by Rana Schenke | 10 Feb 2022
Play Through History
2022 marks 60 years since Barbie moved into a place just as fabulous as she is — her first Dreamhouse!
Over the past 60 years, Barbie’s Dreamhouse has transformed from a simple fold-out studio with cardboard furniture to a three-story abode with a pool, elevator and light and sound features.
Scroll through this article for an overview of the 20+ Dreamhouses Barbie has owned over the years!
(Note: this article only covers Barbie houses branded as “Dream” houses. It is not a comprehensive guide to all Barbie houses.)
Image: Mattel, Inc.
Barbie’s first Dreamhouse was this cute fold-out house with a studio layout. This is the only Barbie house Mattel has done reproductions of — there have been two reproductions of this house so far!
Fun features: The furniture and accessories in this house are made of cardboard, which allowed the house to sell for the low price of $4.44 — only slightly more expensive than buying a Barbie and a Ken doll at the time! Some of the cutest accessories are the little record albums, which are miniatures of real albums available at the time.
Image: Catalog image via Pinterest
Released in 1964, Barbie’s new Dreamhouse was more detailed than the original, with a two-room setup, kitchenette, patio and more. Although still made of cardboard, this house has many clever features that would become standard for Barbie houses in years to come!
Fun features: This house has a real sliding door to the patio! It also came with a TV with removable screens and cabinets and closets with doors that can be opened and closed.
Image: Catalog image via Pinterest
This cute Dreamhouse for Barbie and Skipper had a simple, fold-out design compared to Barbie’s New Dreamhouse, but is much more sturdy as it was made of plastic. This house was a Sears exclusive.
Fun features: The construction of this house meant it could be used as a carrying case, making it easy to bring dolls and a play scene to playdates!
Image: Mattel, Inc.
Throughout the late ‘60s and most of the ‘70s, Barbie lived in a variety of case houses, motor homes and townhouses, but the classic Dreamhouse reappeared in 1979 with a totally new design. The iconic A-frame house was a hot seller and can still be found relatively easily today.
Fun features: This house has an open plan and huge "skylights," making it easy to play with. The three sections are also separate, allowing them to be used separately or rearranged for a custom play experience.
Image: Mattel, Inc.
The Barbie Dream Cottage echoes the styling of the ‘79 Dreamhouse in color scheme and furnishings, but at a significantly smaller size.
Fun features: The rooftop balcony and barbeque grill allow for plenty of outdoor parties for Barbie!
Image: Mattel, Inc.
This Dreamhouse uses the same molds as the ‘79 Dreamhouse, but with a pink color scheme.
Fun features: The new color scheme and updated furnishings give this house a completely different vibe than the ‘79 house.
Image via Pinterest
A beautiful two-story Victorian-style house with a balcony, elevator and stained glass windows. This house was also made into a Hallmark ornament in 1995.
Fun features: Elevators were a common feature with the Barbie Townhouses of the ‘70s and ‘80s, but this elevator was battery-operated. Plus, this house has a turret, and what little girl doesn’t want a Barbie house with a turret?
Image: Mattel, Inc.
This house is an updated version of the pink Victorian house. It came with updated furniture and significantly more accessories. It should be noted that while this house also has an elevator, its elevator is not battery-operated.
Fun features: This house has many of the same features as the ‘95 house, including the dresser/vanity that folds down to become a bathtub and the extending counter in the kitchen. A fun new addition, however, is a Kelly-sized swing on the front porch.
Image: BarbieDB.com
At first glance, this Dreamhouse looks like a recolored version of the ‘98 Dreamhouse or the ‘95 Dreamhouse, but there are some important differences. First, the balcony/porch combination has been modified, so it no longer folds out and is now significantly smaller and fixed in place. The stained glass windows are gone; the window on the front door is now open and the oval-shaped window on the second floor no longer exists. This house also has updated stickers and furniture.
Fun features: New features of this house include a claw-foot tub, a small sink and mirror and a crib for Krissy, Barbie’s baby sister.
Note: The purple plastic used for this house can become discolored. Discolored houses will appear to be a muted green color.
Image via Pinterest
This house is one of the largest houses produced for Barbie, and it sports three floors and is packed with amazing furniture and features.
Fun features: First, the third story on this house can be removed and played with separately. This house also has a spiral staircase, sound features and great amenities for Barbie, such as a washer and dryer and a full bathroom setup with sink, tub and toilet.
Image: Mattel, Inc.
This Toys 'R Us exclusive Dreamhouse uses the same molds as the 2006 house, but with an updated color scheme and new furniture.
Fun features: The color scheme on this house gives it a different, more “fun” vibe than the previous house. Like the other house, it has a spiral staircase with a mechanism to move a doll up the stairs.
Image: Entertainment Earth
This house is highly reminiscent of the Barbie townhouses of the ‘70s with its 3-story structure and elevator operated by a pull string.
Fun features: This house has a 3rd-story balcony with a hot tub! It also has much more “glam” styling than previous Barbie houses, which is a lot of fun.
