A fun project for a child’s room is a DIY dollhouse.
It is a project that takes time and patience, but it can be rewarding as well. With some inexpensive or even free materials from the dollar store, you can help your child create their own little world with everything from furniture to accessories.
If you would like to make your own dollhouse furniture but don’t know where to start, here are some easy projects (scroll down) that will take no more than an hour or two to complete.
I want to show you all the reasons I decided to build my own DIY dollhouse. I wanted something that was affordable, easy to build and that could be customized to the way that I and my kids wanted.
Building a doll house is not a difficult process. It takes around a week and if you have a kit (but you don’t one), it should only take about 60 hours from start to finish.
The reason I decided to build my own DIY dollhouse is because of the fact that I did not want to spend a lot of money on something that I was not pleased with.
I did extensive research into DIY dollhouses and found one that had all the specifications I was looking for for a reasonable price.
Building my own DIY dollhouse turned out to be much more than just following step-by-step instructions. It was an enjoyable experience in which I learned how to use new tools and got some exercise, along with an opportunity to express myself creatively.
15+ DIY Dollhouse Plans & Ideas
#1. Illuminated Dollhouse Blueprint
One of the best things about having a dollhouse is that it fits in with your other furniture. You don’t have to throw away all the toys, but you can have some new and interesting pieces to play with. And you can make them yourself. I love dollhouses and I’ve made a few myself over the years, but they all follow the same basic design.
#2. DIY Wood Doll House
Dollhouses are not only pretty to look at but are also a great way to teach a child about house building. They are actually quite simple to build, and once you have the supplies you’ll be able to assemble your own dollhouse in no time. You’ll need to purchase fabric for the cover and the floors, then you’ll have to assemble the parts to make sure that everything fits together properly. Check out the plan above if you want a simple, fun option!
#3. Minimalist Plywood Dollhouse
We’ve all seen those charming little scenes of the doll-house-making process captured on the internet, but how many of us actually end up building one? If you’re like me and are always dreaming about new do-it-yourself projects, then this post is for you! I have been meaning to build a doll house since – well, since I can remember. The first time I saw a doll house was in an episode of The Muppet Show. It was quite expensive and required a great deal of work, but it was cute. After watching the episode, I couldn’t wait to build my own doll house.
#4. Homemade Dollhouse Bookcase
#5. Dollhouse Furniture?
This isn’t a dollhouse…but you still need to build some furniture, right? Check out the plans!
#6. Foldable Flat Pack Dollhouse
Doll houses are so popular right now, and doll houses are great for kids, too. My daughters love building their own doll houses, and I love watching them.
#7. Gingerbread Bakery
Get in the holiday spirit with this gingerbread dollhouse!
#8. Wood Barbie Dollhouse
Dolls are a must-have for kids. They’re so damn fun to play with, they can be used to express your child’s mental health, and they can bring hours of playtime just by creating their own home. They’re also a great idea for a babysitter (or a babysitter-in-training!) because you can get away from your daycare/preschooler for a few hours.
#9. Pink Dollhouse Bookcase Building
A doll house is an amazing project that allows your children to express themselves through play. You can set it up with them and let them create their own stories of happiness and joy. If you’re not sure where to start building it, check out my DIY doll house tutorial.
#10. Portable Travel Dollhouse in a Suitcase
#11. Bedside Dollhouse Bookcase
Dollhouses are a great way to help children learn about the world around them and the importance of stories. Dollhouses are also a great way to teach children basic engineering and construction principles. If you have an engineering background, you can teach your little ones how to build their own dollhouse, but if you don’t have any DIY experience, you can still help out! I have a dollhouse that I built as a kid and it is still in my house as an adult, so I thought it would be fun to share with other parents.
#12. Vintage A-Frame Dollhouse
This is a fun activity for kids to get creative and enjoy some quality time with their favorite toys.
Many people are interested in how to build one on their own. There are quite a few tutorials online for them to choose from like the one above.
Some of them include building a DIY doll house from scratch, which is not difficult at all if the person has the necessary skills and tools. Others involve assembling an already made kit or repurposing an old box.
The best thing about building a dollhouse is that kids can customize it any way they want, from adding furniture to painting it in their favorite color combinations!
#13. Sustainable Remodeled Dream Dollhouse
#14. Dollhouse From Boxes and Cardboard
My daughter Charlotte is into all things dollhouse, so her miniature world is a constant delight.
#15. Cheap and Easy DIY Dollhouse
Have you always wanted to make a doll house but don’t know where to start? This guide will walk you through the process of building a dollhouse.
You will need a variety of materials depending on what type of doll house you want to make. For example, if you want a wooden dollhouse, you will need wood, paint and nails. If you want a cardboard or paper dollhouse, then all that is needed is some glue and scissors.
How to make a DIY dollhouse
What materials will you need?
- A piece of cardboard or foam board
- Paint and paintbrushes
- Scissors
- Tape
- Ruler or a straight edge
- Xacto knife or a blade
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Modeling clay
- Miniature furniture, decorations, and accessories
1. Decide on the size and shape of your dollhouse
The size and shape of your dollhouse will depend on the materials you have available and the tools you’re comfortable using. A simple, square dollhouse can be made from a piece of cardboard or foam board.
