How to Make a Doll Bed for 18″ Dolls with Matching Nightstand
Make a doll bed for an 18″ doll or a baby doll from just one board! The scraps make a mini doll nightstand or stool for a 2-for-1 easy woodworking project. This DIY doll bed plan is the perfect one board building plan for beginners.
As part of our 12 days of Christmas series, I shared the pattern to the cutest ballerina doll… so today we teamed up with Amy to give Ms. Ballerina (or your favorite 18″ dolls) a place to get her beauty rest.
This DIY doll bed is a great beginner project because it requires no big tools. Just one board, a jig saw, hammer, and nails. Keeping it simple and great for Christmas on a budget.
Since this simple doll bed plan is so easy to follow, it would also be a great project to build WITH your kiddos! Little kids could easily assemble the doll bed, and bigger kids (tween and teens) could learn how to use a jigsaw safely (with adult supervision of course).
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How to Make a Doll Bed for 18″ Dolls
Click here to purchase the printable doll bed plans and templates.
Hi, it’s Amy from Hertoolbelt! Your little girls will love this simple yet elegant bed for their favorite dollies. It will easily fit 18″ dolls, or have plenty of room for smaller baby dolls. The bed is designed to be simply made from 1 – 12″ board. Use the scrap wood to make a cute doll nightstand or stool.
Materials
- 1- 1″ x 12″ x 6′ board (actual 3/4″ x 11 1/4″ x 6′)
- wood glue
- 2″ nails (brad or regular)
- 1 1/4″ nails (brad or regular)
- wood filler
- sand paper
- paint/stain
- 4 – 1″ knobs and 4 grabber screws, optional
- doll bed templates (included in the printable woodworking plan)
Tools
- jigsaw (a scroll saw or bandsaw will also work)
- hammer or pneumatic brad nailer
- measuring tape
- sander, optional
Related Reading: How to Build a Dollhouse Bookcase + Printable Furniture and Wallpaper
Building a One-Board Doll Bed and Nightstand
The printable beginner-friendly woodworking plan includes all cut dimensions, assembly instructions, and printable doll bed templates for both the bed and the nightstand.
The finished doll bed measures 20 1/2″ long by 11 1/4″ wide, with the headboard standing 12″ tall. The finished doll nightstand measures 5 1/4″ square by 6″ tall.
Here’s a view the unfinished doll bed and nightstand/stool, ready for decorating!
How to Paint a Wood Doll Bed
After you’ve built the one-board doll bed, you’re ready to paint or stain!
Remove any excess glue, apply wood filler to nail holes, cracks and blemishes and allow to dry.
Sand the wood filler, bed and nightstand until smooth finishing with 120-150 grit sand paper. Paint or stain the doll bed and nightstand and allow to dry.
I painted the bed and nightstand base with Americana Decor Whisper chalky finish. I stained to top of the nightstand Minwax polyshades mahogany bombay.
Related Reading: How to Build a Dollhouse Storage Shelf for Hair Bows and Accessories
How to Personalize an 18-inch Doll Bed with a Monogram
I decided to dress my wood doll bed up with a painted monogram letter in the center. I printed out a circle with monogram letter, then used an easy technique to create my own stencil. Cover the area with painters tape, then tape the monogram in place. Use an X-acto knife to trace the paper pattern through the tape and remove the unwanted tape.
I spray painted the letter with Rustoleum Pink Glitter Spray paint, then removed the tape. For a little added bling, I decided to add Pink Glass knobs to the outer corners, each set in place with a grabber screw.
Your kids and dolls will love it!
More DIY gifts for kids and dolls:
- Build a Wall-Mounted Dollhouse Bookcase
- Printable Dollhouse Furniture and Wallpaper
- How to Build a Dollhouse Shelf for Bows and Hair Accessories
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First published 12.04.14 // Last updated 12.06.19
Amy is the tool lover at Hertoolbelt. On Hertoolbelt, Amy shares DIY furniture plans, handyman tutorials, and craft patterns. She has three pint sized 'helpers' that help fix things around the house and build fun projects.
This is adorable, and totally takes me back to my childhood!
But I must say, that’s one clever way to create lettering… painter’s tape! Genius. Thanks for that tip, Amy!
Thanks Donna!
This is so cute! A perfect place for that adorable doll to lay her head. 🙂
xo Michael
Beautiful work ! I am hoping I can get my husband to help me with the cutting. Do you think plywood could be used for a lighter weight Barbie size bed?
This is so fun and cute!