OK, so you’ve decided to build your own dollhouse. Congratulations, the dollhouse miniatures hobby is both fun and rewarding! A common question among newcomers to the dollhouse hobby is “Where do I start?”

The first step in building a dollhouse is to decide whether you want to build your dollhouse from scratch or build your dollhouse using a dollhouse kit. Take into consideration that building a dollhouse from scratch is not for the faint of heart. If you are new to the hobby, consider building your first dollhouse or room box using a kit. There are many kits available which include all of the pre-cut pieces ready for assembly. Real Good Toys and Greenleaf Dollhouse are examples of two popular manufacturers of dollhouse kits.

If you’ve decided to build your dollhouse from scratch, the first item you will need is a set of dollhouse plans. These can be obtained through hobby shops or through specialty websites. Before selecting dollhouse plans, you must decide on the scale of your dollhouse. 1:12 scale is one of the most popular scales among American dollhouses.

The next step in building your dollhouse is deciding which type of wood you will use to construct your miniature home. Before making this decision, ask yourself why you are building your dollhouse? Is it meant to be a toy for a child, a gift, a fun craft project or a treasured heirloom you plan to keep in your family for generations. The answer to this question should help guide you towards the type of construction material you will use in your dollhouse. Oak, MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) and plywood are some of the more popular woods used in constructing dollhouses.

Oak is more difficult to work with, but if you want to build a top quality dollhouse as a treasured heirloom or beautiful display showcase, oak will give you the high-end results you are seeking. Be prepared that oak will require more tools to work with than the other two wood materials mentioned.

MDF is the least expensive of the three materials mentioned above, but is considered the easiest to work-with. Cutting this wood will generate a lot of dust, but it does not splinter and is very easy to paint making it a great choice for a children’s play dollhouse.

Plywood, another common building material is available in thin sheets and is another common wood used in collector dollhouses. Plywood is very easy to transport and is also easy to work with in constructing a dollhouse. Plywood can splinter which means it’s not the best choice for a children’s play dollhouse.

Windows and doors are also an important decision when building a dollhouse. You can opt to make your own windows and doors, or you can purchase these ready-made. Building doors and windows can be a challenge, so if you are building your first dollhouse, you may be wise to purchase these already manufactured.

This article is meant as a basic overview for constructing the basic shell of a dollhouse. There are many more interior options and decisions to be made including electricity, flooring, wallpaper, niches and mouldings and hardware – just to name a few! We recommend that you stay tuned to our blog for more helpful tips in building and designing a dollhouse.