The Complete Guide to Maileg Dollhouse Furniture Sizing & Figurines
Posted by Tiny Paper Co.
If you've ever fallen down the magical rabbit hole (no pun intended) of building a Maileg collection, you'll know that one of the first — and most delightful — challenges is figuring out which furniture goes with which figurines. Don't worry, you're not alone! The Maileg world is full of beautiful detail, and once you understand the sizing system, putting your collection together becomes so much fun.
Here's our complete guide to help you navigate it all.
Who Is Maileg?
Before we dive into sizing, a little background. Maileg is a beloved Danish toy brand founded in 1999 by designer and illustrator Dorthe Mailil and her partner Erik Mailil — the name itself is a blend of their surname and leg, the Danish word for play (pronounced My-lye). From its very beginning, Maileg has been about whimsy, imagination, and heirloom-quality craftsmanship.
Each year, Dorthe releases new collections of furniture and clothing to grow alongside the miniature worlds families are already building. The toys are handcrafted from natural materials like cotton, wool, linen, wood, and metal, and every piece is designed to last for generations. This also means that if you love a particular colour or dress pattern, don't wait to purchase as they release a slight variation the next year and retire previous design.
Understanding the Maileg Sizing System
Maileg figurines are not all the same size — and that's by design! Each figure is crafted to fit a specific role, whether that's a tiny baby mouse nestled in a matchbox bed or a grand rabbit lounging in a statement armchair. The key to building a cohesive collection is understanding which figures pair with which furniture.
The Mouse Family
The Maileg mouse family is perhaps the most iconic and popular range. Their sizing is built around family roles:
- Baby Mouse — the tiniest of them all
- Little Brother & Little Sister — slightly larger than the babies
- Big Brother & Big Sister — a step up again
- Mum, Dad & Grandparents — the largest mice, all sharing the same size
All mouse family members feel right at home in the Mouse Hole Farmhouse and the Mouse Castle, paired with Mouse-sized and My-sized furniture. Baby mice can also snuggle into My-sized furniture pieces, though they're equally cosy with the furniture designed specifically for the mouse family.
Bunnies & Rabbits
Bunnies and rabbits live together in one big colony, but there's an easy way to tell them apart — bunnies have soft, floppy ears that hang down, while rabbits have ears that stand upright. Unlike the mice, their sizing isn't based on family roles; instead, they're simply numbered.
The smaller sizes — Micro bunnies and My rabbits — work beautifully alongside the mouse family and fit well with dollhouse furniture designed for that scale. As the numbers increase, the figurines grow larger and are better suited to bigger furniture and open play rather than inside a dollhouse.
The Teddy Family
The Teddy family consists of Teddy Mum, Teddy Dad, Teddy Junior, and Teddy Baby. Each teddy has a bed designed specifically for them, which makes them a wonderful gifting option. Teddy Mum, Dad, and Junior are at home in the House of Miniature, paired with Miniature-sized furniture, while the little Teddy Baby is best matched with Micro-sized furniture.
Dollhouses & What Fits Where
Understanding the dollhouses is just as important as knowing your figurines. Here's a quick breakdown:
House of Miniature
This grand, elegant dollhouse is designed for Miniature-sized furniture. It's a beautiful home for bunnies and rabbits in sizes My, Micro, 1, and 2, as well as Teddy Mum, Teddy Dad, and Teddy Junior.
Mouse Hole Farmhouse & Mouse Castle
These charming settings are perfectly scaled for Mouse-sized and My-sized furniture. Every member of the mouse family — from the tiniest baby right up to grandma and grandad — will feel wonderfully at home here.
Mini Furniture
Despite the name, Mini furniture pieces are actually not sized to fit inside any Maileg dollhouse. Instead, these are statement furniture pieces designed for larger figurines — think a plush sofa for a Size 3 rabbit, or an armchair for a bigger bunny. They work wonderfully as standalone play pieces or styled on a shelf.
