Who says chairs are just for seating! I'm going to show you how to repurpose an antique chair back into a bird feeder. That's right, a bird feeder.

While brainstorming ideas for our Power Tool Challenge Spring theme this month, I rummaged through my wood stash and came across a bucket of antique chair parts. Taking a closer look at the chair back, it reminded me of a butterfly.

Just then I heard a bird chirping from the open window and BAM, the idea for a bird feeder came to mind. Sometimes inspiration comes from the least expected places.

Repurposed Antique Chair Back Bird Feeder

My son gave me a dilapidated antique chair knowing I'd find a use for it. Piece by piece I've been slowly repurposing the parts. I made a unique dog leash holder with the seat! You can see the other repurposed chair part ideas on my repurposed antique chair page.

If you haven't heard of the Power Tool Challenge Team, we are a group of tool-savvy, skill-sharing female DIY bloggers who come together each month to empower our female readers to step out of their comfort zones and try simple projects they can make themselves with a power tool.

What You'll Need To Make It

Listed below are the tools and supplies you'll need to build the bird feeder. I've included affiliate links so you can see what products I used or recommend for this project. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Tools List

• Miter Saw
• Jigsaw
• Brad Nailer
• Mouse Sander
• 1-inch chisel
• Small Bar Clamps

Supply List

• Antique Chair Back
• Pine Plywood
• 1 1/4-inch Brad Nails
• 80 grit mouse sander pads
• New Life Americana Decor Chalky Finish Paint
• Dark Roast Country Chic Paint
• Exterior Water-based Clear Coat
• D-hook Picture Hanger

Let's Talk A Bit About Safety

Before we get into the instructions for making the bird feeder, let's talk about safety.

• Make sure you have a wood-cutting blade on your jigsaw. If not, unplug the jigsaw before changing the blade.
• Always secure the piece you are cutting with clamps onto a sturdy work surface.
• Wear protective eyewear - even if you wear glasses.
• Wear hearing protection when operating loud power tools.
• Start the saw first before making contact with the wood you are cutting. Take your time and do the cutting in stages if need be.

How To Build A Bird Feeder With A Chair Back

I should also mention that we are self-taught DIYers and not trained professionals. This step-by-step tutorial is based on our building knowledge only. However, if you are a do-it-yourselfer like us, you'll find these steps helpful if you plan on making a version of our feeder.

While there may seem to be a lot of steps in this tutorial, it really is not a difficult project. I wanted to be thorough so I've broken down the steps into bite-size pieces.

Unfortunately, I don't have in-process photos for each step because I was working alone. Trying to build it and take pictures was a little challenging. Also, note that the photos may not appear to be in sequence with the steps.

Why? Because was winging it as I went along. It wasn't until after completing this project that I realized a smarter way of building it and so I wrote the tutorial accordingly. What can I say, that's just how I roll sometimes!

I encourage you to follow the steps in chronological order and refer to the pictures as noted for guidance.

Step 1: Trimming The Chair Back

Cut the bottom of the antique pressed back chair straight across (see pencil line in the photo below) marked 1-inch from the bottom. I used a jigsaw to cut it because to be totally honest this girl is uncomfortable using a table saw, especially when cutting a curved piece of wood.

Step 2: Building The Bird Feeder Base

For the base of the bird feeder cut a piece of pine board 5" x 8 1/2".

Step 3: Marking The Curvature Of The Chair Back

Now I'm not going to lie, it took some time to get the curvature of the chair back onto the base of the bird feeder so they fit perfectly when assembled. Hold the chair back upright onto the back of the bird feeder base. With a pencil, draw the curvature onto the wood.

With a jigsaw (make sure the wood is securely clamped onto your work surface) cut the curve. Take your time because cutting a curve can be a little more challenging. Chances are it won't be a perfect fit. If yours was, sending loud applause your way.

This is where a mouse sander comes in VERY handy. Slowly work away at the parts that need to remove until it fits nice and snug against the chair back. It took me several attempts to get it right. The goal is to not have any gaps between the bird feeder and the chair back or the seeds are going to runneth over.

This is a good time to add drainage holes to the base otherwise the birdseed may mold. With a small drill bit, smaller enough that the birdseed won't fall through, drill several drainage holes staggered through the bottom of the base.

