House of Hobbies: Ultimate Guide to Fun and Creative Hobbies 

If you searched for a house of hobbies, you may be looking for a hobby store, a place to find supplies, a community built around hobbies, or simply ideas for turning your home into a place where you can enjoy your favorite activities.

The phrase can refer to several different things. In the United States, businesses using the name “House of Hobbies” include specialty hobby shops focused on model kits, radio-control products, trains, games, collectibles, and other hobby supplies. For example, Burbank’s House of Hobbies in California carries model kits, paints, tools, die-cast products, and supplies for different modeling interests.

There are also other businesses with similar names in different states, so it is important to identify the specific store or hobby category you mean.

What Is a House of Hobbies?

A house of hobbies can have two common meanings.

First, it can describe a hobby store or specialty shop where people purchase materials, equipment, models, games, collectibles, and other products connected to recreational interests.

Second, it can describe a home or personal space dedicated to hobbies. Someone might turn a spare bedroom, garage, basement, office, or corner of a living room into a hobby area for painting, crafting, model building, woodworking, collecting, gaming, sewing, or another activity.

The right interpretation depends on what you were searching for.

House of Hobbies as a Hobby Store

Specialty hobby stores are useful because they often focus on products that may be difficult to find in general retail stores.

Depending on the store, you may find:

• Model aircraft
• Model cars
• Military models
• Mecha and science-fiction kits
• Die-cast vehicles
• Model trains
• Radio-control equipment
• Paints and adhesives
• Modeling tools
• Diorama supplies
• Games and collectibles
• Replacement parts
• Building accessories

Burbank’s House of Hobbies, for example, lists model cars, planes, science-fiction and mecha kits, paints, adhesives, cutting tools, die-cast products, and diorama supplies among its offerings.

Other businesses with the House of Hobbies name specialize in different areas. An Anchorage location is listed as a hobby shop, while a House of Hobbies in Palm Harbor, Florida, appears in manufacturer dealer directories for radio-control products.

Why Visit a Specialty Hobby Store?

A specialty store can be particularly helpful when you are starting a hobby because you can compare supplies and ask questions about what you actually need.

Instead of buying an entire collection of equipment immediately, beginners can usually benefit from starting with a basic project and adding supplies as their skills develop.

That approach can help prevent one of the most common beginner mistakes: spending too much money before discovering whether you actually enjoy the hobby.

House of Hobbies as a Dedicated Hobby Space at Home

You don’t need a commercial hobby shop to create your own house of hobbies.

A dedicated hobby area can be as simple as a small desk with organized supplies or as elaborate as an entire room designed around a particular activity.

Popular home hobby spaces include:

Hobby	Useful Space	Typical Equipment
Model building	Desk or workbench	Kits, tools, paints
Painting	Desk or studio	Brushes, paints, easel
Sewing	Table or craft room	Machine, fabric, thread
Woodworking	Garage or workshop	Hand and power tools
Gaming	Desk or game room	Computer or console, accessories
Collecting	Shelving or display room	Cabinets, storage
Photography	Flexible indoor/outdoor space	Camera and accessories
Writing	Desk or quiet corner	Computer or notebook
Gardening	Yard, patio, or balcony	Containers and gardening tools
Puzzles	Table or dedicated surface	Puzzles and organizers

The best hobby space is not necessarily the largest one. It is the space that makes it easy to start, continue, and clean up your activity.

How to Create Your Own House of Hobbies

1. Choose One Main Hobby

Start with the activity you are most interested in rather than trying to build a space for ten different hobbies at once.

Think about what you naturally enjoy:

• Making things
• Collecting things
• Learning new skills
• Spending time outdoors
• Working with your hands
• Creating art
• Playing games
• Solving problems
• Working independently
• Socializing with other enthusiasts

Your answers can help narrow down the right hobby.

2. Start With the Space You Already Have

You don’t necessarily need a spare room.

A small hobby setup can fit on:

• A corner desk
• A folding table
• A bookshelf
• A closet organizer
• A garage workbench
• A kitchen or dining table used temporarily

If you live in a smaller apartment or home, portable storage can be especially useful.

3. Buy Only the Essentials

One of the easiest ways to make a hobby expensive is to purchase every accessory recommended by experienced enthusiasts.

