Making Dollhouse Miniatures With Wood

Creating your own wooden dollhouse miniatures will give your dollhouse a cozy feel.

You've finally created a realistic dollhouse, but something is missing. Your dollhouse sits vacant and undecorated without furniture. Fill that dollhouse with your own wooden dollhouse miniatures. It may even give you some ideas for decorating your own home. These wooden miniatures can be simple or elaborate, rustic or refined - all the design decisions are up to you. Start your project by choosing a scale and look for your miniatures and you're on your way to a fully-furnished dollhouse.

Things You'll Need

• Paper
• Pencil
• Ruler
• Balsa wood
• X-acto knife
• Sandpaper
• Carpenters' glue or epoxy
• Toothpicks
• Rubber bands
• Wood stain
• Varnish or wax
• Fabric
• Paintbrush

Instructions

1. Select the size and type of furniture needed for your dollhouse. In addition to deciding which item to make first, you will also have to determine the correct scale for your dollhouse furniture. The scale you use will depend on the size of your dollhouse as compared to the measurements of a life-size house.

2. Sketch a simple pattern of your furniture after determining the scale. You will need a ruler to develop exact measurements that are to scale. Note the dimensions of each piece of wood needed to construct your furniture. For example, a sofa miniature will require at least three pieces of wood: one back, two sides, and one seat. Note the measurements needed for each of those pieces based on your chosen scale.

3. Use an X-acto knife, or similar utility knife designed for craftsmen, to cut the balsa wood to scale using the measurements from the pattern you created. Sand down any rough edges using fine sandpaper.

4. Mark the wood to indicate where any glue is needed. Use a toothpick to apply any needed carpenters' glue to the wood. Put the woods pieces together according to your pattern. Push the wood pieces together firmly to ensure that the glue holds properly.

5. Place rubber bands around the furniture to hold the wood pieces together firmly. The rubber bands will serve as clamps while the glue dries. Allow the glue to dry for 24 hours.

6. Remove the rubber bands. Test the sturdiness of your furniture to ensure that the glue has fully dried.

7. Glue fabric to replicate upholstery furniture. For instance, if you are building a sofa, drape the fabric over the wooden frame to create a realistic look. After you have achieved the desired look, glue the fabric in place.

8. Apply wood stain, according to manufacturer's directions, to replica wooden furniture. Allow the wood stain to dry completely before applying a finishing wax or varnish.

9. Paint any furniture that requires a painted look. Look to furniture in your own home for color and pattern inspiration. You will need to use a very small paintbrush to achieve a polished look.

10. Arrange your new miniature wooden furniture in your favorite dollhouse to create an ideal scene.

Tips & Warnings

• Dollhouse furniture patterns may be found at craft and hobby stores.

• Use fabric with small patterns, rather than bold or large patterns, to create a realistic miniature look.

• Add foam inserts between the wood and the fabric to make upholstered replicas look more realistic.

• Use caution when cutting with an X-acto knife.

References

• Kuoi: 1/12th Scale Mission Style Bedroom Furniture
• Let's Build a Dollhouse