How to Design a Dollhouse
You can purchase a mass produced dollhouse at any toy retailer. But why not make your own? You can create a custom design that suits your child's dolls and play style, add special features, and have an heirloom toy that can be enjoyed for generations. Here is how you can get started with the design.
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Instructions
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Plan the overall size. This includes the height, width and depth of your overall structure. This will give you the limits of the interior space and what you can fit into the dollhouse. If you already have dolls that will be used in the dollhouse, design the overall size around the size of the dolls. You want the dolls to be able to stand upright inside the rooms with a few inches of head space. The dollhouse can be a simple, one-story structure, or a two or even three-level house. It is up to you and how many rooms you want to include in the dollhouse.
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Choose the accessibility. You can design a dollhouse that is open on top, so it is accessed through the roof area. You can create a removable roof that serves as a cover and is removed during playtime. Or you can design a dollhouse that is open at the back--this is the most familiar type of dollhouse and allows you design a complete front of the dollhouse and then simply leave the back open for accessibility during play. Another version of the open-back dollhouse is a dollhouse that has two side wings which swing open. When not in use, these hinged wings fold back to close in the dollhouse. When in use, they swing open for access.
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Design the floor plan. Once you have chosen your overall size and the accessibility option, you need to sketch out a floor plan for the dollhouse. Include the basic rooms a real house would have--a kitchen, a living area, a bedroom and a bathroom. If you are designing a multi-level dollhouse, you might want to include space for a set of miniature stairs, though they are not necessary. Make the room sizes proportional to their use--as in a real house, the bathroom and hallway would be smaller, the living area and kitchen the largest rooms, and the bedroom a middle size.
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Design special features. Since this is a custom dollhouse, take the time to plan special features that you might not find in premade dollhouses. You can create special rooms that reflect your family's lifestyle. Perhaps you could design a greenhouse on the side of the dollhouse, or a large front porch with room for a porch swing. You can also include built-ins rather than depending entirely on doll furniture. Built-in kitchen cabinets, benches, window seats, and bookcases are great options to include in different rooms of the dollhouse.
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Resources
- Photo Credit lara604 on Flickr.