Instead, divide supplies into three categories:

Essential: Things you need to begin.

Useful: Items that make the hobby easier or more enjoyable.

Optional: Upgrades you can purchase after you gain experience.

This approach lets you test the hobby before making a major investment.

4. Organize Supplies Around How You Work

Good organization is more than making a hobby room look attractive.

Store frequently used items where they are easy to reach. Keep small components together and label containers when necessary.

For example, a model-building setup might separate:

• Unfinished kits
• Paints
• Brushes
• Cutting tools
• Adhesives
• Spare parts
• Completed models

An organized workspace reduces setup time and makes it easier to return to a project after a break.

5. Protect Your Workspace

Different hobbies create different risks and messes.

Paints, adhesives, sharp tools, sawdust, heat, and small components may require appropriate ventilation, protective equipment, storage, or supervision.

Follow the instructions supplied with tools and materials, particularly when working with chemicals, electrical equipment, blades, or power tools.

Popular Hobbies to Explore

If you’re using house of hobbies as inspiration for finding an activity, there are hundreds of possibilities.

Model Building

Model building is a hands-on hobby involving the assembly, finishing, painting, or customization of miniature objects.

Possible subjects include:

• Cars
• Aircraft
• Ships
• Military vehicles
• Science-fiction subjects
• Architecture
• Figures

It can be a good choice if you enjoy detailed work and seeing a project develop gradually.

Model Railroading

Model railroading combines collecting, construction, scenery, electronics, and storytelling.

Some enthusiasts focus on trains themselves, while others enjoy designing complete miniature landscapes.

It can become a substantial hobby, but beginners can start with a relatively small layout.

Painting and Drawing

Painting and drawing require relatively little space compared with many workshop hobbies.

You can experiment with:

• Acrylic painting
• Watercolor
• Sketching
• Colored pencils
• Digital art
• Illustration
• Abstract art

Crafting

Craft hobbies can range from simple projects to highly specialized techniques.

Examples include:

• Paper crafts
• Crochet
• Knitting
• Scrapbooking
• Jewelry making
• Candle making
• Sewing
• Embroidery
• Clay projects

Collecting

Collecting can be built around almost any category that interests you.

Examples include:

• Coins
• Stamps
• Trading cards
• Die-cast vehicles
• Books
• Vintage toys
• Sports memorabilia
• Art
• Records

The important part is deciding what you enjoy collecting and establishing a reasonable budget before the collection grows.

Tabletop Gaming

Tabletop gaming can combine strategy, creativity, social interaction, collecting, and storytelling.

Depending on your interests, you might explore board games, miniature games, trading card games, or tabletop role-playing games.

Some hobby stores also serve as community spaces where players can participate in events or meet other enthusiasts.

How to Choose the Right Hobby Store

If you’re specifically searching for a House of Hobbies store, don’t assume that every business with that name sells the same products.

Before visiting or ordering, check:

1. The exact location
2. The store’s official website
3. Current opening hours
4. The types of hobbies it specializes in
5. Whether it carries beginner supplies
6. Whether products are available in-store
7. Whether the store hosts events or community activities
8. Its shipping and return policies if ordering online

For example, Burbank’s House of Hobbies lists its physical location at 911 S. Victory Blvd. in Burbank, California, along with its current store hours and online shop.

The International Plastic Modelers’ Society USA also maintains a hobby-store directory that includes multiple stores across the country, including businesses with “House of Hobbies” in their names.

House of Hobbies vs. Hobby Lobby

The names can be confusing, but House of Hobbies and Hobby Lobby are not automatically the same business.

“House of Hobbies” is used by several independent or specialty hobby businesses, while Hobby Lobby is a separate national retail company.

If you are searching for a particular store, use the city and state along with the business name to avoid visiting the wrong website or location.

How Much Does a Hobby Setup Cost?

There is no single price for creating a hobby setup.

A basic hobby can cost very little if you already own the necessary equipment. Other interests, such as woodworking, advanced model building, photography, collecting, or radio-control hobbies, can require considerably more investment.

A useful way to budget is:

Starter cost → recurring supplies → optional upgrades → storage

For example, you might spend a small amount on a beginner project first. If you enjoy it, you can gradually upgrade your tools rather than purchasing everything at once.

