The Adorable DIY Bird Feeder That Perfectly Fits Into A Coastal Garden

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

What comes to mind when you think of the word coastal? An anchor, a shipwreck, some seashells, and, of course, a lighthouse. There's nothing more fitting for a coastal garden than a delightful DIY lighthouse birdfeeder. Imagine your very own miniature lighthouse tucked among all your flowering plants that thrive near the coast ... perfection! This is a quick project that will have the birds snacking in your garden within a few hours. 

To make this birdfeeder, you'll need three terracotta pots and their saucers in graduating sizes. For example, a 2 ½, 3 ½, and 4 ½ inch pot, plus an extra large saucer for the bottom to accommodate the bird seed. Select outdoor acrylic paint in lighthouse colors like white or cream for the main color, blue or red as an accent, and black for windows and the door. You'll also need a tube of E6000 Plus Multi-purpose Waterproof Glue. 

Start by painting the three pots using white or cream. Use at least three layers on each pot for good coverage, allowing enough drying time in between. Paint the rims and all the pot saucers in the accent color. Add windows to the smaller two pots by marking off two small rectangles next to each other using painters tape. If you'd like more detail, make four rectangles per window. Paint the rectangles black. Follow the same technique to create a door on the biggest pot, using a single, large rectangle. Remove the painters tape carefully, and you're ready to assemble the lighthouse. 

Place a thin line of glue on the top rim of the largest pot and place it upside down in the center of the large base. Press firmly to glue it down. With your base layer attached, you can go ahead and glue the other two pots on. Add a line of glue around the sides of the base pot, at the level where the smaller pot fits over it. Position the smaller pot, making sure there is sufficient glue to keep it firmly in place. Add the third pot in the same way.

To make the light section, use the saucers from the two smaller pots. Glue the larger of the two the right way up onto the base of the smallest pot. Use a small glass jar or drinking glass and place a Twinkvilla Outdoor Solar Tea Light into it. The smallest saucer goes on top. Turn it upside down and use it as a lid that can be removed to let the sun charge the light. Add bird seed to the bottom, and your DIY birdfeeder is ready for action!

This coastal-inspired garden look you can easily DIY is highly versatile. You can make a small one for a balcony garden, or use larger pots to make a statement piece for a substantial yard. Using terracotta pots is ideal as they are heavy enough to prevent the birdfeeder from being blown over by wind.

If a lighthouse doesn't quite suit your garden, you can stick with the coastal theme and the same basic structure but create a sandcastle instead. Using a warm, sandy-colored paint, try this baking soda painting technique for a textured-matte look. Paint your pots in a single shade using the baking soda paint combo. Between the color of the paint and the rough texture, your DIY sandcastle will look remarkably real! 

Glue all three pots together without using the saucers and glass as the top layer. This gives you a perfect sandcastle shape. Make use of that space at the top by adding a collection of seashells or sparkly seaglass for decoration. Glue them down using the same glue you used to assemble the rest of the structure. Instead of seashells, you can plant a small flag for an authentic beach sandcastle look. For a more practical topper, pop a small bowl of water for the birds to drink from. Give it a wipe and replenish the water when you fill up the birdseed on the bottom level.

For those who love crafting, take it a step further. Buy HappyFiller Natural Scallop Seashells and use them to decorate your sandcastle. Make patterns by gluing the shells in place, or go all out and cover the entire structure. Place some bigger shells in between the seeds in the bottom tray to add to the vibe. The shells also give smaller birds a comfy place to perch while eating.