If you’ve ever searched for different ways to build a miniature dollhouse from scratch, you’ve probably noticed there isn’t just one “right” method. Some people start simple with cardboard, others use wood for something sturdier, and many of us like to experiment with materials we already have lying around.
Over the years, I’ve tried and written about a variety of approaches, from turning a bookshelf into a dollhouse to making lightweight models from foam board. In this post, I’ve gathered nine of the most popular methods in one place. Each method has its own step-by-step tutorial linked, so you can quickly click through to whichever one fits your style, skill level, or budget.
Are you looking for the best DIY doll house building plans? There are 21 different plans right here!
Updated 24/08/25
1. Make a classic cardboard dollhouse.
A cardboard dollhouse is one of the easiest and most budget-friendly ways to get started, and it’s just as fun for adults as it is for kids. With a few sturdy boxes, glue, and some paint or wallpaper scraps, you can design a simple one-room cottage or go all out with multiple floors.
The key challenge with cardboard is making it sturdy enough, but once assembled and decorated, it can look surprisingly impressive. I’ve put together a full tutorial with step-by-step photos that you can follow here:
Check out a complete tutorial on how to build a cardboard dollhouse!
2. Turn a bookshelf into a dollhouse
If you’ve got an old bookshelf at home, you’re already halfway to having a dollhouse. Each shelf naturally becomes a room, and you can decorate the inside with wallpaper, flooring, and miniature furniture. It’s a clever way to upcycle furniture and create a sturdy dollhouse without building one from scratch.
An expanded tutorial on how to create a bookshelf dollhouse is written right here.
3. Renovate old dollhouses.
Sometimes the best projects start with something secondhand. An old dollhouse—whether it’s from a thrift shop, attic, or a family hand-me-down—can be given a completely new life with some paint, new wallpaper, and updated furniture. Renovations are a great way to practice without starting from zero, and the results can be just as satisfying as building a new one.
I documented my own renovation process here: How to Renovate an Old Dollhouse
4. Create Fabric dollhouses
Did you ever see these fabric little dollhouses, made with crochet?
Personally, I have never made a dollhouse with crochet or any kind of fabric, so I can’t explain how to build a dollhouse like this, but there are patterns online that you can just follow the instructions. Here are a few:
- A crochet pattern for a gingerbread house:
This is a PDF tutorial on crocheting an amazing Gingerbread house. The pattern has 28 pages and contains more than 100 step-by-step photos of the process, all in English.
To be found on Etsy by PinkyPinkyBlue
- Emma and Her Dollhouse: another crochet pattern
How about this crochet pattern for a cute little dollhouse and doll, which you can unfold?
Crochet pattern by PinkMouseBoutique
- Dollhouse DOLLY PDF Pattern
This dollhouse pattern is for a dollhouse made from fabric and cardboard.
Fabric dollhouse pattern by MadebyOranges.
There are lots more patterns in the PDF file on Etsy to create these special types of dollhouses, and I hope you will figure out how to sew or crochet these. Good luck!
5. Create (outdoor) fairy garden houses.
Fairy gardens are a fun twist on the dollhouse idea. Instead of walls and roofs, you create a tiny world outdoors (or in a container) using natural materials like moss, bark, stones, and twigs. Add a few miniature houses or furniture pieces, and you’ve got a magical scene that changes with the seasons.
Find out in detail how to create Fairy houses in this other blog post of mine.
6. Do a makeover on plastic toy dollhouses
This can be a very easy method to create a dollhouse: do a makeover on a plastic toy dollhouse.
What you need is a (second-hand or affordable) plastic dollhouse, like the ones from Kidcraft, and paint/decorate it. Some people use spray paint, but you can use regular paint, as seen in the video below.
7. Create your own dollhouse from scratch
If you want full creative control, building a dollhouse from scratch is the way to go. It’s more work than using a kit, but it lets you decide everything—from scale and layout to materials and finishes. Wood is the most common choice for durability, though cardboard or foam board can also work for smaller projects.
Building a dollhouse from scratch always starts with finding DIY building plans for dollhouses.
8. Build a dollhouse roombox with the help of DIY dollhouse kits.
Building a dollhouse with the help of DIY dollhouse kits is probably one of the easiest ways to get a dollhouse.
Depending on the brand, there could be pros and cons to each kit, but this is normal and explained extensively on my website 😉
Which craft materials do you need to assemble and decorate DIY dollhouse kits?
20 Great Tips For Dollhouse DIY Kits: OCD’s New Best Friend!
9. Build a dollhouse with foam core
This is another method to build a dollhouse miniature that I haven’t used myself, but I have found some more explanation on how to go about things, in another YouTube video by Bentley House Minis:
Working with foam to create a dollhouse is a very specific technique, so in the future, I will spend a whole article on this method. You just wait and see! 🙂
My Final Conclusion
You now have 9 different methods to choose from to create a dollhouse 😉
Which method have you chosen? Please do let me know in the comment section below or join me on (one of) my social media channels, or my cozy Facebook group!
I wish you happy crafting!
Kind regards,
Lizzy
Related article: Which types of wood do you need to build a wooden dollhouse?
Hi everyone!
My name is Lizzy, and I am an amateur miniaturist obsessed with everything in the dollhouse and miniature world, ever since I was a teenager.
So far, I have created 2 dollhouse projects, a backyard shed and a miniature treehouse, tons of DIY dollhouse kits, and “hacked” some.
I also created a fairy garden, and lots of small and simple miniature projects on my YouTube channel. (mostly made from trash or everyday items).
I love to write as well about all things happening in the miniature world, hence the reason why I created this blog!
I wish you happy reading and crafting!
Lizzy
What a wonderful, packed full of information about building dollhouses article! I always wanted one when I was growing up but unfortunately, we could not buy one, but if my dad had all this information, I’m sure we would have made one. I just had the paper doll houses I made from shoeboxes and paper dolls which I loved anyway. The videos are very helpful and brings your subject to life. I got my daughter the plastic dollhouse from the Barbie sets. The pros and cons in your article also help a potential doll house maker with his decisions of which one to make. How did you get into making dollhouses? Thanks for this unique article with a wealth of information.
Hello Delois,
I’m glad that I could be of assistance! Working with shoeboxes I didn’t even include in this article, sounds like an amazing idea as well, thanks!
My first dollhouse was actually also a cardboard dollhouse that I based on a book that I got as a gift when I was about 15 years old, and I have been hooked ever since 😉
Thank you and I wish you happy crafting!
Kind regards,
Lizzy
Hi Lizzy:
Interesting and exciting is what I have to say! Your dollhouse ideas and instructions are superb and easy to follow. I have made a few doll offices as projects. A couple of them were out of cardboard and one was designed after a little office I had using wood and glass. They were all well decorated with carpet and furnishings.
I believe you are making many little girls and “big” ones happy with your projects. Thank you for sharing your ideas.
Veron
Hi Veron!
You are very welcome and that sounds like so much fun when you made those cardboard and wood and glass houses!
It is addictive, right?
I wish you happy crafting!
Kind regards,
Lizzy