Choosing a house

The first big decision is which house to choose. There are so many different models that it can be difficult to decide.

Take your time to browse through magazines and books, and get an idea of what you want to do. Is it going to be an elegant home with beautiful furniture, or a family home, with all its clutter and mess? Who will live there? Even if you don’t include dolls in your house, it can help to have a story to make your house a home.

For many people, the first thing is how much they want to spend. If it’s your first house, you might prefer something less expensive to start with. We have houses and shops for less than £100, so there is still plenty of choice. Remember to allow for the costs of decorating, lighting and furnishing your house when setting your budget.

How big a house do you want? This may partly be a question of the space you have available. If it’s very limited, then the smaller 1/24 scale might suit you. Or look for a space saving taller house, which can give you more rooms in the same footprint.

But even if you have lots of space, a huge mansion might be a daunting project for a beginner. A small shop or house can be an ideal starter project, and you can then go on to a larger house as you develop your skills. Or look for a house that can have a basement added if you want to extend it in the future.

Then there is the question of period - do you want a Tudor house, a Victorian villa, or a modern flat? Don’t forget that you can always house your modern family in a Victorian house, or use a Tudor building as a Victorian Coaching Inn. There is now a growing range of accessories for the Tudor and Modern periods, although the Victorian era is still very popular.

All our kits are designed for easy construction, although some will take more time than others. The descriptions indicate if these are made from MDF or the more expensive plywood. If you need advice about any kit, please contact us.