Think back to when decorating meant going to Woolworth's instead of looking through Pinterest. Well, those things you've been holding on to that make your spouse question your 'collecting' habits might be able to turn your backyard into the hottest bird spa in the neighborhood. Here's how those keepsakes will help you make an oasis for our feathered friends that will have birds lining up like it's Black Friday at Bath & Body Works.
Bring Hummingbirds Right To Your Window!
Check PriceMom's kitchen old Pyrex pie plate
Your mirror tiles from your recent Saturday Night Fever home makeover will have the birds dancing. When you put them in your bird bath, the birds will love the reflected light and the sparkles will provide stable footing. The light and sparkles will reflect and mimic the movement of water creating the illusion of running water that attracts the birds. John Travolta isn't the only one who appreciates the shine and shimmer, birds like it too!
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The Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl on Your Wedding Registry
Remember that Revere Ware mixing bowl that has been sitting in the cupboard since you got your KitchenAid Stand Mixer? It's perfect for creating a luxury spa experience in your garden! It's gentle slope, along with the naturally non-slip stainless surface, make it an ideal bathing destination for everything from blue jays to chickadees. Stainless steel also stays cooler in the summer heat and will not crack during the winter freezes. Some wedding gifts really do keep on giving… just not in the way Aunt Martha intended when she checked it off your registry.
The Mosaic Pieces from Your Craft Store Phase
Do you remember that weekend in 1995 when you bought so many craft supplies that you could start your own Michaels? Well, those lost mosaic pieces are about to get their moment to shine! Placed in your bird bath, they make a shallow water oasis you might find in a Mediterranean villa. The variety of colors and textures makes a safe footing while drawing birds and people’s compliments. Martha Stewart would approve of all this creative upcycling!
The Glass Fishing Floats You Found at the Flea Market
Your Japanese glass floats from the flea market are about to pay off big time! Placed in a bird bath, the glass floats will attract birds and provide safe perches with their smooth rounded surfaces. The glass floats capture and refract light beautifully to create underwater light shows, and birds & bird watchers will be mesmerized. The best decorating decisions are often those that didn’t make sense at the time.
River Rocks from the 1985 Family Camping Trip
Remember those stones you picked out with the kids at Yellowstone when station wagons were the family road trip vehicle of choice? Those stones are more than just paperweights and memories from the old family road trips. As you've placed them in your bird bath, you've created depth variation that reminds the birds of their favorite natural streams. Each stone holds vacation memories, but now are making new ones with the visiting birds in your backyard. River rocks are good for the birds and help keep the water healthy.
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The Rainbow Reflections of Your Old CD Collection
You're never going to believe that your scratched CDs are creating another form of entertainment! Remember those 12 CDs for a penny offers? Placing them around your bird bath will attract birds for miles! The birds are drawn to the reflective surfaces and moving lights. The CDs will create the illusions of sparkles in a real water source! The birds will think it is a real water source! Just make sure the CDs are secure. Strong winds can turn your chicken CDs into a flying saucers.
The Brass Doorknob You Have Been Meaning to Polish
Its regal purpose has finally been discovered, and of all places, the bird bath! That charming Victorian-era doorknob you saved from the clearance bin at the hardware store (because, \"they don't make craftsmanship like this anymore\") will now be able to showcase its gorgeous patina as a nod to the refinement it will afford to the resident chicadee. The round knob will serve as an excellent grip for the little bird's feet, and as brass develops a natural antimicrobial patina, it will help to keep the water clean. Sometimes, the best garden accessories come from architectural salvage finds.
The Lost Marbles from Your Kids' Chinese Checkers Set
Enchanting and aesthetically pleasing spectacles that allow you and your family to enjoy shimmering and delightful reflections, your birdbath now has a safe and easy to use path for birds to access the water, thanks to your marbles! Your glass marbles will finally look beautiful and not just be stored in a miscellaneous junk drawer! Now you don't have to be nostalgic about those family game nights because your marbles will have a purpose! The birdbath will become a vintage work of art and the smooth marbles will help the birds bath without the risk of injury and the depth of the water will be less of a concern for the birds because of the colorful marbles! You can stop losing your marbles and instead use them for excellent garden art!
Safety First: Things Not to Include in Your Bird Bath
Before you start looking for treasures in your house, keep in mind that some things are not safe for birds. Be careful of anything sharp, contains lead, can rust and dirty the water. Don't use decorative items that have small pieces that birds could choke on, and never use any items that have chemicals, or paints that could leach into the water.
How To Create a Perfect Depth Zone System
If you want your birdbath to shine, use your creative vintage treasures to make multiple depth zones! Strive for a range of water depths between 1/2 inch (ideal for little songbirds) and 2 inches (safe for large birds like cardinals). Use your found objects to create shallow “kiddie pools” and deeper “adult sections” – a bird-designed water park!
Simplified Maintenance with Your Vintage Setup
Did you know vintage decor items can make cleaning easier? Vintage items can keep bacteria from growing and, can also keep algae from growing due to the different materials used. Just lift out the decor each week, scrub the tub with a brush, then rinse it out. Put everything back in as a beautiful touch to your backyard water feature. Your birds will enjoy new water and you will like having a freshly cleaned feature as part of your weekly ritual!
Seasonal Changes for Year-Round Attraction
Spring: introduce light-colored objects that flutter like shells and glass marbles as birds return from migration. Summer: incorporate materials that stay nicer and cooler like river rocks or pieces of stainless steel. Fall: use warmer toned materials like copper pennies and brass elements. Winter: remove fragile glass items that may crack due to the freezing cold and keep only the freeze-proof materials like stones and metal pieces.
Questions From Neighbors
Your vintage bird bath is sure to attract many compliments, and maybe even inspired questions. With a few other vintage items, you may be able to encourage the transformation of other people's neglected treasures into art pieces for their gardens. Remember, the first step is sharing the joy of bird-watching. Imitation is the highest form of flattery.
