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Birdhouses provide shelter for certain types of cavity-nesting birds, offering up a safe space for them to rest. While there are plenty of pre-made birdhouses for purchase, building one yourself—or with the help of a kid or two—is a simple project you can complete in an afternoon. In most cases, all you need is some wood (we recommend using untreated wood so as not to expose birds to potentially harmful chemicals), some nails, and a few basic tools. Following are some of our favorite DIY birdhouse plans for both novice and experienced woodworkers.
1. Simple Birdhouse
Looking to create a classic wooden birdhouse with a simple, traditional aesthetic? This is as basic as birdhouse as it gets, and the perfect project for beginner woodworkers. The downloadable plans are accompanied by color photos and provide instructions for both wall-mount and post-mount variations of the project.
Get The Plans Man Simple Birdhouse Plans at Etsy for $3.50.
2. Estate Birdhouse
Upgrade your standard birdhouse by building a bird estate. The Estate Bird House is specifically designed for purple martins, though other similarly sized birds are also likely to enjoy it. The plans include 3D drawings as well as a cut list and shopping list. If you’re not particularly handy, you can also order a customized version made just for you.
Get the WoodworkingWithRick Estate Birdhouse Plans at Etsy for $13.50.
3. Mid-Century Modern Birdhouse
If you’re going to go to the trouble of constructing an avian sanctuary, why not build one with style worth swooning over? Etsy seller Timber Biscuit’s birdhouse can be built by DIY-ers with beginning to intermediate woodworking skills, but if you get stuck you can watch the seller’s tutorial on YouTube. The finished size of the birdhouse is 16 inches x 8 inches by 8.5 inches.
Get the Timber Biscuit Mid-Century Modern Birdhouse Plans at Etsy for $15.
RELATED: 24 Cool and Unique Birdhouses for Your Yard
4. A-Frame Chalet Birdhouse
Attract purple martins and similarly sized birds to your property with this on-trend chalet-style birdhouse. The A-frame design provides a funky retro aesthetic, and you can customize it with the type of lumber and paint or stain of your choosing. The plans offer an option for either 12 smaller rooms or 6 larger “suites.”
Get the WoodworkingWithRick A-Frame Birdhouse Plans at Etsy for $13.50.
5. Beginner-Friendly Birdhouse
This small birdhouse is another good project for novice woodworkers, and is the perfect home for small roosting birds. Paint this birdhouse in any fun color or adorn it with decorations of your choosing. When choosing the size of the entrance, review the birdhouse dimension table for your region in order to ensure the hole is the right size for the birds you hope to attract.
Get the JSWoodworkingPlans Simple Birdhouse Plans at Etsy for $5.52.
RELATED: Top Tips for Building a Better DIY Birdhouse
6. Gnome Birdhouse
Not to be mistaken for a condo, mansion, or A-Frame, these instructions from Etsy seller Winfield Collection will help you construct a whimsical gnome-shaped domicile for your feathered visitors. Though we wish the pattern for these unique birdhouse plans were downloadable and available instantly (without the hefty shipping fee), the upside is that it comes with detailed instructions for painting your gnome.
Get the Winfield Collection Cute Gnome Birdhouse Plans at Etsy for $13.95.
7. Martin House with Protection Rails
This birdhouse is specifically designed for martins and includes 12 separate nesting areas. Each one is protected with a railing so young fledglings won’t fall from the roost. The design includes a roof that’s easily removable for cleaning. When complete, the birdhouse’s dimensions are 18.5 inches high, 22 inches wide, and 16 inches deep.
Get the KGW158 Martin House Pattern and Instructions at Etsy for $9.99.
RELATED: How to Make a Birdhouse
8. Minimalist Birdhouse
Create a medium-sized birdhouse with a traditional design by following these plans from Etsy merchant HW Soul. (The merchant originally came up with the plans for his grandson, so the project can be completed by woodworkers of varying skill levels.) All you need to build this minimalist birdhouse are some basic tools like a hand saw, screwdriver, and electric drill. The designer recommends using softwoods like pine or spruce; available in imperial or metric dimensions.
Get the HWSoul Birdhouse DIY Plan at Etsy for $4.57.
9. Bird Condo
This condo-style birdhouse design is perfect for housing multiple pairs as they roost. When painting a birdhouse like this one, leave the interior unfinished and paint the outside to protect the wood and make it visually appealing to both birds and humans. The plans for this birdhouse ship via snail mail, and are not available for digital download.
Get the KGW158 Small Condo Birdhouse Plans at Etsy for $8.99.
10. Peek-a-Boo Perfection
Those looking for a challenge will appreciate these DIY birdhouse plans from Etsy seller ChristaCreationsShop. Designed to look like a church or farmhouse, this birdhouse features acrylic windows that allow you to observe the birds inside as they nest. (The plans’ designer recommends using two-way acrylic, which lets you see the birds without them seeing you.) While you may need more advanced woodworking skills to work with these cool birdhouse plans, the end result is worth the effort.
Get the ChristaCreationsShop Church or Farmhouse Peekaboo Birdhouse Plans at Etsy for $14.50.
RELATED: 10 Surefire Ways to Attract Cardinals to Your Yard
11. Victorian Style Birdhouse
We’re always in favor of DIY projects that upcycle or recycle materials, and this one—which is comprised of nine fence pickets and should cost less than $20 in materials—is no different. Etsy seller Primitive Millworks’ instant-download plans include X-ray views, exploded views, materials and cut lists. At just over 31 inches long at the base and 28 inches tall, this is a sizable shelter made for multiple birds—and would make for charming porch decor, too.
Get the Primitive Millworks Victorian Style Birdhouse Plans at Etsy for $10.
12. Platform Gazebo Bird Feeder
Though it isn’t a birdhouse, strictly speaking, this bird feeder is huge and offers shelter, and we can’t resist including it. This fly-through bird feeder is built to look like a gazebo and has an ornate roof made with cedar shingles. This platform-style feeder mounts to a 4-inch by 4-inch post. With a diameter of 24 inches, it’s large enough to accommodate multiple birds.
Get the JohnMarc33 Platform Gazebo Bird Feeder Plans at Etsy for $14.95.
The prices listed here are accurate as of March 14, 2023.