Vermont Farmhouse Jr. Part 2: Wiring The House

Before we dive into the actual work of wiring a dollhouse, I can’t stress this enough: slow down and plan your rooms first.

You don’t need to decide exact paint colors or finishes yet, but having a rough lighting plan is essential. Taking the time to think through where you want lights (both inside and outside) will save you frustration later and make the wiring process feel far less intimidating.

Start With a Lighting Plan

Think about how a real home is lit and apply that same logic to your dollhouse.

On the exterior, I knew I wanted:

• Hard-wired coach lights
  Ceiling porch lights

On the interior, I envisioned:

• Wall sconces in select rooms
• Specific walls highlighted, not lights everywhere

Mapping this out ahead of time helped me understand exactly how much wiring each space needed and where tape wire would need to run. Even a loose plan makes a huge difference.

The Wiring Process (Yes, It’s Exciting!)

Now… onto the actual wiring. YAY!

This was my first-ever project involving electricity and I can confidently say that purchasing Real Good Toys’ Electrical Kit made all the difference. Not only does the kit come with clear instructions, but Real Good Toys also provides extremely helpful step-by-step guides tailored specifically to the JM 401 model (which is what I am building). That level of support gave me the confidence to move forward without fear of “failure”.

Supplies Used:

Real Good Toys Large Dollhouse Electrical Kit

This kit includes:

• 60 feet of tape wire
• Test light
• 80 small eyelets
• 40 large eyelets
• 40-watt transformer
• Real Good Toys’ piercing and drilling tool
• Extra collet & 1.5mm drill bit (for easy outlet installation)
• Power jack and plug set
• Electrical wire
• Layout stick
• Instructional guide

Additional Supplies

• Aleene’s All Purpose Tacky Glue
• Pencil

Step-by-Step Wiring Process

1. Plan and Mark Lighting Placement

Decide where all interior and exterior lights will go. Mark each location with an X so nothing gets missed.

2. Draw Tape Wire Paths

Using a pencil, draw your tape wire lines so they hit each marked X. I followed Real Good Toys’ guideline and marked my lines ¾ inch from the floor using the layout stick included in the package.

3. Cut the E-Slot in the Base Floor

Create an e-slot in the base floor to allow the tape wire to flow up from the bottom of the house through the foundation.

4. Drill the Hole for the Power Jack

Using a ½” MDF-safe drill bit, drill a hole sized to fit the power jack.

5. Install the Power Jack

Glue the jack into place from the inside of the foundation, facing outward. This is where electricity will plug into the house.

6. Add the Main Loop & Ceiling Loop

Lay down the tape wire for both the main electrical loop and any ceiling loops needed for overhead lighting.

7. Glue Wall Partitions

Once the main wiring is in place, glue your wall partitions into position.

8. Add Wall & Sconce Loops

Finish by adding electrical loops for wall lights and sconces on the appropriate partitions.

Final Thoughts

Wiring a dollhouse may sound intimidating at first, but with thoughtful planning and the right supplies, it’s completely doable. Taking the time to plan your lighting before you start transforms the entire experience from stressful to satisfying.

If this is your first time working with electrical components (like it was mine), trust the process, follow the guides, and don’t rush. Your future self and your beautifully lit dollhouse will thank you! If you are looking for a more detailed approach, check out my Free E-Book, Dollhouse Wiring 101: How to Add Miniature Lighting for Beginners.

Continue the Build

Want to see how I got to this point? Explore the earlier steps in the series to follow along from the beginning.