If you’ve ever looked at a birdbath and thought, “Nice - you’d really shine next to a concrete goose in a bonnet”—you’re not alone. A modern birdbath—clean-lined and understated—is strangely hard to find. So I made one. You can too.
Here’s how to make a modern birdbath using about three things you probably already have and where to put it so birds actually use it.
Just after I rebuilt my modern garden in the backyard, years ago, I made a few versions of free or cheap birdbaths. This one was the winner because it looked the best, worked well and was simple to make. It lasted a few years before I retired it.
On a walk with Philip the other day I was reminded of it when I saw this in a neighbour's yard ...
Another homemade birdbath.
Ironic when you consider what prompted me to make the first one.
Table of Contents
The Bird That Made Me Do It
Picture me, walking to the corner store. Just a casual sidewalk stroll. (Mentally picture Christy Turlington if you want accuracy.) Now picture a tangle of (gazelle-like) legs as I tumble, release a toot and almost face plant in a bush.
All because of a bird quietly taking a bath. There he was, hidden behind my neighbour's hedge, fluttering and splashing himself quietly in their birdbath.
And that was it. I needed a birdbath immediately.
FYI if you want to attract birds to your yard a birdbath is a better bet than a bird feeder. The bath will attract only birds, whereas the feeder will attract everything that eats.
Materials & Tools Needed for a Modern Birdbath
All you need is a shallow dish and three dowels. That’s it. But if you want it to last, look good, and not tip over like a drunk flamingo, here's the breakdown.
What is a modern birdbath?
It’s a birdbath with simple, clean lines—usually shallow, raised, and made from natural or minimalist materials like wood, ceramic, or metal.
🛠️ Materials:
- 3 wooden dowels, or old broom handles (apx. 3' long each)
- Paint or stain (optional)
- Outdoor sealant or Varathane (satin finish)
- Shallow dish or bowl (mine was a candle plate from IKEA)
- Level
- Hammer
Pro Tip: Use metal pipes or hardwood instead of wood dowels if you want this to last longer than a few seasons.
How to Build Your DIY Modern Birdbath
1. Prep Your Dowels
Paint, stain, or leave them natural—just be sure to seal them for weather resistance. Let them dry completely before installing.
2. Install the Stand
Hammer the dowels into the ground.
Use a level to make sure the tops are even—if not, your dish will wobble and spill.
3. Add the Basin
Place your dish on top. If it has a ridge or footed base, it will sit more securely.
Fill it with ½"–2" of water. Stick a rock in the middle to give birds a perch when they just want a drink and not a full bath-day blowout.
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Example: I used an organically shaped candle plate from IKEA. Anything that holds water and can survive the outdoors will work.
Where to Place Your Birdbath
Shade is best—it slows evaporation and keeps the water cooler. But birds also like to feel safe.
🧭 Ideal Birdbath Placement:
- Near trees or fences (so they can perch nearby)
- One clear path to the bath (not buried in shrubs)
- Visible from your patio or kitchen window (for you, not them)
Pro Tip: Place your birdbath near cover—but not too close to where cats can hide.
Seasonal Maintenance & How to Keep It Clean
This is not a fill-it-and-forget-it situation. Birds are not fans of green soup.
🧼 Clean It:
- Rinse and refill every 2–3 days. Birds like clean water.
- Deep clean with vinegar or a drop of bleach weekly.
- Scrub out algae or mosquito larvae (gross, but true).
- If you recently read about adding a copper penny to a birdbath to help stop algae take note: Pennies and pence pieces haven't been made of copper in decades. Use a 1" piece of copper pipe in your birdbath to help reduce algae instead.
❄️ In Winter:
- Bring it inside if it’s not freeze-proof.
- Or install a heated birdbath insert because birds have a really hard time finding water in winter.
Quick Summary: Clean water = more birds. Dirty water = mosquito daycare.
Make It Even More Attractive to Birds
Add a solar-powered fountain with a built in battery. Birds are drawn to the sound and movement of water. Make sure you get one that has a battery to store power so it works even when there's light shade or a cloud.
🇨🇦 - Solar birdbath with battery storage
🇺🇸 - Solar birdbath with battery storage
Pro Tip: Moving water also deters mosquitoes, algae, and the occasional raccoon looking for a splash pad.
Design Variations You Might Try Next
🪵 Wood 4x4 or 6x6
Use a single block of wood for the base like my neighbours did.
🪩 Dish Options
Acacia wood bowls, ceramic dishes, serving dishes, antique shallow bowls, pressed glass bowl, pie plates, large candle plates, glazed terracotta saucers.
FAQ
What’s the cheapest way to make a modern birdbath?
Use a thrift store plate/platter and three broom handles. Done.
Do birds prefer ground-level or elevated birdbaths?
Elevated. It makes them feel safer and keeps cats out of the equation.
How long does it take for birds to use your new birdbath?
Anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks. Birds are cautious. They don’t want to be the first one in the pool.
