Today, I’m building the base for a dollhouse that will have its own legs, making it different from others. A square or rectangular dollhouse with a front opening is a good choice for this design. However, keep in mind that you won’t be able to add landscaping since the dollhouse will resemble a piece of furniture.
First, I went to the hardware store to get a piece of plywood that is 2/8” thick, which is twice the thickness of the dollhouse's plywood. I had it cut to match the dimensions of the first floor of the dollhouse. This base is important because placing the legs directly on the dollhouse floor, which is only 1/8" thick, could lead to sagging when furniture is added. The legs will be positioned at the corners, so support in the middle is essential.
Next, I purchased furniture legs. While they can be pricey, I found some nicely carved ones at a reasonable price. When selecting legs, consider two things - First, try to find legs without screws on top. If they do have screws, ask someone at the hardware store for help in removing them. Second, pay attention to the length of the legs. They should be at least 20” long so you can comfortably view the interior of your dollhouse without crouching. For taller and narrower dollhouses, shorter legs can work if you want it to resemble a highboy cabinet.
To assemble the base, you’ll need someone to hold one end or rest it on a table of similar height. Position a leg at one corner of the base so that it is flush with both edges. Apply wood glue to the leg and secure it with three 3” nails for stability. Once all four legs are attached, I used two leftover porch posts, cutting them to fit between each leg on the sides. Masking tape helped hold everything tightly in place. Now you can start building your dollhouse on this sturdy base.
As you add trim and other features, this structure will become even stronger. Let your creativity flow from here; you can add carved dowels between the front and side legs or position them closer to either end as you envision your ideal dollhouse design.
