I did the same thing for my daughter, who is now 17 and still has fond memories of her dollhouse. I built 20"x20" plywood boxes and stacked them against one wall of her bedroom. We had a living room, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, closet, office, stable, garage, and a few other rooms. Between American girl doll store, Walmart and Target she had almost every accessory. Thinking back I know I spent thousands. To be honest, I think I enjoyed the process more than she did. She was my last one at home so I definitely went overboard. We still talk about her American girl doll house from time to time and laugh about how outrageous I was with everything.

@waffleaffle231

27 күн бұрын

One of my very close friend's mom is an artist, and she made all their dollhouses out of cardboard and painted them. She made me three :) I loved them so much for so many years, and afterwards a lot of it could be recycled!

@em13-zz3ps

23 күн бұрын

I didn’t necessarily have a dollhouse, but I had a good bit of furniture that I just arranged throughout my playroom

@SlavaZone

18 күн бұрын

That is SUCH a cute, thoughtful, and smart design! 🥰 When she grows out of the dollhouse, she still has storage for her future interests.

@SoCalJellybean

13 күн бұрын

Totally money well spent! ♥️

@mymoonisxem

12 күн бұрын

This was so heartwarming to read- it reminds me of my mom ❤❤❤

My mother couldn’t afford a doll house for me growing up. Raising 4 kids on her own was a lot. Before Christmas I could hear banging from the basement she told me not to go in the laundry room. On Christmas Day she took me downstairs to the laundry room, she had made me a doll house for my Barbie’s. I had that doll house until I was a teenager and passed it down to my younger sister. Now that I’m older, I look back at all those little things my mother did with the warmest memories. Your daughter will too ❤

@jkm8741

15 күн бұрын

What a lovely memory xx

@EamonWill

15 күн бұрын

I'm not crying! 😭

@itzAurora_Xoxo

5 күн бұрын

It's better when you get a gift someone made for u..it shows so much love.. ❤

@VikktheVick

3 күн бұрын

Thats really cute my mum would have not given me anything

@cassandrapoppe9215

3 күн бұрын

So cute!!!!! So lucky!!!!!! So much Precious memories!!!!!!

This is awesome, and even if your kid stops playing with dolls as she gets older, she can use the rooms as storage for her clothes, shoes, books, etc. It's fun and practical, when you think about it.

@thegibbyhome907

15 күн бұрын

Exactly. Thank you 😊

Gurl…She shall NEVER forget this precious time!!❤❤❤

@thegibbyhome907

Ай бұрын

❤️ I hope so

@Gilded_Cage_Princess

21 күн бұрын

I'm just gonna assume you can fit all her clothes in a dresser. 😂

Absolutely delightful! The practical part of this Nana is wondering where all the daughter's clothes are now?

@thegibbyhome907

23 күн бұрын

Clothes are still there. In the upper half.

I never did get my dream dollhouse but after having my kids and understanding more on raising kids and how much it cost my mom raised us 5 kids by herself with one being blind from birth so when I had all my babies we created cardboard city out of different size boxes and hot wheel cars (yes even the girls had their favorite hot wheels) but my kids played more with that silly cardboard city than any store bought toy they owned and the best part was watching their creativity with all the different buildings all with just a little paint and tape. Best time of their lives for them and for me.!!!!!

When my kid was little, they were hardcore into Monster High dolls. Of course, there weren't nearly as many cool accessories for the dolls at that time and I couldn't afford much. I bought one of those tall flat packed bookshelves from Walmart (in black) and after it was assembled, we both spent hours crawling through my scrapbooking supplies and making that thing a victorian gothic manor. I think my kid had more fun helping to make the thing than actually playing with it, but as they grew up it transformed from a doll house to a doll display shelf, bookshelf, catchall, art canvas (right over what we'd initially put down), back to a bookshelf, the occasional trash can, and eventually a rack for storage bins before it finally fell apart. We were both sad to toss it, but I've got a couple of nieces we can always make another for (and rope into helping us) in the coming years. 😊

When I was a kid, my best friends parents had a two car garage. One side they put a few rugs and carpet scraps for us. We had some shelves out there and little furniture for babydoll stuff. Between the two of us, we had like seven baby cribs or “rooms” on the shelves. We would have a space heater in the winter and keep the garage door open in the summer. It doesn’t take much, just a little imagination. This was perfect and probably will engage her creative side more know that she knows even closet shelves can be Barbie rooms or baby cribs 🩷

She will cherish this for so many years. What an awesome mom!

