The Sims 4 has given its players all the tools they need to master the art of creation and construction. The endless possibilities for avid architects and aspiring builders stretch across a myriad of worlds, each offering its own distinct allure and charm. "Simmers" who create masterful builds offer storytellers and designers a perfect canvas to weave stories, sculpt landscapes, and fashion dreamscapes.
From the sun-kissed shores of Sulani to the rustic countryside of Henford-On-Bagley and the enigmatic intrigue of StrangerVille, these diverse locales serve as illustrative backdrops for crafting architectural marvels. Explore the finest worlds and expansions that beckon builders to unleash their imaginations.
Oasis Springs is one of the three worlds that comes free with the base game. Inspired by the Southwestern desert towns of the United States of America, this massive world has a total of 21 lots for players to build on. These lots are separated into six different neighborhoods and even feature a secret hidden world that Sims can build on using building cheats.
Although the world is vast and allows plenty of room for players to create beautiful-looking homes, Oasis Springs comes off as dull. The builders who thrive in suburbia may find the sandy floors to be a much-needed change of environment, but it could be one of the least vibrant worlds that The Sims 4 has to offer. Sims players, and builders especially, desire a fresh experience beyond the colorless Western world.
Evergreen Harbor is the Pacific Northwestern world that came from the Eco Lifestyle expansion. This environment is a good place for builders to experiment with the world's industrial architectural style. Many builders have made some unconventional builds here, like houses made out of shipping containers.
There are seven residential lots, four community lots, and four apartment units available for players to test their skills on. Simmers were delighted to see the return of apartment buildings for their Sims, which were once exclusive to those who owned the City Living expansion. If players prioritize the world's eco-footprint, Evergreen Harbor has excellent lighting for builders. Admire the view of the harbor and evergreen forest.
This winter wonderland world's snowy landscapes, serene lakes, and picturesque views create an inspiring canvas for building unique homes. The blend of traditional Japanese architecture and modern design allows builders to create a multitude of diverse builds. Players can design cozy lodges that cater to winter sports enthusiasts or serene retreats that add depth and functionality to the world.
Of the 14 available lots to build on (and three extra hidden mountain lots), several were created by Simmers in the community. This includes YouTubers like Deligracy, James Turner, Simlicy, and Lilsimsie. Builders who find themselves constrained by the complex style and small lot sizes have plenty of other beautiful worlds to create their builds in.
From the Cats & Dogs expansion, players can build in the coastal town of Brindleton Bay. The world is inspired by New England states, with the majority of the residential architecture mirroring Cape Cod's style. This style typically features symmetrical designs, steep gabled roofs, and other details like dormer windows and cozy porches, offering a strong foundation for creating cohesive and picturesque homes.
There are a variety of lots and lot sizes in Brindleton Bay, ranging from tiny properties like 20 x 15 to the grand 64 x 64 lot with its own private beach. Design places for Sims to bring their pets, such as dog parks, vet clinics, and facilities for training or adopting animals. Expand upon the museum at Deadgrass Isle, complete with a lighthouse for curious adventurers and frisky Sims.
The town of StrangerVille is shrouded in mystery and secrecy. Everything is... strange, from its people to its flora. Once again, The Sims 4 goes for a Southwestern-inspired world. Some are led to believe that the secret lab resembles Area 51, a base thought to harbor aliens and other government secrets.
StrangerVille is reported to have surprisingly ideal lighting for builders, who enjoy dabbling in trailer park builds and other unorthodox-looking homes. Take the "Old Penelope" lot, for example. After his plane had crash-landed on the outskirts of town, he set up camp in the plane's cargo bay. The dev team built his home to look like plane ruins. Use creative skills to construct other strange builds like underground homes or even functional tree houses.
Henford-On-Bagley is ranked highly among players who admire nature and wildlife, but it's also a great place to assemble cozy cottages, farms, and barns. The credit for several Cottage Living builds goes to four popular Simmers in the community: Clare Siobhan, Hey Harrie, Thomas TV, and Devon Bumpkin. The residential lots are made to fit right into the British countryside theme, but players can use these lots as inspiration to make their own builds.
When designing a world specifically for farming and raising livestock, it's important to consider lot sizes. Builders are always looking for more space. While many Simmers were unhappy to find that this rather large world only featured 12 lots, the size of the lots left plenty of room for players to expand upon their big projects.
It might be an unpopular opinion, but Newcrest might just be one of the best places for builders to invent their ideal town. The environment seems to be similar to Willow Creek, another world from the base game, but all 15 lots are empty. This blank canvas provides endless opportunities for builders to create their own little village.
Some may find building in this world to be a daunting task because there is no style to base their builds on. Others are thrilled at this new opportunity to showcase their world-building skills. The neighborhood descriptions suggest building family-friendly neighborhoods with parks and playgrounds, but many players use Newcrest as a place for restaurants and nightclubs. Will Newcrest be a suburbia or a bustling city filled with community spaces?
The Island Living expansion pack was an important addition for builders. After a long wait, players were finally able to build houses on stilts. The majority of the 14 different lots have easy access to beaches and the ocean. Follow the traditional Polynesian-style homes or experiment with more modern designs.
Build a rental property, sandbar, or park along the beaches or in the tropical environment of Sulani for the islanders to enjoy. Each lot is spacious enough for builders to create a property in paradise. Just be cautious of building in the Mua Pel'am neighborhood, because the active volcano on the Northern island could threaten the integrity of the building and its surrounding environment.
It's no surprise that the world of San Myshuno from City Living ranks so highly. Counting each apartment unit, penthouse, and building, there are a total of 30 lots for builders to build on. The world is full of color, personality, and the cultures of modern cities from around the world, including Tokyo, San Francisco, New York, and Sydney. Build karaoke bars and epic rooftop lounges or expand upon the center park of Myshuno Meadows.
Apartments and penthouses were highly-anticipated features for builders. The single biggest reason this world didn't come in first place, however, is the fact that builders cannot edit the exterior of apartments. Fortunately, the For Rent expansion grants builders the ability to build their own apartment buildings from scratch and assign the rooms to different families.
While it is acknowledged that a player's desired world for building is subjective and depends on the theme and dimensions of their projects, Windenburg is ranked as the best world for builders. Featured in the Get Together expansion, Windenburg is the largest map with a total of 27 lots of different sizes. This includes the three special lots: The Island Bluffs, the Von Haunt Estate, and the Ancient Ruins.
There's a reason Windenburg is the most populated world in The Sims 4. Sims admire the antiquated style of homes and the German style of the world. It also has great lighting, which - as has been established - is key to building in the game. If builders are searching for the ideal place to practice building, they should definitely seek out Windenburg.