Doll Furniture

I love the idea of doll houses, a world within you own just for dolls! The only problem is my girl is a MSD, and finding reasonable priced furniture for her is a nightmare, I've tried my Flea market but no such luck. I Have however started working on Building my girl her own room out of a 18" inch doll armoire.

 

I was planning to buy a nice sofa/chair for my SD size doll to sit on until I browsed a few stores and saw the insane price range…for a few hundred dollars I can get a human size sofa. I gave up my plan after that lol.

 

Furniture for dolls is hard to find. Especially high-quality furniture.

 

I have a small collection of furniture for my dolls. A few pieces are actual BJD furniture, but I wouldn't buy a lot of what is available specifically for BJD. Not only is it expensive, but I've learned, that if I search long enough, I can find non-doll things that I can easily re-purpose. My favorite doll furniture pieces were bought from the local overstock store (therefore, cheaper than what they would normally cost) and aren't intended for BJD at all. My dolls' bed is actually a metal-framed dog bed - it's big enough for 2 60cm to get comfortable, and once it has sheets and a comforter it looks like it was intended for dolls all along.

 

I have to agree that a lot of the available stock Volks and other company's furniture items are just way too pricey. I know that at the 1/6 doll size - there is so much available simply because of Mattel and their Barbie line. So for the Pukis and other tinies - it is really easy and affordable to set up rooms or if you can manage an entire doll house for them.

As Kymera, mentioned "re-purposing" is a great way to get your dollies some home accessories. I have seen some "doggy or kitty" beds that are gorgeous and relatively affordable.

On the 1/4 size - definitely much harder - however; since the Fashion Royalty and Tonner dolls have become popular over the years - you can find some bargains sometimes in this size.

Then of course the most expensive and elusive size SD 1/3. Fortunately, if you look hard enough and long enough, you can find some affordable pieces with the AG series. Many of the American Girl doll items can work for SD.

Another way to look for some odds and ends are what they call "salesman samples". These are usually furniture pieces made around a 1/3 size that salesman used to sell the idea of the real life size mercandise, i.e., couches, tables, chairs, sewing machines and even cars. With that said, the "salesman" samples are very expensive because they are rare.

Another way to have some great finds at an affordable price is to look under the "bears" collectibles. I have found many items that are 1/6 up to 1/3 size - tables, chairs and couches.

If you can frequently check out your local thrift shops; you would be amazed at what you can find there - everything from the "Barbie 1/6" size up to the SD 1/3 size. Jewelry boxes can be dressers or coffee tables. Tea light candle holders can look like table lamps. Small picture frames with mirrors or designs make nice "paintings" on the walls. Place mats can be carpets. Plant holders are many times in the shape of chairs.

I have a "thing" about my dolls be comfortable. So I do tend to also use my dolly budget for lots of furniture. I do evilbay of course; but sometimes; garage sales and estate sales have some very cool items. All of this takes time; so on a rainy day; it might be "look for SD furniture" afternoon on the laptop. Or on a "free" weekend - thrift store and garage sale shopping. It really is just another fun part to this hobby =)

 

What is your opinion of the currently available doll furniture?
Oh, I ignore it. XD It could be the most high-quality stuff on the planet and it still wouldn't be worth it to me. My guys mostly rely on thrift stores for what they do have but I'm not big on the idea of making sure they have a house full of furniture. Maybe if I owned tinys instead of big guys...

What do you wish was available?
Really really cheap stuff! XD Nah, maybe a sofa with a compartment inside so you could store clothes. that would be awesome!

What prices do you really think are 'affordable'?
For me affordable means 20$... seriously.

And finally, have you ever thought of setting your doll up with traditional-styled Japanese furniture?
Oh no, no, no. My guys don't really have an ethnicity but I've never really enjoyed Japanese style furniture myself (Something about futons bugs me) so I stick with very nondescript items. Function over form and whatnot. After all, I want the dollies to be the focus, not the furniture.

 

I do really wish someone would introduce more lower-end price furniture for SDs... I loooove miniatures in general, but it's so hard to find stuff in the right scale for SD dolls. Stuff I actually want, no less. Kit furniture would be a real boon. Sometimes I do wish this hobby was popular enough for more mass-produced accessories haha. I will take your plastic chairs! Give them to meeeeeee....!!

I'd love to make it myself but I live in an apartment on the 3rd floor and have absolutely no head for crafts like that... I can't even figure out how to make a set. Oops.

