8 Bird House Plans with Simple DIY Designs for Every Yard

I’ve found that building a birdhouse is more than just a weekend project; it’s a way to bring nature right into your yard. With the right bird house plans, you can give birds a safe place to nest while also helping control garden pests naturally.

Each species has its own needs, from the size of the entrance hole to where the house is placed.

If you get those details right, you’ll end up with a lively nest instead of an empty box. You’ll see how easy it is to make a birdhouse that keeps birds coming back year after year.

If you’re hoping to attract bluebirds, wrens, or even owls, the key is choosing a design that fits your yard. Let’s look at how to pick the right birdhouse to get started.

Choosing the Right Birdhouse for Your Yard

The best birdhouse depends on the birds in your area and how safe the space feels. Always choose untreated wood, a sloped roof to shed rain, and small gaps for airflow.

Avoid perches, toxic paints, oversized holes, or placing houses too low in busy areas. Smart choices in birdhouse design and placement ensure birds feel safe enough to nest and thrive.

DIY Birdhouse Plans You Can Try!

You can follow clear measurements and instructions to create designs that work for different birds and styles.

Building a birdhouse doesn’t have to be complicated or costly. Here are some unique options to get you started:

1. One-Board Birdhouse

Building a birdhouse doesn’t need to be hard. With just one board and a few tools, you can make a simple home for birds.

Steps to make it:

• Cut the board into pieces for the front, back, sides, base, and roof.
• Make a hole in the front piece for the bird entrance.
• Assemble the pieces using nails or screws to form the house shape.
• Attach the roof securely and sand any rough edges.

That’s it, your birdhouse is ready. Hang it on a tree or post, and soon birds will start to visit. It’s a simple project with quick results.

2. Classic Bluebird House

A classic bluebird house is easy to make and gives these birds a safe place to nest. With a little work, you can build one yourself.

Steps to make it:

• Cut your wood into panels for the front, back, sides, base, and roof.
• Drill a round entrance hole about 1.5 inches wide on the front panel.
• Assemble the panels with nails or screws, leaving a small gap at the top for airflow.
• Attach the roof at a slight angle so rainwater runs off.

Once it’s finished, mount the house on a pole or post in an open area. Bluebirds prefer spots with open space nearby to find food.

3. Log Cabin Style Birdhouse

A log cabin birdhouse has a rustic look and is fun to build. It gives birds shelter while adding charm to your yard.

Steps to make it:

• Cut small wooden strips or branches to use as “logs” for the cabin walls.
• Stack and glue or nail the logs together, leaving space for a small doorway.
• Attach a base and roof, making sure the roof extends out to protect from rain.
• Sand rough edges and check that the inside is smooth and safe for birds.

Place your birdhouse in a quiet spot. Birds will enjoy the cozy space, and you’ll enjoy the cabin-style look in your garden

4. A-Frame Birdhouse

An A-frame birdhouse is simple, sturdy, and looks like a little tent for birds. It’s one of the easiest designs to build.

Steps to make it:

• Cut two equal boards for the slanted sides of the “A” shape.
• Attach a base piece between the sides to form the floor.
• Drill a round entrance hole in one side near the top.
• Secure the pieces with nails or screws, making sure the roof edges meet tightly.

Hang or mount your A-frame birdhouse in a safe spot. Its sloped design keeps rain out while giving birds a dry and cozy shelter.

5. Multi-Chamber Birdhouse

A multi-chamber birdhouse is great for housing several birds at once. It gives them separate spaces while using one main structure.

Steps to make it:

• Cut a large board into panels for the front, back, sides, base, and roof.
• Divide the inside into sections using smaller wooden partitions.
• Drill entrance holes for each chamber on the front panel.
• Assemble the birdhouse with nails or screws, then attach the roof securely.

Mount the birdhouse on a sturdy pole or tree. Birds can nest in different chambers at the same time, making it useful in busy bird areas.

6. Hanging Gourd Birdhouse

A hanging gourd birdhouse is natural, lightweight, and simple to make. Birds love it, and it looks great in any garden.

Steps to make it:

• Choose a dried gourd that is large and sturdy.
• Cut a round entrance hole on one side using a small saw or drill.
• Scoop out the inside of the gourd and sand the edges of the hole.
• Drill two small holes at the top and thread a rope through for hanging.

Hang your gourd birdhouse from a tree branch in a quiet spot. It’s an easy project that gives birds a cozy, natural place to nest.

7. Recycled Tin Can Birdhouse

A recycled tin can birdhouse is eco-friendly and quick to make. It turns something simple into a safe nesting spot for birds.

