Have you ever tried decoupaging with napkins? My decoupage dollar store birdhouse idea was inspired during a shopping trip to JYSK to buy bedding. I walked in the door and immediately got sidetracked by a large bin of summer napkins on clearance. It's like those clearance signs have a magnetic field that draws you straight to them. Or is it just me?

Anywhoo, a few weeks ago I decoupaged napkins on the side of the drawers of a Tall Jewelry Armoire Cabinet. I enjoyed the process so much I decided to try it again on a wooden birdhouse from the dollar store.

Wooden Birdhouse Decor With Decoupage Napkins

But I couldn't just stop at embellishing the birdhouse with a napkin. I decided the indoor birdhouse would be so cute mounted on a pedestal base. And I had just the dollar store find to do it.

What You'll Need To Make It

Pictured below is the wooden birdhouse from the dollar store and the pretty dinner napkins. I've included a supply list for your convenience below.

It contains affiliate links so you can see what products I used or recommend. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Supply List

• Wooden Birdhouse (dollar store)
• Bird Motif Paper Napkins (alternatives)
• Mod Podge
• EverlastingAmericana Chalky Finish
• SereneAmericana Chalky Finish
• New LifeAmericana Chalky Finish
• Chalkboard Stand Base (dollar store)
• Gorilla Wood Glue
• Retractable Razor Knife
• Small Sponge Brush (dollar store)
• 150 grit Sandpaper

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of how to decoupage the birdhouse, almost all of the DIY projects shared here 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.

How To Decoupage Wooden Birdhouses With Napkins

Step 1 - Paint The Birdhouse

To get a layered paint finish on the roof of the birdhouse is so easy and I'll show you how.

1. Start by painting a base layer of Everlasting white over the entire birdhouse.
2. Once dry, dip just the tips of the paintbrush into the color Serene blue and offload the excess paint onto a paper towel. With an almost dry brush and light pressure, glide your brush across the roof in long random brush strokes. Not so much that it covers the white paint underneath.
3. Once the blue paint is dry, repeat step 2 with the color New Life green (pictured below).
4. Allow the paint to completely dry before moving onto the next step.

Step 2 - Decoupage With Napkins

Now that the paint is dry on the body of the birdhouse, it's time to play with some napkins!

1. Napkins are either 2 or 3-ply and you will need to separate and remove the bottom layers.
2. See how the bird lines up with the perch in the photo below? Line the paper up how you want it and with scissors cut a small snip so it slides through the perch.
3. Cut the napkin a little larger than the birdhouse (as pictured below).
4. Lay the birdhouse flat on its back with the front of the birdhouse facing toward you.
5. With a small foam brush apply a thin but generous coat of Mod Podge onto the front of the birdhouse.
6. Line the napkin up with the hole you cut for the perch and let it fall onto the birdhouse. The less you handle the paper napkin the better.
7. In the areas that don't have good contact, dab very light pressure with your finger.

Pro-Tip

Place your hand inside a plastic sandwich bag when dabbing the napkin nice and smooth. Don't fret about the wrinkles, they add character.

1. You can see my napkin wasn't large enough to completely cover the front of the birdhouse so I cut a smaller piece and repeated the process.
2. Repeat the steps above for the remaining sides of the birdhouse.

Step 3 - Trim The Napkins And Top Coat

Once the Mod Podge is dry, we'll trim the napkins and apply a protective topcoat.

1. Trim the excess paper with a sharp retractable craft knife. Make sure the blade is sharp or you risk ripping the paper.
2. After you've trimmed the paper, gently use a piece of 220-grit sandpaper or a nail file to smooth any rough edges.
3. To protect the napkin, brush a coat of Mod Podge over the paper.

Pro-Tip

The key is to have a generous amount of Mod Podge on the foam brush and don't go over the same area twice or you risk tearing the paper.

1. Once the first coat of Mod Podge is dry, apply a second coat.
2. At this point brush a coat of Mod Podge on the roof too to protect the paint.

Step 4 - Pedestal Base

This step is completely optional but a birdhouse on a pedestal base adds a cuteness factor to birdhouse decor. The little chalkboard signs (pictured below) that you can pick up at the dollar store are perfect to use as a base.

Remove the mini chalkboard and save it for another craft. I used mine to make an adorable sign for my grandson to wear down the aisle at my daughter's wedding.

Image Source: Throughout Time Photography

1. Flip the birdhouse upside down into a plastic food container or something to hold it in place.
2. Glue the wooden chalkboard sign base onto the bottom of the birdhouse with wood glue.
3. Once the glue is cured paint the base with the same Everlasting white chalky paint.

That's it! How cute is this decoupage birdhouse for a spring or summer vignette?

I love incorporating birdhouses into my season vignettes. I painted these DIY pedestal birdhouses for the mantel ledge on our repurposed door headboard. For more decoupage inspiration visit my Decoupage Project Ideas page.

Thanks for stopping by the Interior Frugalista today! I hope you were inspired by this DIY birdhouse decor idea. 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!

If you enjoyed this decoupage craft, I'd be so thankful if you shared it with a friend and pinned it to your Decoupage Craft Ideas or DIY Birdhouse Decor board on Pinterest.