More and more gardens are making room for nature. Flowers, plants, and shrubs provide food for various insects, but a suitable place to nest is also important. A bee hotel is a great way to make a garden more attractive to various species of solitary bees.
At Stalen Design, we like to combine that function with a design that is worth showing off. That is why our collection consists of designer bee hotels made of corten steel and oak, designed to become part of your garden's aesthetic.
We currently have three different bee hotels available from stock: Bee hotel BIZZ, Bee hotel CELL, and Bee hotel BEEBOX. In addition, Bee hotel BEEPOST is now available for pre-order. For those who want to create their own application or replace an existing wooden part, there is also Bee hotel HOUTBLOK.
Meanwhile, we are already working on new designs to further expand our collection of bee hotels.
What is a bee hotel?
A bee hotel, also known as a bee house, insect hotel, insect house, bee nesting box, or nesting site for solitary bees, provides openings in which certain wild bee species can nest.
Unlike honey bees, many wild bee species do not live together in a large colony. Solitary bees independently search for a suitable nesting tunnel in which to build their nest.
The oak elements in our bee hotels contain drill holes of various diameters. This provides a variety of nest tunnel sizes.
Bee hotel made of corten steel and oak
We did not want to make a traditional insect hotel that only serves a practical function. A bee hotel is often placed in a highly visible spot in the garden. That is why we believe the design should be just as important.
Our models combine corten steel with oak.
Outside, the corten steel develops its characteristic rust-brown patina layer. This allows the material to blend beautifully with plants, wood, natural stone, and other natural materials. The warm oak provides a natural contrast to this.
The result is a modern bee hotel that can serve as both garden decor and a designer object.
Our collection of bee hotels
Within our collection, you can choose from various designs. From a freestanding bee hotel for between the plants to a compact bee house for on the wall, on a separate post, or as a standalone oak bee block.
Bee hotel BIZZ
Bee hotel BIZZ is a freestanding bee hotel in which the oak bee block is integrated into a corten steel post. The post is placed directly into the ground, so no separate stand or wall is needed.
This allows you to place BIZZ, for example, among ornamental grasses, flowers, or perennials. The design also looks great along a terrace, lawn, or in a prominent spot in a border.
The oak part contains various nesting openings that solitary bees can use.
Bee hotel CELL
Bee hotel CELL also combines corten steel and oak in a freestanding design. The bee hotel is placed in the ground with its corten steel post, making it an independent design object in the garden.
Because of the combination of sleek steel and natural oak, CELL fits well in both a modern garden and among natural plantings.
The oak bee block also contains nesting tunnels in various diameters.
Bee hotel BEEBOX
Would you prefer a bee hotel for on the wall? Then Bee hotel BEEBOX is an interesting choice.
With Bee hotel BEEBOX, an oak bee hotel is combined with a corten steel wall construction. This allows the insect hotel to be mounted on, for example, a garden wall, fence, or other suitable wall.
A beautiful solution if you do not want to place a bee hotel in the ground or if you want to add a natural and decorative detail to an empty wall.
Available for pre-order now: Bee hotel BEEPOST
Our collection is being expanded with Bee hotel BEEPOST, which is now available for pre-order.
BEEPOST is a compact bee hotel, bee house, and insect hotel made of oak and corten steel that is designed to be placed on a matching post. This allows you to position the bee hotel freestanding in the garden and decide for yourself which suitable post you combine it with.
The oak bee block contains various nesting tunnels with diameters of 6, 8, and 10 millimeters. This creates variety in the available nesting openings for solitary bees.
The combination of oak and corten steel gives BEEPOST the same recognizable look as the other bee hotels from Stalen Design.
The post is not included as standard and is available separately.
Bee hotel BEEPOST is designed and made in the Netherlands and can be ordered now via pre-order.
Bee hotel HOUTBLOK
Not everyone is looking for a complete bee hotel with a corten steel post or wall mount. That is why there is also Bee hotel HOUTBLOK.
HOUTBLOK is the loose oak component of the bee hotel and can be used as a standalone bee hotel, bee block, insect hotel, nesting block, or replacement block for an existing bee hotel.
The oak contains nesting tunnels with various diameters of 6, 8, and 10 millimeters. This makes various sizes of openings available for solitary bees to use.
The loose wood block is interesting, for example, if you:
- want to design your own bee hotel or garden object;
- want to incorporate the oak block into your own construction;
- want to replace an existing wooden bee block;
- want to combine the block with a suitable corten steel construction.
Would you like to attach HOUTBLOK to one of our corten steel bee hotel holders? Then the mounting holes must first be pre-drilled in the oak yourself. This ensures a sturdy installation and reduces the chance of damaging the wood.
Mounting hardware is not included.
Bee hotel HOUTBLOK, like our other products, is designed and made in the Netherlands and forms a practical basis for various applications in the garden.
Where is the best place to put a bee hotel?
The location influences the attractiveness of a bee hotel. Preferably choose a quiet and sunny spot that is not constantly in the shade.
A spot near flowering plants is extra interesting. This way, visiting insects can find both potential nesting sites and food in the same environment.
For example, consider a spot:
- among flowering perennials;
- at the edge of a flower border;
- in a natural or modern garden;
- by a facade or sunny garden wall;
- among ornamental grasses;
- near plants that are attractive to pollinating insects.
Also, try to place the bee hotel so that it is not constantly exposed to heavy rain.
A bee-friendly garden doesn't start with the bee hotel
A bee hotel alone does not automatically make a garden attractive to wild bees. At least as important is the available food supply.
Flowering plants throughout different periods of the year help to keep nectar and pollen available for longer. A combination of early spring bloomers, summer bloomers, and plants that bloom later in the season ensures more variety.
That is why we see a bee hotel primarily as part of a garden where attention is also paid to flowers, plants, and biodiversity.
Designed and made in the Netherlands
The bee hotels from Stalen Design are designed and made in the Netherlands.
In doing so, we always look for a combination of simple shapes, natural materials, and a design that is both practical and decorative.
Our products therefore do not need to be hidden in the back of the garden. They are made for places where they deserve to be seen.
This applies to our bird feeders and garden decor, but certainly also to our collection of bee hotels.
New bee hotels in development
Bee hotel BIZZ, CELL, and BEEBOX are currently available from stock and Bee hotel BEEPOST is now available for pre-order.
In addition, Bee hotel HOUTBLOK is available as a loose oak bee block for replacement or custom applications.
But that's not all.
Behind the scenes, we are working on new designs for bee hotels and insect hotels. In doing so, we continue to look for new ways to combine corten steel, wood, nature, and Dutch design.
The collection will therefore be expanded further in the near future.
A bee hotel you don't have to hide
As far as we are concerned, an insect hotel doesn't just have to be functional.
With the bee hotels from Stalen Design, we combine nesting sites for solitary bees with Dutch garden design. Corten steel, oak, and a sleek design ensure that the bee hotel truly becomes a part of the garden.
From a freestanding bee house among the plants to an insect hotel on the wall, a model for a separate post, or a loose oak bee block: there are various possibilities within our collection.
Discover Bee hotel BIZZ, CELL, BEEBOX, and HOUTBLOK or pre-order Bee hotel BEEPOST now.
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