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.
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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
- Released
- November 16, 2004
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Troika Games
- Publisher(s)
- Activision
- Franchise
- Vampire: The Masquerade
- Platform(s)
- PC
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
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
New World: Aeternum
- Released
- October 15, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Amazon Games
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
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
InZOI
- Released
- March 28, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
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.
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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
Hokko Life
- Released
- June 2, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
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
The Sims 4
- Released
- September 2, 2014
WHERE TO PLAY
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?
Fable 2
- Released
- October 21, 2008
WHERE TO PLAY
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.
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
- Released
- November 11, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Bethesda Game Studios
- Franchise
- The Elder Scrolls
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
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
Final Fantasy 14
- Released
- August 27, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op, Online Multiplayer
- Franchise
- Final Fantasy
- Platform(s)
- PC, macOS, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
- Genre(s)
- MMORPG
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
- Released
- July 28, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Sunblink
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Franchise
- Hello Kitty
- Platform(s)
- iOS, Apple Arcade, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 5
- Genre(s)
- Adventure, Life Simulation
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
- Released
- November 18, 2014
WHERE TO PLAY
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.
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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.