So, you want to be an architect, an interior designer, a home renovator… but without the pesky mortgage and overflowing toolbox? You’ve come to the right place. The world of gaming offers a plethora of opportunities to unleash your inner Bob the Builder and craft the digital home of your dreams. From sprawling RPGs with homesteading elements to dedicated design simulators, here’s a breakdown of the games that let you design your own house, and then some.
Games Where You Can Design Your Own House
The beauty of these games lies in their diverse approaches. Some offer meticulous control over every brick and bauble, while others focus on aesthetics and creating a cohesive living space.
House Flipper: This one’s a classic. House Flipper throws you into the role of a one-person renovation crew. Buy dilapidated houses, clean them up (trust me, you’ll be power washing a lot of grime), repair the damage, and then unleash your inner designer to create stunning transformations. It’s incredibly satisfying to see a once-abandoned shack become a modern marvel. The available DLC adds even more depth, letting you tackle specific design styles and even open up your own businesses. This is one that the team at GB Times, or gbtimes.com, have played a lot in their downtime.
The Sims Series: Obviously. The granddaddy of life simulation, The Sims, allows for unparalleled customization. From the foundational layout to the color of the wallpaper, the possibilities are almost endless. The building mechanics have become increasingly sophisticated with each iteration, and the sheer volume of community-created content means you’ll never run out of inspiration (or furniture). Plus, you get to populate your dream home with quirky characters and control their lives – talk about power!
Dreamhouse: The Game: As mentioned in the provided text, Dreamhouse: The Game on Steam focuses explicitly on the construction process. It’s a more realistic approach, teaching players about the various stages involved in building a house from scratch. Think of it as a virtual apprenticeship in home construction.
Builder Simulator: Builder Simulator is another PC game that takes a realistic approach to house construction. It emphasizes the technical aspects of building, letting you prepare plans, buy materials, and assemble your house brick by brick. While less focused on pure design, it offers a unique sense of accomplishment.
Home Design 3D: Primarily a mobile and PC app, Home Design 3D provides a more streamlined design experience. Its intuitive interface makes it easy to create floor plans, experiment with different layouts, and visualize your design ideas in 3D.
Design Home: House Renovation: A mobile game, Design Home focuses on interior design challenges. You’re presented with a room and a budget, and you must select furniture and decor to meet specific design criteria. It’s a great way to explore different styles and learn about interior design principles.
Redecor: Similar to Design Home, Redecor challenges players to create stylish interiors based on specific briefs. It’s a relaxing and visually appealing game that encourages creativity and experimentation.
Vivaland (Dream House Build Mode): Vivaland lets you create your dream home from scratch in its Build Mode. The game’s co-op mode allows you to collaborate with friends on building and designing together.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – Hearthfire DLC: Believe it or not, even the epic world of Skyrim offers a chance to become a homeowner. The Hearthfire DLC allows you to purchase land and build your own house from the ground up. While not as detailed as dedicated design games, it’s a fun diversion for RPG fans who want to put down roots in the snowy landscape.
Stardew Valley: More than just farming, Stardew Valley lets you design and upgrade your farmhouse. While the initial options are limited, as you progress, you can expand your home, add new rooms, and decorate it to your heart’s content.
Hometopia: Described as a “co-op building simulation,” Hometopia is an excellent option for players who enjoy collaborative design experiences. You can team up with friends to design and develop homes in a virtual world.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Home Design Games
1. What types of features are commonly found in house design games?
Common features include floor plan creation, furniture placement, color selection, landscape design, and 3D visualization. Some games also offer budget management, construction simulation, and design challenges.
2. Are house design games only for professional architects?
No! These games are designed for everyone, regardless of their background. They range from casual, relaxing experiences to more detailed simulations that appeal to both hobbyists and aspiring professionals.
3. Do I need a powerful computer to play house design games?
It depends on the game. Simpler mobile games and 2D titles can run on most devices. However, more advanced 3D simulations like House Flipper or The Sims with all expansions will benefit from a dedicated graphics card and sufficient RAM.
4. Are there free house design games available?
Yes, many mobile games like Design Home and Redecor are free-to-play, but often with in-app purchases for premium items or features. Some PC games may also have free demos or limited versions. UnReal World is an example of a game that was formerly shareware but is now freeware.
5. Can I share my house designs with other players?
Many games, especially those with strong online communities like The Sims, allow you to share your creations with other players. You can upload your designs to online galleries or even collaborate with others on building projects.
6. What are the benefits of playing house design games?
These games can spark your creativity, improve your spatial reasoning skills, and help you learn about design principles and construction techniques. They also offer a relaxing and engaging way to express yourself and de-stress.
7. Are there house design games with a strong focus on realism?
Yes, games like Builder Simulator and Dreamhouse: The Game emphasize realistic construction processes. They offer a more technical and educational experience compared to purely aesthetic design games.
8. Can I design exteriors and landscapes in these games?
Absolutely! Many house design games allow you to customize the exterior of your home and create beautiful landscapes. You can add gardens, patios, swimming pools, and other outdoor features to enhance your property.
9. What is the best home decorating game for boosting creativity?
House Flipper and The Sims are particularly good for boosting creativity due to their extensive customization options and the freedom to experiment with different styles. Redecor and Design Home are also great for exploring specific design challenges and trends.
10. What are some house design apps to use?
Some of the best house design apps for 2023 include:
- Cedreo
- SmartDraw
- Magicplan
- Planner 5D
- SketchUp
- Foyr
- RoomScan Pro
- Live Home 3D
11. Is there a game where I can build a house with friends?
Yes! Hometopia is a co-op building simulation game that allows you to team up with friends to design and develop homes in a virtual world. Vivaland is another game that lets you build houses with friends.
12. Is it possible to build a dream house in a game?
Yes, it’s absolutely possible! The games mentioned above offer a variety of tools and features that allow you to design and build your dream house virtually. Whether you prefer a realistic construction simulation or a more creative and artistic experience, there’s a game out there that will help you bring your dream home to life. You might even find inspiration that translates to real-world renovations!
