Since many of you have been asking for an update on this large-scale (and delightfully small-scale) renovation, here’s a progress report on our second dollhouse. If you missed our first tiny house makeover, you can find that earlier project linked in the original post.
The dollhouse reminds us a lot of our real house, which made the process especially fun. Our nine-year-old has taken on the roles of general contractor, interior designer, and architect — helping pick paint colors, arrange furniture, paint, and dream up future additions. It’s been wonderful to see her lead the project while I play assistant and resident budget realist.
This build will likely evolve over time as we add more furniture, working lights, and maybe a spiral staircase to the attic. Even so, it’s already come a long way from the condition it was in when we got it — an early story about how it came into our hands is shared in a podcast episode referenced in the original post.
We mainly gave everything a fresh coat of paint. Our daughter wanted the exterior to stay white to match our house, and we painted the roof gray to echo our own roof. She’s leaning toward a slate look, so we may experiment with shiny paint and tiny cedar shingles down the road.
The back of the dollhouse was a blank canvas when we started:
Now it has fresh white walls and floors. Choosing a light background was smart — it allows bold furniture colors (navy, turquoise, red), patterned fabrics, and even a faux pink marble island to stand out. Kids’ design instincts surprised me in the best way; the light backdrop gives us freedom to layer in color and pattern.
If only we could shrink down to walk through this tiny kitchen — I adore the faux pink marble island. We painted the appliances and cabinetry with light blue craft paint, except for a shelving unit our daughter wanted navy. We discovered delicate little shelf brackets in the box of secondhand furniture we bought, and they were instantly the cutest detail ever.
That small potted plant in the corner was made by tucking a tiny faux cutting into a little bucket that came with the secondhand furniture. We painted the bucket gray so it reads more like a plant pot. Every piece of furniture in both this dollhouse and our first one is secondhand — usually purchased as a “lot” on marketplace sites. Buying lots is affordable and gives you lots to repaint, repair, and repurpose.
For the backsplash we printed white subway tile images, scaled them to the dollhouse size, and glued them to the wall. It was infinitely easier than real tile and gives a convincing look without the mess.
The pink marble island started life as a broken refrigerator from our other dollhouse. We flipped it over and glued a printed marble image to the top — a simple and satisfying transformation. Many tiny accessories came from thrifted lots, gifted sets, or a thoughtful mix of repurposed toys and found objects.
We made small framed botanical prints and wood cutting boards from magazine pages, and even a clock from cut-and-paste magazine art. In the living room, built-ins and a fireplace made the space feel luxe. Friends contributed miniature art and handmade surprises that added so much personality.
I reupholstered the sofa seat with bold fabric our daughter chose — no sewing required: the fabric was stretched, taped underneath, and glued in place for an instant refresh. The rug is an easy DIY: cut a burlap scrap into a small rectangle and fray the short edges for a jute look.
Shelves are styled with magazine-cut “books,” tiny beach finds, and other small treasures. We used tiny clothespins to hang more magazine-art in the foyer and upstairs landing, and several charming miniature plants and accessories were gifts from crafty friends.
One upstairs bedroom features a tiny lamp, a potted plant, and a small replica of our book that a friend made. Leaning art is simple to make by gluing magazine clippings onto a small piece of scrap wood. Beds are easy to refresh: peel off glued cushions when possible, paint the frames, and cover with patterned fabric secured underneath.
Across the hall, another bedroom includes a tiny plastic cat, more wood-art, and a playful magazine-cut glowing-eye sign. A tiny replica of a marble fireplace from our previous home — a treasured miniature sent by a friend — made us squeal. It’s incredible to find such specific little keepsakes in a dollhouse.
We reupholstered another bed using the scrap fabric method and duct tape to secure the underside. Tiny sewn pillows were stuffed with cotton balls, and more burlap rugs made quick floor coverings. We even made a miniature notebook using folded craft paper, a glued magazine cover, and a stapled spine.
Little surprises — like a pizza-shaped eraser that becomes a boxed pizza and a tiny soda can — make imaginative play extra fun. On the third floor, a charming old-fashioned bathroom features a pull-chain toilet and navy-painted fixtures with gold hardware. Small details like hand towels, a tiny mirror cut from a magazine, and vase-filler beads for a tub create playful realism.
We plan to add more hardware, interior firebox tile, and working miniature lights in the future. For now, the house is full of DIY charm, creative solutions, and plenty of personality. This project has been such a joy to work on with the kids — it’s a great way to see their ideas come to life and to show them that many creative projects are doable and affordable.
P.S. Working on these tiny houses has been a blast with the kids. Their imagination and enthusiasm remind me that many projects are easier and cheaper than we think — and incredibly fun to create together.
*This post contains affiliate links*