 

What is your opinion of the currently available doll furniture?
I really wish there were more fantasy looking stuff, like something you'd find in Rivendell or Lothlorien. It seems like there are two styles: modern and Victorian plush. Then a bunch of metal/wire things and rustic wooden "do it yourselfers" from craft stores. A few American Girl doll things that might work...

What do you wish was available?
Couches are one thing, but I'd love side tables, lamps, desks, and chests of drawers or glass-front cabinets, roll-top desks--all in the same Victorian and modern styles to fit with the currently available selection of Victorian and modern couches. But as I said above, I want more fantasy based furniture. All my dolls are some kind of fantasy creature. They need dramatic furniture!

What prices do you really think are 'affordable'?
Realistically, I wouldn't pay more than $200 for a piece of furniture. I just put the Volks loveseat (the red and gold upholstered one) on my birthday wishlist. I think my hubby will get it for me. I think it's about $250. That's really the highest end furniture I'd ever want to get, and I'm only getting this one. I don't mind spending money on my dolls, but I'd rather buy more dolls than furniture at that rate. However, for a nice actual antique piece I suppose I'd pay more

And finally, have you ever thought of setting your doll up with traditional-styled Japanese furniture?
Nope. I have all fantasy dolls, none of them are Japanese or even Asian. I actually am not at all into the Japanese culture element of the doll hobby. Not even a little bit!

 

What is your opinion of the currently available doll furniture?
There isn't enough of it for my liking, and there isn't enough variety in styles.

What do you wish was available?
I would like to see more basic things like sofas, chairs, tables, and cabinets in simple, modern styles, and I would like to see rococo styled pieces. I am probably going to order a sofa from Dollmore soon, but I wish I did not have to ship it overseas.

What prices do you really think are 'affordable'?
Personally, I am willing to spend $100-$250 on an SD sofa depending on quality. I have looked at the Volks furniture and think they are pushing it with their extremely high prices, but then again, I have never seen them in person. Maybe they are just that nice.

And finally, have you ever thought of setting your doll up with traditional-styled Japanese furniture?
It would be cute, but none of my dolls are supposed to be Japanese or have a special interest in Japan. I prefer Japanese furniture for myself. If I could have any kind of furniture for my dolls, it would be French Rococo.

 

I actually have a LOT of furniture for my 1:3 and 1:4 size dolls!
The majority of my doll furniture is (real) vintage, but I am getting more modern-made items recently.

I have several couches, a pair of matching wing-back chairs, tables, desks, dressers, cabinets, benches, shelves and an (authentic) antique doll-sized steamer trunk. One of my display shelves is currently set up like a living room, and the other is a sweets shop complete with display case full of cakes and other goodies! XD

What is your opinion of the currently available doll furniture?
The stuff I see online is lovely, but very over-priced. The majority of it is armchairs or couches, so the selection leaves something to be desired. I see a lot of the over-stuffed velvet monstrosities... I would like more furniture with true-to-scale details, or a variety of styles.

What do you wish was available?
I wish there were more dining sets, tables, bed frames, etc. I have enough seating and I want different items to make my rooms feel more like rooms. Pre-made standing doors or sets of staircases would be amazing *w*

What prices do you really think are 'affordable'?
$10-$20 for a smaller item, $30-$40 for a larger item, $50-$70 for something really fantastic, or a set.

And finally, have you ever thought of setting your doll up with traditional-styled Japanese furniture?
No.
All my dolls are Victorian, European-style, so it really would not fit at all...

 

What is your opinion of the currently available doll furniture?
Well, I have Large-sized dolls, so my opinion is that there is not enough available and they are too expensive. On the secondary market or discount store finds, the prices are better, but things are still too rare.

What do you wish was available?
Just about anything! 1/3 scale is SO hard to find regarding anything! I'd like:
Shelves/book-cases
Tables-- coffee, side, dining, etc.
Beds
More couches and chairs
Gosh... just about anything for that size that you can think of!!!

What prices do you really think are 'affordable'?
Affordable-- $50 or so. NICE-- $15 to $50. If it's very special-- above $50. Over $100-- Ouch! Only if I was super-desperate, or it was just THAT amazing. Over $200--not gonna happen.

And finally, have you ever thought of setting your doll up with traditional-styled Japanese furniture? (I know I have! )
Yes. Actually, that would be pretty easy, I think!

