Wind chimes are one of the most popular garden accents, and there are some different and unique DIY projects out there. And some design favorites. You can run the gambit from a simple set, created from a single wine bottle and a few beads, to a high-end Woodstock tubular chime that’s taller than you are. There are chimes full of color, some made from found objects – and some that don’t make a great deal of sound. Are they cheater chimes? The images we’ve collected include upscale, glass, bottle, tubular, wood and even fairy garden wind chimes. And some really good sounding Woodstock models. Whatever your backyard design style, you should be able to find something here.
Wind chimes are made from everything these days. If you’ve got an idea for an outdoor design, you can do it. There are lots of DIY ideas – from found objects and bits of glass to wine bottles (you’ll need a cutter). Or shells and driftwood. And some of them make pretty funky chimes. We’ve got 48 examples below of some of the best design ideas around – DIY and off the shelf. The top shelf. Because some of you would rather buy them, we know. Enjoy.
Glass Wind Chime Ideas & Designs
Sea glass – from different found bits on the beach – is a great design idea. This one is a relatively easy DIY. Source
The branches for all the dfferent designs at Beadworx are from fallen trees.
This stunning blue glass example incorporates different sizes and shades of blue. Available on Etsy (comes in many designs and colors).
This stained glass chime is highly detailed. Glass chimes make a gorgeous clinking sound in a gentle wind – a toast to mother nature. Source
This blue crystal DIY is dripping with vintage crystals – and heavy, we’re sure. You’d have to collect the crystals first, but you could make this one yourself. Source
Australia’s Victoria Nelson had the brilliant idea to make jellyfish glass wind chimes. And they turned out to be upscale works of art. Visit her website here.
This fused glass wind chime was designed with a parrot tulip flower on top and multiple colored glass panels. Available from Etsy.
Fused glass cat design idea – check out those whiskers. Source
Custommade, upscale glass panel chimes for something unique outside the front door. Source
Glass chakra chimes reflect the sun. Using chakra colors is a different way to go. Source
Wind Chimes From Teapots & Cutlery
Some fine examples of upcycled vintage silver teapots and cutlery, from Gotmyreservations.com. You can DIY these designs, but if you’re a beginner, start with some of the simpler ones. Haunt garage sales and thrift shops for old, mismatched silverware. You can make a really unique piece this way.
This octopus hanger is a really creative wind chime idea – and then to have the spoons as fish – it’s too cute. Available on Etsy.
Using an overturned gravy boat as a header is another great idea. Where do they get their design inspiration? Source
An overturned candelabra is another unique design for wind a chime header. There are so many different cutlery chime ideas and designs! Keep your eyes open and wonder, when you see an interesting anything, Could I DIY that into a wind chime?
Combining driftwood and fish makes for a different piece. Source
This is such a clever idea for a sailor – we’re looking at a sailboat with fish below the water line. The sails are copper, the boat is driftwood and the fish are spoons. Ahoy! Source
Crabfloat and fish by Neva Starr. These fish really are cute and they open the door to some really ingenious design ideas.
Cutlery chimes with sayings are flattened spoons that have been metal stamped. An easy DIY once you get the tools. Source
Here’s a really loaded cutlery wind chime – looks decadent, doesn’t it? Source
Natural Wind Chimes: DIY with Wood & Shells
Seashells are among the easiest designs to DIY. And it makes the chime personal if you’ve collected the shells yourself, along some deserted beach.
Using a dried starfish as a header keeps it in theme. This one has the addition of mirrored discs and faux seaweed. Not sure about that idea. Source
A simple example of driftwood and shell design. Source
This beauty was created with found bits of sea glass and shells. A driftwood top and copper wire completes the design. An easy DIY project. Source
Agate, shells and starfish-adorn this beach wind chime. You’d never guess it was homemade. Shell designs can have an upscale feel when put together with some design principles. Source
DIY Wind Chime Ideas From Bottles
If you’ve got a glass cutter, this wine bottle and bead wind chime is a simple design to attempt for your first DIY wind chime. Source
Beautiful blue wine bottle wind chimes are another easy DIY with a cutter. Source
Mixed color bottle wind chime, using wine and liquor bottles. Source
Arty bottle wind chimes in funky colors. Source (video)
Cobalt blue bottle – said to ward off spirits (can’t hurt). Source
Recycled bottle wind chimes from the Appalachian mountains. Source
Woodstock Wind Chimes
Woodstock is the undisputed top designer of wind chimes – there has never been any question. Their sound is far superior to anything else on the market and their tubular design, as traditional as it is, is the gold standard of wind chimes. It’s the top of the upscale market. The best part? You can listen to each individual chime online at their website, in The Sound Room. Now, that’s cool.
Woodstock is branching out into ceramic wind chime design, with its Forest Cascade line. Source
Enchantment Chimes are one of the many tubular wind chimes that Woodstock creates. They have hundreds to choose from and many are decidedly upscale, if not the most unique designs. This company specializes in the best sound possible – which kind of is the point. Source
Do you see how long these tubes are? 71″ long. That’s 5’11”. That’s huge. Designed to sound like church bells, this 1812 wind chime is tuned to the notes of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture. Awesome idea. Hopefully, the neighbors think so too. Source
Creative & Unusual Wind Chime Designs
This little guy looks right out of Dr. Seuss. Beads and bells – and bright colors – are always a good idea, we think.
Fairy Garden wind chime – in miniature. Isn’t it cute? Source
Metal hearts, keys & crystal beads rain down in this upscale copper chime. Source
This is another cute idea – using a Sandwich Glass teacup and saucer as your theme. Source
What was it we said about bright colors and glass beads? Always makes us happy. The brass bits on the end add another level to the design. And the sound. Source
These pottery fish wind chimes aren’t a DIY but they aren’t expensive, either. Such good colors and they weather so nicely. Source
These Gone Fishing pieces are simply charming. Good ideas, translated into good design. Driftwood and cutlery. Who knew? Both above and below from Neva Starr’s Twisted Metals Etsy shop.
This design line is one of the best wind chime ideas that we’ve ever seen. Source
Musical notes on glass – a simple, pleasing design for that musician in your life. Source
This is over the top. But can you imagine when the sun shines through the crystals? How heavy do you think this piece is? What a hugely decadent design. And a unique one, too. Source
Ok, who do you think first came up with the idea to use bottle caps? This is quite bohemian. Not sure about the colander, but it kind of works. Source
And another one of the neatest ideas we’ve seen for cutlery wind chimes – a jellyfish fork. From Neva Starr again. Who else? The designs are so unique and distinctive.
This 600 pipe chime in Denmark, is played by pedestrians walking over the bridge. Very different. And absolutely not a DIY. Source