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Isn’t being outdoors just the greatest? I’m pretty pleased because I’ve got a decent sized yard with plenty of room to start flower beds and a large, uncovered porch where I can put a ton of flower pots. And while my new corner garden and containers all look pretty fantastic, if I say so myself, the backyard is still a bit blah.
The other day as I was reclined on outside with a book I would look up to admire my pretty posies. And I realized that besides plants, I have absolutely no decoration in the backyard of any kind! Adding 3 hanging baskets really seemed to add to the space, but I’m still on the lookout for birdhouses and feeders and whatnot to decorate my outdoor space.
In the past I’ve made some pretty unique garden projects that I love, but I’ve also been on the lookout for some new projects. Check out my favorites I’ve found all over the internet!
Not Just Planters and Birdfeeders!
Okay, so a lot of this list are planters and birdfeeders! But over the last few years we’ve also been inspired by some larger builds and more unique projects. Today we are sharing projects that fall under pretty much every outdoor craft in every skill level. Whether you’re a woodworking master ready to tackle the big build of a kid’s playhouse, or if you’re more interested in painting and converting found items into something else, we’ve got an outdoor DIY for you!
Birdhouse Chandelier Tutorial
If you’re looking for a fun way to host a whole flock of songbirds this season check out this fun chandelier upcycle. This birdhouse chandelier is the perfect little apartment complex for your favorite feathered friends!
What you need: Old Chandelier, Lumber or Prefabricated Birdhouses
Colorblock Bird Feeders
With a Boston Terrier I go through tennis balls like nobody’s business so I collect a lot of tennis ball tubes. I think these colorblocked and fabulous bird feeders are a great way to put those tubes to great use!
What you need: Clear Plastic Tube, String, Popsicle Sticks
Backyard Stream
I swear, y’all, when I have a backyard big enough one day, I am going to make a backyard stream from this amazing DIY. Though this is a lot of work if you’re already a gardener you’re no stranger to a little elbow grease! This is easily one of my favorite unique garden projects on this list!
What you need: Pond Liner, Pump, Rocks, Plants
Aluminum Chair Makeover
If you have some old aluminum chairs that have seen better days this colorful and easy makeover is just the ticket!
What you need: Aluminum Chair Frame, Paracord or Macrame Cord
DIY Potting Bench
So if you’re looking for a way to make a totally free potting bench you have to check out Amber Oliver. Not only was the pallet wood free, she also reused the nails making this a 100% garden DIY. Smart, right?
What you need: Wood Pallets
Junk Gardening
Raise your hand if you’re a junk gardener… you know the type that turns an old watering can into a planter, old spoons into plant markers, that kind of stuff. Take a look at Organized Clutter and every single junk gardening post she’s ever shared. SO MUCH INSPIRATION!
What you need: Junk
DIY Ladder Herb Shelf
Last year I had my first ever little edible garden patch and it all started with a rosemary shaped like a Christmas tree! This year I want to expand to some small pots of herbs I like but don’t use often enough to sow a ton in the garden bed. This DIY herb shelf would be perfect for a little bit of dill and whatnot!
What you need: Wood Pallet, Screws
Cheese Grater Owl
Every time this fun little owl made out of a cheese grater pops up in my Pinterest feed I am just as delighted as the first time I saw it! Upcycle some old metal and make this fun cheese grater owl with a great tutorial!
What you need: Cheese Grater, Various Metal Bits and Bobs, Stick, Wire, Screws
Easy DIY Bird Feeder
I absolutely love a fun way to feed the birds! This kid friendly easy birdfeeder is not only a great craft for your littles but a fun way to bring nature into every day!
What you need: Wire, Birdseed, Peanut Butter, Pine Cones
Modern Mason Bee House
That angled roof, though, am I right? The older I get the more I love mid-century everything! And this mid-century modern inspired Mason bee house will encourage nesting of mason bees which don’t often sting but are amazing pollinators!
