Simspiration to light your

SIMSPIRATION

Written by K8Simsley

Real To Sims. Finding inspiration in the world around you.

Building in The Sims is not everyone’s cup of tea, but if you are like me, building is your only form of gameplay and has simply become a way of life. One of the hardest parts of building in The Sims 4, is finding inspiration for your builds. When you are building, recording, and sharing new builds each day, it can be hard to come up with new ideas. Whether you are a builder with a YouTube channel, a Twitch streamer building for a fan base, or you are just building for your own game, finding inspiration in the world around you is essential to your success in The Sims 4.

Where to Find Inspiration for Building in The Sims 4: While inspiration can come from literally anywhere, there are a few websites that may help you in your search for building inspiration in The Sims 4.

Below are a few of the sites that I regularly browse when my brain needs a little push to get started…

Pinterest

Pinterest is my go-to site for building inspiration. This popular site allows you to create custom pin boards that can up your building game. It is also a great source for any Sims-related content, such as CC, mods, etc. Just be aware of any links that you choose to follow and always be careful of sites you have not used before. My Pinterest has boards full of exterior images, interior decor ideas, colour palette, and a variety of Sims builds - mine and others. I, like many other Simmers in the community, literally live on Pinterest and my collections have gotten a bit out of hand.

Floorplans.com:

Floorplans.com is exactly as it sounds, a site for floor plans. While countless numbers of these sites exist on the internet, the floorplans.com site has the best search filters and widest selection out there. While I do not usually stick to a floorplan when I build, I often start by looking at them for inspiration before morphing it into my own idea. Floorplans.com provides me with exceptional variety and a plethora of

filters so I can find exactly what I am looking for in my Sims home design.

Architectural Digest:

https://www.architecturaldigest.com/ architecture-design Architectural Digest is a stunning site full of high-quality images that are sure to inspire your Sims builds. Highlighting both interiors and exteriors around the world in a wide array of styles, Architectural Digest has something to inspire everyone, no matter their taste. From interesting articles on architecture to magnificent photos of high-end decor, Architectural Digest will inspire your Sims builds inside and out.

Simsation Nation Random Build Generator

https://simsation.ca/update-randombuild-generator/

One of my favourite tools for inspiration is the ‘Random Build Generator “created by Simsation Nation. The Random Build Generator is an online app that helps you generate ideas for what to build in the Sims. With creative outlines like the one shown in this image, and a variety of required items in each build, this simple app is anything but simple and can spark so many ideas. The Random Build Generator is completely customizable, allowing you to choose which packs to include, the number of Sims to build a house for, and the budget you must spend on your creation. The sky truly is the limit with this tool and inspiration is only a click away.

Home Stratosphere

www.homestratosphere.com Home Stratosphere is another site that is an excellent source of building inspiration. From FREE floor plan software to guides on specific house styles, Home Stratosphere has it all. You can use this site to create a custom floor plan for your Sims house or find inspiration for interior decorating. The site is simple to navigate and full of fantastic images that are sure to get your creative juices flowing. Home Stratosphere even has a celebrity home section so you can mimic Kanye West’s Hollywood Hills home if that is what you want to create in the game.

Houzz

www.houzz.com Houzz is a great place to find inspiration and ideas for the interiors and exteriors of your Sims houses. Set up much like a look book, houzz is packed full of images that are sure to inspire your creativity in The Sims. The houzz site is easy to navigate and the various categories allow you to search and find exactly the inspiration you desire. You can browse based on

a variety of different filters or search based on the room and style you are looking to create. I like to browse houzz when I need exterior or backyard ideas for my Sims builds. I can spend hours looking at their collection of indoor and outdoor fire pits or find inspiration in their unique pergola designs. Houzz truly is a goldmine of building inspiration. There are a multitude of sites online that can inspire your Sims creations. However, if you are sick of browsing online databases waiting until inspiration strikes, there are a few other options that may spark a creative idea in you.

Other Places to Find Inspiration for Building in The Sims: Real Life Houses in your Neighbourhood:

Looking around your neighbourhood can be a great way to get inspired to build in the Sims. Many times, we are trying to build realistic houses in the game that ‘normal’ people would live in. Where better to find normal houses than in your own backyard? Take a walk or drive around your town and make a note of any houses that catch your eye. If you see something that really inspires you, stop and take a few pictures. Sure, people might look at you like your crazy, but the inspiration it can provide is worth the weird looks.

Travel Photos or Travel Guides:

Travel guides that show an area that is different from your own can really give your inspiration a boost. Grab a travel guide next time you are out and about and look beyond the obvious. While these guides tend to focus on the main attractions, there is often plenty to see in the background of the images they hold. Look at the architectural style of the buildings behind the focus and find inspiration around the highlighted site.

Hotels:

While we do not have the ability to build hotels in the Sims yet (hint, hint, we are patiently waiting) we can look to hotels for inspiration. The world is full of stunning buildings that can spark inspiration in The Sims, browse online and find a gorgeous hotel or cozy bed and breakfast that you can recreate in game.

Books and Magazines:

Books, magazines, and television shows (think HGTV or the DIY Network) can provide you with some much-needed inspiration when you are stuck on what to build in The Sims. Flip through the pages of your favourite magazine and seek out the perfect building to create in The Sims.

Alternatively, pay attention when reading a book and utilise the descriptions that the author has added to the story to create your own version of a building in the game. You could build a house that suits the main character or create a secret hideout for the villain. Books inspire us in many ways, why not use that inspiration?

Real Estate Listings:

I spend way too much time looking at houses that I cannot afford to buy, but Real Estate listings can give you the inspiration that you need to build the perfect Sims house. Flip through the real estate section of your local paper or visit a real estate site like Zolo (or even Airbnb) and find yourself some Simspiration.

The Great Outdoors:

Sometimes a simple walk out in nature may be exactly what you need to kick start your creativity. Take a stroll through a local park or forest and allow the wilderness to purify your inspired soul. Look at the leaves and trees and see them for more than what they seem to be. The great outdoors is the perfect color palate. So, next time you stop to smell the roses, consider the way that they inspire you as well.

Other Simmers and Current Trends:

Let’s be honest, a fair amount of inspiration comes from watching other Simmers build– and there is nothing wrong with that at all. When I am feeling particularly stuck for an idea of what to build in The Sims, I will often switch on YouTube and check out what my favourite Simmers are building. Often, watching others build will inspire you to create something yourself. You are not stealing ideas; it could be an item they used in their build that inspires you or perhaps it is their particular choice of colours. Regardless of why it works, watching others build in The Sims is an awesome way to find inspiration. So get cosy and watch some content creators today!

K 8 S I M S L E Y