For the Birds – Stepladder Birdbath

When I was a kid, we had a plastic birdbath in our backyard and I loved watching the birds splash around.

Yes, I was a lonely child – with nothing but birds for friends…

Fast forward to today.

Plastic birdbath in my yard – horrors!  No, only unique bird baths will do.

What’s a girl to do?

Make one out of an old step ladder of course.

Unique Bird Bath - stepladder birdbath - this is really for the birds!  kellyelko.com

Fill a terra cotta saucer with a few rocks – don’t want those birds doing the backstroke.

stepladder birdbath - this is really for the birds!  kellyelko.com

Very unique bird bath idea - stepladder birdbath - this is really for the birds!  kellyelko.com

Old ladder ideas - make a birdbath!  kellyelko.com

Birds do it, bees do it …

Oh sorry, that’s a talk should have with your mother.

I stamped this old silver butter knife (check out my Etsy shop if you likey likey).

Stamped silver garden marker - these are so cute!  kellyelko.com

Tucked away between the hydrangeas.

Hey, even birds need a little privacy while bathing.

unique garden ideas - make a stepladder birdbath!  kellyelko.com

Coleus is one of my favorites – it’s on my front porch too.

Shade or sun – it’s not fickle (unlike some people I know).

stamped silver garden marker - kellyelko.com

What little feathered friend wouldn’t want to skinny dip here?

DIY garden ideas - try a stepladder birdbath  kellyelko.com
Cool use of an old ladder kellyelko.com
The best news is now my Ladder Christmas Tree has a playmate!

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107 Comments

  1. Kelly,
    What a sweet little treat for the birds tucked away in your garden! On another note, I didn’t know you had an etsy shop or that you stamped! On my way over to check it out!
    Have a great day.
    Deborah

  2. That is just an amazing idea!!!!! We have loads of birds hanging out in our garden and I always look at bird baths at our garden centres and they are just way too expensive. Im so going to do this when summer roles around for us here in New Zealand. xxx Nat

  3. Kelly,

    I was so excited about the bird bath….but then I got a little distracted. Hmmmmm…..maybe I was thinking about trophies 🙂

    Awesome project!
    We are going to have so much fun!

    blessings,
    karianne

  4. I love your step ladder idea. I’m going to use it! This is the second fabulous step ladder idea I’ve seen today. Now I just need to be on the look out for one (used, of course).

    Tresa

  5. I absolutely love the whole look. I love the paint on the step ladder, the birdhouse, the fact that you tucked it into the hydrangea bush. Great job Snow White.

      1. I never thought to do it on purpose! We may just have to try that this summer, once it stops this snowing once a week business 😉 By the way, I love your automated comment replay notification email! I wish everyone had it.

  6. Kelly this is really cute. I love how it looks like it has been there for some time and really flows with the landscape =) Great addition to the garden!

  7. Okay–I have just two things to say…(1) this is cute. I am going to try to pin it. (2) I should have that talk with my mother, but seeing as I am 52 years old, she may find it awkward.

  8. I’m in ladder love – please tell me about the birds and bees! And there are dwarfs involved, too – My head is spinning. I am visiting as many of my followers tonight to make a personal contact to see what they are up to – I see you are busy building stairways to heaven! I just wanted to let you know I appreciate you following my blog. Have a great weekend, Snow White!

    1. Ok, you may need to sit down for this little talk. There are birds and there are bees … sorry, don’t want to shock you with the details – especially when those 7 little dwarves enter the picture – it gets a little inappropriate!

  9. So cute!! I’ve always wanted a bird bath in the backyard… now I know even i can afford one! 🙂 thanks for the great inspiration!

    Leanne @ Because (I think) I Can

  10. Kelly, Love the use of the ladder both here and in your Christmas Tree post. I am in the middle of a series on ladders but it all started with a ladder I made from tree saplings – not a found ladder. If you are interested in ladders in décor check at this project here. and the series on other uses here. Visiting from A2D.

  11. Did you seal the terra cotta pot? If not how often do you have to refill it? I love the step ladder idea!

  12. Very Niffty -thriffty creation! Im so inspired by your creativety! Your pics are beeeee-utiful too! stop over and see my blooms and handmade bird feeder/bath and let me know what cha think:) thanks.

  13. I don’t know why I EVER throw anything away. As soon as I do, someone (like you) comes up with a great idea for it. 🙂 Love this, but then, I’m partial to birds. This is clever. Now I’ll have to track down another old step ladder. Following you. Hope you’ll follow me back?

  14. I have a vintage step ladder and NOW I know what to do with it.
    I join COPY CAT CHALLENGE each month and would love to copy cat your ladder. May I use your photo ?
    Thanks and now, I am about to be your newest follower. Pls. stop by when you have time.
    xo bj

  15. I too love making the birdies happy! your ladder is so adorable. hopping over from Common Ground to say Hello! would love to have you link up to the garden party going on now over at Fishtail Cottage! xoox, tracie

  16. Love your project! I never thought of using a step ladder for a bird bath great idea! I have a little stepladder that I painted bright blue and use it in the garden to display pots but your idea takes it to the next level! Love the chippy weathered look of the ladder.

  17. I pinned this picture & it has been repinned 218 times! I don’t have a step ladder like this so I thought I would look for one at an estate sale to get one with a nice weathered look to it. Well, I found one in someone’s trash when I was walking this evening. I’ll have a nice bird bath by this weekend. Thanks for a great idea.

  18. I’ve been wanting to make an inexpensive birdbath for my yard. What a great idea! I may just use the terra cotta dish in the ground as one – thank you so much for sharing this! It’s adorable. Hope the birdies like it. 🙂

  19. Just happened to stumble upon your blog this morning and like what I have seen. Very Clever birdbath idea.
    Suggestion:
    Get some Thompson’s Water sealer; spray can for small projects, and spray your terra cotta saucer and even the pots inside and out; let set for a few hours until completely dry and that will keep the water fram soaking through the terra cotta. Also works on cement birdbaths as well. Once dry, the water should just ‘bead up’ and not soak through. The water sealant also helps from cracking in cold temperatures.
    For larger projects buy the Thompson’s in gallon can and use in clean, unused hand sprayer.
    ColleenB.

  20. Hi Kelly! Love the look, love the ladder, love the stamped knife! This is so awesome!
    Saw you linking at Funky Junk Interiors. But I could have sworn I’d seen this post before! lol
    Debbie 🙂

  21. I had the top of birdbath that was left here when we moved here. took it and sat on top of a flower pot that matched the bowl of the birdbath. Put a few heavy stones in it then sat the bowl on top.
    that is my bird bath . Remake or reuse what you have before you buy new.

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