This wooden, modern farmhouse dollhouse for boys is perfect for all kids with an imagination and an extraordinary sense of style!
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As the holiday season was approaching, my sister and brother-in-law asked me if I’d be able to make my nephew, Jace, a dollhouse… meant for a boy. Jace is a rambunctious and imaginative little boy with a tall pile of action figures. I had already been seeing some people on instagram posting about making their kids dollhouses and loved the idea to be able to do something that was simple, versatile, and meant with a special boy in mind.
His reaction to my gift was absolutely hilarious!! I captured it and all the details of the build in a youtube video, so be sure to check it out and if you’re interested in building this dollhouse for a young boy in your life, I’ve included the steps below.
youtube video
Tools & Materials
Lumber
- (2) – 1x6x8
- Sheet of Plywood – ⅛ x 2 x 4
Supplies
- 1 inch Brad/ Finishing Nails
- 120 Grit and 180 Grit Sandpaper
- ¼” Screw Bit (optional)
- Paint
- Wood Stain
- Polyurethane
Tools
Get more info on my favorite beginner tools in my blog post, ‘5 Woodworking Tools You Need For Your Beginner Workshop’
Steps
1. Cut the Lumber
- The first and third floors of the dollhouse are both 20” long. The second floor is 14” long.
- Cut the 2 lengths for the left walls to be 16 ¾” long and 8” long. Cut the right wall to be 33” long.
- There are 3 walls in the interior of the house. Cut 2 of them to be 8” tall and 1 of them to be 6 ½” tall.
- At a 10 degree angle, cut the top of the 8” left wall, the 6 ½” interior wall, and the 33” right wall. This will allow for the ceiling to properly slope.
- Cut the roof to be 32” long.
- The plywood will serve as the backing for the house. Cut the plywood down to be 15”x35”.
2. Trace and Cut Details
- On the left wall that runs adjacent to the first and second floors, sketch and trace arches and windows that will let the action figures move around the house.
- For the windows, if you choose to include them, you’ll need a power drill with a ¼” screw bit to create a pilot hole for the jigsaw to enter
3. Sand the entire Dollhouse
Sand each board with 120 Grit sandpaper. Then do some hand-sanding with a 180 grit sandpaper.
4. Stain and Paint
Stain the floors of the dollhouse with wood stain. I used Weathered Gray as a first coat and Dark Walnut, both from Minwax, as a quick second coat. You can use whichever you like, but I really enjoyed the chance to try out combining stains and loved the end result!
For tips on how to stain wood or how to improve your technique, check out my blog post on How to Stain Wood.
Then paint what will be the interior walls white, and the exterior walls gray. Or paint it whichever color works best for you. Seal the stain and paint with a polyurethane coating to protect it.
5. Assemble the Dollhouse
Using wood glue and nails, assemble the floors and wall of the house. I recommend starting in the center with the floors and interior walls and working out to allow room to get the nail gun into the spaces. Lastly, attach the backer board on the house.
If you’re not already, make sure you’re following along on Youtube, Instagram and Facebook! Be sure to tag or DM me on Instagram or Pinterest @MelanatedMakerDIY if you build this beauty!
If you want behind the scenes footage of how I accomplished this or any of my other projects, check out my Instagram @MelanatedMakerDIY.