@thegibbyhome907

25 күн бұрын

Thank you! ❤️❤️❤️

This is VERY cute! Growing up all my cousins had real and fancy doll houses but my mom could never afford to buy me my own doll house. Instead I had shelves in closets like this, or a repurposed chest of drawers. I LOVED my houses and I never once felt like I was lesser than my cousins or missing out for not having a "real" house. If anything I felt super creative with my spaces and I saw EVERYTHING as a potential doll house. I look back on all those memories fondly and I do believe the creativity helped me become a creative and out-of-the-box thinker as an adult. I am sure your daughter is going to adore this doll house and it'll become such a cherished memory in her adulthood. ❤

One of THE MOST creative things I’ve ever seen a parent do for their kids 😍❤

@thegibbyhome907

15 күн бұрын

Thank you ❤️❤️❤️

I turned some cubes of my bookshelf into a doll house for my little sister similar to this, but with everything from the dollar store! They have contact vinyl that I used as flooring and wall paper and used the thick poster board to make back walls so they could have windows and used it to build the frames of furniture and stuff. It was a really fun project and she loves it

I had a American doll to I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 6 years old and my grandma got me one and it had all the special diabetic stuff with it so when I had to get a shot I gave her a shot I’m 11 now and I still have that doll in my attic 😅

@isihosena635

26 күн бұрын

You're just 11, you can still play with the doll or at least have it around for company.

@kimberleesi

22 күн бұрын

As a now 32 year old doll collector I just wanna say keep hold of that doll. I'm not saying you have to play with it if you're over it but keep her safe. So many people I know agonize over their lost American Girl from childhood. I promise you one day when you're like 23 you're suddenly gonna be like oh I want to see my dolly So Bad right now. (also if you feel like replying, which doll is it? I'm just nosy about people's dolls)

@marycook1644

2 күн бұрын

@@kimberleesil have the original Kirsten and Samantha. From when it was called Pleasant Company. They are actually made in West Germany. Not China. I have most ❤the outfits and some furniture. My daughter was in high school. They were for me. She already had a ton of dolls. Now her daughter has about 17 American 🇺🇸 Girl Dolls. They fill up an entire large bedroom in my house ! As you can tell, we 💝 love dolls. Blessings from California !

It's out of the floor/walkway, the closet is still pretty functional, and you saved a lot of cash. Good job! So creative and resourceful☺️

@thegibbyhome907

18 күн бұрын

Thanks so much! 😊

My daughter would of loved that when she was little! Amazing job!

@thegibbyhome907

23 күн бұрын

Thank you

I’m sure she loved it! You put so much thought into this project and you can see that easily. Good job momma!!!

@thegibbyhome907

15 күн бұрын

Thank you so much!!

Me and my dad built a dollhouse for my american girl dolls when I was younger and it's a very special memory to me. I'm sure she's going to treasure and look back on this so fondly!! ❤🫶☺️ (ALSO A CAMP GROUND AND HORSE STABLE?! I would want this now and im an adult 😂)

Your daughter will remember this amazing doll house for the rest of her life. You did something BIG for her. You had to be very proud of yourself too!!

@thegibbyhome907

8 күн бұрын

Thank you

She is goong to remember this for the rest of her life trust me all your hard work is gonna be well worth it when she is doing the same for her kids one day! ❤

@thegibbyhome907

23 күн бұрын

Aw thank you so much

I was a big time barbie girl in the late 90s early 2000s. We did not have a lot of money but momma always found ways to suprise me with barbie dolls and playsets for every birthday and christmas and i even remember getting things on easter and valentines day. Back then it was easier to find cool like actual barbie brand stuff at discount stores and dollar stores. I even remember being surprised on random days with little fashion packs or little accessories. I think mom enjoyed it as much as i did and maybe it was in some way healing for her inner child because she didn't grow up with much.

Perfect built-in doll house! I think any little girl would love having this in her room! Your sanity could be questioned, however, your precious daughter got a fabulous doll house for far less than $900!!!

My mom did the same for my American girl dolls when I was a kid! Loved it!!

My dad did the same thing for me except I had two closets so he did the entire closet. It made me so happy.

My closet was my american girl doll's "bedroom" as a kid. Having her doll's whole house in her closet is so special, I'm so happy for her.

My mom made a Doll house 🏠 from a old bookshelf and some of those vinyl tiles you can get at Dollar tree and wrapping paper for the walls. I loved it so much.

Your little girl should realize you are a great mom. I had a great mom too and she is in heaven.

You are one dedicated mama💖

@thegibbyhome907

22 күн бұрын

Thank you

We made our own ag dollhouses in our closets and it was so so fun and gave us an awesome chance to be creative and imaginative. I’m so glad our mothers didn’t steal that

I’m 36 and omg this would have literally made my decade! I’m a mama to two boys but the creativity is amazing! Good for you and good for your daughter!

