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Doll House Miniatures
Doll house miniatures have been fascinating children and adults for centuries. They range from simple boxes with a single room setting to elaborate mansions and from children's toys to finely crafted works of art.
The most common scale for doll houses is 1/12th or 1" scale. This means that 1 inch equals 1 foot. A six foot man would be represented by a six inch doll. Half-inch scale or 1/24th means a half inch equals 1 foot. The same six foot man would be three inches tall. Other popular scales include quarter inch scale and 1/144 scale (which is used for a doll house inside of a doll house).
Doll house kits are available in many styles including Victorian mansions and log cabins. Most are open in the back. Front-opening houses have a hinged front to allow access to the inside. Some are a combination of both. There is something for every skill level. Which one is right for you?
If you like to do everything from scratch, there are plans available to build your own doll house. You may choose to build the whole house yourself or you can make the basic shell and use pre-built components (doors, windows, stairs, etc.) to finish.
Perhaps you want to build the house yourself but don't want to start from scratch. A doll house kit contains all the pieces you need to build one, except for paint and glue. Although a few kits come with wallpaper (you need to apply it) and a few include kits for furniture (read the box to see what is included) most interior finishing materials like wallpaper, baseboard, crown molding, etc. are not included in a kit. This gives you the choice to decorate the interior in your own style.
There are two main types of kits. One consists of pre-cut pieces of 3/8" plywood or MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard). They generally come pre-milled with clapboard siding. Smooth plywood is also available for those who wish to apply their own clapboard or want a different exterior such as brick or stucco. They are precision cut and the pieces fit together well, provided you follow the directions. Most use standard sized window and door openings which give you the option of changing the style if you don't care for the windows and doors included in the kit. Most kit companies also have separate additions available if you want to add more rooms. You may change the shutters, railings, gingerbread trim, etc. as well. There are also kits for just the shell of the doll house which allows you to choose all components (doors, windows, stairs, rails, etc.) yourself.
The other type of kit contains sheets of 1/8" plywood with the pieces die-cut. Each piece has to be punched out carefully. The wood is not the highest quality, so a lot of sanding and filling gaps is necessary to achieve a smooth finish. They are tab and slot assembly. Because the wood is so thin and the openings are not standard, pre-built doors and windows do not fit, so customizing is a bit more difficult. They are much more time consuming to build but they are also less expensive and have a lot of style.
For those in a rush, there are the Quick-build houses. These are all painted, shingled, and wallpapered. All you have to do is assemble them. Depending on the house, this could take as little as a half hour. You don't get to choose your own wallpaper and house color and there are a limited number of styles available. They are more expensive than a kit, but less than a Built-up.
If you just want to open a box, take out the doll house and start filling it with furniture and accessories, the Built-up house is for you. There are only a few styles and colors available, but they are completely finished inside and out. They are sturdy enough for children to play with and pretty enough for displaying collector pieces. If you want to install wiring for working electric lights, or want the option of decorating the inside with your own choice of wallpaper, there is a variation on the Built-up. These come with the outside completely done and the inside left unfinished. The materials are included to finish the inside after wiring is completed. They cost a bit less than the full Built-ups.
Perhaps you don't have room for a doll house, but love miniatures. A half-inch scale house will fit nicely on a small table. Quarter-inch scale houses will fit on a shelf or mantle. Room boxes come in several sizes and can be used for any scene you choose - a Victorian parlor, an antique shop or maybe a garage full of tools & junk. How about a little sewing room scene done in a sewing basket ? A kitchen scene in an old breadbox? A hat shop in a hat box? The possibilities are endless! Use your imagination and see where it takes you.
View our enormous selection of doll house miniatures.