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Step 1
Choose a medium. Wood is a good choice for building a compost bin because the wood is porous and allows air to pass through it into the material inside. If you plan to compost animal waste or manure in addition to garden and yard waste, however, a metal or plastic compost bin is easier to clean and will probably smell better.
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Step 2
Consider accessibility. The compost bin should be easy to use and adding waste or removing compost should not require a lot of effort. A compost bin that's exceptionally large or that has a door that's difficult to maneuver will be cumbersome. This can make composting feel like a chore instead of a rewarding method of recycling, so look for a compost bin design that you think is easily accessible and functional.
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Step 3
Look for ventilation. It's important the a compost bin have holes or some other way for oxygen to get to the waste materials inside because oxygen is vital to the process that breaks down the waste and turns it into nutrient-rich soil. The compost bin should be ventilated equally on all sides and allow air and microbes to reach all levels of the compost inside.
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Step 4
Keep it elevated. This is important because it allows air to get into the bin from the underside and circulate all the way through the bin and also because it keeps excess ground moisture from damaging the bottom of the bin.
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Step 5
Select the right size. The ideal compost bin is at least 3-by-3 feet but no bigger than 5-by-5 feet. This range is ideal for maintaining a healthy level of compost inside the bin that can be harvested and returned to your garden on a regular basis. Once you've decided where you want to place the compost bin, choose a size that's effective without taking up too much space in your yard.
