A bird bath is a wonderful addition to any backyard or garden, providing birds with a fresh water source for bathing and drinking. But a beautiful bird bath can also become a gorgeous decorative focal point. With a bit of creativity, you can transform a plain old bird bath into a stunning garden accent all the birds will enjoy.
From colorful hand-painted finishes to imaginative repurposed materials, there are so many simple yet eye-catching ways to decorate your bird bath. Read on for lots of fun and easy bird bath decorating ideas you can DIY in no time.
Gather Fun Materials For Your DIY Bird Bath Creation
The first step in decorating your own unique bird bath is to gather up materials. Take a look around the house and yard for everyday items you can repurpose, or pick up a few special supplies for your project.
Household Items Make Great Basic Bird Baths
Before you even start decorating, think about what you already have on hand that could form the base of a charming bird bath:
- Shallow bowls, plates, or saucers
- Old teapots, pitchers, or ceramic planters
- Large seashells
- Tree stumps or logs
- Terra cotta flower pots
- Vintage kitchen, garden, or decorative items
Anything that can safely hold about 2 inches of water can become a simple bird bath basin when placed on a pedestal or base.
Buy Purpose-Built Materials for Long Lasting Bird Baths
For a bird bath that will last for years outdoors, look for materials designed specifically for this use:
- Bird bath molds and forms for shaping concrete
- Moss rock, alpine rock, or tufa stone
- Precast composite or resin bird baths
Though more of an investment, these sturdy materials will provide quality and durability to withstand the elements.
Craft Clever Pedestals For DIY Bird Baths
Now for the fun part – getting creative with pedestals and bases for your found or repurposed bird bath basin! Here are some easy DIY options:
Give Household Items New Purpose
Stack everyday items you already have to form a unique pedestal:
- Invert a terra cotta flower pot on top of a bigger pot
- Use an old lamp base or finial
- Stack bricks or building blocks
- Upcycle an old pillar candleholder
- Repurpose an antique garden urn or planter
Look to Nature For Inspiration
Bring the outdoors in by using natural elements as creative basins or stands:
- Balance a large leaf on a pebble to form a basin
- Place a bird bath bowl on a log slice or tree stump
- Nestle a shallow container into a hollowed out rock
Pick Fun Embellishments That Add Interest
Decorate the base or bottom of your bird bath with:
- Colored rocks, pebbles, or marbles
- Mosaic tile shards or nuggets
- Tumbled glass, beads, or sea glass
Give Your Bird Bath A Makeover With Paint
One of the easiest DIY decorating ideas is simply painting your birdbath basin or pedestal. Have fun and get creative with different painted looks:
Solid Color Finishes
Choose glossy, satin, or matte paints in vibrant hues like:
- Cobalt blue
- Lime green
- Canary yellow
- Fuchsia pink
Ombre or Fade Finishes
Blend two colors for an ombre look, like:
- Pale blue fading down to navy
- Light pink to hot coral
- Yellow to orange
Faux Finishes
Get creative with paint techniques to mimic styles like:
- Faux stone or slate
- Metallic copper or bronze
- Aged terracotta
- Weathered wood grain
Adorn with Glass, Tile, and Found Objects
For a sparkling, artful accent, embellish your birdbath with glass, tile, or other decorative objects. Here are some ideas:
Add Sparkling Mosaic Tiles
- Upcycle old broken tiles in bright colors
- Choose tiles with florals, textures, or geometric shapes
- Outline the basin rim with a border of tiles
Encircle with Natural Elements
- River rocks
- Tumbled stones or pebbles
- Seashells and starfish
- Colored sand or glass beads
Embellish with Artificial Greenery
- Plastic leaves, ferns, or vines
- Fake moss
- Artificial succulents
Get Inspired By Unique Bird Bath Design Ideas
Looking for something a little more unusual? Apply these creative concepts to your DIY bird bath decor:
Hang Pretty Hanging Bird Baths
- Macrame hanging planters
- Inverted baskets
- Repurposed hanging lanterns
Suspending birdbaths from trees, hooks, or stands creates an airy, decorative look while protecting birds from predators.
Keep Water Unfrozen with Heated Bird Baths
- Add a submersible water heater
- Insulate concrete basins
- Install solar-powered heating systems
In colder climates, heated baths allow birds constant access to liquid water all winter.
For Permanence, Cast Concrete Bird Baths
- Customize with birdbath liner molds
- Add leaf shapes, geometric patterns
- Stain, stamp, or paint finishes
For a sturdy, sculptural birdbath, make your own one-of-a-kind design from concrete.
Strategically Place Your Decorative Bird Bath
Once your bird bath is beautifully decorated, carefully consider the placement in your garden. Here are a few tips:
- Situate near trees, shrubs, or other cover
- Elevate bath above ground on stand
- Include gravel or rocks in base
- Keep away from predators like cats
- Avoid excessive sun or wind
- Make visible from indoor windows
Choosing the right birdbath location will encourage frequent visiting from your feathered friends.
As you can see, the possibilities for decorating your own unique bird bath are endless! With just a little imagination and a few simple materials, you can create a stunning garden focal point that welcomes neighborhood birds.
Whether you opt for vivid colors, handmade mosaics, or repurposed vintage finds, a beautifully decorated birdbath adds artful style and visual interest to your yard. For a fun weekend project that also helps our fine feathered friends, try crafting one of these creative bird bath designs yourself.
