18" Doll: Armoire

Project 4 of 5 is this doll armoire for 18" dolls:

Remember that PILE OF CUT WOOD???

There are LITERALLY no FREE plans on "how to build a doll armoire" on the internet! I've LOOKED! I was also shocked to discover that most "start" around $150 and can even sell for as much as $350 at major manufacturers!! WOW!

I first started with an "idea" of how I wanted the piece to look and function. I knew I wanted doll clothes hanging space, a space tall enough to stand my daughters' doll, and a space underneath for 2 storage bins. I then drew up a "REALLY rough sketch" to get an idea of how much wood I would need and what cuts I would have to make.

1.  After cutting the wood sides (1x12 pine) to 36" tall, and the bottom horizontal 1x2 and the bottom and middle horizontal shelves (1x12 pine) to 24" wide, I began to nail the unit together. 

2.  I measured the space the 1x2 took up on the bottom, and that is where I placed my bottom shelf, and nailed into place. 

3.  I then measured up from the bottom of the piece (not the bottom shelf or 1x2!) 14.25", and marked both sides.

4.   I nailed the middle horizontal shelf here, making sure that the BOTTOM of the shelf was on the marked line. (This allows 12" clearance underneath the shelf for two standard fabric bins, which measure about 11.25") 

5.  I then cut the Top at 25.5" (to allow it to sit on top of the two sides) and nailed into place. 

6.  Next I cut a piece of 1x12 to 12" and nailed vertically between the bottom and middle horizontal shelves, creating two cubbies for bins.

7.  I then used a 1x10 board (so that the "shelves" would be recessed into the armoire for future doors) and cut 2 pieces: 1@9" (horizontal shelf) and 1@21" (vertical support). I nailed the two pieces together FIRST, centering the shelf at 10" from the bottom of the vertical piece. 

8.  I then nailed the entire piece into the armoire, securing from the top, side, and bottom. I checked to make sure the doll would fit! (18" doll/about 21" inside armoire right side)

9.  I then added an MDF backing to the armoire. (I had the place the MDF "long ways" to make sure it fit!) Next, I primed and painted the entire piece, and let dry overnight between coats.

10.  Finally, I added closet rod holders from Depot and cut small round dowels to use as rods. (Dowels are necessary because doll hangers are SO SMALL!)

11.  Doors could be added, however I decided not to add doors at this moment in time - DOORS and TINY FINGERS don't mix!

12.  Fill all holes with wood putty, let dry, and sand well.

13.  Paint or stain as desired.

14.  When dry, accessorize!!

Please feel free to use these plans to build furniture, for sale or for pleasure, but please do not sell the PLANS as your "own".  Please also give credit to me and link back here!  I hope you enjoy them!!

***I am NOT LIABLE for any plans featured here. Please take every precaution and use your own discretion to make sure these toys are safe for children to play with them.