What you need: Lumber, Wood Screws, Hanging Kit
How to Make a Cedar Picket Birdhouse & Planter
Build a Cedar Picket Birdhouse Planter. Perfect for both gardeners and bird lovers plus it is super easy and inexpensive to make out of cheap fence pickets!
What you need: Cedar Fence Picket, Wood Screws, Liner
Mid Century Style Bird Feeder
Clearly this is one amazing DIY bird feeder! (see what I did there? :) Turn some acrylic into a gorgeous, understated, bespoke bird feeder that will bring all the blue jays to the yard.
What you need: Acrylic, Adhesive
Bug House for Pollinators & More
If you love that woodsy look this DIY bug house is just the ticket! See how to turn a wood crate into a totally natural and cozy looking bug house. It’s a great way to integrate found items while on a nature walk!
What you need: Wood Crate, Natural Items
Teapot Garden Feature
Keep your eyes peeled at garage sales and thrift stores for interesting teapots! This fun garden DIY turns a teapot, cup, and saucer into the most adorable garden feature ever!
What you need: Cup, Saucer, Teapot, Copper Tubing, Garden Stakes, Flange, Crystal Prisms
Crystal Watering Can
Let’s hear it for yet another super cute garden feature with crystal “water drops”! This surprisingly easy garden craft will definitely get your guests talking! This is one of the first and most memorable unique garden projects I’ve ever seen online!
What you need: Watering Can, Crystals
Shutter Angel
Turn items that would otherwise hit the city dump into a gorgeous and bespoke shutter angel. even if you make dozens of these just by nature of using found objects, you’ll never have 2 shutter angels that are just alike!
What you need: Lumber, Found Objects (a.k.a. Junk)
How to Make a Toad House from a Clay Pot
Got toads? Learn how to make a toad house from a clay pot to keep your resident garden toads cool, comfortable, and safe!
What you need:
DIY Flower Bench
If you want o show off a pretty plant check out this DIY flower bench! It’s a great way to add a little bit of height to your container garden. But be warned, this bench will only hold the weight of plants, not a person.
What you need: Plywood, Flower Pot
DIY Concrete Garden Globes
There is something classic and beautiful about concrete statuary in a garden. If you want to add some appeal with a tiny price tag, check out these concrete garden globes you can make in a day!
What you need: Glass Vessels, Concrete
DIY Tire Planter
Swing on into this easy and fun garden planter made out of a tire. I just love this because it’s a good way to use an otherwise unusable item, it can add a fun pop of color to your landscape, and it reminds me of good times on tire swings!
What you need: Old Rubber Tire, Rope
Solar Mason Jar Lids
Learn how to turn any mason jar into a solar light with these DIY solar light lids!
What you need: Mason Jars, Solar Lights, Adhesive
DIY Hose Holder
Want a lovely little DIY project to practice your woodworking skills? This DIY hose holder is a great advanced beginner building project!
What you need: Lumber, Screws, Hinges and Brackets and other Hardware
Plant Stand with Arbor
I just love gardening and I love the look of a classic arbor. The two come together with not only a gorgeous arbor, but also lovely planters!
What you need: Lumber, Wood Screws
A-Frame Playhouse
So this garden DIY is not for the fainthearted! If you have an imaginative little who loves to play outside this is definitely a project well worth the cost of the lumber. The most expensive project on this list, this playhouse cost just under $850. Get the building plans to make this playhouse as is, or use it as inspiration for your own budget DIY!
What you need: Lots of lumber, Concrete, Corrugated Metal, Various Hardware
Birdbath Rock Garden
These days everybody loves succulents, right? See how to turn those lovely little plants into a visual stunner using an old, leaky birdbath!
What you need: Birdbath, Rocks, Succulents
Extra Large Ruler Planter
If you love big kitschy items what’s better than a giant ruler planter? Turn a piece of wood into a ruler and add some plats for a real life growth chart! Though this tutorial uses stencils and paint, you can also bust out your cutting machine and use vinyl, instead.