Step 4: Cutting The Front And Side Pieces

You will need three pieces of pine plywood cut on a miter saw as follows:
Front = 10" long x 3 1/4" high
Sides = 5" long x 3 1/4" high

I had some cedar scrapwood and grabbed those instead. In hindsight, I would have preferred using pine to match the base just so the finish was uniform. However, both types of wood were the same thickness which is most important so all is good.

Step 5: Assembling The Front And Back Onto The Base

Adjustable clamps will be your friend during this step to hold all the pieces together while you attach them. Before assembling the base I ran a bead of wood glue onto the bottom of each piece. With a brad nailer and 1 1/4-inch brad nails, I attached the pieces starting along the bottom of the base.

Step 6: Adding Decorative Trim

I had some wood trim in my stash with a similar profile as that of the chair back. With a miter saw, I cut the corners at 45° angles and glued them around the base of the feeder, and attached them with the brad nailer.

Front Trim Piece = 10 1/2-inches long
Side Trim Pieces = 6 1/8-inches long

Step 7: Retrofitting The Chair Back To Accommodate The Bird Feeder Base

Hold the bird feeder base up against the chair back and mark where your sides meet. Mark the notches with a pencil - mine are 1" wide x 3 1/4" high.

With a jigsaw, cut out the notches. Again, secure the chair back onto your work surface and take your time. You want to first make the two end cuts and then make thin slices all across the middle up to the top mark (as pictured below).

With a 1-inch chisel, remove the slices and repeat on the other side.

Step 8: Attach The Bird Feeder Base To The Chair Back

Apply glue to all the parts of the feeder that will make contact with the notches. Slip the feeder through the notches and attach it with a brad nailer.

Run the mouse sander over all the edges and where the sides slip through the chair on the back to smooth everything out. Apply wood filler to all the joints and sand once dry.

Sorry, I know I took a photo of the bird feeder assembled before painting it but I must have accidentally deleted it. You get an idea of the finished assembly in the photo below.

Step 9: Painting The Bird Feeder

For the safety of the birds, the inside of the feeder was kept natural. The rest of the feeder was painted with low VOC (volatile organic compounds) chalk paint in the color New Life. According to some research studies, green bird feeders attract the most birds.

To highlight all the carved details, I used chalk paint in the color Dark Roast, applied in a circular motion with a small art brush. Then I removed the excess paint while it was still wet with a lint-free rag. I love how the paint made all those details pop!

Step 10: Adding Typography

This step is completely optional but I added some fun typography onto the front of the feeder. The "served here" is part of a stencil and I made the "seeds" graphic in PicMonkey. You can see how I added the typography onto the bird feeder using this image transfer technique.

Once the paint is dry, protect the finish with two coats of an exterior grade water-based clear coat on the painted surfaces ONLY.

Hang Your New Bird Feeder Outside

Attach a D-hook onto the back of the bird feeder approximately 2 1/2-inches from the top. Hang the bird feeder on a fence or tree away from regular foot traffic so the birds won't be scared away while enjoying their feast.

Thanks for stopping by the Interior Frugalista today! I hope you were inspired by this recycled chair back bird feeder.

If you have any questions, please leave them in the comment section below or the Contact Me tab at the top to drop me an email. I love hearing from you!

Almost all of the DIY projects shared at Interior Frugalista have step-by-step tutorials so why not get your budget DIY on and subscribe. You can also follow us on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

If you enjoyed this DIY bird feeder, I'd be so thankful if you shared it with a friend and pinned it to your DIY Bird Feeders or DIY Outdoor Projects board on Pinterest.

Please join me in visiting my talented friend's ideas for the Spring Power Tool Challenge.

Click on the links below to see each Spring DIY project from the Power Tool Challenge Team.

Chevron Wood Easter Egg by Kim Six Fix

Fruit and Vegetable Bin by Designs By Studio C

Wooden Swing Shelf by Domestically Speaking

Wooden Easter Eggs by Create And Babble

Repurposed Easter Cross by Prodigal Pieces

Planter Box Centerpiece by Refresh Restyle

Upcycled Drawer Front Planter by Confessions of A Serial DIY'er

Rustic 3 Panel Wall Decor by Designed Decor

Key West DIY Wood Planter Box by H2O Bungalow

Baseball Bookends by Virginia Sweet Pea

Chair Back Bird Feeder by Interior Frugalista

Wood Slice Rolling Plant Stand by My Repurposed Life

I share my projects at these inspiring link parties.