Harder would be expensive antique Western-style furniture... Louis XIV style or Victorian... Or ancient-- Roman or Egyptian (unless for the common folk).

 

I wish there was more modern/design furniture for bigger dolls (MSD-SD) and more variety in general. It breaks my heart to see all the furniture and props you can get for 1/12 scale dolls ;_; - it makes me want to buy a small doll just to set up a doll house for them.
Most of my furniture comes from garage sales or flea markets.

 

What is your opinion of the currently available doll furniture?
Nice... I find whatever I want, anyway my stories is ocurring in another century ;P
BUT, my problem is the shipping fee D: as I live in Brazil, usually is impossible to me ( so, I only buy small stuff in a order with other things ;_; )

What do you wish was available?
I don't know! Things I was thinking about, like old cameras or sewing machine I already find with a few of search...
(and remember, I'll prefer DON'T find a gorgeous furniture if big XD Shipping fee's fault*)

*But if not, I'd love have a king-like bed (never saw... One of those with courtains, you know?)
and a fountain with angels

What prices do you really think are 'affordable'?
Ohhh, don't know. Really. Like clothes, if the quality is amazing I'll pay whatever (like BTSSB clothes. Expensive, I think it as well, but I'd pay it if is like my dream dress)... Well, but if I can think in something is "just not more expensive than mine" 'cause I'd prefer buy something for me....

I guess!

And finally, have you ever thought of setting your doll up with traditional-styled Japanese furniture?

No.
But now, is the first time i'm thinking... And I'd like it o.O

 

I do have a chaise lounge for my dolls that I found by accident. It's awesome and would fit up to a 60 cm doll. I paid 50 bucks for it though. I think furniture should be in the $30 range, and I think it's nice to have something my dolls can pose on. I also want a house for them, but it would have to be too big

 

i have brought a china doll with a chair (from a charity shop) and when i got home i gave the doll away and kept the chair. it's a wicker chair and is big enough to sit two msd dolls with no problem at all.

but i do wish it was easier to find furniture to suit them. I was just extrememly lucky the day i found the doll & chair. the other chair i have is a jewlerybox settee which makes a very small love seat or slightly big arm chair.

everything else they have i've either adapted or made. but i wish i could get some things properly.

 

Currently I'm planning a trip (with measuring tape in hand) to the local antique trinket stores. I'm hoping to find some doll furniture that might work for my dolls. Hopefully a bed or a sofa that would fit an SID boy.

What is your opinion of the currently available doll furniture?
Some of it is beautiful, but it’s for the most part out of my price range T_T.

What do you wish was available?
I’d love to see some modern looking stuff as well as some intricate metal framed beds and the like. Stuff like you’d find in the stores for human sized people today (Ikea, Anthropologie, stuff like that). These things might be available but I am newish to the hobby, so I’m just getting started looking.

What prices do you really think are 'affordable'?
depends on the quality. I’d say under 200 though, really. I don’t know as I’d be able to justify spending more than that on something I could get in person size for just a little more >_>. Like I said though, it depends on the quality.

And finally, have you ever thought of setting your doll up with traditional-styled Japanese furniture?
Nope, not really my thing. It doesn’t tend to go with their characters too well either. Charlie would work best with Colonial era New England-y stuff, and Hel. . . more modern things, probably. Neither of them are too into the Japan look though.

 

I am actually going to try building doll furniture. I'm not very skilled in making things, but the way you get more skilled is to make things, so I'll make things. I'm going to make them a couch. I'm unsure about the bed just because I'm wondering where it would fit. But it would be cool to make other items too, like side-tables or ottomans.

 

I love dolly furniture, but I plan to make most of it myself. Right now I'm working on a kitchen and shelves for my 1/12's dollhouse and a bed for my newest girl. Whenever I find a nice piece for a good price I buy it instead, though. I have dolls of all scales so I have a lot of furniture to acquire and even fewer places to put it.

 

I have purchased a lot of doll furniture at antique shows and doll shows. Children's furniture goes really cheap here in Indiana at auctions too. I would spend a couple of hundred dollars for a nice antique settee or painted chair for my Dollmore Lusion Dahlia!!

 

I have purchased a lot of doll furniture at antique shows and doll shows.  Children's furniture goes really cheap here in Indiana at auctions too.  I would spend a couple of hundred dollars for a nice antique settee or painted chair for my Dollmore Lusion Dahlia!!