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January 27, 2014 by Jenae - 9 Comments
This post contains affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy.

Cutest Dollhouse Bookcase To Build Yourself

DIY Dollhouse Bookcase



 

Last week I shared our baby girl’s nursery and promised plans and tutorial for building a dollhouse bookcase. When I was on bed rest and browsing Pinterest to plan a nursery, I found this adorable dollhouse bookcase (inspired by a Pottery Barn version) that I quickly fell in love with. Once we found out we were having a little girl, I begged Prince Charming to create a DIY version of the Dollhouse Bookcase. I found plans on Ana White, which we modified slightly. In total, we spent around $150 on wood and other materials. This is less than half of the Pottery Barn price! We chose to buy real wood for the entire bookcase, but you could easily save much more by using MDF.

Want to build your own dollhouse bookcase? This version is even better than the Pottery Barn version because it is made with REAL wood and all the edges are capped, giving it a more finished look. We used a beadboard wainscoting for the back, which I prefer.

Okay, let’s get started…

How To Build A Dollhouse Bookcase

Dollhouse Bookcase Plans:

First of all, download the plans for the Dollhouse Bookcase from Ana-White.com.

Supplies For Wooden Doll House:

Next, you’ll need to gather your supplies. In addition to all of the supplies on the shopping list for the plans, you’ll also need:

  • Oil-based primer (since you’re painting on bare wood)
  • Elmer’s Carpenter Wood Filler
  • moulding and trim caulking
  • 1 x 2 moulding
  • Beadboard wainscoting (instead of the plywood backing)

Dollhouse Bookcase Instructions:

diy dollhouse

STEP 1. Set out all of your lumber.

IMG_3738

 STEP 2. You may want to use a framing square to mark your board prior to cutting.

 

diy dollhouse bookcase

 STEP 3. After cutting your lumber, use the plans to outline where to cut the windows. You will use a jigsaw for this.

 

dollhouse bookcase

STEP 4. Match the boards together so that the windows are cut out evenly.

 

dollhouse bookcase

STEP 5. While using the jigsaw, you may want to drill pilot holes for the saw blade to enter.

 

wooden dollhouse

This view shows you how the front baseboard should overlap the side baseboards.

 

diy dollhouse bookcase

Note:  You will use a miter saw, much like this DeWalt version, for the majority of your cuts on this project.

 

wooden dollhouse

STEP 6. Use a circular saw to cut out the wainscoting backboard. This will allow for a nice straight cut.

diy dollhouse bookcase

STEP 7. After the wainscoting backboard has been cut, apply glue to the backside of each shelf. Then use your nail gun to tack it together.

 

building a wooden dollhouse

STEP 8. Building the windows can be a bit more tricky. You will want to make sure that these windows fit just right.

 

dollhouse windows

  As you can see, two nails per side were used to fasten the windows. Once they were nailed together, install them using a nail gun

 

capping on shelves

**STEP 9. This is where our version deviates from Ana White’s plans. To make it appear more finished, we capped all the edges with 1 x 2 moulding. You’ll need to measure each edge to get it exact and then use your nail gun to attach the capping onto each edge.

 

IMG_3800

STEP 10. Once you’re done using your nail gun, you will want to go back and set the nails that did not sink below the surface of the wood. Once you’ve countersunk, then you are ready to fill the holes with wood filler. I used regular Elmer’s Carpenter Wood Filler.

 

paint the dollhouse

STEP 11. Once you have sanded all of the areas that you filled with wood filler, you are ready to prime. Using a roller, prime all the surfaces with an oil-based primer, since you are priming bare wood. You will definitely want to do this in an area that is well-ventilated, as oil-based primer puts off a strong odor.

diy dollhouse bookcase

STEP 12. Lightly sand all areas after the primer is dry.

 

diy dollhouse bookcase

STEP 13. Use molding and trim caulking on all edges to provide a clean look.

 

diy dollhouse bookcase

STEP 14. Apply the first coat of paint. Let it dry, sand and apply a second coat of paint.

 

dollhouse bookcase

STEP 15. Apply painters tape to the areas around the windows and doors of the dollhouse bookshelf.

 

STEP 16.

 Then you’ll be able to paint a different color on the windows and rooftop.

 

dollhouse bookcase

Allow to dry and enjoy the finished product! :)

Our Completed Dollhouse Bookshelf…

dollhouse bookcase

 

dollhouse bookcase

I am in love. I wish I had one of these. :)

diy dollhouse bookcase

 

diy dollhouse bookcase

Click here for more fun ideas for a girls bedroom or nursery:

Our Baby Girl Nursery

Baby Rag Quilt Tutorial

7 Tips For Moving Your Child Into A Big Bed

Train Table To LEGO Table Conversion

Tips for Organizing Girls Bows and Headbands

 

Horizontal bookcase

 

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sarah says

    January 27, 2014 at 2:07 pm

    Love it!! You guys did an excellent job! Thank you for posting the tutorial! My husband is going to make one for our daughter’s first birthday in March.

    Reply
  2. Vicky @ Mess For Less says

    January 27, 2014 at 5:34 pm

    This is awesome! I thank you but my husband does not since I will be asking him to make one for my girls. LOL!

    Reply
  3. [email protected] says

    January 28, 2014 at 12:53 pm

    Wow! That is beautiful! You’re lucky to have such a handy husband. :-) As the mom of 4 boys, I can’t help but to be a bit envious of the fact you are having a little girl. So excited for you and your family! Congrats!

    Reply
    • Jenae says

      January 28, 2014 at 10:00 pm

      Thank you! As much as I have loved decorating my boys’ rooms, it has been fun (and different)! :) And I am very blessed to have a handy husband…it is one of his many gifts!

      Reply
  4. Sarah says

    January 28, 2014 at 9:07 pm

    Would you mind sharing the exact paint colors/brand that you used? They are absolutely perfect!

    Reply
    • Jenae says

      January 28, 2014 at 9:58 pm

      The white paint is Sherwin Williams “Snowbound” in an enamel paint (it was leftover from when the dresser was painted).

      The pink paint is Valspar that we bought at Lowes in semigloss. I’ll have to get back to you on the color… :)

      Reply
      • Emily says

        June 18, 2014 at 7:21 pm

        Thank you so much for posting this!!! I was trying to find one of these on Kijiji, but even then, an older version was $275…and I like yours so much more! <3

        Reply
      • Nicole Neswold says

        September 3, 2017 at 10:26 am

        Love this! I’m having my husband make this for our little girls room! Do you know a guess on how much it cost in the end? Thanks so much!

        Reply
      • D says

        March 18, 2020 at 9:59 am

        Do you know the pink color??

        Reply

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