If you’ve been thinking about trying out dioramas as an adult hobby, you’re not alone. Miniature scenes are a popular way to explore creativity on a small scale.
You might be into tiny fantasy worlds, nature landscapes for your Warhammer game, or, of course, our miniature rooms or roomboxes.
There are plenty of diorama ideas for beginners that don’t require fancy tools or expensive materials.
In this post, I’ll walk you through some of the most beginner-friendly themes, useful materials, and where to find inspiration.
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What You Need to Get Startedas a beginner diorama maker
You don’t need a full workshop to begin. Here are the most recommended beginner supplies:
Foam board or insulation foam – lightweight and easy to shape. Foam is great for terrain, bricks, cliffs, and structural walls. XPS foam (insulation foam) is especially useful for carving realistic stone textures.
A craft knife and a ruler – for accurate cutting and scoring.
Acrylic paints – budget craft paints are enough for base coats and dry brushing.
Extras – sand or dirt for terrain, beads for tiny details, old brushes for texture.
Check out Reddit’s r/dioramas for regular supply recommendations and simple tips from experienced hobbyists.
Theme diorama idea number 1:Fantasy Dioramas
Fantasy-themed dioramas are a favorite among beginners because there’s no need for strict realism. These builds can be as whimsical or rugged as you like.
Forest Glade:
Use wooden sticks for a little shack, foam offcuts for hilly ground, dyed sawdust or faux moss for the forest floor, and a mirror or plastic for a reflective pond.
Check out Kalesh Aesthetic for imaginative fantasy projects, like his swamp shack build.
Wizard’s Room:
Build a box room from foam core and fill it with mini books (made from folded paper), potion bottles (glass beads), and shelves (wood scraps).
Or build wizard towers using recycled materials like yogurt cups and plastic packaging, like Studson Studio.
Ruined Tower or Castle:
This is a great way to practice foam carving. Use a pen to etch stone patterns and dry brush with grey and black acrylics.
StoryCraftSociety offers several tutorials on this technique, including how to build a ruined tower with XPS foam.
Theme diorama idea number2: Sci-Fi and Post-Apocalyptic Scenes
Futuristic and dystopian settings are often built from everyday junk.
Diorama Beginners like this category because materials are cheap, and the look comes from creative painting.
Spaceship Hallways:
Use foam board and bottle caps, electronic scraps, or cable ties to mimic machinery. Paint with metallics and dark shades.
See this video by TaylorPop where he uses foam board and MDF board to build a full spaceship corridor.
Cyberpunk Alley:
You could build a small book nook from wood and use LED lights, and build a neon city corner!
You can use painted baking soda for snow, or foil under clear glue for waterfalls.
Savannah with Wildlife:
Use sand, dry grass, and pebbles to build a basic dry terrain. Add a figurine of an animal (like a giraffe or elephant). It doesn’t need much – the animal and sparse landscape do the storytelling.
Theme diorama idea number4:Vintage and Historical Dioramas
Historical scenes don’t have to be large battles. Even a single corner or structure works well for beginners.
WWII Tank Display:
Create a muddy base from foam and brown paint. Add tire tracks with a carved tool or stick.
Keep it simple by just adding dirt and a few tufts of grass. Pair this with a pre-made model.
Old Street or Building Corner:
Use carved foam to replicate bricks. A piece of foam board becomes a 1920s street with vintage details glued on.
Night Shift has a great tutorial on building realistic cobblestone roads.
You can find reference photos on Pinterest or watch documentaries to recreate a specific moment or mood.
Theme diorama idea number5:Miniature Room Scenes (Roomboxes)
For dollhouse enthusiasts, roomboxes are a familiar entry point into dioramas. They’re also great for playing with interior design. Some ideas can be:
ABedroom or Living Room:
Foam board walls, wood flooring made from coffee stirrers, and fabric scraps for curtains or rugs, and more!
Exploring diorama ideas for beginners can be as straightforward or detailed as you like. Foam, sticks, and glue are enough to start, and there’s no shortage of tutorials and community support online.
If you try one of the themes above or come up with your own, feel free to share your work in the comment section or on my social media!
