Repurpose With Purpose: Dresser to Dollhouse DIY Project

How to easy turn an old dresser into a gorgeous dollhouse

Instead of tossing out an old dresser or nightstand that's seen better days, easy transform it into a cute dollhouse worthy of passing down for generations to come. Without spending much money at all, which is always a bonus. I've been dying to do this project myself but don't have quite the right piece of old furniture to do it with. It would be worth hitting a garage sale or thrift shop to pick up something just for this purpose. I totally stole this idea from Martha Stewart originally, by the way. Holla, Martha! Don't sue me!

Step One:

​Take out the drawers and remove any doors, and then wipe down the interior. Use a dry paintbrush or the upholstery attachment on your vacuum to get into cracks and crevices and get rid of stubborn dust or cobwebs. Don't throw out those drawers. You might be able to use the base of the drawer as walls or flooring in the dollhouse. I'm doing a similar project turning an old chest of drawers into a kitchen island and I'm planning to use the drawers as shadow box style wall shelves.

Step Two:

Paint the inside and outside if needed. One or two coats of a flat or eggshell interior paint should be all it takes. Your locally owned indie paint store or home center might have sample size cans of paint that would be quite enough and save some major money.

Step Three:

Martha's article recommended using ​hardboard​ project panels which she says can be found in 2-by-4 foot pieces at hardware stores. I think I've heard that called chip board or particle board. She recommended measuring and cutting the panels with an oscillating tool so they fit inside the dresser where the drawers used to be. Since I have no idea what an oscillating tool even is and the whole idea scares me, I plan to use foam core board. Whichever you choose, Run a bead of wood glue around the drawer rail, place the flooring, and weigh it down with books or other heavy objects until it dries.

Use wood glue to place walls permanently or a couple hits of hot glue to be able to pop them out and reposition

Now the fun part: DECORATE!

Look 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 is an awesome way to give your dollhouse personality. Craft and scrapbooking paper, fabric, tea towels, placemats, and stencils can be used for flooring and area rugs. ​Indie owned craft stores will have all kinds of stuff to go wild with including things you can use for flooring and even to adorn the outside if you want to make it look more dollhouse and less piece of furniture. I personally say leave the outside alone and let your creativity in having repurposed an old furniture piece into an heirloom dollhouse shine.

Temu has some great deals on miniatures, dollhouse furniture and decor if you're not lucky enough to have a local indie craft store. Don't fuck with Hobby Lobby. Affiliate links below. If you order through my links I may make a little commission but you'll get extra savings.

Mini LED Lighting

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Super cute mini baby grand piano

1pc Miniature Dollhouse Piano, Black Plastic Simulation Musical Instrument Model, Micro Living Room Furniture Decor Accessory for Doll House Dolls, Dollhouse Miniatures, Triangle Piano, Dollhouse

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🎉 Coupon price[$3.03]

Itty bitty books! Too cute!

I want some of these so badly. Reviews say Temu's prices are much lower than Hobby Lobby on these.

Suitable for 1:12 doll house accessories, DIY furniture models, decorations

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🎉 Coupon price[$0.64]

A Set of 12pcs/37pcs 1:12 Scale Miniature Dollhouse Kitchen Accessories, Including 15 Mini Doll Plates, 12 Sets of Cutlery, And 6 Mini Whisk Sets, Designed for Doll Toy Supplies.

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🎉 Coupon price[$3.70]

Dollhouse Vintage Carved Sofa Long Bench and Small Chair, Wooden + Fabric Material Simulation Furniture, Suitable for Dollhouse Living Room Bedroom Kitchen Decoration, 1pc, Model Props Miniature Landscape Decoration Crafts

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🎉 Coupon price[$5.06]