@thegibbyhome907

18 күн бұрын

Thank you!

Omg this is THE MOST SWEET THING EVER!!! I wanted a doll house so badly growing up. This is so thoughtful. I was a barbie girl 😅

I had American Girl Dolls and would have loved this as a kid! My dad did build a bunk bed for me using wood and metal tubes

my mom and dad made us a dollhouse. while putting finishing touches on it, my mom sliced her hand open and had to be rushed to the emergency room. she was in there through christmas and my dad let us open one present each on christmas day. i remeber i got a clock with the farm animals on it. we pushed back Christmas to wait for my mom and we LOVED the dollhouse. only years later did we realize she was in the hospital cause she was making it for us. i have such fond memories of that little dollhouse and she still says it was worth it to see our little faces light up when we opened it 😂

@marycook1644

2 күн бұрын

Wow ! Sad story fer sure ! But what sweet parents. Hope she didn’t have permanent nerve damage ! Blessings from California ! 🍯

@laniemcclanahan6908

2 күн бұрын

@@marycook1644 she didn’t her hand was just sensitive to the cold for a while lol. she healed up quick though. thanks🖤🖤

@marycook1644

Күн бұрын

@@laniemcclanahan6908 I am glad to hear that !! 🦚

My grandfather and mom made us dollhouses. Loved those things.

awe that’s worth more than any doll house. yours is made with so much love

🥺Creatively Loving Mama!

@thegibbyhome907

12 күн бұрын

Thank you!

I bought a colleague's daughter's dollhouse for my daughter because...they were building a new dollhouse from scratch ❤ Kudos to this project

You are such a sweet momma to do this for your baby girl

@thegibbyhome907

15 күн бұрын

Thank you ❤️

Way cuter and more practical than anything you could have purchased!😊

You’re such a good mama❣️😊💜💜💜

@thegibbyhome907

15 күн бұрын

Thank you

Amazing my favorite part is the horse stable and the campground😊

@thegibbyhome907

25 күн бұрын

Mine too!

i wish i had this. i was really into ag dolls as a kid and i fell in love with them in junior high. i used bookshelves to make little rooms for my dolls. was it cramped? yes. and after six or seven years, do i miss it? YES!

FYI if you get foam boards from a dollar tree and cut it to the size of the “rooms” you can make “wallpaper” backers for them that she can change out if you stick adhesive paper like you did or even fabrics.

It’s Beautiful!! You go Mom!

@thegibbyhome907

15 күн бұрын

Thank you!!

Mom of the year!👏

@thegibbyhome907

15 күн бұрын

Aw. Thank you!

That’s actually a cool idea, and the settings like the camping ground and horse stable, would make play more immersive Not to mention, it would be a great way to store the dolls, as it corks also with as a display piece

This is much more beautiful and personable than something you could have bought her. I bet she’s playing in it every day

Good Job, Momma!!! This is absolutely perfect!!

@thegibbyhome907

8 күн бұрын

Thank you so much!!

This is absolutely amazing 👏🏻 beautiful

@thegibbyhome907

15 күн бұрын

Thank you! 😊

Not only is it absolutely gorgeous, I bet you had all kinds of fun working on it !!🛍️🎀🧸🎊💜🌺🥰💜

@thegibbyhome907

15 күн бұрын

I did! 😁

I love this! As a doll collector this makes me happy since I can keep my dolls clean . Also works great for small rooms!

@thegibbyhome907

14 күн бұрын

Totally!

So beautiful. You're an excellent mom ❤

@thegibbyhome907

19 сағат бұрын

Thank you so much!

You’re such an awesome mom for this!! 🙌

This is so cute! I hope your daughter loves it! 😊

@thegibbyhome907

Ай бұрын

yes, she loves it!

@PreppyVibes-qb1uq

Ай бұрын

Im glad to hear that she liked it! ☺️

Love it - but I think your daughter would have enjoyed doing it with you. In life - the journey is as enjoyable and exciting as the destination.

Heck, I’m thinking about this for me. Since I was too poor growing up I treat myself now as an adult. My dolls are just on shelves, but it would be super cute to create little scenes for them to live within.

So adorable

@thegibbyhome907

15 күн бұрын

Thank you

😢you took me back! I did this for my now 21 year old when she was a little girl! So sweet ❤❤❤

I think “ anyone can buy a dollhouse” but it’s so wholesome you took the time and effort to make this for her. Very creative This Looks better than a store bought 900$ dollhouse if you ask me! AND most importantly it was made with love 💕

I love it!!! 😍 You could even go one step farther and add some shelves and cubbys up above so you can still store her clothes! And maybe add a cute curtain to hide the clothes.

