Foam for Dollhouse Interiors

Creating model villages and intricate dollhouses is a therapeutic hobby for many, and the techniques and materials for realistic small-scale scenes keep developing. People build landscapes and building exteriors with simple materials, specialist sprays and hand paints, while others turn to miniature soft furnishings to make their creations as realistic as possible.

Designing a dollhouse can be as simple or complex as you like. For children, simple designs invite customisation and imagination, while professional model makers and adults can use advanced techniques for detailed furnishings and more.

Foam for miniature furnishings

With a little creativity, high-quality yet low-cost polyurethane foam can form the basis of many furnishings. Foam can be cut to size for miniature cushions, bedding and more, upholstered in your chosen fabric. Cut each piece to size, or order a flat sheet and stencil and cut out each component with a craft knife – a deeper sheet gives room to carve curved edges for round cushions.

Flooring and features

Foam can also create realistic flooring for dollhouses and model villages. Incredibly thin, soft-density foam sheets can be placed on the floor and covered with felt or similar to create a plush carpet. Foam can also form features such as a chimney breast, secured and painted – simply order a piece in your required width and depth so it fits snugly between floor and ceiling.

Using foam offcuts

You needn't order new sheets each time. If you're happy to be creative with a mix of small pieces, a bag of our foam offcuts gives you several pieces at a fraction of the cost. Offcuts are simply the leftovers from our cut-to-size jobs – an environmentally friendly way to update your dollhouse, as none of our foam ever goes to waste.

Outdoor scenery

Foam can also create outdoor scenery. Offcuts can be shaped with a craft knife, then prepared and painted to make bushes, trees, rocks and more, affixed to plywood for a fixed base or placed freely to change the landscape. Foam sheets can also be carved into rocky, uneven landscapes such as rock pools and streams. For more scenery ideas, see our guides to foam gaming scenery and foam puppets.

For more on creating dollhouse interiors and exteriors with polyurethane foam, please contact one of our friendly advisers.

Frequently asked questions

Can you use foam in a dollhouse?

Yes. Low-cost polyurethane foam can form the basis of many dollhouse elements: miniature cushions and bedding, plush flooring, features such as chimney breasts, and outdoor scenery. It can be cut to size or carved from a sheet or offcuts.

What foam is best for dollhouse furnishings?

High-quality, low-cost polyurethane foam works well. Cut individual pieces to size, or order a flat sheet and stencil and cut out each component with a craft knife. A deeper sheet lets you carve curved edges for round cushions.

Are foam offcuts good for dollhouses?

Yes. A bag of foam offcuts gives you several pieces at a fraction of the cost – an environmentally friendly way to furnish and reimagine a dollhouse, and to shape scenery such as bushes, trees and rocks.