A Quick Reference: Who Goes Where?
| Figurine | Furniture Size | Dollhouse |
|---|---|---|
| Baby Mouse | Mouse-sized / My-sized | Mouse Hole Farmhouse / Castle |
| Little & Big Brother/Sister Mouse | Mouse-sized | Mouse Hole Farmhouse / Castle |
| Mouse Mum, Dad & Grandparents | Mouse-sized | Mouse Hole Farmhouse / Castle |
| Micro Bunny / My Rabbit | Mouse-sized / Miniature-sized | Mouse Hole Farmhouse or House of Miniature |
| Bunny & Rabbit Size 1–2 | Miniature-sized | House of Miniature |
| Bunny & Rabbit Size 3+ | Mini furniture | Standalone / shelf display |
| Teddy Mum, Dad & Junior | Miniature-sized | House of Miniature |
| Teddy Baby | Micro-sized | House of Miniature |
As each piece is handcrafted, all measurements are approximate.
Clothing & Dressing Your Maileg Friends
Most Maileg friends have their own wardrobes! Clothing is sold separately and is specific to each size — a little mouse outfit won't fit a rabbit, and vice versa. The good news is that the correct size is always clearly indicated on the packaging, so there's no guesswork involved. From cosy pyjamas and sailor suits to floral dresses and adventure gear, there's an outfit for every personality.
Tips for Starting Your Maileg Collection
Not sure where to begin? Here are a few ideas:
Start with a figurine that resonates with your child. Is there a theme or story that speaks to them — a ballerina, a new baby, a camping adventure? From there, you can layer in furniture and accessories that build out that world.
The Mouse family is a wonderful starting point because their sizing is so clearly defined and the furniture range is extensive. The Micro bunny and My rabbit are also brilliant starter pieces as they bridge both the mouse and rabbit worlds beautifully.
Bonus: Can I Mix Maileg with Sylvanian Families?
Great question — and the answer is yes, with a little know-how!
Sylvanian Families (known as Calico Critters in the US) figures are roughly 1:12 scale, with adult figures measuring approximately 8–9 cm tall. Their dollhouse furniture is generally designed to this same 1:12 scale, which means the rooms, doorways, and furniture proportions are built around that figure height.
Maileg's furniture ranges from approximately 1:6 to 1:12 scale depending on the piece. The Miniature-sized Maileg furniture tends to sit closest to the 1:12 scale, making it the most compatible with Sylvanian Families sets. Mouse-sized Maileg furniture is slightly larger in scale and may look a little oversized next to Sylvanian figures, but for imaginative play, this is often not an issue at all — kids rarely mind!
General mixing tips:
- Maileg Miniature-sized furniture pairs most naturally with Sylvanian Families figures and their dollhouses
- Sylvanian Families furniture can work well with Micro bunnies and My rabbits from Maileg
- For open-ended small world play (rather than dollhouse play), mixing the two brands creates a wonderfully rich and varied world
The two brands have a similar spirit — beautifully crafted, imaginative, and full of charm — so combining them can make for incredibly lovely play setups. Just keep the scale differences in mind when purchasing furniture, and you'll be set!
Shop Maileg at Tiny Paper Co.
We stock a curated range of Maileg figurines, dollhouse furniture, and accessories right here at Tiny Paper Co.. Whether you're starting a new collection or adding to an existing one, we'd love to help you find the perfect pieces.
📍 Local pickup available from Vermont 3133 — perfect for those who want their Maileg magic without the wait!
Browse our full Maileg range at tinypaperco.com.au and feel free to reach out if you have any questions about sizing or compatibility. We're always happy to help.
Photo credit: Maileg website
Have more questions about building your Maileg collection? Visit us at tinypaperco.com.au or pop in for local pickup from Vermont 3133. We'd love to see what magical worlds you're creating! Tag us on Instagram @tinypaperco