Frame Styles

• Choose a birdhouse frame style that will appear most like an actual cottage. Choose a birdhouse style that includes a defined roof, windows or even a small porch in front of a detailed front door. You can find plans for a birdhouse to build yourself or purchase a pre-made unfinished one to decorate. Pre-made birdhouses are a better choice for children, as they can focus more on the fun part (decorating) and leave the dangerous sawing and nailing to an expert. The end result will look much different than the unfinished frame, so choose the style solely based on the shape and construction of the house.
  
  

Adding Architectural Features

• Add shingles and siding using popsicle sticks or tongue depressors, or use sandpaper for shingles. Popsicle sticks work best for siding, as they are the right size, shape and material to create the look of real shingles. Create a small mailbox using a toothpick and a wine cork sliced down the middle. Use your imagination and add little extras like dollhouse furniture or decor to add to the exterior of your birdhouse. If your birdhouse doesn't have windows, add a few buttons or flat sections of wood to create the balance between the bird-hole and the rest of the birdhouse. Place them where windows would go.
  
  

Painting

• Paint your birdhouse with detail, rather than all in one color. To create a cottage look, use creamy whites, blues and yellows in combination with each other. Paint the trim, siding and doors or windows as you would a house. Paint flowers on the sides or front of the birdhouse.