How to Build a Cardboard House

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Whether you're helping a child or younger sibling with a school project or just trying to keep yourself amused on a rainy day, a cardboard house is a fun and easy craft project. You can make a simple model house, a dollhouse, or even a large cardboard playhouse. These houses can be made from materials you likely already have around your house, although you might need to visit an art supply store if you want to decorate it.

Part 1
Part 1 of 5:

Making a Cardboard Model House

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  1. Use one slightly larger than a shoe box if you have one.
  2. You can close the flaps or cut them off, depending on what you want.
    • If you want to have a removable roof, you should leave the bottom on.
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  3. Cut flat lines on two opposite sides. On the other two sides, go up to a point in the middle, like a roof. Basically, you're creating a triangle shape on top of a rectangle or square shape. For this part, you can use scissors. [1]
  4. The roof should be a single piece of cardboard large enough to reach over the edges of the roof space. Bend it in half so it rests correctly over the roof angle. [2]
  5. Use a pencil to draw where you want doors and windows. Use a craft knife or scissors to cut them out. For the doors, leave one edge uncut, so you have a door that opens and shuts. [3]
  6. Use hot glue to glue the roof in place. Trace the glue along the top edges of the cardboard, and then set the roof in place.
    • You can leave the roof off if you want a removable roof, as long as you left the bottom on for structure. [4]
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Part 2
Part 2 of 5:

Creating a Criss-cross Cardboard Dollhouse

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  1. It should have large sections that aren't bent.
    • This type of dollhouse has a center wall with pieces fitted through the center to create rooms on either side.
  2. Follow the folding lines to create large pieces of cardboard.
  3. This piece will be the largest one for your dollhouse, and it determines the length.
  4. These should be the same height as the original wall and should be able to extend out on either side of it to create good-sized rooms.
    • How many of these walls you make depends on how long you made the original wall. You need a wall on each end, but you may have one, two, or three dividing walls in between. One wall in between will create four rooms, while two will create six rooms and three will create eight rooms.
  5. You should measure lengthwise, and use a pencil to mark the middle. Also measure to the middle height-wise.
  6. Cut into the middle lengthwise, going down to the middle height-wise.
    • Repeat for each smaller wall piece.
  7. Place the pieces on the long piece of cardboard, lining them up where you want them to go. Use a pencil to mark the places.
    • Use the strip you cut to line them up. Insert the large wall into the cut strip. The smaller walls will sit up too high, which is why you will cut strips in the large wall in the next step.
  8. The strip should run the same direction you had the walls standing up.
    • For the end pieces, move in a half-inch or so from the outer edge to cut the strip.
  9. Draw and cut out windows and doors in the walls.
  10. Put the walls together. The small walls should fit into the large wall like a puzzle piece, with each side straddling the other. Glue the walls in place with hot glue.
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Part 3
Part 3 of 5:

Making a Cardboard Playhouse

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  1. The best boxes for this activity are refrigerator boxes or other boxes of that size. Dishwasher boxes also work fine. [5]
  2. Reserve the flaps for later. [6]
  3. On the door, leave one edge uncut. Bend it back to make the door open. [7]
  4. Bend the flaps or tape two together to create the roof, resting it on two edges of the top of the box. You will need to add a triangle piece of cardboard at the front and back to match the slope of the roof. Glue the roof in place. [8]
  5. Attach them to the roof in a shingle pattern. Beginning at the bottom edge, glue the shingles on in a row with the bottom part hanging over. Only glue the top edge on. Glue the next row in, also leaving the bottoms unglued. Each layer should hang over the layer below. [9]
  6. Cut out scalloped pieces of cardboard, and glue them under the front edge of the roof to create eaves. [10]
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Part 4
Part 4 of 5:

