Woman's Smart Upcycle Turns A Vintage Find Into A Simple Bird Bath

There are plenty of reasons to want to bring more birds into your backyard. Besides providing the enjoyment of birdwatching, birds help keep the ecosystem running, from taking out pests to spreading seeds across your lawn. While there are plenty of tactics you can try to attract more birds to your garden, one of the easiest methods is to provide hydration; in other words, a welcoming bird bath. To make your own, all you need is one thrifted item: a large vintage wash bin. With this container, and a few optional additions like rocks or a sprinkler, you've got yourself an easy bird bath. 

TikTok creator @mrsclairehoops is a lover of all things gardening and DIY, so it's no surprise that when she spotted this stunning white antique wash bin at her local charity shop, she immediately decided to take it home and repurpose it in her garden. You don't need to find anything fancy to replicate this idea — a simple serving bowl will do the trick, but you'll want to ensure that it's made out of a sturdy material. Anything from a cracked ironstone bowl to a ceramic pie dish will do just fine. Some DIYers have even used old flower pots as additional bases. When it comes to fun DIYs like this, you can really let your creativity soar. It can be fun to see what your local thrift shop has in store and how you can creatively modify each item.

While the foundation of this DIY is just a vintage wash bin from your local thrift store, you can take creative liberties when it comes to decorating, filling, and placing your makeshift bird bath. Like @mrsclairehoops, you can start by browsing discounted items to find the perfect basin. Of course, you don't want the container to be too deep so the birds have difficulty getting in and out. Despite the name, bird baths are not intended to be a full swimming pool for these creatures. However, like humans, birds enjoy a bath with shallow edges and a slightly deeper center. The deepest part of your bird bath's water should only be about 1 to 2 inches. Avoid making the classic bird bath mistake that may be keeping birds away: choosing a deep, narrow basin instead of a much-more preferred shallow, wide one.  

Clean your bird bath with soapy hot water before adding in decorations or setting it in its final location. It's not always necessary, but you can add rocks, sticks, and other materials into the basin in order to attract more birds to your bird bath. The original creator placed a few large stones and pebbles inside to give the birds a place to perch while they hydrate and bathe.

While this creator placed her bird bath directly onto the ground, this isn't typically suggested. Ideally, your bird bath should be between 1 and 3 feet off the ground to keep your backyard birds safe from crawling animals, like pets or rodents. You can make your own stand using other thrifted items like an old patio table, bricks, or stacked flower pots. Add your water and wait for the birds to arrive.