Common Dollhouse Scales
| Scale |
Ratio |
Notes |
Best For |
| 1:12 |
1 inch = 1 foot |
Most popular |
Standard dollhouses |
| 1:24 |
½ inch = 1 foot |
Half scale |
Small spaces, collectors |
| 1:48 |
¼ inch = 1 foot |
“Quarter scale” |
Travel kits, detailed builds |
| 1:144 |
1/12 of 1:12 |
Micro |
Inside other dollhouses |
| 1:6 (Barbie) |
2 inch = 1 foot |
Oversized |
Fashion dolls, display |
| Tool |
Use |
Notes |
| Precision Knife (X-Acto) |
Cutting materials |
Sharp blades essential |
| Metal Ruler |
Straight cuts |
Use with knife |
| Cutting Mat |
Surface protection |
Self-healing recommended |
| Mini Saw/Scalpel |
Small wood cuts |
For balsa and basswood |
| Tweezers |
Handling small parts |
Fine-tip style preferred |
| Pin Vise (Hand Drill) |
Drilling tiny holes |
For furniture or wires |
| Sanding Block/Nail File |
Smoothing surfaces |
Fine grit for detail |
| Paint Brushes (Size 0–5/0) |
Painting details |
Use acrylic-compatible |
Popular Materials for Miniatures
| Material |
Use |
Notes |
| Basswood/Balsa |
Furniture, floors |
Lightweight, easy to cut |
| Chipboard/Cardstock |
Walls, accessories |
Cheap & customizable |
| Polymer Clay |
Food, figures |
Oven-bake to harden |
| Resin (UV or Epoxy) |
Water, glass, shine |
Requires molds or forms |
| Fabric Scraps |
Rugs, bedding |
Thin cottons work best |
| Wire (22–30 gauge) |
Fixtures, frames |
Use pliers for bending |
| Beads & Findings |
Lights, hardware |
Jewelry parts double well |
| Air-Dry Clay |
Wall texture, sculpting |
Easy cleanup, no oven needed |
Paints & Finishes
| Type |
Use |
Notes |
| Acrylic Paint |
General painting |
Fast-drying, matte or gloss |
| Wood Stain (Miniature) |
Realistic finishes |
Use sparingly |
| Mod Podge/Sealer |
Sealing, shine |
Choose matte or gloss |
| Spray Sealant |
Long-term protection |
Use outdoors with masks |
Miniature Furniture & Fixtures
| Item |
Best Material |
Notes |
| Chairs/Tables |
Basswood, dowels |
Use templates or kits |
| Beds & Beddings |
Fabric, foam |
Foam core for mattress base |
| Bookshelves |
Chipboard |
Add faux books with painted spines |
| Lights |
LED + wire or faux |
Real wiring or fake bulbs |
| Kitchen Appliances |
Polymer clay + paint |
Bake separately and glue in |
Project Ideas by Level
Beginner Projects
| Project |
Time |
Skills Practiced |
| Mini Table or Chair |
1–2 hrs |
Gluing, measuring |
| Bookshelf with Books |
1 hr |
Painting details |
| Mini Food (Polymer Clay) |
2 hrs |
Sculpting, painting |
| Simple Room Box |
3–4 hrs |
Wall assembly, flooring |
| Project |
Time |
Focus |
| Themed Room Scene |
6–12 hrs |
Layout, furniture, style |
| Mini Greenhouse |
8–16 hrs |
Window installation, plants |
| Light-Up Room Box |
10–15 hrs |
Wiring LEDs, decor layering |
| Mini Shop Display |
12+ hrs |
Product shelves, signage |
Advanced Projects
| Project |
Challenge |
Materials |
| Dollhouse Renovation |
High |
Wood, paint, wallpaper |
| Functional Doors/Windows |
Precision needed |
Hinges, clear plastic |
| Miniature Bakery/Café |
Detail-rich |
Sculpted food, signage |
| Double-Sided Diorama |
Spatial planning |
Dual scenes in 1 unit |
Popular Themes & Styles
| Theme |
Notes |
Common Materials |
| Victorian House |
Classic dollhouse look |
Ornate trims, wallpapers |
| Modern Loft |
Sleek & minimalist |
Acrylic, clean lines |
| Fairy Garden |
Whimsical & outdoor |
Moss, bark, LED lights |
| Cottagecore Kitchen |
Cozy, rustic |
Gingham, baskets, bread |
| Cyberpunk Room |
Neon lights, tech |
Resin panels, foil accents |
Miniature Building Tips
| Tip |
Why It Matters |
| Use Templates |
Ensures scale accuracy |
| Test Fit Before Gluing |
Prevents irreversible mistakes |
| Layer Paints |
Adds realistic wear/shadows |
| Scale Printables |
Great for books, signs, tiles |
| Take Progress Photos |
Track improvement + social content |
Display & Storage Ideas
| Option |
Best For |
Notes |
| Wall-Mounted Shadow Box |
Room scenes |
Saves shelf space |
| Glass Dome Display |
Small builds |
Dust protection |
| Clear Bins + Labels |
Material storage |
Sort by colour or type |
| Stackable Drawers |
Tools & minis |
Use dividers |
| Rotating Display Stand |
Shows all sides |
Great for markets |
| Resource |
Type |
Best For |
| Instagram (#miniatureart, #dollhouseDIY) |
Visual ideas |
Trend watching |
| YouTube (Bentley House Minis, SugarCharmShop) |
Tutorials |
Beginner to advanced |
| Facebook Groups |
Peer advice, challenges |
Community tips |
| Miniatures.com |
Kits, supplies |
Online shopping |
| Dollhouse Shows/Conventions |
In-person networking |
Buy, sell, display |
Every tiny room tells a story, what will yours say?