What you need: Lumber, Pot Hangers, Stencils & Paint (or Vinyl)
Farmhouse Outdoor Bar
Though there isn’t a tutorial here, there is a lot of inspiration to turn old wood furniture and various pieces of scrap wood into a gorgeous outdoor bar or a potting bench.
What you need: Dresser or Table, Pallet Wood, Scrap Wood
Cedar Pallet Succulent Planter
Turn a few cedar pickets into a gorgeously simple display for your favorite succulents! Cascading succulents make for an exceptionally nice looking display.
What you need: Cedar Fence Pickets, Chicken Wire, Succulents
Mushroom Bird Feeder
Keep an eye out for old bowls that would make a fabulous mushroom cap and you’re halfway to a fun and colorful mushroom bird feeder! A great little unique garden project for any toadstool lover!
What you need: Bowl, Bottle, Popsicle Sticks, String
Mini Green House
This is one of the more labor intensive DIYs in this post but if you’ve ever wanted a little greenhouse to start seedlings in cold weather, this is an amazing project!
What you need: Bricks, Cement, Lumber, Old Windows
DIY Bee Hotel
Want your garden to be the place to “bee” for bees? Give your passing pollinators a place to rest with this colorful and fun DIY bee hotel! This post is more about decoration than construction… so get some ideas to paint a piece!
What you need: Acrylic Paints
Build a Butterfly House with $3 in Lumber
Grab a cedar picket to make a lovely and simple DIY butterfly house. This budget-friendly project works out to only $3 in lumber apiece!
What you need: Cedar Fence Pickets
DIY Garden Stepping Stones
Got bored kiddos? Gather all sorts of colorful and shiny items and let kids go wild with color and creativity! Their art will make an excellent garden path!
What you need: Mortar, Embellishments, Stepping Stone Molds
Classic Cedar Planter Box
Nothing says container gardening quite like a cedar planter to me. Learn how to turn inexpensive cedar boards into a classic and gorgeous DIY planter.
What you need: Cedar Pickets, Lumber, Nails
Waterdrop Solar Light
Every time I have used a glass watering globe I always think that is such a shame to hide such a beautiful thing in the foliage of a potted plant! And so I just love this tutorial that turns such a gorgeous garden item into a real beauty and truly unique garden project!
What you need: Pipe and Matching Fittings, String Lights, Watering Globe
Layered Concrete and Jewel Vases
These layered concrete vase aren’t just a need project, they are truly pieces of art! See how to embed glitzy items into your pours to make these gorgeous and totally bespoke vases/planters!
What you need: Jewels, Concrete, Fillers, Paint
Pallet Walkway
My flower beds are BIG. Like talking the entire width of my backyard and up to 10 feet deep in some areas! With all of that garden it can be difficult to get from here to there without muddy feet. And so I just LOVE this pallet walkway. It’s a fab way to use your scrap lumber, keeps your feet clean, and looks amazing!
What you need: Scrap Wood or Wood Pallets
Air Dry Clay Garden Gnomes
If you love garden gnomes and crafts you just have to make these adorable DIY garden gnomes. Watch the easy to follow video tutorial fill your garden with gnomes!
What you need: Air Dry Clay, Paint, Toothpicks
DIY Embossed Stepping Stones
Curious how to make stepping stones? It’s so easy! These gorgeously embossed stepping stones are deceptively simple to make and create the prettiest paths!
What you need: Rubber Doormat, Sand Topping Mix, Stepping Stone Mold
Butterfly Feeder
Who wouldn’t want to see lovely butterflies filling their garden? A butterfly garden goes a long way but this lovely butterfly feeder is a great way to encourage visits for a fun day of butterfly watching!
What you need: Plate, Beads, String, Washers
DIY Faux Faucet Shepherd’s Hook
Make a DIY Faux Faucet Shepherd’s Hook with no special tools or skills. Super adorable and amazingly sturdy unique garden project for your hanging plants!
What you need: Iron Pipes and Fittings, Brass Gate Valve, Rebar
This post has been updated. It was originally published on 05/20/2021.
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