Amish Purple Martin Birdhouse: Installation Tips and Outdoor Style

If you’ve ever dreamed of adding a touch of charm to your yard and attracting Purple Martins, this Amish birdhouse might just be your next obsession.

Handmade with wooden shingles and painted to match our home, it now proudly stands on a tall post, overlooking the mountains.

Today, I’m sharing how we installed it, why we love it, and how you can find one just like it, too.

We knew we wanted a Purple Martin birdhouse—but not just any birdhouse. We wanted something that felt intentional. Something that added character to our front yard, blended into the landscape, and maybe even sparked a smile from passersby. So when we found this Amish-made beauty with 14 cozy little apartments and a removable cedar roof (for easy cleaning!), we knew it was the one.

We chose it in red with black shutters to match our home—because details matter. Whether it’s a matching mailbox or a birdhouse that mirrors your siding and trim, these little touches create curb appeal with personality.

At about 30 pounds, it’s big, bold, and exactly what we needed for our wide-open yard in the Green Mountains. It even looks magical in winter, standing tall in a blanket of white snow.

This post may contain affiliate links, which won’t change your price but will share some commission.”

Why We Chose an Amish Purple Martin Birdhouse (And What Makes Them So Special)

You might be wondering—what makes an Amish Purple Martin birdhouse so special? For starters, it’s not just a birdhouse; it’s a mini bird estate!

That’s where the Amish craftsmanship comes in. These birdhouses are lovingly built by hand, often from cedar or pine, with details that make all the difference—multiple levels, wide round openings, and even removable panels for spring cleaning. Ours has 14 compartments (yes, 14!) and a cedar roof that lifts right off. It’s designed not only to attract Purple Martins but to keep them safe and happy season after season.

And because these birds return each spring from their winters in South America, having a solid, well-placed martin house is key. Think wide open spaces, clear skies, and a nice tall perch—at least 10–15 feet off the ground. Bonus points if it overlooks the mountains, like ours does!

And while it’s beautiful out now, just wait until winter. The deep red birdhouse against a backdrop of white snow and Green Mountain peaks? It will be like a Vermont postcard come to life.

Customizing the Birdhouse to Match Our Home

One of the things I loved most? You can totally customize your birdhouse to match your own home! I messaged the folks at Amish Home Outdoor and asked if they could do a color combo that would match our red ranch—and they got back to me within minutes. Talk about service!

We ended up going with their barn red and black shutter combo, and it’s a perfect match. They even sent over the exact paint formula so we could coordinate the mounting pole—or anything else we wanted to blend in. It’s those little details that really bring curb appeal together and make everything feel intentional.

How to Mount an Amish Purple Martin Birdhouse

Want to see how we brought this big, beautiful birdhouse to life in our yard? Here’s a quick look at how we mounted our Amish Purple Martin birdhouse—from choosing the perfect spot to setting the post and securing the house. Spoiler alert: it’s easier than it looks (and definitely worth it).

Materials We Used:

This post may contain affiliate links, which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

Choosing the Best Spot for the Birdhouse Post

Before we dug a single hole, we walked the post around the yard like it was on tour. We wanted the perfect view for us and the Purple Martins. Wide open space? Check. Clear flight path? Double check.

The seller also recommended using a standard 4x4x8 wooden post, which fits perfectly into the pre-mounted bracket on the bottom of our birdhouse.

How to Install the Birdhouse Post

Once we picked the spot, it was time to make it permanent. We dug a hole deep enough to anchor the post securely, then added gravel for drainage and quick-setting concrete to hold everything in place. Once the concrete had cured, we simply mounted the birdhouse using the provided bracket and tightened it down.

And just like that, our Amish Purple Martin birdhouse was standing tall and ready for new residents—with a view, no less.

Digging the Hole for the Birdhouse Post

Once we found the perfect spot, it was time to dig in—literally. With the help of our neighbor’s trusty Post Hole Digger, we dug down about a foot and a half. That gave us the perfect height for the post to stand tall, with about 6.5 feet above ground—just right for a front-yard feature and a welcoming view for the Purple Martins.

And of course, it became a bit of a team effort. There’s a photo of my husband and our neighbor digging away, with Ella—the ever-watchful Bernese Mountain Dog—keeping close tabs on the project. (She approves of the mountain view.)

Once the post was in the hole, we anchored it with a few large rocks and had a very important design debate about which direction the birdhouse should face.

I won (naturally), angling it just so we could admire two sides from our porch. A decorator’s detail, but one that makes all the difference! Then out came the level to make sure it was standing perfectly straight—there’s no leaning tower of birdhouse happening here.

Securing the Post with Cement Mix

Next up? Locking that post into place for good. We used Sika Polyurethane Fence Post Mix—a fast-acting cement-like blend that sets in just two hours. You simply follow the instructions on the bag, pour it in, and watch it firm up in no time.

We love this stuff. We’ve also used it to install our matching cedar-shake mailbox in Maine (linked here—it’s the cutest!) and our postbox in Vermont. It’s a quick and durable fix that makes projects like this feel easy and doable, even if you’re not very handy.

How To Mount The Amish Birdhouse

With the post firmly in place, it was time for the moment of truth—mounting our Amish Purple Martin birdhouse. Using four sturdy one-and-a-half-inch screws, we secured the base of the birdhouse to the top of the post, tightening each side for a snug, wind-resistant fit.

It was surprisingly simple—and seeing it finally standing tall gave us that giddy “it’s all coming together” feeling.

We covered the base with dirt and grass to blend it into the yard, and just like that, our new birdhouse looked like it had always belonged there.

But of course, there’s still one detail we haven’t settled on…

What would you do?

Let me know what you’d choose in the comments—I’m all ears (and always up for a good front yard style debate).

Sit a Spell and Watch the Birds

Now that it’s up, we find ourselves spending more time on the porch, binoculars in hand, watching our new Purple Martin family flit in and out of their beautiful new home.

I’m happy to report that within just four days, we had our first avian tenants move in—talk about curb appeal that brings life to your yard.

If you’re as smitten as I am with this decorative birdhouse idea, don’t forget to check out a few of our other outdoor projects linked below.

Every time I look out and see that bold red birdhouse framed by the mountains, it just makes me smile. It’s a tiny detail—but one that brings so much joy.

From Red to White: A Winter Wonderland

And as much as I love this birdhouse in the summer… just wait until winter.

One of my favorite views is seeing it dusted—okay, piled!—with snow. That bold barn red pops beautifully against the white landscape, creating a picture-perfect moment right outside our door.

Take a peek at the snowy photo below—you’ll see exactly why I’m in love.

Final Thoughts

Adding a handmade Amish birdhouse for Purple Martins to our front yard has been one of those small projects that brought unexpected joy. It’s not just a nesting place for birds—it’s a statement piece, a charming detail, and a conversation starter.

Whether you’re after more curb appeal, looking to attract Purple Martins, or just want a birdhouse that reflects your home’s personality, this is such a fun and meaningful way to do it.

Thanks for sitting a spell with me. I hope our little red birdhouse inspires a little something for your own home, too.

Tell Me—Would You Add a Birdhouse to Match Your Home?
I’d love to hear how you’d style your own yard! Share in the comments or tag me on Instagram if you’ve done something similar.

Pin forLater!

Shop This Post

This post may contain affiliate links, which won’t change your price but will share some commission.