How to Turn an Old Dresser Into a Beautiful Custom Dollhouse

Use an old piece of furniture to create an heirloom toy that will be cherished for years to come.

Creating a dollhouse from an existing piece of furniture is sort of like a miniature renovation project. Just as you'd do if you were making over your own home, you can choose a color palette, décor style, and furnishings that are unique to your aesthetic.

You can upcycle virtually any piece of furniture, as long as it has (or had, at one time) drawers or cubbies behind the doors. We're partial to wood dressers, as they have a warmth that lends itself well to creating a miniature home.

When it comes to sourcing your future dollhouse, flea markets, yard sales, and online marketplaces are great places to look. Be sure to check that your piece is in good fixable condition and is free of mold or offensive smells.

Once you find the perfect vessel for your new dollhouse, you can begin renovating it by adding floors, walls, and furnishings.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

Dry cloth
Vacuum with upholstery brush attachment
Paint brushes
Oscillating tool
Utility knife
Wood glue
Foam core
Hot glue gun
Hot glue

Materials

Paint
Hardboard project panels

Instructions

Prepare your dresser:

Credit: Ashley Poskin

Remove the drawers and wipe down the interior. Use a dry paintbrush or the upholstery attachment on your vacuum to get rid of remaining dust or cobwebs. Inspect the drawers to see if you can reuse any of the wood. In some cases, you might be able to use the base of the drawer as walls or flooring in the dollhouse. The idea here is to reuse as much as possible.
Paint the dresser:

Paint the interior and exterior of the dresser. Paint stores sell samples that are the perfect size for this job—one or two coats of a flat or eggshell interior paint are usually all you'll need for coverage. For this project, we used Sherwin Williams Celery (6421) on the interior, Offbeat Green (6706) on the shingles, and Basque Green (6426) on the windows. The exterior was already painted when it was purchased.
Install floors:

Credit: Ashley Poskin

Hardboard project panels can be found in 2-by-4 foot pieces at hardware stores. Measure and cut the panels with an oscillating tool so they fit inside the dresser where the drawers used to be. Run a bead of wood glue around the drawer rail, place the flooring, and weigh it down with heavy books until dry.
Install Walls

Credit: Ashley Poskin

Create mock walls out of foam core and make adjustments with a utility knife. Use the foam as stencils to cut your walls out of hardboard. Use wood glue to keep in place. (If you don't want to commit to permanent walls, stick with foam core walls. A small dab of hot glue will keep them in place, which makes them easy to pop out once you're ready for a new configuration.)

green dresser with dollhouse inside — Credit: Ashley Poskin

How to Decorate Your Dollhouse

There are so many fun options when it comes to choosing a look for your dollhouse, from Victorian and farmhouse to a cottage-inspired abode. When sourcing pieces for your dollhouse, search for 1:12 scale dollhouse furniture and miniatures (1:6 if you're building a dollhouse for Barbie or other 12-inch dolls).

Peel and stick removable wallpaper samples are an affordable and fun way to give your dollhouse personality. Craft paper, fabric, tea towels, placemats, and stencils can be used for flooring and area rugs. Craft stores are a great source for project hardware and exterior items like shingles, trim, windows, faux flooring, and other notions that create even more distance between dresser and dollhouse.

Updated by

Madeline Buiano