DIY Birdhouse Plans – Easy Tutorial

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My love for DIY birdhouses began with my father (a master gardener) telling me about our local bluebirds’ plight. Their numbers were rapidly on the decline. He informed me about their need for a safe habitat for nesting. 

I decided to share that bluebird information during my hosting garden club meeting. My father told me how particular bluebirds were about the specifications for their birdhouse. Unfortunately, it was too much to remember, so I typed out fact sheets to hand out information about creating a welcoming environment for bluebirds.

That did not seem like enough to get this bluebird campaign rolling. Therefore I decided we would build every member a bluebird house. I brought along paints, paintbrushes, and stencils to decorate the homes for some added fun. It was amazing to see all the gorgeous painted birdhouses. 

These birdhouses will look great in my secret garden with our DIY Trellis, Obelisk, lanterns, Hanging Baskets, and window boxes; they remind me of my father. 

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How to Build a DIY Birdhouse

You can build wooden Birdhouses with any wood, but it is best to refrain from using pressure-treated wood for the birds’ safety.

Supplies

• Saw
• Hammer
• Drill
• Measuring tape
• 1 ½ inch drill bit
• Drill bits
• Clamp (this is the one I used)
• 1x6x8 pine, cedar, or cypress 
• Nails or screws (I used these)
• Exterior Glue (this is the one is my favorite)
• Template print out
• Graphite paper (this is the one I used)
• Pencil
• Tin Snips
• Speed square
• Pipe flange
• Galvanized pipe 

I have gathered all my garden/yard must-haves HERE.

Lumber Cuts

• Cut two 1 x 6 x 8-inch boards for front and back
• then cut two sides 1 x 6x 4¾ inch for sides
• Cut one 1 x 6 x 4 inches for the bottom
• Next, cut one 1 x 6 x 9 inch for roof right side
• Cut one 1×4 ¾ x 9″ for roof left side 

 

Cutting Out the Pieces

Start by downloading and printing the template. Next, make all of the appropriate cuts based on the list of cut above. Now on the front board trace the template using a sheet of carbon transfer paper.

If you are not using the template, you can mark your front and back’s center top. Cut from the center mark at 45 degrees on both sides to form a peak.

You can see the videos I made of the building process (Video part one, Video part two, and Video part three).

Cut the bottom and roofline using your graphite marks as reference.

Now trace your cut out front on to the board for the back of the birdhouse and cut it out. Next, measure the wall height on your cut out front board. Cut out your wall board to the right height and repeat on the second side board.

Next, drill out the hole on the front board.

Building the DIY Birdhouse

I like to pre-drill holes for screws in my front and back pieces. It is easy to stack them and drill through both pieces at once. 

Clamp one of the side pieces to the front. Then make sure they are even with the bottom and outside edge. 

Screw or nail in place. Repeat the process for the other side.

On one side we left the bottom screws out so the it would swing open making it easy to clean out.

Attach the back with screws or nails. 

Optional Cleanout Door

We used screws that act as hinges (see more how they work in this video).

 

Insert the bottom into the bottom of the house and attach it with glue and fasteners.

Attach the narrower roof board first with glue and fasteners, even with the house’s peak.

Attach the other roof board even with the other roof board’s outside edge with glue and nails.

Use a measuring tape to figure out an even over hang on the roof.

 

Install a hook in the roof if you want to hang it or mount it on a pole with a flange and a 1 ¼ inch pipe.

 

 

   

I had to use this adorable birdhouse to decorate for spring.

Roof Options

I wanted to try some roof variations, such as tin, old license plates, and shakes. We have been saving rusty tin my husband salvaged from an old barn I wanted to use for a roof. However, the tin had some holes in some areas.  

We cut off the severely rusted area and then used a pencil to mark the roofing cut lines. 

Following the pencil marking, he cut the tin for the roofing. 

We had a jar filled with rusty roofing nails perfect for this project. Pre-drill the holes being careful to mind the inset. 

 

 

Special note: Bluebird houses should be about 6 feet from the ground. 

 

Ideas to Attract Birds:

Birds love the nest in a habitat that provides shelter, food, and water.

We have a variety of bird feeders to attract birds; however, during the winter months, we have extra birds which have migrated here for the winter. Therefore we needed additional feeders.

I made some simple feeders and placed my DIY Pine Cone Bird Feeders in the trees. 

 

More wood building projects inspiration:

 

My friend, Tarah from Grandma’s House DIY, shares how to build storage space.

Amy from Heath, Home, and Heart has installed a gorgeous trim accent wall in her bedroom.

My friend Kim from Shiplap and Shells created a romantic faux fireplace mantel surround. 

 

My friend Niky from The House on Silverado shared how she built a farmhouse coffee cup stand. 

This next project is perfect for my outdoor space too. Mary from Life at Bella Terra shares how to build an outdoor bench perfect for the garden.

 Andrea is sharing how to build a DIY corner desk.

I hope you found some inspiration. 

See you soon,

Kippi