A lot of people in the miniature world start out with DIY miniature kits, and the same questions come up again and again. So I thought I’d put together a thread where we can all share our best tips. These are the things I’ve learned myself, plus several helpful points people often mention in discussions online.
Add your own experiences below—especially the things you wish someone had told you before you opened your first kit!
🧩 Start small
Some kits look simple but are actually huge projects. A full dollhouse, like the ones from Greenleaf, means a lot of decisions and a lot to finish. Many builders recommend starting with a single room box instead. It’s still fun, but far less overwhelming, and it gives you a quick sense of accomplishment.
> Greenleaf dollhouse kit
🕰 Don’t underestimate the time
Large builds take much longer than most beginners expect. Even experienced builders don’t finish in a day. Planning your sessions across several evenings makes the whole process calmer and more enjoyable.
🗂 Keep your parts organised
Tiny pieces are extremely good at disappearing. Many people say the same thing: keep parts in small containers or bags, label everything, and don’t throw away any packaging until the very end. I sometimes sort pieces into little zip bags—“A” for screws, “B” for dowels, “C” for trims. It saves a lot of frustration.
📝 Read before you glue
This is one of the most repeated pieces of advice: look through the instructions before you start gluing. Once something is glued in the wrong place, fixing it is almost impossible. A few minutes of reading saves hours of repair work. If you're not sure about certain manuals by Robotime, feel free to check out this Youtube video of mine below:
🎨 Start with basic tools
You don’t need expensive materials when you’re just starting. Several builders say they wasted money on top-quality brushes or paints before they knew what techniques they actually enjoyed. Basic tools, a sharp craft knife, good glue, and patience are more than enough for beginners.
As a glue, I use Grab-Fast Tacky Glue by Aleene's.
🎨 Paint or finish pieces first
Painting pieces while they’re still flat is much easier than trying to squeeze a brush into corners later. If a piece will be painted, wallpapered, or stained, it usually helps to do it before assembly.
🧘♀️ Don’t aim for perfection
Perfection-itis is real. It’s easy to get stressed about tiny gaps or slightly uneven trims, but everyone makes mistakes. The goal is to enjoy the building process, not to finish with a flawless miniature museum piece.
🔧 Pick materials that match your experience
Beginners sometimes use the wrong paint type or glue and end up frustrated. Don’t worry—everyone has been there. Stick to reliable basics and upgrade your tools later once you know what techniques you enjoy most.
🧪 Expect to customise
Most people end up changing colours, swapping flooring, redesigning walls, or adding their own touches. Kits are really just a starting point. Adjust anything you want so the piece reflects your style.
Personally, I have kitbashed quite some kits already, with my 'highlight', if I say so myself lol,my 'Black Cat Café'
📸 Optional but fun: take progress photos
Quick photos help you track your growth and also serve as a reference if you ever redo a similar kit. It’s surprising how much you learn from build to build.
Your turn
What advice would you give someone working on their very first kit?
Any mistakes you can laugh about now, or useful lessons you’d pass on?
I wish you happy crafting!
Lizzy
