The Information You Need As A First-Time Dollhouse Collector

Despite the young connotation associated with its name, a dollhouse is not just for children. There are many dollhouse collectors around the globe and while they all have different styles and tastes, they all agree on one thing: dollhouses are not toys.
New dollhouse collectors must choose whether they would rather purchase a preassembled dollhouse or a dollhouse kit that will allow them to do the assembly themselves. Both methods are very popular and are based primarily on used preference.The benefit of a kit is that they often cost less, but the risk is that it may suffer from low quality construction if a new collector doens’t have any building experience.  On the other hand, some collectors enjoy the building process and regard it as an important part of the hobby.
After choosing which avenue they would like to pursue, a collector has to select which style of house he or she would like.  The most popular styles include Victorian, Tudor, Georgian, Contemporary and Southwestern.  Each style is representative of an era or style of architecture in real houses.  There are many accessories available to compliment and enhance each style of miniature doll house.
One mistake that new collectors often make is being fooled by the words “vintage” and “antique.Often times, the products are classified as “vintage”.  This usually refers to the style and appearance of the product, rather than its actual age.  Don’t be confused into thinking that the miniature book or the tiny record player was CREATED during a certain era rather than REPRESENTATIVE of that era.
When it comes to furnishing the house, there are many options, depending on the house.  Some doll houses are nearly empty when purchased and a collector much do everything from carpet, to window treatments to furniture.Other times, the houses already have carpets and wallpaper and require only furniture and optional accessories.As before, a collectors preference is the most important thing to consider in this case.
As a new collector, if you are ever confused about the hobby or need somewhere to turn for advice, there are plenty of options. There are clubs and groups in all areas of the world dedicated to buying and selling dollhouse miniatures and their accessories, as well as help people get involved.  In addition, there has been recent growth in the number of online dollhouse collectors’ communities.Blogs and chat rooms are becoming a very popular way to communication sales, ideas and product information with other collectors.  Another place to gain insight is via magazines.  There are many collectors’ magazines for miniature enthusiasts. 
It is apparent that there are endless options and opportunities when it comes to miniature doll houses.  The wide selection allows nearly every type of person to enjoy collecting miniatures.  The recent surge in popularity is likely due to both increased options and availability, and online presence.