How to make your own DIY birdbath, with step by step directions for painting and more!
World Famous DIY Birdbath
This project inspired Woman's Day Magazine to make their own version of a birdbath.
This birdbath was also featured in Reloved.
Thrift Store Finds
After I found this candlestick at the Goodwill I thought it might make a nice side table. But then I rounded the corner to the pots and pans aisle, and found this pot lid. I turned it upside down, and voila! It was a perfect fit. While I was perusing one of the stores I found a greenish copper patina something or other. I said to myself “self, this is the color this birdbath wants to be” Now sometimes I have selective hearing, but usually when I’m talking to myself I listen!
Spray Paint
You may remember these bargains I got a few weeks ago. There were several greens from that day. I decided to go with the moss green and the aqua.
First I sprayed a pretty good coat of the moss green.
Closeup
I then sprayed with the aqua. ( I went a little overboard with it)
Too aqua!
So I splattered a little more moss green over it.
Spray Painting Glass & More
I took this photo so you can see the color difference. On the left is the aqua, on the right is the moss green. In the middle is the birdbath that is neither aqua or moss green. But a good mix of both. (see the vase below)
The moss green lid.
With a little aqua over the moss green
Look how nicely the lid fits into the little candle “hole”
It’s perfect! Or so I thought!
I love feeding the birds and watching them, I have a couple of concrete birdbaths already, but I figure I can always use one more!
Do you think it resembles a copper patina?
I was wrong, it was NOT perfect. The birds did not like the depth of the lid. They were not using my DIY birdbath.
Depth of Birdbath
Time for plan B. I thrifted an enamel lid, tested it for a good fit.
It wasn’t as difficult to match the original candlestick as I thought.
The birds are now using my birdbath.
The new lid now makes this the perfect DIY birdbath! I did not attach either lid to the candlestick. The water is heavy enough to hold it in place. Although it may look like the base is not wide enough, this has been in place for months and has never tipped over.
UPDATE: 2016 It's a planter!
Birdbath Turned into a Succulent Planter
get the latest update on this diy birdbath at Succulent Planters
Regular run of the mill clear vase before.
After! Isn’t this pretty?
It is amazing to me that I never knew you could do this!
I have so much glass (leftover from my totem addiction)
If you’ve never spray painted a vase, you must do it! You will love the new look! I no longer have this vase, my niece saw it and fell in love with it, so I gave it to her. Why? because I can always spray paint another, and so can you!
Want to see another pretty Pantene Color of the year project (window cabinet), or how about one of my all-time favorites? DIY Candlesticks? Check out how I painted a bunch of glassware white.
See more repurposed glassware project ideas here
gail
Gail Wilson is the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. She is obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believes that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again, including herself!
Gail reinvented herself during a midlife crisis and has found purpose again. She hopes you will find new ideas for old things and pick up a few tools along the way.
Renee
A little trick if you are using a lid that is too deep for the birds, lay some stone in the bottom to raise the depth to where they will use it. Simple 1" sized stones will work perfectly
Gail Wilson
Great tip Renee! Thank you. I love watching and listening to the birds. This project needs a new update. It's latest purpose was a succulent planter. 🙂
gail
Linda@MixedKreations
This is so neat! It turned out really pretty. I am always stopping to look at the lamps at good will, thinking what could I make with that. Birdbath never crossed my mind. (-; Thanks so much for sharing!
TraceyD
Love the birdbath. So cute. I never would have thought to paint something for an animal to drink from, worrying the paint might be bad for them. Have you read anything on this one way or another?
You've got a lot of neat crafts.
Thanks
Jeannie Marie & Company
I love your easy projects!
gail@myrepurposedlife.net
Thank you Jeannie! 🙂
did you find me in Woman's Day August 2013 issue?
gail
Debra
This is a great idea and just love it! Now I will be on the lookout for a large candle stick. 🙂
Becky Reep
Love the bird bath...I will be on the prowl for the components with an "open eye" to make one for my birds. I have a concrete bird bath that only the pedestal survived when a branch zeroed in on it! I can't seem to find a replacement "bowl" part yet so I turned a pot upside down for a larger "circle" at the top of the pedestal, sat a large dinner plate on the top of that and then have a gorgeous plant that needs the space to cascasde, so using it for a plant stand now. BUT...I DO want a bird bath too so thank you for your wonderful repurpose idea!! becky.reep@flpd2.com
Laurel Stephens
I loved this idea and featured it on my blog. Thanks for sharing your great tutorial!
SSH
I want to be inside your brain for all of a few minutes so I can possible get ideas for some things I have laying around here. THE birdbath! I just dropped my jaw on that one. I did wonder the depth too. I know my birds like shallow water. I see yours do too. What an amazing eye you have for creating.. Brilliant!!!
bonnie
Birds need a solid foundation when using a bird bath. They stand on " the shore " and not swim like ducks. If you had something large enough, stable , to place in the deep to create an island, the birds would land on that and you will be able to use a deep lid. Just an FYI...bird baths must be kept clean. Wash with a brush and running water. Vinegar is safe but be careful of surrounding flowers, when it is flushed out of bath....Birds need water all year long, even in Winter. Learn how to provide water through the Audobon Society. <:
Terri
Some big rocks in the bottom would be fine for the birds to Guage the depth of the water and give them something to stand on. Beeslike the water, too!
Terrell
That is super fabulous, girly!! Way to go! I totally love the finish and love how you used leftover goods...sooo smart!
Hugs,
~Terrell @ FrouFrou Decor~
Diann
Love your birdbath Gail! What a great repurposing project!!
Homemade Quilts by Granny
Who would have ever thought of making something so pretty and useable out of a old lid....no body but Gail thats who.....I see all these cute ideas on bloggers and think why can't I do this....that's what's so good about bloggers I can be a copy cat.lol Trish
Laura @ Ms Smartie Pants
That birdbath turned out so cool. I love that idea, and the paint effect is great!
kathie
What a fun project! And let me tell you, birdbaths are expensive 🙂 Got one for my mom's garden one year... next time, I'll make her one! Thanks!
Baye
Loooovvvveeee it! I may have to steal someone's pot lid if I don't find one at the thrift store.
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper
wow! anything can be painted, huh? i never would look at it now and figure out what it once was. great transformation, gail!
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper
wow! anything can be painted, huh? i never would look at it now and figure out what it once was. great transformation, gail!
Jan @ bobbypins boardwalk
The bird bath is so amazing! You sure know how to put together the pieces of a puzzle.
clustres
That is so great! And who knew the birds didn't want one too deep...but just wanted a little "wading".
Paige (Final Clothes-Out)
You are seriously so creative with all of this stuff. I have trouble "seeing" what else an item could be. Good thing I found your blog!
Suzanne
That birdbath is incredible. I absolutely love it!
Shannon
I'm so glad the birds are using it now. I found a candlestick but I haven't been able to find a lid yet.
Suesan
I love the bird bath. It's a great look. If you want to make it feel more like a copper patina, you could rub some copper acrylic paint into the details of the base. That'd be pretty, too. I love that your birds are using it.
http://froufrugal.blogspot.com
Proper Prim
Wow that is so nice... I love the colour in the garden... I would love to try this but I am unable to find a tall enough candlestick. I have it on the want list now for sure.
I have seen glass painted before but have always wondered if you could still use the vase for flowers.
Great job on all projects Gail.
Hugs, Deb
Renze
Great idea with the bird bath! Now I just have to find an oversized candleholder!
And, I never knew you could spray paint glass...so cool. I'm off to try it!