Choosing a Dollhouse Kit

One of the most difficult aspects of building your first kit dollhouse has always been choosing the kit. The careful consideration of style, size, degree of difficulty, and price is the cornerstone of any dollhouse project. With the recent boom in miniature sites on the Internet, shopping for dollhouse kits has never been easier. Chances are, if you can think of it, somebody out there is selling it - so where do you start? First, there are a couple of things to consider:

Style: This is probably the most important aspect to consider. Remember that the style of your house will probably dictate all of your choices in color, furniture, and accessories. There's no point in choosing a rustic log cabin kit if you really love Victorian furniture, so think about this carefully.

Size: Get out your tape measure, and figure out how much space you have to spare. Think long and hard about buying a three story gabled house if you only have a few square feet in which to display it. Before you buy any kit, measure out the dimensions and make sure you can live with something that size.

Scale: Most dollhouse kits come it 1:12 scale - that is, one inch equals 12 inches. This is the most popular scale for houses, furniture, and accessories, and the easiest to shop for. Other scales include 1/2:12, 1/4:12, and HO scale for those interested in model trains. There are also houses in play scale, which is somewhat larger, for young children. Consider how the house will be used, and how tiny you want to work.

Degree of difficulty: Don't bite off more than you can chew - at least not at first. If you are a beginner, consider making a small house for a friend or relative before you buy that big, ornate house kit. This will give you a chance to try new techniques such as wallpapering and wiring, and will help you to understand the process. If you're not handy with tools, consider a house that uses tab and slot construction, or invest in a pre-built shell.

Price: Dollhouse building often requires a big investment, and even the best bargain must be carefully considered. If you find an incredible price for the mini mansion of your dreams, stop and consider how many lighting fixtures, sheets of wallpaper, and tiny pieces of furniture the project is going to take. There is nothing more frustrating than having to stop construction for a couple of months because the next step is too expensive. Plan ahead.

To get a good idea of what you are about to take on, read through Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Dollhouses But Didn't Know Who To Ask, which has long been the basic resource for new dollhouse builders. This book takes you through the basics of dollhouse building, including the terminology you will need to understand when you are shopping.