles the drill so that you can drill in through the side of the wooden stake, come out the end of the stake and go into the bottom of the birdhouse—almost exactly like "toenailing" a wooden joint.

• Screw the wooden post to the birdhouse (figure C) and reinforce with an outdoor-use adhesive.

• Pound the rebar or metal stake into the ground at the desired spot and mount the birdhouse. You can use more outdoor-use adhesive if you need a more secure fit.

You also can take "normal" birdhouses and dress them up with paint, embellishments and other fun ideas. Here are some examples:

Michele Beschen likes to keep an entire birdhouse community in her yard, complete with house markers and welcome signs. Have fun with it and start feathering many nests!