Do you dream of building the perfect house in The Sims 4, but 3 hours later find yourself destroying something that looks like a painted cardboard box? You're not alone. Building in The Sims can be a frustrating and often overwhelming experience, but don't throw that construction away just yet... SimmedUp has some tips to help you build successfully in The Sims 4.
An article also to be found on SimmedUP magazine.
Start small
The biggest mistake new builders make is creating a large house with too much space. Unless you're going for an ultra-modern, minimalist feel, your Sims' space should be warm and inviting. The easiest way to achieve this is to build a small house with just enough space for your Sims.
Some references for the size of the pieces
- The lounges should be about 6 tiles wide and 6 tiles deep. This allows for enough space for a sofa and side tables.
- The kitchens vary in size, but must be at least 4 tiles long to accommodate the necessary objects.
- The bedrooms also vary in size and shape. Make sure your room is at least 3 tiles wide for a single bed and 4-5 tiles wide for a double bed and leave room for any other items you wish to add.
- The bathrooms can be as small as one tile or much larger, depending on your preference. It is important to note that bathtubs need 3-4 tiles to work properly, and showers need 2-3 tiles.
Quick Room Sizing Tip: Create your spaces by thinking about how many spaces each item will use and taking into account the space needed for routing. The placement of items will greatly assist you in filling each space.
Build roofs like a pro
One of the most difficult aspects of building in The Sims 4 is roofing. Around the world, designers have struggled to create oddly shaped roofs, and many houses have been scrapped in frustration. Some Simmers have even asked EA to introduce automatic roofs in The Sims 4, purely out of frustration with this tool.
If roofing can be the catalyst for a nervous breakdown, it doesn't have to be. We're sharing with you below the best advice from PugOwnedPlays (known to many in the community as a roofing goddess). She has an excellent tutorial on her YouTube channel that will help you learn and understand how to cover any space in The Sims 4, and can also provide you with some fun little ideas.
Pugs' top tips for roofing any construction:
- Create roof overhangs and dormers in your roof to add character to your buildings.
- Trim and roof textures can give a building a more finished look.
- Create a mansard by adding an empty room in the middle of the top floor and wrapping small sections of roofing around it.
- Create skylights by using a glass roof and breaking up the floor to light the room below.
- Essayez le mod T.O.O.L. si vous ne l’avez pas encore fait. Ce mod est un ajout fantastique à votre jeu si vous aimez construire. Son utilisation dans vos constructions ne les signale pas comme ayant un contenu personnalisé sur la galerie.
- Press Shift + C to add more setting options to your roof so you can manipulate it in more ways.
- The most important piece of advice given by PugOwnedPlays is "practice". It takes time to master roofs, and the only way to succeed is to try!
Check out PugOwnedPlays on YouTube for more interesting and helpful building tips, as well as great videos of his amazing animal creations.
The size of the walls, half-walls and platforms
The Sims 4 building mode is one of the most in-depth aspects of the game and continues to evolve even years after the release of the base game.
Some of the more recent additions to the building mode include platforms and the pond tool. However, the half walls were also added after the release of the base game and are an extremely useful feature. While these tools have made for some remarkable builds, they can be used to add detail and dramatic effects to any build, regardless of your skill level.
Ideas for using half-walls and platforms
- Use a half wall to separate the toilet from the rest of the bathroom.
- Use half walls to create the perfect fireplace.
- Separate rooms with half walls and pillars.
- Use platforms to create a split-level house.
- Add a sunken living room with platforms.
- Create a fun nursery by placing the bed high on a platform or having a toddler play area that is raised with platforms.
- Use platforms to create custom stairs on the exterior of your building.
(Note: Sims can climb on elevated platforms by one level but not more).
There are so many uses for wall heights, half walls and platforms. Share your creations with us by tagging your posts with #ShowSUPYforBuilds on social media!
Be creative with stairs
Not so long ago, The Sims 4 gave builders the ability to create custom staircases by modifying their shape in-game. This tool was a real game-changer. Combined with platforms and half-walls, staircases that can twist and turn offer builders endless possibilities. Use "L"-shaped staircases to save space, or "U"-shaped staircases to create a spectacular effect.
Experiment with this tool and see how it changes your constructions and adds flavor to your family home.
Focus on the level plan
One mistake I made constantly when I first started building in The Sims was to start with the outside of the house. While working from the outside in may work for many, it can also lead to serious landscaping problems when you get to the floor plan and realize you need to expand your home.
A pro tip is to create the framework of the home first and focus on the floor plan before you start landscaping. Determining the floor plan before you start placing flowers and trees will save you time and tears later.
My personal pro tip: Start by placing your staircase and drawing your floor plan around it. I tend to start with the top level and work my way down, because it's harder to create bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs than it is to form a living room, dining room and kitchen.
Understanding "street appeal
Although you start with the inside of the house, it is essential not to neglect the outside. Just like in the real world, curb appeal is vital
to create the perfect house in The Sims. In fact, street appeal is perhaps one of the most important aspects of building and certainly the most difficult to master.
Builds in the game tend to be about aesthetics - you want your house to look good in screenshots - functionality often takes a back seat to appearance in The Sims. In real life, windows are placed differently, and things are far from perfect. In The Sims, however, misplaced windows and oddly shaped houses can ruin an entire building. Fortunately, the build mode, combined with debugging, offers builders many ways to hide these flaws and make their homes look fantastic.
Pro tips for creating curb appeal
- Use paths and walkways to create appeal. Paths can be made with ground coverings or field paint.
- Choose the perfect colors for your home's exterior.
- Use the debugger to add plants or to line the paths with small bricks or stones. (Note: you can scale the elements by using the [ and ] keys on your keyboard to make them smaller or larger.)
- Create designated areas on your property and break up large empty spaces with objects, platforms or fences.
- Don't be afraid to experiment with items you wouldn't normally use outside, after all in The Sims the rain won't ruin your dining table or wash away that little decoration.
- Keep the focus on the construction itself. While curb appeal is super important, it's supposed to enhance a home, not detract from it. Walkways, plants and objects should frame a home, drawing your eye to the construction itself.
Choose a specific style
How many times have you considered building a Victorian-style home, only to end up filling it with modern, contemporary elements? I know I've done it too many times to count. When you're trying to create the perfect home in The Sims 4, style is everything!
Choose a style or theme and stick to it as much as possible. Build mode allows you to sort items by style, which can be very handy if you're not sure which items fit your theme. However, this sorting system is notoriously inaccurate, so be sure to do some research and get inspiration from outside sources like Pinterest or Instagram. There's nothing worse than an ultra-modern home that's filled with country furniture or vice versa.
Quick tip: Determine your style goals and have fun. Try to stay within your goals and you will succeed.
Building in The Sims can be a frustrating experience, but with these tips and a little practice, you're sure to create a simtacular space.