Keep the water clean, place it near a perch, and don’t hover nearby like a desperate host. Once one bird finds it, word spreads fast. They're the original influencers.
That’s it. Three dowels, one dish, and a backyard full of birds who keep asking you about George Michael.
Jan in Waterdown
I’ve had a bird bath, a heavy pottery platter on my deck bench for years, with lots of feathered visitors and the occasional chipmunk. Today a robin was enjoying a big splash when another one came along to challenge him. It was quite the alpha male display! I’ve added a rock at your suggestion to help the little wild canaries that sometimes almost fall in from the lip when the water gets low.
Kristin S.
I made a birdbath out of a metal platter with a large edge and a metal laundry hamper frame. Flip over metal hamper frame (it's basically a big metal basket), put on platter, add water and a solar powered fountain, done. Total cost was $20 for the fountain because I had everything else already. The birds love it and it's held up well for 8 years so far.
Barb
I made one using three pieces of birch log and a glass dish from a second hand store. It has lasted for several years and looks great in the garden.
Lin
Your nice stain job looked like copper at first glance. Copper piping can't be that expensive, right? A touch of class.......a little patina....I'm thinking this is a winner.
Karen
Yes, copper pipes would be fantastic birdbath legs! ~ karen
Sandy Harrison
I loved your idea so much I made one today. I used old porch spindles (replaced because of Hurricane Micheal) and a dish I already had.
I can see it from my chair inside. Hope the birds come.
Sandy Harrison
Outside view
Karen
That was fast! make sure if the bowl is slippery that you put a rock or something the birds can stand on in the centre. It'll increase your chances of birds. :) ~ karen!
Jody
It gives me such quiet joy when birds come to the bath or burbler for tub time. It makes me happy.
Deborah Raill
Always have loved the sound of a fountain, and little birds bathing is a definite plus! Thanks for the tips!
Wendy Torresin
Great idea!
Do you have any recommendations for a rain barrel diverter? Thanks Karen
Librarian Nancy
I have a cement birdbath that’s about 20 years old and has a crack in the base. Every spring I expect to find it in pieces but it keeps on going. At some point, I’m sure it will give up and I will have to get a new one, and I really like your design. My question is, does the bowl on top stay in place? I have a lady cardinal who likes to come and luxuriate with a leisurely bath (we girls like to be clean) as well as a mother robin who comes with her two babies who are as big as she is and like to get in the birdbath together. Or does the rock help the bowl stay in place? Thanks - love your blog.
Karen
Hi Nancy! (currently reading and loving The Extraordinary Life of Sam. Hell) The weight of the candle plate, plus the water in it, plus a heavy rock keep everything in place. If your bowl/plate has a rim/edge around the base then that helps as well. ~ karen!
Theresa G. Chickering
You know what I like about you, kid?...you always give us these great ideas
to find joy in life from simple things.
Hettie
Elegant! Such a simple design. I love it! Will be copying. Today. :)
We've planted our acre and a bit in the country (more rural than country, since farm fields surround us), with trees and shrubs, and we've dotted baths about the place. It's working well to attract birds.
Lots are nesting here, including two pairs of sparrows who've set up house on the ground! Have you ever heard of that? One pair took up residence beneath an enormous onion that had been left in the berm behind the house over winter. The others chose an especially thick yarrow bordering a spot where I've planted a variety of sunflowers. We also have a pair of Thrashers nesting beneath an azalea I planted amongst some sculptural wood from an apple tree that came down in the derecho.
I thought about getting a house/barn cat a while back, but I'm glad I didn't. I love cats, but I'm pretty certain there'd be no ground birds if there were a cat around.
Thanks again for the cool bird bath idea, Karen.
BTW, your charcoal hack - the oily paper towel - worked brilliantly. :)
Karen
I'm glad you liked the paper towel hack, it really works like a charm. We also have birds (Killdeer) at the community garden that nest in grass. Short grass, which is what the entire parking lot is made of so driving through it is stressful. ~ karen!
jani
Can you link the paper towel hack? I don't remember reading about that.
Thanks! Also, I may give this birdbath plan a whirl... and I see the fountain thing is on sale!
Karen
Hi Jani! Here's the paper towel hack. One of my sisters ordered the fountain and got it yesterday. :) ~karen!
jani
Oh, I did read that! My short-term memory is going. :P
Peggy MacMillan
Lovely birdbath, Karen. We love watching the birds use ours. It was from Lee Valley many years ago. It’s terracotta with a dark blue ceramic finish inside and stands on a simple metal pole.
Mary W
Your bird bath is really pretty, especially in all that greenery. Mine is used by my cat and now her three kittens. My birds just wait till I put their shower (overhead waterer) on each evening. They perch in the plum tree and sing like crazy as they enjoy their communal shower/bathing routine. Actually, they fuss at me when I'm out there and haven't turned on the sprinkler. I don't know who is happier - the birds, the rolly polys, or the kittens. Thanks for the really pretty (cheap) idea.