Doll House Design Ideas

Dollhouses are magical. In this tech-savvy age where endless new gadgets and toys are made every day, dollhouses remain popular not just among kids but many adults as well. They can range from simple cardboard boxes stacked one above the other to multimillion-dollar miniature houses displayed in museums.

There is something about miniature houses with their detailed furnishing and accessories that entices everyone. It is the perfect toy for pretend play as it stimulates the child's imagination and allows him/her to create the perfect dream world.

With so many types of dollhouses available in the market, from the traditional wooden dollhouses to modern-day Barbie houses, picking the right one for your child can be really confusing. Here are a list of things that you need to consider when choosing a dollhouse for your kid.

Choose the Right Material

Dollhouses are made of either plastic, wood, or cardboard. Traditional wooden dollhouses, being quite popular, are mostly made of 9 mm thick MDF board or plywood. Due to their sturdiness and durability, these dollhouses remain a favorite among kids as well as miniature collectors. Moreover, they can become a wonderful family heirloom that is passed on to the next generation. If you are looking for wooden dollhouses, then you should take a look at the Melissa & Doug Multi-Level Wooden Dollhouse and KidKraft Kayla Dollhouse. These dollhouses, however, are quite expensive, and some may not accommodate all your existing dolls.

Apart from wooden dollhouses, modern plastic dollhouses also find favor among kids since they are available in bright and colorful designs. Also, they are cheaper than wooden dollhouses. The hard plastic is durable, easy to clean, and can be molded easily for beautiful details. Moreover, you can buy a range of accessories and furniture for these dollhouses at lower prices. Some popular plastic dollhouses include: Barbie Dreamhouse, Disney Princess Ultimate Dream Castle, and Fisher-Price Loving Family - Family Manor.

If you are interested in DIY crafts, then you can make cardboard dollhouses at home. Not only are they fun to play with, but can also be made at virtually no cost. All you need is some cardboard boxes, colorful paper along with glue, scissors, and other craft supplies. Cardboard dollhouses made at home may not be sturdy, but they are really fun to make, and you can easily customize them.

Consider the Size

Various scaled-down versions of dollhouses are available in the market―1:12, 1:24, and 1:48. If the dollhouse is 1:12 in scale, it means the dollhouse and all its contents are one-twelfth the size of its life-sized equivalent. The 1:12 scaled dollhouses are the most popular ones among kids. The other scales are usually smaller and are meant for collectors rather than for a child's play.

Larger-sized dollhouses, also known as playscale dollhouses, are meant to accommodate play dolls such as Barbies. Usually these are made of plastic, but you can find some large wooden ones that accommodate your existing dolls as well. These large dollhouses are really handy when there are a group of two or more children at play and can also store the child's toys as well. This means lesser clutter.

Choose the Right Styles and Themes

When buying a wooden dollhouse, you need to check the type and styles of dollhouses in the market. Usually, dollhouses are modeled after popular periods of architecture. This include: Georgian, Tudor, Victorian, Antique, and Edwardian dollhouses. Of course, there are modern dollhouses as well. If you are a collector, then it is a good idea to decide the period you plan to decorate and furnish it in.