In our previous posting, we provided an overview of the variety of dollhouse miniature furniture pieces available and what to look for in terms of color, style and quality. We would like to dive deeper into the topic of choosing the right miniature furniture and upholstery pieces for your dollhouse or room box project.

The principles of interior design apply to your dollhouse just as much as a real home. Color, style and function of your dollhouse or room box should be determined before your project begins.

Most dollhouse furniture pieces are available in a variety of stained and painted wood colors. The most common finishes are mahogany, oak and walnut. When selecting colors of woods, be cautious as colors can vary widely between manufacturers. For example, you may have 2 manufacturers producing mahogany wood furniture with two completely different shades. It’s OK if all of your pieces don’t match exactly, but you do want the pieces to be similar in style or quality – or make sure the colors only vary slightly. Many real high-end homes will have furniture pieces that don’t match exactly giving the room a “collected over time” appeal. For example, having miniatures in slightly different shades of mahogany is OK – you just don’t want the difference to be too drastic or you’ll achieve a mismatched look.

Unfinished dollhouse furniture is another popular choice among do-it-yourself hobbyists. This allows you customize the stain or paint color of your dollhouse furniture to fit your personal tastes. Furniture kits are also available which include the necessary pieces to construct your own furniture using pre-cut pieces.

Upholstered miniature furniture also comes in an array of styles, colors and patterns. Consider the general style of your house (traditional or informal) as well as your color scheme when choosing upholstered fabric styles. Also, take into account the colors and styles of the furniture, rugs and drapes that will be placed next to your upholstered pieces.

There are several manufacturers who craft dollhouse furniture and upholstery. Hansson Miniatures manufactures top-notch heirloom-quality miniature furniture. Hand-crafted of solid woods including mahogany, walnut and some with hand-painted detailing, these pieces include miniature drawers that actually open, removable seat cushions, soft felt backs, real glass shelves and mirrors.

Handley Classics and Town Square Miniatures craft lines of furniture that range from value-priced to higher-end pieces. These charming miniatures also feature opening drawers, swivel bases on chairs and come in a variety of finishes including the ever-popular mahogany, walnut and oak.

When shopping for dollhouse furniture, upholstery and accessories, look for on-line dollhouse miniature stores that feature up-close and detailed pictures of their products. Crystal clear product shots are essential to making sure you are purchasing the perfect pieces for your dream dollhouse!