Which Maileg dolls house is the best?

Thinking about setting up a Maileg dolls house for a Christmas or birthday present? How exciting - you're in for a real treat! But if you're wondering which is the best house to buy, you're not alone. I often get asked about the differences between the Maileg dolls houses (such as the House of Miniature and the Mouse Hole Farmhouse) and other alternatives. And honestly, there's no simple answer - it really depends what you are looking for.

So to help you decide which dolls house is best for you, I've put together a handy guide to the three main options:

I'll also discuss some other options, including Maileg's latest dolls house, the SuitCasa.

So let's get started.

1. Maileg House of Miniature

Maileg house of miniature dolls house with furniture and a girl sitting on the floor

This beautiful dolls house is the largest of our three featured houses. It has four rooms along with an attic space. All the rooms have cut out windows that let the light flood in. The walls are pre-decorated with delicate patterns in muted shades giving the house a minimalist Scandi vibe.

Overall Dimensions: Height: 80.00cm, Width: 72.00cm, Depth: 40.00cm

Weight: 10kg

Best for: Larger Maileg friends such as Size 1 Bunnies and Rabbits and the Teddy family.

Furniture size: Designed to fit Maileg's 'miniature' size furniture. But you can mix in some of the smaller mouse-sized furniture for an eclectic look.

Made from: wood

Suitable for ages: 3 upwards

Pros: It's size makes it super versatile - you can fit so much inside. I also like that it's upgradeable - there are two additional rooms that can be purchased separately: the Maileg bonus room and the Maileg bathroom. The minimalist walls are beautifully designed and won't clash with your chosen decor.

Cons: The selection of miniature-sized furniture is more limited compared to the range of mouse-sized furniture.

2. Maileg Mouse Hole Farmhouse

Maileg farmhouse dolls house with furniture in a bedroom setting

This is the second largest of the houses we're featuring. It has five rooms and an attic space. All of the rooms have cut-out windows or doors. The exterior walls are decorated in a rustic style. Most of the interior walls are bare, but you can purchase a set of wallpapers that for the Farmhouse.

Overall Dimensions: Height: 56.50cm, Width: 63.00cm, Depth: 36.50cm

Weight: 6.8kg

Best for: All Maileg mice up to Mum & Dad size, as well as Micro bunnies and rabbits

Furniture size: Designed to fit Maileg's mouse size furniture.

Made from: wood

Suitable for ages: 3 upwards

Pros: One of my favourite things about the Farmhouse is the decorative exterior that gives the house a rustic charm. I also love that the interior walls are fully customisable. You can leave them bare for a clean, Scandi-inspired look, or add the optional wallpapers to create a more vintage, cosy feel.

Cons: Although some people might like the bare walls, others may consider them a downside. if you do decide to add some Maileg wallpaper, it does take a little extra effort. From my own experience, I strongly recommend applying the wallpapers before assembling your Farmhouse, as they can be a little fiddly to apply once the house has been built.

If you want to know more, check out my comprehensive guide to the Maileg Farmhouse Dolls House including instructions on how to build it.

3. The IKEA Flisat Doll's House/Wall Shelf

Ikea dolls house wall shelf decorated with Maileg furniture and mice on a table in a bedroom setting

The smallest of the houses we're featuring, the IKEA dolls house/shelf has four rooms (or you can leave out the wall on the ground floor to create an open plan area). It’s part of IKEA's 'Flisat' furniture range and can also be screwed onto a wall and used as a shelf.

I've written multiple blog posts about my Maileg Ikea Flisat dolls house hack. I'll add links to those at the end of this blog post.

Overall Dimensions: Height: 59cm, Width: 58cm, Depth: 22cm*

Weight: 5.47kg*

Best for: All Maileg mice up to Mum & Dad size, as well as Micro bunnies and rabbits

Furniture size: fits Maileg mouse size furniture

Made from: pine, fibreboard*

Suitable for ages: IKEA recommends it for use from age 3*

(*information taken from IKEA's website at the time of writing)

Pros: The main advantage of the IKEA dolls house is undoubtedly the price. At the time of writing in August 2025 it costs just £35 in the UK. This makes it perfect for testing the waters to see if your child enjoys dolls house play. It's also a great option if space is limited.

Cons: While some people see its simplicity as an opportunity for creativity, others may consider it a little plain. Its small size can be limiting if you want to create a more elaborate setup. Also, unlike the Maileg dolls houses, there's no option to extend it with extra rooms.

So which Maileg dolls house should you choose?

If you're looking for a dolls house big enough to fit Maileg bunnies and rabbits, the House of Miniature is the house for you. If you're mainly collecting mice but still want plenty of room to play, the Mouse Hole Farmhouse is your best bet. And if you're short on space or on a budget, the IKEA Flisat house is a brilliant, affordable starting point. It’s a real blank canvas. And, because it’s inexpensive, you might feel more free to get creative with it. You can paint it, wallpaper it and customise it however you like (something you'd probably never dare do to a Maileg dolls house!). You can even wallpaper the IKEA house using the Maileg wallpapers for the Farmhouse.

That said, if you’re after the real deal, and a beautifully made heirloom piece, then one of the Maileg dolls houses is the way to go. There's no doubt that a Maileg dolls house is an investment - but it's one that will look lovely in your home and give your children years of imaginative, open-ended play. Even if your children outgrow it one day, you can always pass it on or resell it to another Maileg-loving home.

Some alternative Maileg dolls house ideas

The Maileg SuitCasa

New for Autumn Winter 2025, the Maileg SuitCasa is a dolls house in a suitcase. It's designed to fit little brother and sister mice. It has pre-decorated walls, two windows and includes cosy bedding for your mice. It's perfect for story telling and imaginative play.

Maileg suitcasa dolls house in a suitcase on a shelf with a girl lying next to it

Maileg Farmhouse Annexe

If you're short on space or just want to keep things simple, the Maileg Farmhouse Annexe makes a brilliant standalone dolls house. With two separate rooms and an outdoor roof terrace, it’s full of possibilities for imaginative play. You can even decorate it with Maileg Annexe wallpapers to make it feel more homely.

Maileg annexe for the farmhouse dolls house

Maileg dolls house in a suitcase

I love setting up dolls house scenes in a suitcase. Here's a little kitchen scene I created in a Maileg Bambi Bambino suitcase with a cooking set, broom and a blender.

Maileg scene on a shelf

And if you’re not quite ready to commit to a dolls’ house, an annexe, or even a suitcase just yet, that’s no problem at all. You don’t need anything fancy to start playing with Maileg - just your imagination. A windowsill, a bookshelf or a bench can be the perfect backdrop for your mouse adventures. Let the story begin!