Finishing an heirloom quality doll house is a lot of fun.   There are a number of options from the inexpensive to the expensive.   Which option you choose has a lot to do with how the doll house is to be used.   Finishing and furnishing a miniature house is not the same for a 5 year old as for an adult. 

Experts and Beginners may choose different options as well.   Just like our own homes the doll houses may also change over time.  You may choose a quick, easy solution right now and change it to a more advanced look later on. 

Below you will find different sections on Flooring, Walls, Siding, Shingles, Lighting, Furniture and more.   Our hope is that this page will grow as more ideas are added.  The experienced miniature house enthusiast has many more ideas than the beginner.   Please share your ideas of what has worked well for you.   We will update the page on a regular basis.  To submit comments and ideas please email: support@woodendollshouseshop.com or submit the below form.  

• Quick & Easy would be to paint or stain the floors.  Throw rugs could then be added.
• One option for carpeting is found at Home Depot or Lowes.  It is a very thin indoor outdoor carpet.  The draw back to this option is that there is a very limited color selection.
• Another option for carpeting is to use fabric.  The upholstery fabrics work well for carpeting.  Be sure to use a fabric that is heavier or has a nice backing.   May of these fabrics look like smaller version of normal carpeting.  Use paper to make a pattern before cutting the fabric.   The fabric should then be glued down or use double back tape.   It is best to use fabrics that do not fray easily.   If it does fray use fray stop first.  Don't forget to look in the discount fabric section.
• An option for bath rooms and kitchens is to use vinyl tiles from Home Depot, Lowes, even the dollar tree.  These may be cut to fit.  Peel the back and stick it down.  Be sure to pick tiles that have small prints.  
• Another option for the bath room or kitchen is to use ceramic tiles.  Some come in 1/8 in thickness.  These may be laid using grout or next to each other.  They should be glued in place.   The ceramic tiles that are 1/4 in to 1 in squares work well.  
• Another option for the bath room or kitchen is to use fabric.  This time go to the vinyl section.  There are a number of different kinds.  There is one that looks like small wooden squares.  Another looks like linoleum.  Don't forget to look in the discount fabric section.
• Another option is to use doll house vinyl that comes in sheets.  This vinyl is the small scale duplicates of the normal vinyl.  It looks like tile or wooden floors.
• There is also doll house carpeting.

• Finishing the walls is a lot like finishing the walls of your home.  There are a lot of different options.  Most things that work on the walls of your home will work in the doll house.  Be sure to pick small prints or copies of what you use.  Big prints will not look right.
• Easiest is to paint.  Lighter colors will make the rooms look bigger.  Be sure to dust the house first.  Do not try to spray paint the inside of the house.  You will end up with paint in your face & eyes.   Use a paint brush.  Most paint stores will sale small sample containers of paint.   It does not take much to paint one room in a doll house.   Most paint stores also sale the oops paints for reduced prices.  These are the paint people order then decide they do not want.   Watch for the color you want. 
• Small print wall paper from the hardware store works well.  Check out the discontinued styles.  This is harder to find then it used to be.  
• Mix paint and wall paper with a small wood trim between.
• Two different wall papers also work.
• Light weight fabrics will also work.  I have seen fabric used as wall paper and it looks good.  If the fabric has a white background painting the wall white first will make the white look brighter.  It would also seal the wood to allow the fabric to attach easier.   Use starch and a sponge to attach the fabric.  Place the fabric against the wall and use a sponge to apply the starch.  Starch may also be used for repairs.  You may also use a wood trim.  This will protect the edges.  Liquid starch works best.   However, I used the spray starch on the Aleene's Barbie Doll House and it worked fine.  You may have to go over parts of the wall that were missed after it dries.  Going around the doors was a bit more tricky but it is possible.  
• Wood trim makes all the different styles look better.
• There are specialty doll house wall papers that may also be purchased. 
• Stickers may also be used for accent.   Such as butterflies, fish, flowers, stars, sports equipment.   They make great wall accents.

The Outside - Use your creativity to make the house really special. 

• Walls - paint or stain the color of your choice.   Pick lighter colors brighten the house up.
• After the original paint job add flowers, trees, or bushes.   A picket fence may be painted in front of the flowers and bushes.  Picket fences are also available at craft stores.   These may be glued around the house to give an additional dimension to the doll house.  
• Painting bricks or rocks around the base looks like foundations. 
• Add wood siding.  There are many different kinds available and each will make the house look totally different.   The siding may lap over each other.  Be vertical or horizontal.   Or if the edges are rounded may lay side to side.