Steps to make it:

• Clean and dry a large tin can to prepare it for use.
• Drill or cut an entrance hole near the open end of the can.
• Attach a small perch just below the hole using a screw or glued wooden dowel.
• Hang or mount the can sideways with a strong wire or rope, keeping the open end slightly downward to block rain.

Place your tin can birdhouse in a shaded, quiet spot. It’s a creative way to recycle while giving birds a new home.

8. Mailbox-Style Birdhouse

A mailbox-style birdhouse looks like a tiny mailbox but serves as a cozy shelter for birds. It’s simple, practical, and fun to build.

Steps to make it:

• Cut wood panels for the front, back, sides, base, and a curved or slanted roof.
• Drill an entrance hole on the front panel at bird height.
• Assemble the panels with nails or screws to form a mailbox shape.
• Attach the roof so it slopes to let rain run off.

Mount your mailbox-style birdhouse on a post or tree. It’s sturdy, charming, and provides birds with a safe spot to nest in your yard.

Step-by-Step DIY Tutorial For a Budget DIY Bird House

This simple project uses one cedar fence picket and a few tools. It’s affordable, fun, and perfect for beginners.

With just a little time and effort, you can build a sturdy birdhouse that’s ready to welcome nesting birds into your yard.

Materials and Tools

• 1 cedar dog-ear fence picket, 6 ft long
• Hammer and finishing nails, or a brad nailer
• Wood glue
• Drill/driver with hole saw (1½″ for bluebirds or the correct size for your bird)
• Exterior screws for the bottom panel
• Measuring tape, pencil, saw (miter or hand saw)
• Safety glasses and hearing protection

Step 1: Cut and Prepare the Pieces

Start by marking the board at 12 inches, 20 inches, 28 inches, 36 inches, and 42⅛ inches from one end, and also at 5¾ inches from the other end.

Cut along the marks to create all parts: back, front, sides, roof, and bottom. Identify each piece and trim the two side panels with angled tops so they can hold the pitched roof.

Step 2: Assemble the Box Frame

Glue and nail the two side panels to the front piece, aligning the bottoms flush for ventilation at the top.

Next, attach the back piece with glue and nails so the structure holds its shape. At this point, you’ll have the basic box of the birdhouse.

Step 3: Add the Roof and Entrance Hole

Place the roof piece on top with a slight overhang front and back. Glue and nail it down evenly to keep rain out.

Then, mark and drill the entrance hole near the top of the front panel. Adjust the hole size depending on the bird species you want to attract.

Step 4: Install the Bottom and Finish

Fit the bottom panel in place and drill pilot holes at the corners. Secure it with exterior screws so you can remove it for cleaning later.

Check for ventilation gaps, wipe away any excess glue, and ensure the house feels solid. Mount it on a post or tree in a safe spot.

Your birdhouse is now ready to welcome new feathered visitors. Build a few more and place them around your yard to attract different species and enjoy nature up close.

For a complete visual guide, watch the video below:

Birdhouse Placement and Installation

Getting the placement right makes your birdhouse safer and more attractive to nesting birds. Birds need safety, shelter, and access to food before they’ll move in.

• Height and Safety: Mount small birdhouses 5–10 feet above the ground. Larger species, such as owls, may require higher boxes. Use safe posts or poles instead of fences or branches that predators can climb.
• Direction and Sunlight: Face the entrance away from strong winds and direct afternoon sun. Pointing it east or southeast provides gentle morning light and cooler afternoons. Avoid deep shade that blocks sunlight all day.
• Location and Environment: Place houses near natural food and water sources, with clear flight paths and nearby cover from trees or shrubs. Choose quiet corners of the yard rather than busy spots near people or pets.
• Spacing and Setup: Provide each birdhouse with its own designated space. Keep them 20–30 feet apart for small birds, and farther for territorial species like bluebirds. Avoid adding perches, which make it easier for predators to reach nests.

With the right setup, your birdhouse will feel safe and inviting, encouraging birds to settle in quickly.

Conclusion

I’ve learned that using the right bird house plans makes it simple to turn your yard into a place birds actually want to call home.

When you choose safe materials, set the house at the right height, and face it in the right direction, you’re giving nesting birds a real chance to settle in.

Even starting with one birdhouse, you’ll notice how quickly your outdoor space fills with life and activity.

If you’re ready to keep going, you can check out my other blogs for more DIY projects, outdoor tips, and design ideas to make your home and garden even more inviting!