Image: Amazon
The structure of this house is a definite callback to the A-frame style of the ‘79 house, but updated with modern features. This house was a Toys ‘R Us exclusive and was essentially a repackaged version of the Barbie California house from 2010 (non-U.S. released).
Fun features: This house has a rooftop balcony with a telescope for stargazing! How cute is that?
Image: Mattel, Inc.
This house is a recolored version of the 2009 house. It is still mainly pink, but uses more blue and purple accents. Updated graphics also help give this house a fresh look.
Fun features: This house is almost identical, feature-wise, to the 2009 house. Something of note is both houses include a shower instead of a tub, most likely for space reasons. Most Dreamhouses up to this point had tubs instead of showers, if a bathroom was included at all.
Image: Mattel, Inc.
This is the titular Dreamhouse of the “Barbie: Life in the Dreamhouse” series! As such, it’s appropriately large, glamorous and well-furnished. It’s three stories and boasts six distinct rooms and a balcony.
Fun features: This house has two elevators: one in the center of the house for dolls and one in the walk-in closet for accessories. The accessories elevator goes down to the bathroom, so Barbie can pick out her outfit and send it down to the bathroom to change into after a shower!
Image: Mattel, Inc.
While also boasting three stories, this house is not as spacious as the 2013 house. It has a more subtle styling while still capturing the “glam” feel of the previous house.
Fun features: This house actually has a garage with a garage door so Barbie can park her car! This is the first Barbie house with this feature. It also had a TV with a flip-down feature so you could insert a smartphone and play your own videos.
Note: This house was released under multiple stock numbers, but each is essentially identical. According to the Mattel parts website, the house was released in 2015 with stock numbers CJR47 and DHC10, and in 2016 under stock #FFY84.
Image: Mattel, Inc.
This Dreamhouse is Barbie’s first Smart Home. While many of the previous houses have had light and sound features, this is the first Barbie house that is voice-controlled.
Fun features: Some of the voice-controlled features include the elevator, the front door and a staircase that turns into a slide. If that’s not the coolest thing, I don’t know what is.
Image: Amazon
This Barbie Dreamhouse was released in conjunction with the “Barbie: Dreamhouse Adventures” series and boasts three floors, eight rooms and over 70 accessories.
Fun features: This Dreamhouse has a pool and a waterslide! Other fun features include converting furniture, light and sound features and a home office for Barbie.
Image: Walmart
The 2019 Dreamhouse is essentially a recolored version of the 2018 Dreamhouse. Some accessories and graphics have also been modified on this house.
Fun features: Like in the 2018 house, the pool on the balcony can actually hold water!
Image: Target
This Dreamhouse is identical to the 2019 house, except with a modified elevator.
Fun features: The elevator can now hold a doll in a wheelchair, or four standing dolls!
Image: Mattel, Inc.
The latest iteration of Barbie’s Dreamhouse boasts expanded play areas, more transforming furniture and cool new accessories.
Fun features: The best part of this house is that it can be customized. The pool, slide and lawn pieces can be placed in different spaces on and around the house. This house also has a wheelchair-accessible elevator and three beds for Barbie and her sisters!
McHALE DESIGN CASE STUDY: MONSTERVERSE- THE LEGEND CONTINUES…
Build-A-Bear Celebrates National Teddy Bear Day with Donation to The Toy Foundation™
Toy Foundation Auction is Now Open for Your Bids
Bracelets, Stickers, and Viral Fame: The Story Behind Sky Castle Toys’ Sticki Rolls
Chrissy Fagerholt: Luck is when Preparation Meets Opportunity!
Book Review: Storm: Dawn of a Goddess by Tiffany D. Jackson
Book Review: Erno Rubik and his Magic Cube by Kerry Aradhya
Game Review: Trip Chaser
Learning Express Toys Hosts 25th Annual Convention & Toy Expo at JW Marriott Tucson
Submit Your LA Showroom Details for 2025 Toy Previews
Randy Klimpert Shares his Ukulele Collection
Steve Casino Peanut Art
Everyone's Talking about POP!
Princess Etch - a Multi-Talented Etch A Sketch Artist
Joseph Herscher of Joseph' s Machines.
Connie Vogelmann designed Apiary & Wyrmspan!
Bob Fuhrer... Is THE Crocodile Dentist!
Tom Dusenberry... Bought Atari, Wizards of the Coast, and Avalon Hill!
Matt Leacock created Pandemic... the game!
Scott Brown and Tim Swindle... are Launching a New Sport!
POPDuo: Richard Dickson, Mattel’s President & COO, and Kedar Narayan, Young Inventor Challenge AMB
POPDuo: Will Shortz and Josh Wardle
POP Duo: Elan Lee, Co-Founder, Exploding Kittens.and Jeff Probst, Host and Exec Producer, Survivor
POP Duo: David Fuhrer, MNG Director, Blue Sq Innovations & Shawn Green, past Dodgers & Mets MLB Star
POP Duo: Bob Fuhrer, Founder, Nextoy and Tom Fazio, Golf Course Designer