Interior Doors
For this dollhouse, I chose paneled doors. I added hinges to the bathroom door and its closet door, but the bedroom doors are fixed in place. I made the paneling using very thin strips of wood. Each bathroom and bedroom door has five panels on both sides, while the bathroom closet door features a different panel design. All the paneling was done by eye. Since each door is a different size and not perfectly square, measuring exact panels could create problems with the hardware later on. Instead, focus on making your pattern look straight and even, allowing room for the hardware.
When hinging a door, finish all edges of the interior door openings with spackle, sanding, and paint. For fixed doors, apply spackle and paint along the edges of the door and trim to cover any gaps. Finishing these doors is challenging in the narrow second-floor hallway, which is why my windows are not yet installed. I had to reach through the front windows to access the double doors from the hallway side. A handheld mirror can help you see all the edges. For the bedroom double doors, I left a small gap at the middle seam where they meet. This adds detail and makes them look more like real double doors.
It’s important to remember that tab-and-slot hinged doors are a unique feature. These are handcrafted, not pre-hung or pre-assembled doors on treated wood. While being able to move a door adds charm to a dollhouse, they are not designed to function like real doors. Handle them gently to avoid damaging the miniature hinges, which can be difficult or impossible to fix once installed. The wood is thick and heavy, especially if laminated like exterior doors, while the hinges are small and delicate. Do not force doors that do not close completely. If your doors don’t fit perfectly in their openings, it’s not due to any mistake you made; it’s simply part of tab and slot assembly.
Components may not be square or level because wood expands and contracts. Doors should be hinged on the trim before installation so that the trim covers the opening; this can cause slight warping that affects how the doors move. You won’t know how well a door will operate until it’s installed, so ensure you sand enough to prevent snagging along the edges. Dry fit as many times as needed and then let it be. If your door swings open because the opening and wall aren’t level—like my bathroom closet door—try adding a repositionable glue dot (the kind used in scrapbooking) to the inside frame. This will create a slight grip to keep the door closed while still allowing easy access when needed. Adhesive wax can also work but may wear down over time.
