The Calico Critters that live in my childhood dollhouse have four(!) children, luckily they have the the entire attic space to enjoy. One side of the attic is a bedroom, the other side is a playroom. Both rooms are full of colorful touches and lots of DIY projects. Read on for some inspiration for your own dollhouse makeover!
Childhood Dollhouse Makeover: Kids Bedroom
The left side of the dollhouse attic space is the kids bedroom. At some point in the past there was yellow wallpaper and a piece of leftover wall to wall carpet, but when I started the makeover the space was a blank slate.

For the back feature wall, I used a piece of scrapbook paper. The colors of the butterflies inspired the color palette for the whole room. I painted the two side walls with acrylic paint and used a solid piece of cardstock for the flooring. The polka dot rug is a designer’s fabric sample and fits in so well.

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The bureau was originally dark wood that I painted with magenta acrylic paint and replaced with knobs with little beads. I made the lamp using:
- button on the bottom for stablility
- bead for the base of the lamp
- painted skewer, cut to length
- toothpaste cap, painted with acrylic paint
Ever since I made this lamp I can’t throw away a fluted toothpaste cap–just in case I need to make something with it lol.

While the older bunnies each have a bed, the twins also needed a place to sleep. Due to space constraints, I chose to make them a cradle using mat board. I looked at a few inspiration photos and then sketched a design. The pieces are glued together with my favorite tacky glue and the cradle is painted with acrylic paint. Butterfly appliques and a flower add some sweet decorative touches. The mattress is just a piece of foam core wrapped in fabric, secured with glue. The twins don’t mind sharing the cradle because they’re tiny.

The bed with the bed knobs is a favorite of mine, purchased years ago for $1 at AC Moore. I wish I’d bought like 6 more! Alas, I did not so I hacked a small Dollar Tree wooden bed instead. I ended up taking it apart, cutting it apart in the center and gluing in a piece of scrap wood to make it the same length as the other bed. Once I added bedding, I was quite happy with it.

For the bedding, I used scraps of fabric to make bedspreads, throw blankets, and pillows. I found this pillow tutorial very easy to follow. Ironing the bedspreads really gives them a crisp, finished look that I love.

Childhood Dollhouse Makeover: Playroom
The other side of the attic features a playroom for the children. The ‘before’ photo highlights peeling contact paper on the sloped wall and a piece of yellow (why??) carpet.

Once again I used a brightly patterned piece of scrapbook paper on the sloped rear wall and painted the side walls. Lots of little details bring this space to life.


Every playroom needs a game table and this game table is part of my original collection of furniture from the 1970s. I love the nostalgia–and the hand painted pattern.

The toy chest is a new addition that I purchased as an unfinished box. I painted it with acrylic paint and used Mod Podge to glue on the fun & games letters (cut from a magazine). The area rug is another designer fabric sample.

It was hard to photograph in the room, but if you look closely you can see the PLAY pennant over the playroom door. I made it using felt, glue, and letters cut from vintage books. I think it’s adorable :-).

Along the back wall of the playroom I used a block of wood with faux, glued on “doors” to mimic a built in cabinet. It’s a great space to hold all sorts of playroom essentials including a book, a Chinese checkers board, and a record player (from the cake decorating shop lol).

And that’s a wrap on the tour of the kids’ bedroom and playroom in my updated DIY Childhood Dollhouse. I hope you found some ideas and inspiration for decorating your own dollhouse!
Did you miss the tour of the other rooms in my dollhouse? See them here:
Dollhouse Kitchen | Dollhouse Living Room & Dining Room | Dollhouse Bathroom | Dollhouse Bedroom | Dollhouse Reading Nook
xo,
Jen
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