Your garden may feature the usual things: beautiful flowers and shrubs, arbors, pergolas, gates, chairs and tables, but have you thought about adding a birdhouse or two?  Birdhouses not only add charm to your outdoor living space but housing birds creates endless benefits and can be immensely rewarding.  Birds are wonderful companions to a garden, providing song and beauty as well as eating troublesome insects.  Bird watching from your home or garden is also a relaxing and fun activity.  It is a wonderful sight to behold birds building their nests and raising their babies.

Birdhouses have been around for hundreds of years.  They come in all shapes and sizes, from purple martin mansions to tiny wren cottages. As birdhouses became increasingly popular, companies evolved solely for the business of building specialty bird abodes.

Today, there are a wide variety of wonderful birdhouses available.  If you are handy with tools and equipment you can make them yourself.  If not, it is very easy and convenient to purchase unfinished wooden birdhouses and paint them in the colors of your choice.  Birdhouses offer a great opportunity to be creative and use your imagination.   If you don’t have the time or inclination to pursue this endeavor, there are many beautiful birdhouses available for sale, many hand-made by talented artisans.  The following are some of my favorites.

If fancy isn’t your style, you can always repurpose.  Thank outside the box, or perhaps the thermos!

Rustic birdhouses add farmhouse flair to any garden.

Sometimes it’s nice to incorporate natural elements into your birdhouse.

I find myself drawn to the dreamy, hand-painted ones by artist Debbi Coules.  Delicate pink roses on a soft white background make these birdhouses perfect for a cottage garden.

If your heart beats for the red, white and blue, you may be enticed by a patriotic birdhouse.

No matter your style, if you can’t find it, you can create it.

Birdhouses also make wonderful gifts.  I was delighted to open a present from my Mom on my birthday and discover this cutie.

I hope you found some birdhouse inspiration on my blog.  Thank you for visiting!  Wishing you peace, love, happiness, and beautiful vistas!