18" Doll House Plans

4 Room Option

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Copyright & Disclaimer:

No part of these plans may be reproduced or distributed in any form whatsoever, or stored in a database
or retrieval system without our permission.

We do not accept any responsibilities for any liabilities, actual or alleged, resulting from the use of this
information. While every reasonable attempt has been made to verify the information provided here, we
cannot assume any responsibility for errors, inaccuracies or omissions. Build and use at your own risk.

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Before starting, please read the step by step instructions and gain a full understanding of the
scope of the project. You should always work on a level and clean surface. Use glue with finish
nails for a stronger hold. Predrill and countersink holes if using screws. Please remember to
build in safe manner and always wear protective eyewear and ear plugs when operating tools.
You can search online for how to safely operate the tools required if you are new to working
with them.

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Materials List:

*Pieces A, B,C & E: (2) Each 4' x 8' x 3/4" MDF, Plywood or Wood Veneer
*Pieces D: (1) Each 4' x 8' x 1/4" Tempered Hardboard or 3/8" thick MDF
*Base Frame Construction: (3) Each 2x4 studs x 8' long
*Piece F: (1) Each 1 x 4 x 6' (3/4" x 3 1/2" x 6'-0")
*Piece G, I, J, K: (2) Each 1 x 2 x 8' (3/4" x 1 1/2" x 8'-0")
*Piece H: (1) Each 1 x 3 x 6' (3/4" x 2 1/2" x 6'-0")
* Piece L & M: (2) Each 1 x 4 x 6' (3/4" x 3 1/2" x 6'-0")
*Finish Nails - 2" for general construction (screws or pocket screws if using screws to construct)
*Brad Nails - 5/8" for trim
*Vinyl flooring / wood look
*Caulk for Trim
*Paint

You can have the lumber yard cut pieces A-C & E lengthwise into two equal 2' pieces. Reference cut
diagrams on the following pages. All other cuts would be done at home with circular saw. To ensure
straight cuts with a circular saw, create a guide by clamping a straight piece of wood on the board to be
cut. Use this board as a guide for the circular saw. See picture below.

Optional Trim Pieces and Paint as Shown in Pictures in Appendix A:

*Crown Trim: (2) Each 3/4"x 3/4" x 8' - The Home Depot - called an inside corner.
*Base: (4) Each 3/8" x 1 1/8" x 8' - The Home Depot.
*Casing: (5) Each 5/16" x 11/16" x 8' - The Home Depot.
*Window Sill: (1) Each x 8'
*Outside Window Trim: (2) Each Screen Mold 1/4 x 3/4 x 8'
*Outside Trim on Each Edge: (2) Each Screen Mold 1/4 x 3/4 x 8'
*Siding: Paint a solid color or lines to look like siding or
you could also buy wood slats lapped like siding.
*Roofing: Paint a solid color or you could

Tools Required:

*Circular Saw
*Miter Saw (Trim)
*Jig saw (cutting out doors and windows)
*Steel Square
*Tape Measure
*Finish Nailer & Compressor
*Brad Nailer & Compressor
*Utility Knife (to cut vinyl flooring)
*Kreg Jig (Optional if using plywood and pocket screws to construct)

Resource Guide
Reference Appendix B for ideas to decorate and furnish rooms.

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Step by Step Instructions :

The doll house is described to be constructed in place using MDF and finish nails. Using plywood or solid
wood using screws to fasten would be lighter and stronger if moving. Regardless of the materials used,
the doll house is very large and very heavy and will not be easy to move. You will need to check
clearances with doorways, stairs etc. to make sure it could be moved after being built.

Step 1:
Cut pieces per details below. Use a jig saw to cut out the doors and windows in pieces A & B. Drill a hole
in each corner of the windows to start cuts. Use a drill bit large enough to allow the jig saw blade to be
inserted for cutting.

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Step 2:
Build (2) each 2x4 frames as shown below. Fasten with 16d nails.

Step 3:
Mark and install crown mold to piece A and B per dimensions in step 4. Fasten Piece A to 2x4 frame.
Fasten piece B to same 2x4 frame. Screw 2nd frame with 3 1/2" screws through piece B and into 1st 2x4
frame. Fasten 2nd piece A to 2nd 2x4 frame.