This makes hobbies easier to explore without turning an enjoyable activity into an unnecessary financial commitment.

How to Find a House of Hobbies Near You

If you’re looking for a physical hobby store, search using the store name plus your location.

Try searches such as:

• “House of Hobbies near me”
• “House of Hobbies + [city]”
• “model hobby store near me”
• “model train store near me”
• “RC hobby shop near me”
• “craft and hobby store near me”

You should then verify the business through its official website or another reliable current source before traveling.

This matters because store names can be shared by unrelated businesses. Current directories show House of Hobbies businesses in places including California, Alaska, Florida, and Michigan.

What Should Beginners Buy at a Hobby Store?

The answer depends on the hobby, but a good beginner shopping list usually contains:

• One manageable project
• Basic tools required for that project
• Only the necessary consumable supplies
• Appropriate storage
• Safety equipment when required

Avoid buying an advanced kit simply because it looks impressive.

Your first goal should be learning the process and finishing something, not building the most complicated project available.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Buying Too Much Too Soon

A large collection of unused supplies doesn’t make someone better at a hobby.

Start small and upgrade when you know what you need.

Choosing a Hobby Because It Looks Popular

A hobby can be popular without being right for you.

Consider whether you enjoy the actual process rather than simply liking photos of finished projects.

Ignoring Storage

Small hobby supplies can quickly become difficult to manage.

Plan where unfinished projects, tools, materials, and finished items will go before buying more.

Skipping Basic Safety

Read instructions and use appropriate precautions for tools and materials.

A hobby should be enjoyable, but enjoyment shouldn’t come at the expense of basic safety.

Comparing Your Beginning to Someone Else’s Experience

Experienced hobbyists may have years of practice, specialized equipment, and large collections.

Your first project is supposed to look like a first project.

How to Turn a Hobby Into a Long Term Interest

A hobby becomes easier to maintain when it fits naturally into your life.

Try setting a realistic schedule rather than waiting for a large block of free time.

For example:

• 15 minutes of sketching after work
• One model-building session each weekend
• A weekly gaming night
• A few minutes of gardening each morning
• One craft project each month

Consistency is often more useful than having an elaborate hobby room.

You can also deepen your interest by joining a local club, attending hobby events, watching instructional content, reading specialized publications, or participating in online communities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “house of hobbies” mean?

“House of hobbies” can refer to a hobby store or to a dedicated place where people pursue recreational interests. Several U.S. businesses also use “House of Hobbies” as part of their business names.

Is House of Hobbies a specific store?

Not necessarily. Multiple businesses in the United States use House of Hobbies or a similar name. For example, Burbank’s House of Hobbies is a specialty hobby shop in California, while other similarly named businesses operate elsewhere.

What can you buy at a House of Hobbies?

Products depend on the individual store. Specialty hobby shops may carry model kits, paints, tools, trains, radio-control products, collectibles, games, and other hobby supplies.

Where is Burbank’s House of Hobbies?

Burbank’s House of Hobbies is located at 911 S. Victory Blvd., Burbank, California 91502. Its website currently lists store hours and an online catalog.

Is House of Hobbies the same as Hobby Lobby?

No. The names are similar, but House of Hobbies businesses and Hobby Lobby are separate businesses.

Can I create a house of hobbies at home?

Yes. A house of hobbies can simply mean a dedicated area for your interests. A desk, shelf, corner, garage, or spare room can become a functional hobby space.

What is the best hobby for a beginner?

There is no universal best hobby. A good beginner hobby should match your interests, available time, budget, space, and preferred way of spending your free time.

How do I choose a hobby?

Start by identifying what you enjoy doing or would like to learn. Then consider how much time, money, space, and equipment the activity requires. Trying small beginner projects is often the easiest way to discover whether a hobby suits you.

Conclusion

A house of hobbies can mean more than one thing. It may refer to a specialty hobby store, a particular business using the name, or the idea of creating a dedicated place at home for the activities you enjoy.

If you’re looking for a physical store, verify the exact location and specialty because several U.S. businesses use similar names. If you’re looking for hobby inspiration, start with your interests rather than buying equipment first.

The best house of hobbies is ultimately one that makes it easier to explore interests, learn skills, create things, connect with other people, and enjoy your free time.