It doesn’t matter if you’re shopping around for your own dollhouse collection or you have a child that can’t get enough of this classic toy, it is way too easy to spend a small fortune in the doll house industry. Between shopping for pre-made houses and accessories, or building your own, you’re looking at a larger bill than you may have expected. Thankfully, there’s a few ways you can avoid the high price and still get everything you need to create the perfect doll house for your child or your own personal collection. So, don’t fret next time you shop around, because these ten tips are sure to lend a helping hand.
1. Sales Kits
One of the more popular ways to enjoy a doll house is to build it on your own. These kits can be pretty pricey though and may leave you feeling like you should just buy a premade dollhouse. However, kits can really save a small fortune if you grab them on sale. Like clothes and other items, you can find many items on sale because there is always a new season of items popping up. So, you might want to consider shopping the clearance area to see if there is an older doll house kit to suit your needs. Many mainstream hobby shops make it easy to get items on sale though. For instance, some of the most popular hobby stores offer major coupons that can take up to 50% off an item. This can be a huge money saver in the world of dollhouses, especially if you like to frequent the store for accessories and upgrades. You can find these coupons in stores, online or even in the company’s newsletter.
2. Refurbish
Another option for a doll house is to find an old one at a flea market or thrift store. Often, these doll houses aren’t quite ready to be played with or stored in a collection because they need a little work. However, the basic foundation is already there for you to work with. This can take a substantial amount of money off of your initial price tag. With an already built doll house in your possession, you will only have to worry about finding new carpets, paints, furnishing and any other repairs the doll house needs. You may even feel a great sense of accomplishment when you refurbish this home to suit your needs. Plus, you’ll have recycled an item, which is great for the environment.
3. Recycle
Speaking of recycling, you can do a lot of this when it comes to making your own home. For instance, if you’ve recently done some remodeling, you can easily take wallpaper or carpet scraps to use in your doll house. Even if you haven’t gone through a remodel, you can possibly find scraps at home improvement stores or even charities like Habitat for Humanity. Make sure to ask someone who works there if they are available. Sometimes people will hand them over for free because they will just end up in the trash anyway, while others will charge a small fee. Either way, it’ll help take off some money from your budget. Scrap fabric is also a great thing to use for dollhouses as it as so many functions. You can put it on the walls, use it for furniture and linens or even make doll clothes out of it. Of course, going through your own recycling bin can help out too. You can quickly make a doll house and furniture out of cardboard, which is sure to make any child happy.
4. Build Furniture
Like building the dollhouse, if you put some energy into building furniture for the doll house, you can save quite a bit of money in the long run. There’s lots of kits available to make the furniture and most are quite easy to do. However, some of these items can be pricey, so you may want to wait for sales. Another option is to completely wing it. You may enjoy coming up with your own plan for furniture and it will give the dollhouse a unique look that no one else can rival. You can easily accomplish this using scrap woods, some basic tools and paints or stains. Your imagination is the limit when it comes to these items, which will make the project a lot more fun. You can even use old doll furniture and turn it into something even more fantastic to make your doll house stand out from all of the rest.
5. Shop Off Brand
When it comes to the doll house world, there are plenty of big name brands in both pre-made and DIY brands. Unfortunately, these brands tend to cost a bit of money when it comes down to buying everything you need for the doll house. Of course, like most things, there are also many off-brands that can save you a small fortune. These brands still offer high quality items that will suit your collection or your child’s playtime though, so don’t hesitate to try them out. You don’t have to only shop one brand either. You can easily work with a few different brands to get the doll house home of your dreams. If your dollhouse is for younger children, then you may want to choose off-brand plastic items as they will last longer until the child can grow into a dollhouse that may be more fragile.
6. Consider Age
Building a doll house can be a whole lot of work, so age should always be considered when it comes to the planning process. If you’re working on a doll house for a child to play with then you may want to consider going the easier route and buying something plastic for them to use. Younger children tend to be rougher on doll houses and toddlers tend to chew on items. Thus, plastic is a much safer option and won’t leave you replacing the items the very next day. Of course, if you’re building a doll house for an older child or a collector then the sky is the limit. You can use just about any material you want without having to worry about limitations. You can also do this for young children to receive later on in life. However, if you choose to do this you may look for protective coverings for your doll house that will keep it dust and damage free before it is presented to the recipient.
7. Skip the Kit
If you’re feeling a bit on the creative side, then you may want to consider skipping the doll house kit altogether. You can easily make your own doll house simply by winging it. This is especially the case when it comes to using old furniture. For instance, if you have an old dresser that you aren’t using you can easily strip it down and transform it into a multi-story doll house that your child will go crazy over. The best thing is, you won’t need a whole lot of work to do so. Most of the transformation will be purely aesthetic. A smaller item like an old TV stand also makes a great apartment, which is perfect for kids who like to play with Barbies or other similar dolls. If you’re looking to make it a mansion, then a larger entertainment center is right up your alley! Of course, you can always use items like scrap wood to go all out and come up with your own ideas for a doll house, which may make the project a lot more fun for you.
8. Auctions
One great way to get a great price on a dollhouse is to check out the auctions. If you’re not looking to spend a whole lot of money you might want to check out online auctions first. There, you should be able to find a great deal on older doll kits or pre-made doll houses that are slightly used. This is perfect for collectors who love to put in a little work into older doll houses. However, you may find vintage doll houses that are perfect for kids too, like the classic Dream House. When it comes to local or large scale auctions, you will probably run into some items that are pretty pricey. This is usually because they are very old or very famous. Either way, it can be a great way for collectors to boost up their collection without having to pay the same price as a direct seller would charge.
9. Join a Group
With technology a daily part of our lives, you may want to utilize it in order to save money on all of your doll house needs. There’s lots of groups to join on social media that can truly help you get the supplies you need for all of your doll house accessories and upgrades. Most of the groups don’t charge you a penny, but offer a wealth of help. For instance, a lot of people in the group are willing to share how they achieved certain looks and styles, which will open up your creative skills. Many people in the group are also willing to trade or sell leftover items at a cheaper price. This can help you find some pretty awesome things that you may not be able to fund in your local store. Apart from that, many people will share when they see a sale or something that other group members might be interested in. With all of the support, you’ll probably feel like you can take on anything in the doll house world. Plus, you can always get feedback on your crafts to help you improve your art form.
10. Sell Them
If you love to make doll houses then you may actually end up spending a pretty penny on them, especially if you make more than one a year. Even collectors end up with doll houses they may not want to keep in their collection. There’s a great solution to this problem though! You can easily hop online and sell the items, which will certainly help you earn some money back, so you can get more out of your investment. Consignment shops are a great place to try to sell your items, but you could also open up your garage on weekends to see if you have any takers. Otherwise, you may have to take to the internet to see if you can sell off your items. This may mean special shipping will be needed, but if you can turn a profit you can always use it to make your next masterpiece.
Working on a doll house or purchasing your first for a child can be a great experience. There’s so many options these days that you will be surprised by what you end up with. You don’t have to fear the price tag though. These ten tips should help you find the perfect way to save a bit of money, so you can get even more out of your doll house experience.