If you want to make a more detailed house, you can use a thicker piece of cardboard or foam board and cut it into the desired shape.
2. Draw the floor plan of your dollhouse
Once you have determined the size and shape of your dollhouse, decide how many floors it will have. Because the scale is important when making a dollhouse, make sure to measure your house carefully before drawing the layout on paper.
The number of details you include in your plans will depend on what type of dollhouse you are making.
For example, if you are building a dollhouse made from cardboard, you will need to build the structure of the house first and then draw the layout on top of it.
3. Cut out all pieces for your dollhouse
Using your layout as a guide, cut out all pieces for your dollhouse using scissors or a blade. If you are using cardboard or foam board, you can use a hot glue gun to attach the pieces. If you are using a different type of material, you will need to use another type of adhesive.
4. Assemble your dollhouse
Once all the pieces are cut out, it’s time to assemble your dollhouse. This can be done by following your layout plans or by eye. In case you are using cardboard or foam board, you can use a hot glue gun to attach the pieces. By any chance you are using a different type of material, you will need to use another type of adhesive.
5. Decorate your dollhouse
Now it’s time to decorate your dollhouse! You can use paint, stickers, or other decorations to make it look like your own house. It’s up to you what style you want for your dollhouse! You can also decorate the inside of your house.
6. Add furniture, decorations, and accessories
Last but not least, put all your miniature furniture in place and add accessories where needed so it looks like something out of a movie. Now you have made a DIY dollhouse that is uniquely your own!
Some tips for making your dollhouse
- Think about the scale when designing and building your dollhouse. If you are not using a kit, the standard size for furniture and accessories is 1:12 or 1 inch = 1 foot. This means that if something is 6 inches wide in real life, it will be 6 inches wide in your dollhouse.
- When painting or decorating your dollhouse, try to use light and neutral colors so it will match any furniture or accessories you add later on.
- If you are using a different type of material than cardboard or foam board, make sure to test the adhesive before starting construction.
- If you’re not satisfied with the way your dollhouse looks, you can always redo parts of it or even start from scratch!
DIY Dollhouse Accessories
As a parent, you might be looking for ways to keep your children occupied. A great way to do that is by getting them some dollhouse accessories. Here are some of the most essential ones that you should get for them.
- Doll furniture: This includes beds, chairs, tables, and more.
- Dollhouse sets: These include things like restaurants, airport terminals, and more.
- Lamps or lights: These can be used to light up your home or create an ambiance in the room.
- Accessories: These include things like miniatures of items found in the kitchen or bathroom such as tooth brushes and flowers in vases.
- Furniture covers: These are used when you want to keep your doll house clean while letting
FAQ on how to make a DIY dollhouse:
1. What size should I make my dollhouse?
It’s completely up to you! You can decide how big or small your dollhouse will be. Make sure that the furniture and accessories fit your house before starting construction.
A dollhouse should be appropriate to the age of the child that will be playing with it.
It should also fit in the space you have available- many people also buy dollhouses to match their own style or decorating style, so if your home is more modern than vintage, you might want to look for something more modern.
2. How long will it take to make my dollhouse?
This depends on how big your DIY dollhouse is! If you are making a simple house, it might only take a few hours. However, if you’re making a more detailed house, it might take longer. Make sure to have plenty of time before starting construction.
3. What type of adhesive should I use?
This depends on the material you are using for your dollhouse. If you are using cardboard or foam board, a hot glue gun is a good option. However, if you are using a different type of material, make sure to test the adhesive before starting construction.
4. What paint should I use?
It’s completely up to you! You can use any color you want for your dollhouse. If you’re not satisfied with the way it looks, you might want to redecorate or even start from scratch.
5. Do all dollhouses require furniture and accessories?
There isn’t a “right” answer to this question! Some people like to leave their DIY dollhouses empty so they can fill them with their furniture and accessories. Other people like to add furniture and accessories right away. It’s up to you what you want your dollhouse to look like.
6. Can I customize my dollhouse however I want?
Yes, you can customize your dollhouse however you want! You can use different colors, put furniture or accessories in different places, or do whatever else you want to make the house look exactly how you want it.
7. How big should I make my furniture?
The standard size for furniture is 1:12 which means that if something is 6 inches wide in real life, it will be 6 inches wide in your dollhouse. However, you can make furniture any size you want as long as it fits in your house.
8. How do I know what size to make my house?
This depends on how big your dolls are. If you are using standard-sized dolls, a good size for the house would be around 8×10 inches. However, if you are using bigger or smaller dolls, you might want to adjust the size of your house accordingly.
In Summary
With a bit of patience and creativity, anyone can make their unique DIY dollhouse. Start today and see how wonderful the results are! The possibilities are endless, so have fun with it!
Hi, my name’s Elena Coolidge. I’m a DIY enthusiast who loves building fun woodworking plans. These DIY plans are fun hobby projects for enthusiasts or even more advanced builders that want to build things like bunk beds, end tables or even a duck box!