How To Turn An Old Pair Of Shoes Into A Simple Birdhouse

Did you ever think about that old nursery rhyme, "The Little Old Lady Who Lived In a Shoe," and daydream about how cute a shoe-shaped house would be? If you can envision an adorable shoe house, this DIY shoe birdhouse may be the perfect craft to bring personality and pollinators to your garden. Plus, by recycling your old shoes and providing shelter for local wildlife, you are contributing to more sustainable home and garden practices.

While there are plenty of household items you can use to DIY a simple, no-build birdhouse, birds have basic needs that not all items consider. Remember, this item will become this animal's home, so take care to make it comfortable and practical. No one wants a leaky roof, not even the birds. With the right shoe selection, you can deliver on all these needs, attracting more birds all while adding a touch of whimsy to your yard.

Honestly, this DIY is so simple. One guide even said all you need to do is nail the shoe to the tree. While that could technically be true, if you want to create a comfortable and adorable place for your feathered friends to take a load off, there's a bit more to it than that. Aesthetics are important; however, you will want to consider function first and foremost. Selecting a durable shoe, quality accessories, and safe mounting equipment will help you create a cozy dwelling for any bird.

Birds need a shelter that is going to protect them from the elements all season long. That means it should be in good enough condition to keep water out through the harshest weather conditions. You may also want to consider using shoes that will be easy to clean. Shoes made of leather, or other waterproof materials, are best. For this reason, boots are a common choice for birdhouse DIYs. In addition, the shoe should be large enough to provide space for the birds to nest inside.

Birds are attracted to earthy tones, so there are specific colors you can use on your birdhouse to attract more flying friends. Browns, blues, and greens are always good choices. You can select a shoe that is already an attractive color, or you can use an exterior latex paint to bring even more personalized style to the house. In addition to the shoes themselves, you will also want to consider any additional necessities like a roof, overhang, or perch. You may need to acquire wood or piping, but avoid using metal. When selecting nails or screws, look for something that won't rust, like galvanized or aluminum options.

How you style your upcycled shoe birdhouse is heavily dependent on your personal style and the type of shoe you selected for the project. Choosing the best type of birdhouse for your yard based on native bird needs will help you determine how to approach your DIY project. There are three general options when you turn an old pair of shoes into a birdhouse: hanging with a small hole entry, mounting with a small hole entry, or mounting as a shelf.

To make a hanging birdhouse out of an old shoe, start by cutting a small hole in the side of the shoe for the birds to enter and exit. Fill the bottom toe of the shoe with a bird-safe filler, like wood shavings, as needed. Then, you will need to create a roof and attach it to the opening of the shoe so that no water can get in. This can easily be done with a couple pieces of scrap wood or metal. Attach a string or wire to the roof for hanging. Follow the same process for a mounted birdhouse, but use screws to secure the birdhouse to a structure.

If you are looking for house robins or swallows, choose a shallower shoe and mount the shoe to a surface. If you mount it toe down, fill the toes with a bird-safe filler. You may still want to install an overhang to keep the shelf dry. If you mount it toe up, you could use craft wire to hold the tongue of the shoe up as a rain shield. Don't forget to add accessories. Consider putting a small perch outside the entry to help the birds enter and exit more safely. Don't be afraid to get creative with paint or construction.