Repurpose Old Pot Lids Into The Cutest Garden DIY Decor

If you've ever tried organizing your pots and pans, there's a good chance you've found at least one lid that doesn't seem to go with anything. Maybe it once belonged to a casserole dish that broke, or perhaps it was part of a set that was donated or given away and you forgot to include the lid. Regardless of where it came from, that old lid can still be of use. It's likely the perfect shape and size for creating an adorable birdbath in your garden.

At first you might assume an upside down pot lid is far too shallow to make a good birdbath, but that's almost certainly not the case. An ideal birdbath is only about an inch deep since birds don't generally want anything deeper than the height of their legs. Your pot lid is likely perfect for replicating the size of the puddles birds naturally enjoy splashing in. 

You'll also need a stand for your birdbath, but once again, you probably don't need to purchase anything. A stack of old flower pots or an old plant stand can easily make a great stand for the lid to rest on. You can also check thrift stores and estate sales for vintage options if you don't already have something you can use. If your lid has a handle on top of it, just be sure to pick a stand that has space for the handle to rest inside so the lid is stable when upside down.

Begin by creating your birdbath base. Be sure whatever structure you opt to make is stable and has room for the lid to fit on securely. If you decide to stack flower pots with the bottoms or tops of the pots touching, use glue to keep them together and prevent them from toppling. Alternatively, stacking pots so they are nestled inside each other means that no glue is necessary. You can then paint or decorate the base to match your other garden decor, or opt to leave it unpainted for a more rustic look. A plant stand may be elegant enough to just leave alone.

Once your base is dry, rest your pot lid on top with the handle down. Confirm that it fits well and won't tip. Avoid gluing it into place, if possible, to make it easier to remove for cleaning and water changes. You can put a layer of small pebbles in the upturned lid so the birds will have something to grip instead of the slick glass or metal of the lid. Then, fill the lid so there's about an inch of water above the pebbles. Now your birdbath is ready for your feathered friends to enjoy.

Painting the top of lid, where the handle is located, is a way to decorate without endangering the birds with the paint. Locate the birdbath in a spot where cats and other predators won't be a problem. And don't forget to clean your birdbath weekly. As long as you stay on top of cleaning, the downsides of a birdbath like algae and mosquitoes shouldn't be an issue.