Before purchasing your dollhouse, it is crucial to consider its assembled size. Many dollhouses have been assembled in basements and have remained there due to their large dimensions. Some have even had to be given away because they required a significant display area. It is essential to find an adequate location for your dollhouse that is sufficiently far from windows and heavy foot traffic.
Additionally, consider how you will view the interior of the dollhouse. Most people do not have large enough display areas to walk around the dollhouse and view it from all sides. This means that rotating or moving the dollhouse for better viewing will necessitate more display space. Most manufacturers list the assembled dimensions for each of their dollhouse models on their websites.
Display Table Options
Turntable displays for your dollhouse can be expensive, but they can also be a worthwhile investment if you plan to have only one dollhouse. A drawback of turntables is that your dollhouse may collide with nearby objects while being rotated. For this reason, they should be placed in a spacious area to function as intended.
You can display your dollhouse directly on your chosen table or add a base underneath it for landscaping or garden furniture.
You can purchase a separate rotating tabletop that can accommodate your preferred landscaping and miniatures and allows you to use any table of your choice.
You can also purchase an inexpensive metal turntable to support your dollhouse, regardless of where you place it. These metal turntables were originally designed for assembly, but they function well for a fully assembled dollhouse.
If you choose to use one for displaying your dollhouse, consider placing a sheet of felt underneath the turntable to protect your furniture from damage.
The ideal setup is to have your dollhouse easily visible from any angle in the room. Positioning your dollhouse in a corner often works well. If you have power tools and some woodworking skills, you can create your own display table, although this may not be practical for most people.
Wheeled carts are a convenient option for displaying dollhouses. They are inexpensive, provide good mobility, and can save space. These carts are typically designed for computers or printers and are made of particleboard, making them suitable for lightweight tab-and-slot dollhouses. However, they may not support larger cabinet-grade or MDF models. Be sure to check the weight limit of your cart before purchasing to ensure it can accommodate your dollhouse.
Remember that tables for die-cut dollhouses are easy to find since these models are very lightweight. In contrast, stands for heavier cabinet-grade or MDF dollhouses are harder to come by. These tables must be sturdy enough to support the weight and size of heavy dollhouses to prevent collapse, which could lead to injury or damage.
If the wheeled cart has an extra bottom shelf, you can also display a smaller dollhouse underneath, which saves space.
If you have a large enough furniture piece at home that can be used and prefer not to deal with a landscaping base, consider adding stick-on glider felt pads to the bottom of your dollhouse to prevent scratches on your furniture.
If your dollhouse features a front-opening panel, you may want to purchase furniture glider tacks that can be hammered into the base of your dollhouse. These will help prevent scratches on the furniture when opening the front panels.
Some dollhouses are small enough to be displayed on folding wooden tray tables, even when fully furnished. These tables can be easily rotated by their legs for viewing the dollhouse without needing to touch it.
Front Opening Dollhouse Display Option
If you have a front-opening dollhouse, you can create your own display table by adding legs to it.
This display method is not recommended for use on a child's playhouse.
Materials:
- Wooden, unfinished furniture legs can be found in the lumber department of hardware stores. They come in a variety of styles. The legs should be no less than 20 inches long and no more than 28 inches long to ensure that the dollhouse sits at a comfortable height for viewing when seated in front of it.
- You will also need a plywood sheet that matches the size of the first floor of your dollhouse. Most hardware stores will cut wooden sheets to your specified measurements. This plywood sheet should be between 2/8 inch and 3/8 inch thick—no less and no more.
- Lastly, you will need 3-inch nails.
Preparation:
If the furniture legs have screws, staples, or other hardware attached, you can easily remove these with pliers.
Assembly:
Apply wood glue to the tops of the furniture legs and position them at each of the four corners of the wooden sheet. You may need extra hands to assist with this step.
Then, drive four nails into the legs through the wooden sheet. Be careful to center the nails properly to avoid them accidentally protruding through the sides of the legs.
Now you have a display table for your dollhouse to sit on, but it needs to be stabilized with wooden supports between the legs.
You can use wooden square or round dowels to fit between the legs for added support. They also sell decorative spindles, typically used for dollhouse porches, to achieve a more detailed look. Glue these in place and then use masking tape to clamp the legs together until the glue dries.
Installation:
Laminate the first floor of the dollhouse to the top of the wooden sheet, which now serves as the base for your dollhouse.
