DIY Birdhouse From Cardboard: Easy as Can Be

Hey, with all those packages coming in these days, I bet a lot of y’all have some extra cardboard lying around. Well, did you know you can turn that scrap into a nice little birdhouse? Yep, cardboard birdhouses make for awesome indoor decor or even outdoor spots for our feathered friends, depending on how you build ’em. This particular design has a classic shape that you can adjust to any size. And the best part? You can make the whole thing just using cardboard. Of course, you might want to add some other materials to get a different look or make it a little more weather-resistant.

The key ingredient here is the cardboard itself. Take a closer look at what you’ve got – there are actually a few different types made for different uses. Corrugated fiberboard is super common and great for this project. It’s got those wavy layers that make it nice and sturdy, perfect for a little birdhouse. Just make sure you pick pieces that are in good shape.

Along with the cardboard, you’ll need a utility knife, a ruler, a pencil, scissors, and some glue that’s safe for birdhouses and sticks to cardboard well, like Titebond wood glue. If you want to make it weather-resistant, you’ll also need a polyurethane sealant and maybe some non-toxic decorations.

First, look through your cardboard stash and find the good, sturdy pieces. The easiest way is to use one big piece, but you can glue smaller ones together too. Just make sure the size works for the type of bird you want to attract – the floor is usually 4 to 6 inches square, and the entry hole should be at least 6 inches off the ground and 1 to 2 inches wide.

Draw a square in the center of your cardboard for the floor, then sketch out the walls and add triangles at the top for the roof. Cut it all out and score the lines so you can fold everything up. Don’t forget to cut out the entry hole and a little perch spot underneath.

Next, fold up the walls, glue everything in place, and let it dry completely. Then just add the roof by folding and gluing that rectangle on top. You can also roll a thin strip of cardboard for the perch and wedge that in.

With the structure all set, you can start decorating however you like. Paint it, add some cardboard embellishments, whatever strikes your fancy. Just make sure everything you use is safe for the birds. And if you want to use this outdoors, you’ll need to seal it up with a layer or two of polyurethane. Water-based poly is best since it has less odor and dries faster.

Once it’s all ready to go, just hang up your new birdhouse and wait for some feathered friends to move in! The cardboard might not last forever, but it should hold up for at least a month or more, especially if you sealed it well. And you can always make a new one when this one starts to wear out. Have fun with your DIY birdhouse project!