If you’re building miniature furniture for your dollhouse, one of the trickiest parts is getting the drawer dimensions just right. A drawer that’s too tight won’t slide, and one that’s too loose won’t look realistic. In this detailed guide, you’ll learn step-by-step how to measure, scale, and build perfect tiny drawers using both millimeters and inches. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned miniaturist, these tips will make your creations look more professional and functional.
📏 How to Measure and Scale Drawers for Dollhouse Furniture (Detailed Guide)
Step 1: Measure the overall size of your furniture piece
Start by determining the dimensions of the furniture piece (cabinet, dresser, desk, etc.) in real life or by referencing a full-sized item.
Example full-size cabinet:
- Width: 600 mm (24 inches)
- Depth: 350 mm (13.8 inches)
- Height: 750 mm (29.5 inches)
Convert to 1:12 scale:
- Width: 50 mm (2 inches)
- Depth: 29 mm (1.1 inches)
- Height: 62 mm (2.4 inches)
Step 2: Decide the number of drawers
Let’s say your cabinet will have 3 drawers.
- Leave 2 mm total for top and bottom margins
- Available height for drawers = 62 mm – 4 mm = 58 mm
- Height per drawer = 58 mm ÷ 3 = ~19 mm (0.75 inch)
Step 3: Measure drawer width and depth
- Internal drawer width = furniture width – 2 mm for side gaps
→ 50 mm – 2 mm = 48 mm (1.89 inches) - Drawer depth = cabinet depth – 1 mm
→ 29 mm – 1 mm = 28 mm (1.1 inches)
✅ Final Dimensions for Each Drawer (1:12 scale):
| Dimension | In Millimeters (mm) | In Inches |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 48 mm | 1.89″ |
| Height | 19 mm | 0.75″ |
| Depth | 28 mm | 1.1″ |
💡 Tips:
- Always leave a 0.5–1 mm gap around the drawer for smooth movement.
- Use thin wood strips or plastic as drawer slides.
- Try cutting a paper prototype first to test the fit.
