Turn An Old Thrift Store Plant Stand Into A Charming Birdbath On A Budget

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Enjoy spotting birds in your yard? You want to draw more in, but you feel uninspired by the ugly plastic or hefty stone birdbaths. You're not alone. Traditional birdbaths are often generic-looking and far pricier than you might like. Luckily, you don't need to install a mass-produced or purpose-built birdbath at all. With a trip to the thrift store and a creative eye, you can turn an old plant stand and a shallow ceramic dish into a charming birdbath. You simply stick the stand in your garden and rest the platter on top. No fancy tools are required! This budget-friendly project works because many plant stands are designed to hold wide planters.

Of all the ways to make a charming DIY birdbath, this project stands out because it will likely cost no more than a few dollars to put together. First, you'll need to find a plant stand made from a material that can withstand outdoor conditions. Look for metal or UV-resistant plastic stands. (Wooden stands look beautiful, but they may not last long in wild weather.) It needs a flat or slightly recessed circular top. If you have to buy one new, something like this iLTreFlo Midcentury Modern Metal Plant Stand for $30 would work well. Next, shop the store shelves for a shallow, wide ceramic dish that will comfortably sit on top with little to no overhang. Heavy ceramic bowls are less likely to tip or slide off the stand. Depending on what you find, you could use a decorative platter, a succulent planter without drainage holes, or even a large pet dish, like this Fun Elements Dog Bowl for about $24.

Once you've found your plant stand and dish, place the plant stand where you want the birdbath to live in your yard. Placement matters — it is far more than just a simple trick to attract more birds to your birdbath. Choose a spot with partial shade. There should be shrubs or trees nearby to give visiting birds somewhere to shelter in if they sense predators or get a fright. Set the bowl directly on top of the stand, making sure it doesn't wobble.

Next, you need to fill the bowl with fresh water. Ideally, the depth should stay under two inches so your feathered friends can drink and bathe safely. A crucial mistake you're making when choosing a birdbath is getting one with a bowl that's too deep or has a slick surface. If your bowl is either of these things, consider adding some rocks or even a few branches to the dish to reduce the water's depth and provide safe perches.

To customize your new birdbath, you can spray-paint the plant stand in a hue that matches your existing outdoor décor. A can of weather- and UV-resistant Belteco Basil Smash Green Eco-Friendly Spray Paint costs just $14. You can also coordinate the design of the plant stand to your existing garden aesthetic. Stands with curved adornments, for example, add instant charm to a cottage garden. Swap out the dish seasonally to change up the look. Bonus: This birdbath couldn't be easier to clean — simply lift off the dish and take it to the garden hose or sink.