How to Build a House Using a Shoe Box
Make a charming two-story cottage from a large shoe box. This doll house is the correct size for 1/12 scale miniature furniture. It is also a good size for the plastic miniature furniture that is sold by the room at dollar stores. So you can build and furnish this doll house for $2.
Things You'll Need
- Large shoebox
- Mat knife
- Ruler
- Table knife
- Craft glue
- Paper
- Wooded coffee stirring sticks
Instructions
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1
Cut the long side off the shoebox lid. Measure the inside depth of the shoebox. Mark this distance from the corner on the uncut long side of the lid. Cut a slit in the side of the lid at this mark. Mark the same distance on the cut side of the lid.
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2
Score a line on the inside of the lid, across the middle of the lid from the slit to the mark on the other side. This crease should be perpendicular to the long side of the lid. Use a dull knife to score the cardboard. Fold the lid at a 90-degree angle along this line. This will be the floor of the second story of the house.
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3
Trim the cut edge of the lid until the floor will fit snugly inside the box. It will be supported by the folded down side of the lid. You may cut off the front edge of the floor or leave it to give the floor a finished edge. Glue the second floor in place.
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4
Paint the walls and ceiling, or cover them with wallpaper. Cover the floors with fabric or lay a wood floor with Popsicle sticks.
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5
Glue on rectangles of paper for windows. Frame them with pieces cut from wooden coffee stirring sticks. Make framed pictures the same way.
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Tips & Warnings
As in many houses the first floor may have higher ceilings than the second floor.
Self-adhesive vinyl with a small print makes good wallpaper.
If the bottom floor is not flat, you may need to add a cardboard subfloor.
Scraps of velveteen make a soft plush carpet.
Use scraps of ruffled trim for curtains.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit field furniture image by Vaida from Fotolia.com