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This is how it will look after step 3.

A
B

2x4 FRAME A
2x4 FRAME

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Step 4:
Fasten Piece C Left and Right (1st floor) to 2x4 frame. Place piece C Left (2nd floor) on the crown mold
installed in step 3. Fasten piece C Left (2nd floor) to piece A & B and from the crown mold into piece C.
Fasten piece C Right (2nd floor) to piece A and from piece C Right down into piece B (in the doorway)
and from the crown mold into piece C. If using screws to construct, you can use a kreg jig to drill pocket
holes in the bottom of pieces C and then use pocket screws to fasten piece C to piece A and B.

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This is how it will look after step 4.

C C
B

C
C
A

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Step 5:
Place piece D to back of Doll house. Finish nail piece D into pieces A & B. Piece D will be placed 1/4"
from the edge of the side and bottom. There will be a 1/2 gap between the top of piece D and the corner
edge of piece A & B. The back facial will cover this area in a future step.

B A

A
D

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Step 6:
Place Piece (E) flush with sides. Finish nail piece E into piece A and B. There will be a gap between the
roof piece and the back piece. This gap will be covered by piece (K) in a future step.

A
D

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Step 7:
Place Piece (F) flush with the side pieces A and with Roof piece E. Finish Nail into piece A and B. Place
piece G and H as shown and finish nail into piece A & B.

F
G
G H E

A B
A

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Step 8:
Place Piece (J) and (I) as shown below. Finish nail into pieces A & B. Attach piece K (not shown) to back
of roof.

J
I I I

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Step 9:
Place Piece (L) and (M) as shown below. Finish nail into piece A and 2x4 frame.

L M

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Step 10
Measure and cut vinyl flooring. Vinyl flooring can be cut with a razor and a straight edge. Provide seam
at doorway. Flooring needs to go down before the base trim. We nailed the floor down with brad nails.

Step 11
Measure, cut and Install trim using 5/8" brad nails. See pictures in Appendix A for options.

Step 12
Caulk trim, putty nail holes and paint.

We would love to see your finished product and show off all your hard work to others who might be
considering building the dollhouse! Please email pictures and any other comments you would like to
share if you feel so inclined to arobbins@digis.net.

Appendix A

We used a scalloped trim as the window sill.

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Door Casing & Base.

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Appendix B - Resource Guide: See picture on following page
(Some items have been part of our collection for some time and are no longer available)
*Attic furniture: Pottery Barn Kids doll bed and desk
*Violin and stand: American Girl Doll store
*Laptop and Bag: American Girl Doll store - Lanie GOTY 2010 collection
*Bathroom Tub: American Girl Doll store
*Bathroom Vanity and Chair: Pottery Barn Kids
*Towel: Washcloth
*Towel Rack: Small metal silver eyehooks, 5/16" wooden dowel spray painted silver and two wooden
balls hot glued to the ends
*Eyehooks from Lowes
*Robe hook: white coated cup holder hook from Home Depot
*Laundry Basket: Hobby Lobby
*Rug made from chenille fabric
*Curtains made from Tanya Whelan Fabric
*Curtain Rods: Small metal silver eyehooks, 5/16" wooden dowels spray painted white and two wooden
balls hot glued to the ends.
*Bedroom Bunk bed: Pottery Barn Kids
*Bedding: Tanya Whelan Fabric
*Dream banner: cut out on Cricut machine with glitter paper
*White Vinyl birds: cut out on Cricut machine
*Curtains made from Tanya Whelan fabric with pre-made ruffle trim hot glued to bottom
*Basket from Hobby Lobby (originally honey colored) spray painted matte white and pillow made from
fabric
*American Girl Doll Rug: Dollpatchworks on Etsy
*Kitchen Furniture: Pottery Barn Kids
*Bunting: Tanya Whelan Fabric
*Crochet sticker flowers: Martha Stewart embellishments from Michaels Craft Store/
*Piano: American Girl doll store
*Chair: Pottery Barn Kids
*Wood picture frames - (painted white) Michaels Craft Store
*Piano picture frame: Frame from Michaels Craft Store painted white
*Battery operated LED under cabinet lights for lights in rooms: From Home Depot or Lowes

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