Best Games That Let You Customize Your House

Summary

RPG and simulator games offer players the chance to customize their home, adding personal touches and creating a cozy retreat.
Some games allow players to buy or build houses, decorate them with various items, and even upgrade them for additional features and benefits.
House customization in games like Skyrim, The Sims 4, and Stardew Valley offers players the opportunity to create a unique, personalized living space with furniture, decorations, and more.

“Home sweet home” – it’s where the heart is, and there’s no place like it. In games, a house has many purposes. It can be a place to rest, for players to dump all of their items, to raise a family, even a safe-haven whose four walls protect the player from whatever lurks outside. It might simply be somewhere for them to show off their interior design prowess.

4:33

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There are a lot of great base-building games out there but some have much better mechanics than others. Here’s a look at some of the best, ranked.

RPGs and simulators alike benefit from offering players the option to decorate their house. Returning home after a long day working or adventuring is made all the more satisfying when the dwelling has a personal touch. These are some of the best games that let players customize their house, be it decorating, adding extensions, or changing the layout.

This list focuses on games where the player already has or can purchase a house, rather than survival and sandbox games with house/base-building. Games where DLCs are required to own/decorate a home are not included (such as The Witcher 3: Blood and Wine).

13

Vampire: The Masquerade

Become A Powerful Blood-Sucker

Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines Tag Page Cover Art

Systems

Franchise: Vampire: The Masquerade
Released: November 16, 2004
Developer(s): Troika Games

Based on the tabletop RPG, Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines follows the player’s character – a member of one of seven vampire clans – as they navigate the shady political agendas in modern-day LA. Along the way, they will unlock “havens” which serve as bases to rest up and store items.

Players can’t freely decorate as they might be able to in other games, but collectible items gained from side quests and making certain story choices will appear in the haven. These include fun things like posters, TV upgrades, and books.

12

New World: Aeternum

Experience The Eternal Isle In New Ways

Released: October 15, 2024
Developer(s): Amazon Games
Multiplayer: Online Multiplayer

New World: Aeternum is the successor to the 2021 MMO New World, containing all the original content and the Rise of the Angry Earth expansion, but considered its own separate game. With revamped gameplay and story, there is much more of a focus on solo play.

Beyond the supernatural battles and character leveling, players can also pick a house to buy in each settlement. Alongside the various luxurious furnishing options, owning a house also lets players decorate the walls with trophies to reap their buffs, and fast travel home from anywhere (providing they pay the rent).

11

InZOI

The Sims’ New Competitor

Systems

Released: March 28, 2025
Multiplayer: Online Multiplayer

While inZOI hasn’t been out long, it’s already drawn a lot of attention because of its potential to rival The Sims. It does have a similar premise, but with overhauled graphics and new features like controllable Zois, driving mechanics, and (perhaps most odd and controversial) AI texture customization options.

3:22

The Best Real Life Simulation Games

There is an impressive variety of life simulation games available, and these are easily the best out of all of them.

One familiar aspect of the game is its house building menu; players can build their own home or choose a preset. With the “3D Printer” feature, players can also import their own images that are turned into 3D objects in-game for an extra level of personalization. In its early access state, inZOI isn’t perfect, but it’s an exciting addition to the genre with a lot of potential.

10

Hokko Life

Don’t Be Fooled By The Familiar Visuals

OpenCritic: Top Critic Rating:
61/100

Living up to the reputation of Animal Crossing is a huge feat to undertake, but something Hokko Life bravely attempts, recreating the cozy elements while offering a different, stand-alone experience. Hokko is much more quest-based and the interior design is a lot more hands-on.

The crafting system in Hokko Life is what really sets the game apart; players can craft furniture and decorations piece by piece, painting each part for full customization. It’s a very satisfying experience to decorate the home from scratch rather than simply placing items.

9

The Sims 4

Controlling Virtual Lives Has Never Been More Chaotic

OpenCritic: Top Critic Rating:
70/100

Released: September 2, 2014
Publisher(s): Electronic Arts

The Sims 4 is one of the most diverse life simulators. After creating their character (a feature which is very in-depth in itself), players are dropped into a world of possibilities. With plenty of careers and hobbies to choose from, it’s easy to sink hours into the game and become invested in the Sims’ lives.

When starting a save, players have the option to buy a lot to build their own house on, or a pre-build, the latter being less time-consuming and more money-savvy. From the build mode, however, players are free to redecorate and renovate pretty much every aspect of the house, provided they have the money.

The Sims 4 has a huge roster of expansions that give the player more items and opportunities. The Decorator’s Dream bundle is great for interior design enthusiasts.

8

Fable 2

Why Wait For The Reboot?

Systems

Released: October 21, 2008
Multiplayer: Local Multiplayer

Fable 2 has no shortage of reasons for remaining an iconic RPG decades after its release, be it its British/fantasy atmosphere, interesting story, or entertaining mechanics. For players who like to avoid the main story for as long as possible, there are plenty of side endeavors, property management being one example.

Best RPG Games To Play While You Wait For Fable

Fans who can’t wait for the Fable reboot can occupy themselves with the following RPGs, which are just as fun.

Players can buy houses to rent out, move into, or set as their marital home if they get married. The decorating system isn’t as advanced, but there are still ways to add that personal touch; in redecorate mode, existing furniture can be swapped out for pieces (of varying quality) that the player has bought from the market.

