Everything you need to know about dolls houses

If you are completely new to dolls houses then this is a great place to start. On this page I will try and give you as mush information as I can about what the hobby entails, what resources there are, and hopefully answer your questions.

One of the first things you need to know about this hobby is that it is not just for children. Many people who are unfamiliar with dolls houses assume that they are mainly for children, but they couldn't be more wrong. In fact many of the items available to the dolls house enthusiast are not at all suitable for children.

Over the next few pages I will be giving you all the details I can on how to get started in this hobby as a collector. If you are looking for a dolls house for a child I have put together a page to help you choose a dolls house and furniture that is suitable for a child and will stand up to constant play. Click Here for our Children's Dolls Houses Pages or read on for more information on collecting miniatures.

Over the past few years the doll house hobby has mushroomed and would you believe that there are now thousands of collectors world wide. People all around the world are building and creating their own dolls houses and furnishings and the hobby has developed into a community rather than a hobby for the individual. Where ever you are you can find other collectors who are willing to help you out, share ideas and offer their advice.

As for the miniature hobby itself there are many forms it can take. Many people buy or build a doll house and furnish it with shop bought or home made items but you could also create miniature shops, pubs, hotels, restaurants, cafes, gardens or what ever you choose. The hobby is not limited to dolls houses although this is where many people start. I think many miniaturists dream of being able to create their own community in miniature, a little village with houses, shops, pubs, gardens and so on.

As for the houses themselves they come in many forms. You can purchase them ready built, have one designed to your personal specifications, build one from a kit, or build one from a plan. It really depends what you are looking for and your budget.

You can also choose from a range of styles and periods. The three most popular periods are Victorian, Georgian, and Tudor and you will find houses from all these periods in most shops and catalogues. Dollhouses also come in a wide variety of sizes from a one roomed box to a twelve or more roomed mansion. The materials most commonly used to make dolls houses are MDF or Birch Plywood.

Furnishings also come in many forms. There are many items available from shops or catalogues and there are also hand crafted items made by specialist craftsmen. You could also make your miniature furniture yourself and there are literally hundreds of books around with tips and ideas to help you.

One thing that is very important in miniatures is the size. If you have a dolls house that doesn't conform to traditional doll house sizes then you will have a lot of trouble finding furniture and accessories to fit. The standard size for modern dolls houses and miniatures is one twelfth scale. This means that it is twelve times smaller than in full size, there is one inch in a dolls house model to one foot full size. Almost all products you see in shops and fairs are to this scale. Houses in one twenty-fourth scale are becoming more popular now but items for these houses are still rare.

Dolls house shops and catalogues are beginning to pop up all over the place. Britain and America host the most but there are shops worldwide. Shops can supply you with nearly everything you need for the hobby right from the start. They are also very helpful with advice and support and the people who run them more often than not have a love for the hobby themselves and will be glad to talk to you.

There are also doll house fairs which take place in many major cities worldwide. Miniaturists flock to these fairs and at them you will find many products you have never seen before and some very skilled craftsmen. It really is well worth going to these fairs to get a look at all the aspects of the hobby and everything that is available and it is also a good place to start out.

As I said before there are thousands of miniaturists worldwide who are very willing to offer you their advice. There are also hundreds of clubs that you could join that meet every month to discuss their ideas and miniature projects.

I hope this has given you some insight into the hobby and answered your questions. If you are eager to get started our next page, Getting Started In The Doll House Hobby, will give you all the information you need to choose or build your own miniature house and will lead you on to decorating, lighting and furnishing. Click Getting Started In The Doll House Hobby