You are literally the best mom ever!!! And that is like the smartest idea EVER!!! I think my favorite part has to be camping (because me and my cousin when we where younger would bring my American girl dolls camping and do EVERYTHING with them including making a zip line for them! Now I am not close with that cousin but it’s ok. We have great memories and I still love her!)

God this brought me back to when I was younger. I had a doll house that I used for my LPS. I don't play with the them anymore and don't even have the dollhouse, but damn it if I'm gonna get rid of the LPS since I have some OGs.

Really proud of you, Mom! I bet your daughter adores it. I was thinking maybe hit up that closet organizer with some paint - the exposed white parts, maybe pink. Nicely done and so thoughtful

@thegibbyhome907

19 сағат бұрын

Great idea!! Thank you 💕

Very creative, and I love it. I'm sure your daughter is loving it as well.

@thegibbyhome907

25 күн бұрын

Yes, thank you

I absolutely love it!! Wish I had one for myself 😂

when i was a kid, my parents got me a shelf to use as a dollhouse. i had so much fun decorating the inside with markers and pens. sometimes i would take out drawers and use those as well. this short really brought back some good memories, thank you so much ❤

I would’ve absolutely loved that when I was little💕

You are a good mom 😊

That is absolutely adorable

@thegibbyhome907

8 күн бұрын

Thank you

I made a room for my American Girl Doll inside my closet when I was 14 because I didn't want my friends to know I still played with them XD

Fantastic! Andddd the closet is still functional!!!

@thegibbyhome907

7 күн бұрын

It is! Thank you ❤

So adorable 💕💕

Love it! And it can easily be turned back into a closet later on!

Me going “I love you mom!” This is the best thing I’ve ever seen. My heart.

@thegibbyhome907

18 сағат бұрын

😍🥹😍

Yeah, Mom! What a terrific idea.❤

@thegibbyhome907

8 күн бұрын

Right?! Thank you ❤️

My granddaughter has taken over an entire large bedroom in my house for all her American 🇺🇸 Girl Friends ! Your A.G.D. playhouse is awesome ! I bet your daughter loves it. 👒🧤👛 Blessings from California. 🛋️🛀🏾🛌🛍️

@thegibbyhome907

18 сағат бұрын

Oh wow! That is awesome. 😍

That is awesome well done lovely mum❤

What a lovely idea 😊

@thegibbyhome907

Ай бұрын

Thank you! 😊

Giiiirl, you are making core memories right now

@thegibbyhome907

18 сағат бұрын

😍😍😍

Very clever and cute.

I love it I want one❤😊

OMG! What a cute and fun idea!!! I love this so much!

@thegibbyhome907

27 күн бұрын

Thank you!! 😊

You’re an amazing mom! 🤩

@thegibbyhome907

15 күн бұрын

Thank you ❤️

It's WONDERFUL!!!

@thegibbyhome907

8 күн бұрын

Thank you

You are welcome 🤗

U can find much cheaper doll houses, or get them used. But I love this diy as well!!❤❤❤

@thegibbyhome907

18 сағат бұрын

Yes! Thank you!

Beautiful!

Its going to be fun for her to have this house to decorate over and over. Awesome!

@thegibbyhome907

19 сағат бұрын

Can't wait!

That is so cute i love how ur doing this for ur daughter 💗💗

@thegibbyhome907

8 күн бұрын

Thank you 💕

This is so amazing! How sweet of you

@thegibbyhome907

21 күн бұрын

Thank you!! 😊

i love your hand painted backgrounds, you put so much love into this project, you go mama!!! what a wonderful use of space💗💗

mom of the year!!

its probably never gonna get used much but shell never forget you did it

this is SO fun!! i wouldve loved this as a kid

Your daughter must’ve loved this. This is the cutest thing ever. I would love this that’s just it’s so cute❤🎉😊

@thegibbyhome907

18 сағат бұрын

Thank you so much 🤗

This is so cool!!! I’m sure your daughter will have so much fun in there

@thegibbyhome907

19 сағат бұрын

Yes, she plays with it all day long. Thank you!

Best idea ever!

@thegibbyhome907

23 күн бұрын

Thank you!

Genius! Love it! ❤

@thegibbyhome907

8 күн бұрын

Thank you! 😊

I used an old metal bookcase with plastic inserts on the sides to keep books in. I had so much fun with it. Probably cost $2 at a garage sale and i had hundreds of hours of fun. Our imagination is better than a $900 perfect doll house.

So much better than a doll house!! That is amazing!

@thegibbyhome907

15 күн бұрын

Thank you

Im loving thiiiiisss idea 🧚🏼‍♀️✨️