When we acquired a small, pre-owned dollhouse, I immediately recognized its potential for a unique transformation . As the house was constructed with plywood, I came up with the idea of building a solid foundation with stronger wood. By doing so, not only would it serve as a solid base, but it would be at the perfect height for my daughter to enjoy.

Now, here’s the twist: my little munchkin was only 1.9 years old, so I didn’t want to empty my pockets on extravagant accessories.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m head over heels for Maileg, but I had my doubts about whether all their accessories could withstand the toddler tornado.

Consequently, I opted to purchase some of their most toddler-proof pieces while relying on my own imagination to craft the rest. And let me tell you something, decorating a dollhouse on a budget can be a fun and creative project. It’s all about imagination and a sprinkle of DIY magic!”

Here are some ideas to help you decorate your dollhouse without breaking the bank.

Recycle and repurpose

Look around your home for small items that can be repurposed as decorations. For example, fabric scraps can be turned into miniature rugs or curtains, and small containers can be transformed into furniture.

With the help of a cotton cord, fabric scraps, and a hot glue gun, I crafted an adorable rug. Simply twist the cord, while gluing it to a piece of cloth, with the help of hot glue.

With another piece of a fluffy pink fabric, I sewed a simple rectangle that instantly became a delightful addition to the dollhouse.

While I typically steer clear of plastic, I firmly believe in the power of reusing rather than discarding. So, I repurposed the plastic container that came with the cheese. You can even paint it to your liking and voila! You have a charming little basket that can be filled with flowers or any other delightful trinkets of your choice.

DIY furniture

Create your own dollhouse furniture using materials like cardboard, bamboo sticks, and small wooden blocks. You can find tutorials online for making chairs, tables, beds, and more. Paint them with acrylic paints to add color and detail.

Using plywood and bamboo sticks, I fashioned a lovely closet. I decorated it with colorful paper and crafted some cool clothes hangers using copper wire and pliers.

Using cardboard, I created a simple and effortless fridge.

Wallpaper and flooring alternatives

Instead of buying expensive dollhouse wallpaper and flooring, use scrapbook paper, gift wrap, or even fabric remnants. Cut them to size and glue them to the walls and floors of the dollhouse to create unique patterns and textures.

Indeed, for the floor, I repurposed a self-adhesive paper that I had leftover from a previous DIY project—specifically, the Ikea play kitchen. However, when it came to the walls, I struggled to find one that met my liking. Instead, I turned to a cute array of scrapbook paper, boasting various colors and designs. To fortify its durability, I applied a protective layer of transparent vinyl paper on top.

Miniature art and accessories

Create miniature artwork by cutting out pictures from magazines or using watercolors on small pieces of paper. Frame them with sticks or small pieces of cardboard. Look for small accessories like beads, buttons, or charms to add as decorative accents.

By now, you may already be aware of my fondness for garlands.  So why not fashion them using delightful felt balls or repurpose fabric scraps? These simple tiny garlands can add a nice touch to the dollhouse.

Pom pom wall daisies

Remember, the key to decorating a dollhouse on a budget is to think creatively and use materials you already have. 

Children possess boundless imaginations, which means they can have a blast with minimal resources. Even with just a few simple items, they can embark on countless joyful adventures and imaginative playtime.

Have fun experimenting and customizing yours to make it a unique and charming miniature world! And if you have any other budget-friendly ideas, feel free to share them with us in the comments!