Use wood glue and binder clips to clamp the first floor flush against the wooden sheet.
Finishing:
Paint the legs to match your dollhouse.
Adding furniture gliders to the bottom of the legs makes it easier to slide the dollhouse on the floor, just as with regular furniture.
Wall Anchors
It's important to remember that long, thin legs will be supporting a larger top that is incredibly lightweight, creating a potential tipping hazard. Once the dollhouse is filled with heavy furniture, this risk significantly increases, especially when attempting to open the front panel of the dollhouse.
Regardless of the installation method used or the number of supports added to the legs, you must always use a no-tip wall anchor to secure the dollhouse to the wall where you plan to display it. This is particularly crucial if children will be around the dollhouse. Wall anchors are very easy to add to a dollhouse and are available at hardware stores. There are several types to choose from.
The wall side of the anchor should be screwed into a wall stud.
Always open the front panel by holding the main body of the dollhouse with one hand and pulling the panel open with the other. The dollhouse is not sturdy enough for the panel to be pulled open without supporting its main body, and it will tip over if a wall anchor is not used.
Keep in Mind
This display method works well for lightweight tab-and-slot dollhouses but may not be suitable for heavier cabinet-grade dollhouses. Although the legs are supported by dowels placed between them, they are not designed to carry heavy weight and will remain somewhat wobbly.
For this reason, I do not recommend this type of display for cabinet-grade dollhouse models. If you are skilled at making furniture, consider using braces or other additions to support heavier cabinet-grade dollhouses.
Where to Display Your Dollhouse
Dollhouses should always be kept indoors, as attics, basements, garages, and hot, moist outdoor environments are not suitable for storing a completed dollhouse. UV radiation and damp drafts from windows can damage your dollhouse and its finishes. Wooden dollhouses are particularly sensitive to temperature changes and humidity levels. If humidity levels fluctuate or if the wood is exposed to moisture, the glue can lose its effectiveness, causing your dollhouse to fall apart.
Dollhouses intended for display on outdoor patios or verandas must be sealed, which will affect the types of finishes you can use on them as well as the assembly process and materials required. Unless you are an experienced builder, it is best to display your dollhouse indoors.
Build your dollhouse when you have adequate space for it. If you need to store your dollhouse temporarily while moving, ensure that it is in a temperature-controlled storage facility to prevent warping and damage to finishes.
Although your dollhouse is made of wood, it is generally not susceptible to termites because it does not provide ideal food. The plywood used in your dollhouse is very thin and contains many chemicals such as stain, glue, and wallpaper paste after assembly. Maintain a clean environment to protect against other pests that might cause damage.
Maintenance of Your Dollhouse
If you have a dollhouse on display, regular maintenance and attention will increase its longevity. Usual wear and tear can be addressed with tacky glue and paint touch-ups.
Your dollhouse will collect dust; cleaning may be tedious but is necessary. The best way to dust your dollhouse is by using a soft-bristled makeup brush. Use this brush exclusively for cleaning your dollhouse because miniatures are delicate and can react negatively to chemicals or powders. Avoid using life-size dusters, as they can snag and damage your dollhouse. A makeup brush will also effectively dust off your landscaping.
When decorating your dollhouse, attach all miniatures to furniture using repositionable or permanent adhesive. This will simplify dusting; since everything is attached to furniture, you can remove entire pieces for easier cleaning with the brush. This method prevents small items from falling and getting lost.
Once the furniture is removed and the room is empty, you can dust window treatments and flooring. Shake off dust from miniature area rugs.
Miniature shops sometimes sell very small micro vacuum cleaners designed for dusting dollhouses. Micro vacuums intended for delicate electronic equipment also work well for this purpose. A dust blower for electronics can effectively remove dust as well. A soft-bristled cleaning brush is ideal for dusting shingles.
For information on dust-reducing display options, you can refer to my detailed post Dollhouse Back Cover and Display Case Guide.
Longevity
When built correctly and maintained properly, your dollhouse can last a long time. Whether made from 1/8" or 3/8" plywood, the key to a long lifespan lies in how the dollhouse was assembled and treated afterward.
Some dollhouses built in the 1700s are still on display with only minimal restoration. At that time, materials used were all homemade and natural. Today, we benefit from stronger and longer-lasting synthetic adhesives and materials. A well-built and cared-for dollhouse can truly become a family heirloom.
