Build a Birdhouse: A Simple DIY Project Birds Will Love

Birdhouses are one of those backyard projects that are just plain fun. Whether you’re looking to attract more birds to your garden or create a handmade gift for someone who loves nature, building your own birdhouse is a great way to spend an afternoon. Even better? You can get creative with your materials and design — from classic wooden boxes to whimsical teapots, vintage tins, or even popsicle sticks.

Some people make birdhouses purely decorative, but with a few simple tweaks, you can make something that’s both beautiful and fully functional for your feathered friends.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through:

• The most common types of birdhouses (and which birds they attract)
• Placement tips to actually get birds to move in
• Step-by-step instructions to build a simple birdhouse
• Tips for decorating and protecting your birdhouse from the elements

If you’re like me and enjoy projects that bring a little more life to the backyard, a birdhouse is the perfect place to start. Grab a few tools, use some scrap wood, and before you know it, you’ll have a cozy new home for the local birds to raise their families.

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Which Birdhouse Should You Build? (And Who Will Use It)

Different birds have different needs — so the “best” birdhouse depends on who you’re trying to invite to your yard. Here’s a breakdown of common birdhouse types and which birds they attract.

🪵 1. Simple Sheltered Platforms

Best for: Cardinals, robins, jays, phoebes, barn swallows, and mourning doves
These open platforms are super easy to build and are ideal for birds that don’t nest in enclosed spaces. A basic wooden shelf with a roof and maybe a back wall gives them the protection they need. Hang them under eaves or in a shady spot around 8–10 feet off the ground.

Tip: Keep the sides shallow so the birds can spot predators easily. They won’t use it if the walls are too high.

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🏠 2. Classic Four-Walled Birdhouses

Best for: Chickadees, bluebirds, house wrens, sparrows, and tree swallows
This is your traditional birdhouse style — a box with one entrance hole and enough space inside for a nest. These cavity nesters love a cozy, secure space to raise their young.

Pro tip: Skip the perch! It actually makes it easier for predators and house sparrows to invade.

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🏢 3. Multi-Family “Apartment” Birdhouses

Best for: Purple martins
Martins are social birds and prefer to live in colonies. Apartment-style houses with multiple compartments (or hanging gourds grouped together) are perfect for them. They need a wide-open space free from trees and tall obstacles, so this setup is best for large yards or fields.

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🎨 4. Decorative Birdhouses (for fun and function)

Best for: You and your creativity — but maybe a few birds too!
If you’ve ever wanted to turn a teapot, license plate, or old boot into a birdhouse… go for it! Just keep in mind that birds still have basic needs: the right hole size, good ventilation, and a safe spot to nest.

Quick tip: If it’s purely decorative, you can fake the entrance hole with paint and skip the real opening altogether. Or turn it into a hybrid feeder!

📋 Birdhouse Dimensions by Bird Species

Free Printable Chart! Want an easy way to reference hole sizes and birdhouse dimensions while you build? Grab our printable cheat sheet with everything you need to know — perfect for the workshop or your Pinterest board.

👉 Download the Birdhouse Dimensions Chart (PDF)