Sims 4 is an extremely popular online game which currently boasts over 30 million players world wide, (https://venturebeat.com/2020/07/30/the-sims-4-hits-30-million-players-with-massive-pandemic-bump/) and that number does not appear to be slowing down any time soon. The games ability to tap into the creativity of the players in everything from world building to furniture design, creates endless possibilities when it comes to designing the perfect Sims 4 living room. However, whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned player, there often comes a time where we could all use a little inspiration, so we’ve compiled some ideas we hope to help inspire your creative flow when it comes to designing living areas.
Build Choices
If you’re a newbie to the Sims 4 world, know that you have certain options available to you when it comes to designing your perfect living area. In other words, know that you aren’t restricted to use what you find in the basic game, there are other options to ponder. These options include unlocking all hidden objects, the Eco-Lifestyle Expansion, using custom content furniture, and finally creating your own furnishings in Blender and importing them into Sims 4.
Unlocking Hidden Objects
Depending on how you play Sims, you may or may not like this section. However, for the benefit of those who are interested we’ll go on ahead, and for the others? You’ve been warned. As in many games, items are kept locked until you level up or are rewarded for completing an action, and Sims 4 is no different. However, if you’re simply too eager to build your perfect home, or in this case, your perfect living room, then cheat codes are in order, where you can unlock all hidden objects.
Eco-Lifestyle Expansion
The Eco-Lifestyle expansion is an exciting way to generate new furnishings for your living room by recycling the old furnishings. Fabrication is the name of the skill by which you accomplish this. By engaging the fabrication skill regularly, you then unlock additional furniture options.
CC or Custom Content Furniture
Custom content furnishings are those created by fans for fans. While it’s true your game comes with basic furnishings, you’ll find the variety of fan generated objects much more enticing, and many of them are available to download for free.
Blender for Sims 4
Finally, we come to Blender. Blender is a free, open source program that’s used to generate 3D models for professionals and newbies alike. A powerful program, Blender is used by many Sims 4 players to create their own custom content. The program may look intimidating, but with a few basic tutorials, you’ll be well on your way to creating your very own furniture designs.
Five Sims 4 Living Room Ideas for Inspiration
it’s no secret that Sims 4 players spend a good deal of their time designing and decorating their living areas. However, even the best player can come across a creative brick wall, where the only answer is to seek out inspiration from others. As such, we’ve compiled 5 short inspirational ideas to help wring the creativity right out of you, to perhaps bring up some new options you might not have thought of, such as the Loft design, Provence, Art Deco, Industrial, and use of patterns and textures.
1. The Cozy Loft Sims 4 Living Room
A living room in a loft is gorgeous, spacious and a treat for Sims 4 players to decorate. Due to the very nature of the design, it’s crucial that the furniture you choose be expressive. In other words, you want each piece to be able to express itself as almost a stand alone piece, to have depth and personality. Why? Because of the grand amount of square footage in a loft living room In Loft Living room by Shinokcr, for instance, you can see how Shinokcr used different brick patterns to highlight the walls and accentuate the height, as well as taking advantage of tall floor lamps, vertical wall designs and a tall media center. Another advantage with the loft living area, is that you are free to add a staircase or two. If your space is on the small side, consider adding a spiral staircase.
2. Art Deco Sims 4 Living Room
Art Deco is an influential design style that saw its birth in 1920’s America. In fact, if you’re looking to create an art deco inspired living room in Sims 4, it couldn’t hurt to peruse a few of Hollywood’s best films in the 1930’s and 40’s, as they featured some lovely art decor set designs. Art Deco has, by nature,organic flowing contours, which gives it an overall soft appearance. Shinokcr created an interesting art deco room available for download, Note the use of a traditional golden yellow color scheme to bind the chosen furnishings together, and of course, the wall sconces, which are almost a must in any art deco design.
3. Provence Interior Design Style Sims 4 Living Room
Bring a bit of of a lovely French garden into your Sims 4 living room via Provence interior design style. The exact opposite of the firm, no frills dark industrial style living room, the Provence design relies on light, breathable color combinations, textures and patterns to create a rather romantic living environment. In Severinka’s custom content, Provence living room “Garden Rose Living Room,” one can see the theme of a French country garden being woven throughout. In general, you won’t find a bright, neon color palette used in this style. Instead, neutral colors are often used with floral patterns, in order to imitate the feeling of relaxing in the lovely, French countryside.
4. Industrial Sims 4 Living Room
If you’re still struggling to find some sort of inspiration for your Sims 4 living room, let us present to you the ever popular, yet unique, Industrial style living room. The industrial decor style marries both the modern, with the personal tastes of the individual. What you’re left with is a living space with a contemporary feel with old world charm. The industrial inspired living room by Buffsumm comes complete with large, factory inspired windows, as well as taking the building’s piping and making it work for the overall design. All furnishings and accessories are basic, ‘no frills’ additions in keeping with the theme.
5. Patterns and Textures Used in Sims 4 Living Rooms
Sometimes, there’s nothing like taking a living area and splashing it with bold colors and or patterns. To do so, creates a powerful personal statement, one that reflects you as the designer. in Living Room, “B&W” by Aifirsa, you get a taste of just what patterns and textures can do for your Sims 4 living room decor. Here, one basic pattern is chosen to represent the overall style, and is repeated throughout the scheme. You can see this pattern in the rugging, drapery, pillows and sofa throws. In fact, if you look closely, you’ll notice that the entire room is basically sewn together, connected via this one pattern. If you’re at a loss as to find the perfect pattern for you, try doing a web search for “downloadable textures” or “downloadable patterns”, and you’re sure to find something that works for you.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there’s a lot more to design and decor in Sims 4, than meets the eye. You have the option to use expansions, custom content furnishings, unlock all hidden furnishings, and create your own furnishings via Blender. If you’re still in need of inspirations, then consider doing an image web search for “film set interior design”, as there are many collections online which highlight this aspect of design. Also, don’t forget visiting interior design websites to brush up on basic architecture and room design. Finally, consider themes. Perhaps you want to design a “Sherlock Holmes” style living room, filled with books, or perhaps a futuristic living area, based on a favorite film. There are no limits here with Sims 4, only your own creativity and applied effort.