Decorating Your House with Paint

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  1. The decorating process can be messy, so make sure you protect your table or other painting surface by spreading out newspaper.
  2. [11] Gesso is a primer used to prepare surfaces for acrylic paint. It dries hard and white, both covering up the brown of the cardboard or any ink on the cardboard and providing a smooth surface for the even application of paint.
    • Gesso can be purchased in any craft or art supply store.
    • Using a clean brush, apply the gesso in an even coat to the entire surface of the house.
    • Use long, parallel strokes to ensure an even coating.
    • Let the gesso dry completely before painting the house.
  3. [12] When the gesso has dried, you’ll have a white surface on which you can sketch any details you might want to include on your house. Using your ruler, sketch out flowers, eaves, or anything else you want to paint on your house. If you don't want to cut out windows in an earlier step, you can draw and paint them instead.
  4. Use a small brush on the smaller house so you can control the detail, or else you might end up with a smudgy door or windows. For the playhouse, you can use a larger brush.
    • Paint the exterior walls first, being careful not to let the paint bleed over the lines you’ve sketched for your doors and windows.
    • Paint the background first, then add the details.
    • Clean the brush with fresh water when switching between colors.
    • If you have to apply one color over another — a black doorknob on a red door, for example — let the bottom layer of paint dry completely before applying the second color.
    • Apply the paint in thin layers, so it doesn’t drip down. Even if you have newspaper under the house, the dripping will leave an uneven texture on the surface of the house.
  5. Leave the house in the sun, if possible, to speed up the drying process. After an hour or two, lightly brush your finger along the paint surface to see if any comes off on your skin. If not, you’re ready to apply a second layer of paint to cover up the gesso underneath.
    • Once your second layer of paint has dried, you’re finished.
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Part 5
Part 5 of 5:

Decorating Your House with Paper

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  1. For larger houses, try wrapping paper. [13] For smaller houses, try scrapbook paper. [14]
  2. Inside, it works as wallpaper and carpet. Outside, it can work as paint.
  3. Measure the size of the space, and cut the paper down to size.
  4. Smooth out the paper as you go.
  5. You can make flowers out of paper and create a yard or window box.
    • For a simple paper flower, cut out a round circle of paper. It should be about an inch across.
    • Cut out a simple spiral with two edges. Wave the lines as you cut.
    • Beginning on the outside of the paper, roll up the spiral tightly. Once you've got it curled up, let it unravel slightly to form a flower.
    • Glue the bottom of the spiral to the circle you made in the beginning.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    How can I prevent my house from falling over?
    Community Answer
    You could take a flat piece of cardboard to use as a base and secure it with a hot glue gun.
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    Not Helpful 13 Helpful 34
  • Question
    Is there some kind of sealant I can put on the house to prevent the paint from cracking?
    Community Answer
    You can cover the house in a layer of Mod Podge. That should protect the paint.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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  • Question
    Would this house work for a hamster?
    Community Answer
    Yes, but this should not be your hamster's primary home. Think of it as being more like a playhouse. Hamsters will likely chew on -- and maybe even through -- the cardboard too.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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      Warnings

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      Things You'll Need

      • Paper
      • Pencil
      • Cardboard
      • Scissors or a craft knife
      • A mat to protect your table if you use an exacto knife
      • A ruler (optional)
      • Hot glue
      • Craft glue
      • Gesso (optional)
      • Wrapping paper (optional)
      • Paint (optional)
      • Scrapbook paper (optional)

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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0EUHyFM9-g
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0EUHyFM9-g
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMHkqbVT0cA
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYo2BCAavys
      5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZe2DUPY7nk
      6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78z0ZcZ8F2I
      7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78z0ZcZ8F2I
      8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrLCnz_joYc
      9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4a6Rl7BAAZw
      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4a6Rl7BAAZw
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHkxzzTynIU
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfT9nE-nw2E
      4. ↑ https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/2015-6-november-december/repurpose/make-playhouse-cardboard
      5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lo1ExgWW2pk

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To build a cardboard playhouse, start by choosing a large box and cutting off the bottom flaps. Next, cut out a vertical rectangle for a door, leaving one edge uncut so you can open and close the door. After that, you can cut out as many windows as you'd like in the side walls of the house. Then, grab the two flaps you initially cut off and attach them to the top of the cardboard box in a triangle to create a roof. Add a triangle piece of cardboard at the front and back to match the slope of the roof and glue the roof in place. Finally, cut out cardboard squares and glue them to the roof in a shingle pattern! For tips on making a cardboard model house, read on!

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      Reader Success Stories

      • Shaggy Rogers

        Sep 15, 2021

        "Zoinks! Like man, this helped my dog Scoobs to have a house. Normally he sleeps outside because of the sun."
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