7

Skyrim

Be An Avid Adventurer Or A Homebody

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Tag Page Cover Art

OpenCritic: Top Critic Rating:
81/100

Released: November 11, 2011
Developer(s): Bethesda Game Studios

Skyrim needs no introduction as one of Bethesda’s most classic RPGs. It is undoubtedly aged by today’s standards but remains a solid, nostalgic title. With all the fighting and exploring, it only makes sense that the Dragonborn has a place to kick back in and store all of their latest loot.

Houses are available to buy in most of the major cities in Skyrim after getting cozy enough with the Jarl and, once purchased, can be upgraded. Players can choose the purpose of and furnish the rooms. Once set up, the player’s, and perhaps their spouse’s, home becomes a space to display weapons and books, sleep, and cook.

With the Hearthfire DLC, players can also buy a plot of land to build their own Homestead, with more freedom in decorating. This also allows them to adopt children and keep a dog.

6

Final Fantasy 14

The MMO That Rose From The Ashes

Systems

Released: August 27, 2013
Multiplayer: Online Co-Op, Online Multiplayer

Final Fanstasy 14 is one of the franchise’s MMORPG titles. On its first release, the game was a huge flop. However, the reboot fixed a lot of the initial problems, becoming a game complete with all the lore, questing, and skill systems that players expected of the franchise and genre.

Purchasing a private house in FF14 is slightly more convoluted than buying an apartment. Players need to be level 50 and a second lieutenant at any Grand Company, enter and win a lottery, and purchase a housing permit. That said, once owned, there is an abundance of ways to decorate the interior and exterior.

5

Hello Kitty Island Adventure

Explore A Big, Cozy, Sanrio World

Hello Kitty Island Adventure Tag Page Cover Art

Systems

Franchise: Hello Kitty
Released: July 28, 2023
Developer(s): Sunblink
Multiplayer: Online Multiplayer

Over the past couple of years, Hello Kitty has had a resurgence in popularity, with merch and branding popping up in lots of stores. Accompanying this return to the mainstream was the release of Hello Kitty Island Adventure, a life sim with a focus on adventuring and puzzles.

The game’s aesthetic lends itself well to house decorating, with the soft pastel visuals leaving ample room for creativity. Players can decorate visitor cabins as well as their own in cozy styles to suit their preferred vibe. Participating in events may also unlock new items for players to use.

4

Dragon Age: Inquisition

An Immersive Fantasy RPG

Dragon Age: Inquisition Tag Page Cover Art

OpenCritic: Top Critic Rating:
88/100

Franchise: Dragon Age
Released: November 18, 2014
Publisher(s): Electronic Arts
Multiplayer: Online Multiplayer

Dragon Age: Inquisition still holds up today as a great RPG. Unfortunately, much of its open-world feels underutilized, but there are plenty of side quests and stunning environments to see if players are willing to do a bit of exploring.

4:11

Fallout 4 Sole Survivor and Dogmeat on left, Death Stranding Sam Porter with bridge baby in middle, Ghost of Tsushima Jin Sakai looking over the landscape on right

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Once reaching Skyhold – fortress and Inquisition HQ – players will be able to establish it as their home. Progressing through the main story will allow them to repair parts of the fortress, making them available to customize. More decor and furniture can be unlocked by completing quests, purchasing, or looting.

3

Assassin’s Creed: Shadows

A Stunning And Innovative Addition To The Franchise

Assassin's Creed Shadows Tag Page Cover Art

OpenCritic: Top Critic Rating:
82/100

The Assassin’s Creed franchise is continually growing and changing; Assassin’s Creed Shadows is the fourteenth and latest entry, taking place during the tumultuous Sengoku period. While far from the earlier games, Shadows is undoubtedly a beautiful entry with solid story, stealth, and combat.

When players want a break from the fighting and exploring, they can return to their Hideout. Starting with a main hall (Hiroma), players can expand and add different functional buildings, including a study, a dojo, and a forge. Players can also unlock decorations and cosmetics by completing quests and activities or visiting merchants. Animal lovers will be glad to know that they can keep pets that will hang around the Hideout.

2

Stardew Valley

The Poster Child Of Farm Life Simulators

OpenCritic: Top Critic Rating:
90/100

Released: February 26, 2016
Developer(s): ConcernedApe
Multiplayer: Local Multiplayer, Online Multiplayer

Stardew Valley is hailed as one of the coziest farm life sims out there. After inheriting their grandfather’s run-down farm, players are left to bring it back to life, growing crops, tending to animals, and becoming part of Stardew Valley’s community full of quirky characters.

While there’s a fair amount of work to be done and exploring to be had, after a long day’s work, players will need to return to their farmhouse and sleep. Furniture and interiors can be bought from Robin and Pierre respectively, with some unique items appearing from special events and museum quests.

Buying Pierre or Robin’s catalog is expensive, but gives players free access to lots of decoration options.

1

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Transform The Deserted Island Into A Paradise

Systems

OpenCritic: Top Critic Rating:
90/100

Released: March 20, 2020
Developer(s): Nintendo EPD
Multiplayer: Online Multiplayer, Local Multiplayer

The release of Animal Crossing: New Horizons in 2020 became an important part of many gamers’ lives during the pandemic as a welcome escape. With nothing but a tent, players are free to craft, fish, socialize, and collect to their heart’s content as they rebuild the island and its community.

Once the tent has been upgraded to a house, players will have the opportunity to make it their own with furnishings and decorations such as plants and artwork. Upgrading the house also opens up more options for customizing the house itself, from roofs to doors.

With the Happy Home Paradise DLC, players can also design homes for other characters.