Time for another update to our fixer-upper, a repurposed bookcase dollhouse. This time we'll show you how to install miniature real wood baseboards and wallpaper. We'll create the look of real brick and plastered walls and pretty floral wallpaper with decoupage scrapbook paper.

Repurposed Bookcase Dollhouse Real Wood Baseboards

To recap, everything, including the dollhouse, is made from repurposed finds and DIY projects. The dollhouse is a repurposed IKEA Billy Bookcase that we found at our local Salvation Army store for $14.99.

You can follow the dollhouse progress on our dollhouse page. It even has a DIY realistic fireplace with flickering firelogs.

This post contains affiliate links so you can see what products I used or recommend for this project. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

The dollhouse is inspired by page 119 of Jen Crider's Amazing Furniture Makeovers book where she transformed the top of a hutch into an adorable dollhouse. The motivation for taking on the dollhouse project is to gift to our granddaughter. She's under a year old so I've got some time to work on it.

Both installing miniature baseboard trim and papering the walls are not difficult and each took about an hour to install.

In some rooms, I mixed and matched floral wallpaper with faux finishes like the master bedroom for example. In this room, I added small floral print wallpaper with faux plaster in the same color family.

In the living room, I added a larger floral print wallpaper that picks up the gray color of the real hardwood floors.

I paired the large floral print with faux whitewashed bricks.

In the adjacent entryway, I did a faux reclaimed brick finish that complements the colors in the floral wallpaper. If you're wondering about the door, it's part of a repurposed jewelry box.

I'm amazed at the array of scrapbook papers available nowadays. Doesn't the whitewashed brick scrapbook paper look realistic?

I haven't decided yet whether the second bedroom will be a child's room or Barbie's dressing room. A reader mentioned that the speckled walls look like something out of a CSI. 😂

That thought never dawned on me until she pointed it out. Trust me when I say that it looks kind of funky (in a good way) in person, at least I think so.

Here's what the dollhouse bookcase looks like with the papered walls and real wood baseboards.

Here's What You'll Need

Supply List

• Brick scrapbook paper
• Plaster Scrapbook Paper
• Floral Scrapbook Paper
• Mod Podge
• Foam Brush or Chip Brush
• Plastic Craft Squeegee
• Plastic Sandwich Bag
• Crafting Paper Cutter
• Retractable Craft Knife
• 1/4 inch x 13/32 inch Ornamental Colonial Trim Mouldings
• Mitre Box With Saw
• Heavy Duty Hot Glue Gun

How To Decoupage Dollhouse Walls

I had a few oops moments along the way and thought I'd share some helpful tips so you don't make the same mistakes I did.

Pro-Tips

• Remove the back of the bookcase if you can. It is much easier to paper the walls without it.
• Don't add trim to the windows until AFTER you've papered the walls. I ended up removing all the trim around the windows and door and regluing them later.
• Apply the Mod Podge onto the walls and not the paper.
• Allow the Mod Podge to dry before trimming the excess paper otherwise, the paper will peel.

How To Decoupage Back Panel Of Dollhouse

1. Before removing the back of the bookcase, draw pencil lines along the walls and floors (pictured above).
2. Cut the scrapbook paper to size for each room following the pencil grid from the previous step.
3. Working one room at a time, brush Mod Podge onto one wall and line up the scrapbook paper within the grid. Remove any air bubbles with a plastic squeegee tool.
4. If there are any visible air pockets put your hand inside a plastic sandwich bag and rub your fingers to flatten them out.
5. If that doesn't do the trick prick a little hole with a needle into the air bubble and rub it with your fingers.

How To Decoupage Interior Dollhouse Walls

1. Working one room at a time, line the paper up with the outside edge of the dollhouse and the ceiling.
2. Run your finger along the bottom edge and the inside edge of the wall to make a crease where the paper needs to be trimmed.
3. Cut the paper along the creases with a crafters paper cutter.
4. Don't worry if the wall has a window or door, you're going to paper right over them!
5. Working in sections from the ceiling down, brush Modge Podge onto the wall (not the paper) about 2-3 inches down.
6. Line your paper up and rub it with the plastic squeegee tool to remove any wrinkles and air bubbles. It's inevitable that you'll get some stubborn wrinkles and air bubbles - embrace the imperfections, they add character.
7. Brush Mod Podge another 2-3 inches down and repeat step 6, working your way to the bottom of the wall. Leave the paper covering the windows and doors until AFTER the paper is dry.
8. If there are any visible air bubbles put your hand inside a plastic sandwich bag and rub your hand over them.
9. If that doesn't do the trick prick a little hole with a needle into the air bubble and rub it with your fingers.

Once the paper is completely dry, carefully trim the paper around the windows and doors with a small retractable craft knife and sharp blade. Repeat these steps for every room in the dollhouse.

How To Install Real Wood Dollhouse Baseboards

Now that the walls are papered, it's time to finish them to look just like a real house. First, nail the wallpaper backing board onto the back of the dollhouse with small finishing nails.

For the baseboards look for a small ornamental colonial trim molding at your local home improvement store. Choose a trim profile that looks just like real baseboards. Ours came in 8-foot lengths and it took three to finish all the rooms of the dollhouse.

1. Paint the trim with two coats of white paint before installation.
2. Like regular sized trim, cut the corners at 45º angles.
3. Measure the length of the dollhouse wall and cut the widest point of the 45° miter that same length.
4. Glue the trim with a hot glue gun and heavy-duty glue sticks. Any glue will work as long as it holds the trim without having to use clamps or tape while it dries. We don't want anything to damage that pretty paper!
5. This step is optional but you could fill any gaps in the miters with wood filler or dabs of glue but I just touched them up with paint.

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Thanks for stopping by the Interior Frugalista today! I hope you were inspired by the dollhouse wall coverings and wood baseboard trim.

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