How to Build a LEGO Village

Choose a Theme and Layout

• 1

  Ponder the different settings or styles that you would like to employ when creating your LEGO village. Try to base your idea around the kinds of LEGO bricks that you already have before buying any bricks that you might want or need for your village.

• 2

  Arrange your LEGO collection by brick type. All subsequent brick styles are named by the number of raised dots (knobs) on top of them -- a 1x1 has one knob on top, a 2x2 will have four knobs on top. Thin, flat pieces are called plates.

• 3

  Obtain one or several large, flat floor pieces and arrange them in a manner consistent with your theme. You may want to build each structure upon its own floor. Long, rectangular floor pieces can be connected using LEGO bricks, if desired. A pirate-themed village would be well served with all of the structures separated from each other to create the illusion of water flowing between them where boats and ships may pass through.

Construct Buildings

• 4

  Build the bases of all of your structures. Use long, rectangular pieces. Square and rectangular floor plans are good for building larger -- two or more storied -- structures. Leave enough space in one wall base for a door or other larger opening that will allow you to see inside of each structure.

• 5

  Construct the walls of your structure by stacking matching bricks on top of all of your bases. Some specialized LEGO pieces are already designed as walls and are available for sale individually or in kits.

• 6

  Add color to your walls by strategically placing different colored bricks into mostly monochromatic areas. Black walls with gray or brown bricks in them give a wall in a village setting a more authentic look. Leave open spaces in some walls that will function as windows, or make windows using the specifically designed-LEGO windows

• 7

  Construct your roof from specially-designed LEGO roof tiles that are slanted. If these pieces are unavailable, roofs can be constructed by stacking thicker -- 2x2 and longer -- bricks in manner that creates a sloping effect. For easy interior views, holes may be left in the roof as well.

Add Culture

• 8

  Add specialized pieces, such as bridges to connect and fill out your village. Bridges linking second-story rooms and swinging doors marking the entrance to a saloon or salon add character to your village.

• 9

  Use plates to create landforms like beaches, rocks and docks if making a seaside village. LEGO bushes and trees can be employed to add foliage. LEGO animals like horses or sharks can be added to stable or seaside scenes.

• 10

  Assemble your LEGO figures and populate your village with them. The LEGO company manufactures different figurines and accessories to fit almost any theme. Give LEGO figures pets to add personality: a LEGO parrot looks very nice perched in the hand of a LEGO pirate.