So you're either building your own dollhouse from scratch, thinking about customizing a kit, or just curious what’s behind those teeny-tiny walls. Totally fair question—and it’s actually one of those things that can make a big difference in how sturdy, realistic, or even fun your dollhouse is to work on.
Let’s walk through the most common materials people use for dollhouse walls, along with what I’ve personally found helpful.
Plywood
Plywood—especially birch or Baltic birch—is super popular for a reason. It’s strong but still lightweight. Easy to cut, easy to paint, and holds up well if you’re adding floors or multiple stories. A lot of classic, large-scale dollhouses use it.
MDF (Medium-Density Fiberboard)
Heavier than plywood, but very smooth, which makes it nice for painting. It doesn’t splinter like wood sometimes can, but it's not the easiest material to cut if you don’t have the right tools. Many prefab kits (especially bigger ones like Greenleaf’s) are made from this.
Foam Board
I’ve used foam board for smaller scenes or when I just wanted something quick and lightweight. It cuts like butter with a craft knife and is really affordable. Just don’t expect it to hold up like wood—it’s not for heavy-duty projects.
Cardboard
Yes, really! With a bit of reinforcement, cardboard can be a surprisingly good material for DIY builds. I even wrote about how to make cardboard walls stronger and better-looking:
👉 How to Make a Cardboard Dollhouse Stronger, Sturdier, and More Attractive
Balsa Wood or Basswood
Both of these are lightweight, easy to cut by hand, and great for more detailed work. I use balsa when I want something delicate or when I’m not using power tools. BUT, balsawood or basswood are only suitable sometimes for dollhouse furniture or accessories, not for walls!
You can read more about balsa here:
👉 What Is Balsa Wood and What to Use It For
Mat Board, Chipboard, or Similar
These are thinner options and mostly used for inner walls or decorative panels. Not bad if you're doing something that won’t be handled much, or for removable walls (which I love when I want to peek inside or take photos).
Plastic or Acrylic
Not super common, but you’ll find it in some modern mini builds—especially when people want clear walls or unique architectural designs. More niche, but cool if that’s your style.
Removable Walls or Roofs? It’s a Thing.
Sometimes you don’t want everything glued in place—especially if you want to access the interior easily or take good pictures. For example, in my mini backyard shed project, I made the roof removable so I could open it up anytime.
What About Popular Dollhouse Kits?
Robotime / Rolife: Most of these use thin wood sheets (kind of like plywood). I built many of Robotimes' kits, Miller’s Garden being one of them, and you can check out my review here:
👉 One of the Easiest Robotime DIY Kits = Miller's Garden
Cutebee: Very similar to Robotime but sometimes uses slightly lighter materials. I compared both brands here:
👉 A Cutebee Dollhouse Review Versus Robotime - Le Chocolatier
Greenleaf: These are the bigger, American-style houses. Think Victorian mansions with lots of detail. They usually use MDF or similar sheet materials. You’ll find more info here:
👉 Greenleaf Dollhouse Kits: A Review and Insights
So… Does It Matter What You Use?
Honestly, it depends on what you're building. If you want something sturdy and long-lasting, go with plywood or MDF. If it’s for fun, or you're experimenting, cardboard or foam board might be just right. And if you're working on detail? Balsa or basswood will probably be your best friend.
Have you tried building walls from something unexpected? I'd love to hear what worked (or didn’t) for you!
Happy crafting!
Lizzy
