How to Decorate a Bird Cage

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: April 22, 2020 References

Birdcages are charming pieces that can be embellished to fit any occasion or decor. Get creative with how you accessorize your birdcage, using plants, paints, knick-knacks, beads, and other items. Adding natural or artificial light to the birdcage can bring a touch of romance and class to any home or special event.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Accessorizing the Birdcage

1
Place a potted plant inside the birdcage for natural charm. Choose a sturdy plant like a succulent or a whimsical plant like ivy, pothos, or jasmine—any type you like will work. Place the cage in a place that gets enough light to nourish the plant.^{[1]
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- If you’re hanging the birdcage, place it in an area where you can easily take it down or open it up so you can water the plant as needed.
- Place a combination of plants in the cage so it acts like a terrarium.
- If you have a lot of small, boxy bird cages, consider hanging them on a wall to make a vertical garden display.
2
Place fresh flowers in the cage for elegant wedding decor. Make your wedding stand out as an elegant affair with decorative bird cages lining the center aisle or hanging from the altarpiece if you have one. Place fresh-cut flowers inside the cage or attach them to the outside by the stems using small twist ties.^{[2]
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- Roses, peonies, buttercups, hydrangea, and gardenias are all good choices because their sturdy stems make them easy to attach to the bars.
- Place a pile of 6 or 7 blooms in the center of the cage and attach 5 to 6 on the outside of the cage or, for a minimalist look, place 1 to 3 large blooms inside the cage.
- You’ll need to cut the stems down to 2 inches (5.1 cm) to 3 inches (7.6 cm) before you attach them to the cage.
- If you have wedding cards for your guests, you can also put those inside the cage as well, placing 1 card into each slot between the vertical bars.
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3
Spray paint the cage with a metallic varnish to make a statement piece. Let the birdcage stand alone as an art piece by spray painting it with a copper, gold, or silver varnish for an industrial look. To paint it, set it on a layer of newspaper outside and use short, even strokes to paint the bars. Make sure to spray it from different angles so you cover each bar from every side. You may need to open the cage and spray it from the inside too.^{[3]
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- Use a faux-rust varnish to make a newer birdcage look vintage.
- If you don’t want a metallic look, use any colors to match or complement your decor. Pastel colors like baby blue, periwinkle, and green will give the cage a delightful, delicate look.
- For instance, if your living room is decorated with a brown and blue color scheme, paint it a deep indigo color to add a sense of drama and depth.
4
Wrap the cage with strings of pearls for whimsical decor. Run a string of pearls through the slots at the top of the cage and let them hang down to add a classy, dreamy element. Use the same size pearls or change it up with large and small beads.^{[4]
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- Tie the string of pearls around the top of the cage to hold it in place and let the ends dangle down.
- Fill the beaded birdcage with flowers, colorful leaves, or candles for weddings, anniversaries, and swanky birthday parties.
- As an alternative, wrap a string of pearls around faux roses or vines and drape the flowers diagonally around the cage for a cleaner look.^{[5]
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- If you’re hanging the beaded birdcage in your home for casual decor, fill it with a variety of objects like antique trinkets, small figurines, books, plants, or whatever you like.
5
Make a still-life setting with a ceramic bird figurine. Place the bird in the center of the cage or attach it to the top for a classy statement piece. Wrap fake leaves around the side of the cage or place a small faux birds nest inside to complete the scene.^{[6]
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- You can find fake twig nests at craft stores—don’t steal a nest from a real bird!
- Use an artificial dove and strings of garland during holidays.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using the Birdcage for Decorative Storage

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Fill the birdcage with vintage knick-knacks for a rustic look. If you collect small trinkets that have a dated look, place them all in the cage. Start with the largest item in the center and place smaller trinkets around it. This is a great way to turn clutter into a single piece of decor!^{[7]
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- Old picture frames, small clocks, figurines, fine china, and teacups are all great additions to your vintage storage cage.
2
Showcase your books in a large vintage birdcage. Stack the books on top of each other with the largest book on the bottom and the smallest on top. If there’s enough space between the bars (and the books aren’t super thick), place them through the slots vertically so the spines are facing out.^{[8]
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- Feel free to display the books any way you like, stacking some horizontally and allowing some to sit upright.
3
Drape necklaces and jewelry pieces onto the cage for functionality. No need to buy a jewelry holder—a birdcage is the perfect shape to hold necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. Simply cut 10 to 15 small strips of metal wire into pieces 4 inches (10 cm) long and twist them around the horizontal bar running along the top of the cage (where the top dome meets the cylindrical part).^{[9]
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- Make however many loops you need to fasten your necklaces and bracelets onto it. Dangling earrings can latch onto the vertical bar or hang from the wire loops.
- For stud earrings, tie a wide ribbon around the barrel of the birdcage. Make a bow so you can poke the earring rods through one side of the ribbon (on the bunny ears and tails of the bow) then attach the backings to the rods on the other side.
4
Store citrus fruits in the cage for refreshing, rustic kitchen decor. Put lemons, limes, and oranges into the birdcage to make it into a lovely kitchen piece. Place it on a kitchen counter or table for easy access.^{[10]
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- You can also use faux citrus fruits if you’d rather store your real fruits in the refrigerator.
5
Use the birdcage to store hand towels and toilet paper. Keep a few rolls of toilet paper in the birdcage and place it somewhere in your bathroom on top of a small table. Add hand towels, toiletries, scented sprays, or any other bathroom necessities you like.^{[11]
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- You can also place a string of faux vines or ribbons around the cage to dress it up a little.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Lighting the Birdcage

1
Place candles inside the birdcage for rustic, romantic lighting. Place tall candles or tea lights into the birdcage to act as a centerpiece or lantern light. Make sure the candles are in sturdy holders so the wax doesn’t drip down onto the base of the cage.^{[12]
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- Note that you shouldn't place real candles into a wooden birdcage because it's a fire hazard—use faux candles instead.
2
String twinkle lights through and around the birdcage for fairy-tale lighting. Run one end of the twinkle lights between the bars, weaving in and out around the cage. Jump from bar to bar at random or run the lights through the center of the cage in a starburst design to complement the geometry of the cage.^{[13]
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- Use regular twinkle lights (like the kind you put on Christmas trees) or specialty twinkle lights that come in the shape of flowers, lanterns, Edison bulbs, or lotus flowers.
- Note that you’ll need to place the birdcage somewhere near a power outlet to plug in the lights.
3
Make a shabby-chic light fixture by hanging a small chandelier inside the cage. Find a small chandelier that is the same color as the cage and run the chain through the top, if possible. Then hang the caged chandelier over your dining room table or in the corner of your living room for an ornate-yet-cozy vibe.^{[14]
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- If necessary, detach the base from the birdcage for light to shine down over a table.
- Note that you’ll need to run the cord across the ceiling and down a nearby wall to connect it to an outlet.
- Alternatively, if your birdcage has a base, simply set the caged chandelier on a side table near a power outlet.
4
Place a small shadeless lamp inside the cage for an industrial look. Simply screw a light bulb into the lamp base and leave the lampshade off. Choose a low-wattage bulb so it’s not too bright and place the cage somewhere near a power outlet.^{[15]
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- An antique-looking Edison bulb will give it a modern touch.