Thrifted Doll Crib Flip: A Heartfelt Homemade Gift

There’s truly nothing better than a homemade gift. So for one of my 25 Days of Christmas DIYs, I’m throwing it back to the year I gave a thrifted doll crib the sweetest little makeover.

There’s just something about the love, thought, and intention that goes into planning and creating a homemade gift that makes it feel extra special. I especially love making gifts for my kids. When I spot something I know they’ll adore—and then get to transform it with them in mind—I swear I’m just as excited as they are… maybe even more.

When I first made this crib, Sadie was deep in her baby-doll era. Her doll came everywhere with us: dinner, family walks, errands—you name it. She even tucked her doll in at bedtime. So naturally, her baby needed a bed of her own.

One day at the thrift store, I stumbled across a vintage doll crib. It had clearly been well-loved by a previous doll mom, but I could see its potential instantly. I grabbed it, brought it home, and knew exactly what it needed: a fresh start and a little bit of magic.

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Supplies Needed:

Doll Crib Makeover Step #1: Disassemble, Clean, & Sand

The first thing I did was remove the old accessories that I knew I wouldn’t be using with a putty knife. That caused a bit of damage in some areas, but nothing a little wood filler (aka “mud”) couldn’t fix. Once patched up, I gave the entire crib a good sanding and cleaned it thoroughly to prep for paint.

Step #2: Prime & Paint

For small projects like this, I prefer using spray paint. And I found a spray that’s a primer and paint in one, which combines these steps! I gave the crib one coat of spray, did a quick sand with 220-grit sandpaper, and followed up with a second coat. I painted some areas of the doll crib pink because it’s Nora’s favorite!

Pro tip: You can get a spray can grip attachment that makes the job way easier on your hands and forearms.

Step #3: Add Contact Paper

To add a little contrast and personality, I used contact paper on the spindles of the crib. It was such a simple touch, but it made a big difference! Just cut the paper to the right length, wrap it around the spindles, and press it in place. Repeat until they’re all done.

Step #4: Sew a Mattress for the Doll Crib

Every crib needs a mattress, right? While I’m not a seamstress, I can sew a straight line! I used a foam cushion, cut it to size, then cut two pieces of fabric slightly larger than the foam. Then, I sewed three sides together, slipped in the foam, and sewed up the final side. I even made a little pillow to go with it—because, why not?

Doll Crib Makeover Reveal

Finally, I assembled everything—and it turned out so dang cute! Nora was thrilled, and seeing her tuck her baby in with such care made every minute of the project totally worth it.

Homemade gifts like this are my favorite. Not only are they fun to make, but they carry so much meaning for the giver and the receiver.

What do you think of this sweet little crib makeover?

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