DIY American Girl Doll House

Your kids will fall in love with this American Girl Doll House made from an old media stand or bookshelf. We made my girls this three story 18″ dollhouse using a media stand we found for free on the side of the road. 

American Girl Doll House

I’m excited to share this American Girl Doll House with you guys FINALLY!! I initially made this DIY 18″ dollhouse for my now 13 year old, Lilly. I wanted a way to get all of the American Girl dolls and Target American Girl doll accessories OFF the floor. So I started looking into three story doll houses and how to build one. It all looked so complicated and extremely time-consuming. That is when I decided to look for old media stands or bookshelves that I could DIY into an American Girl Doll House myself. I found this one listed for FREE on a garage sale site, and I knew it was perfect. My husband picked it up on the side of the road, and we got to work.

My girls play with this dollhouse just about every single day, and my now one year old will join in on the fun soon enough.  This dollhouse is now in my five year old, Tay’s room.

The media stand was originally a birch wood color and full of glass and wood shelves … I kick myself for not taking before photos. You can search for an old media stand on craigslist and garage sale sites. If you are struggling to find one you could also create your American Girl Doll House using a few bookshelves. If your furniture piece is lightweight, you will want to anchor it to the wall. This one is solid wood and HEAVY … which is great because my girls climb on it all the time … insert eye roll and slap face emoji here!!

How To Turn An Old Media Stand Into An American Girl Doll House

• Remove all shelves and pegs.
• Wash it down with soap and water.
• Sand it down.
• Prime.
• Paint with a high gloss paint for easy cleaning.
• Decorate and fill it up with doll furniture and accessories.

I  like to purchase the real American Girl Dolls (they have better hair and last longer), and then buy some of the off brands for the furniture and accessories. My favorite off-brand items are the Target American Girl doll accessories. Here are links to the Kitchen Set, Washer and Dryer Set, and Table and Chairs Set. Playing dolls with my girls is one of my favorite things to do.

My Other Girly Ideas You May Love

• Bright Girls Bedroom that matches this AG Doll House
• Blush Pink and Black teenage girl bedroom

Get locker rugs or large pieces of felt (local craft stores) for your carpet in the rooms. I waited until a month after school started, and found these locker rugs on sale for 80% off.

18″ Dollhouse Accessories

For your American Girl Doll House, you can use the locker chandeliers for the lighting. Hot glue magnets to the top of your cube and hang the magnetic locker chandelier. It is the perfect lighting for any DIY dollhouse.

My dad built the living room couch set as a Christmas gift. You can find similar ones here. The TV and media stand are from the American Girl Doll Store. We went with the triple doll bunk bed because if fit in our space. You may need to use a double doll bunk bed instead. The adorable black and white stripe sleeping bags are from The Land Of Nod. They no longer carry them, but here are some other cute bedding options.

I ordered this doll desk, and the locker was my daughter’s from Justice. The science lab set was a Target find, and I currently can’t find the link for that item.

I purchased the bakery set from Walmart and painted the stripes pink. Here is a similar set.

I love the bathtub set and all of the adorable accessories that come with it. My youngest daughter loves to use this for her baby dolls too!

My husband built this American Girl Doll dog house. He got the idea from this one that you can purchase.

Anyone who knows me, or follows my blog, is well aware that I LOVE organizing. Life is way simpler with four kids when everything has its place. My girls have tons of American Girl doll accessories and finding a place for it all can be a challenge. I used a jewelry organization hanger for our American Girl Doll shoes and small accessories. Then I filled these decorative photo boxes with extra clothes and medium-size accessory items.

I hope you have tons of new ideas to help you create your own American Girl Doll House. Please leave me a comment if you have any questions at all!!