The New Dollhouse

Difficulty
Intermediate
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Delight your children with this modern dollhouse! Customize to suit your child's needs.

The dollhouse has grown up.

I'm not saying I don't still love traditional dollhouses with their detailed wallpaper and shutters.  But a simple, fully accessible dollhouse like this one might be the toy for your smaller child or children - and I say children, because I can just imagine this dollhouse on a playtable surrounded by little ones.

This dollhouse is not suitable for Barbies and fashion dolls.  More for wood dolls and figures, around 6" in height.

Preparation

Shopping List

1 – 72″ Long 18″ wide Pine Project Panel (Try both Blue and Orange, they carry different sizes)
1 – 1×2
1 – 1×10 scrap 12″ long

Common Materials
2 inch screws
120 grit sandpaper
primer
wood conditioner
paint
paint brush
Cut List

2 – Project Panel Pieces @ 18″ x 18″ (Floors)
4 – 1×2 @ 19″ (Legs, top end cut at 30 degrees off square)
2 – 1×2 @ 14″ (Eaves)
1 – 1×10 @ 11 1/4″ (Second Story Wall)
2 – Project Panel Pieces @ 18″ x 14″ (Roof)

Instructions

Step 1

Floors

Cut the floors with a jigsaw as shown above. Sand the edges well at this stage – will be much easier than when assembled!

Step 2

Legs

Attach the legs to one of the floors as shown above. Use glue for a permanent bond, and two screws per leg. Predrill and countersink your screw holes.

Step 3

Eaves

Attach the tops of the legs to the eaves as shown above with 2″ screws and glue.

Step 4

Second Story

Screw the 1×10 center wall to the remaining floor as shown above. Use 2″ screw and glue. Screw from the underside.

Step 5

Step 6

Roof

Cut the roof boards out as shown above. To get the angle on the top, adjust either your circular saw, jigsaw or tablesaw to a 30 degree angle and cut edge. Use a jigsaw to cut out the scallops and the skylights.

Step 7

Roof

Attach the roof with 1 1/4″ screws and glue.

Comments

Loni (not verified)

Sun, 09/26/2010 - 05:47

To Cute! I think my step-daughter and neice would love this! Thanks so much!

Dolores Wilkes (not verified)

Mon, 09/27/2010 - 12:19

Ana - Thank you for this plan. I'm going to make it for my granddaughter.

I was going over all of it step by step in my head while looking at the measurements - is there a mistake on the dimensions of the second story wall? The cut list says 1 x 19 x 11.25. Should that be 1 x 9.5 x 11.25?

GerlingGirl (not verified)

Tue, 09/28/2010 - 04:58

Ana,
How hard would it be to add some ramps to this and turn it into a two-story car port for a little boy? My daughters will love the dollhouse (I'm thinking Christmas present), but my little boy would rather something he can run his cars along. I thought with just ramps and a trim change this might work.

Dolores Wilkes (not verified)

Tue, 09/28/2010 - 15:17

Ana - what are the dimensions of the second story wall? The cut list says 1 x 19 x 11.25. Should that be 1 x 9.5 x 11.25?

Brian (not verified)

Wed, 12/22/2010 - 05:18

2 comments - yes it is easy to up the height to accomodate Barbie style dolls, you'll just have to buy a longer 1x2, or use more than one. I upped it to 24" height and it's working ok.

Any Advice for cutting the rounds on the 2 floors and the scallops?

I'm finishing one right now as a Santa gift, and I'm close to scrapping those pieces and starting over. My jigsaw skills aren't the greatest, and coarse sandpaper is usually my friend, but I'd like it to be KIND of aesthetically pleasing if I'm giving it to my daugher...

THANKS ANA!

Chantelle (not verified)

Wed, 12/29/2010 - 05:15

Christmas was a hit! Our 8 year old LOVES her doll house!!! We made it a bit taller and wider so her Barbies fit perfectly. Thank you so much for the plans! (We also did the kitchen set... the kids are in heaven!)

Melisa (not verified)

Tue, 02/22/2011 - 08:21

My husband and I made this dollhouse for our daughter and we were very pleased with the results. Is there any chance of a castle dollhouse in the near future?

Keri Beth (not verified)

Fri, 11/25/2011 - 20:35

Can I make this with pocket holes? If so, are there any modifications I should make? Thanks in advance! I plan to make this for my boys for Christmas.

Ginna (not verified)

Sun, 12/25/2011 - 13:46

Hi! I would love to know if you have patterns for wooden furniture for 12" dolls or if you have any idea where i can purchase them so I can make my own? Any sugestions? this barbie doll house is awesome!!