Build/Buy Mode

Learn to use Build Mode in The Sims 4 to buy furniture, renovate rooms, and sell items. Access Build Mode via the UI or F1.

Build Mode is where you can buy items for your Sims' homes. To enter Build Mode, click the build icon in the upper right corner of the user interface (UI) or press the F1 key. A bar will appear at the bottom of the screen displaying all available items and renovation options.

You can sell objects by clicking on them and dragging them to the 'sell' icon located in the lower left corner of the screen.

On the lower left side of the screen, you will find four main icons:

• Build: Allows you to construct a pre-made, stylized room, which is very expensive.
• Objects by Room: Lets you search for objects based on their typical location, including Kitchen, Bathroom, Bedroom, Living Room, Dining Room, Study, Kids' Room, and Outdoors.
• Objects by Function: Enables searching for items based on their purpose, such as Comfort, Surfaces, Plumbing, Activities and Skills, Decorations, Kids, Lighting, Electronics, Appliances, and Storage.
• Household Inventory: A shared space where items can be stored if not currently in use.

Above these icons is a search bar. The right-hand side of the screen offers filtering options to narrow down your search by specific styles, colors, or item types. As you select different icons, the item display in the center of the screen will update accordingly.

When you select an item to purchase, a pop-up window will display its price, a description (often humorous), and its benefits. Each item provides specific types and amounts of benefits. For instance, a basic bed might restore 5 points to the energy need and offer stress relief. A more expensive bed, costing 3 times as much, could provide 10 energy and 8 stress relief, plus decor points for your bedroom. Generally, higher-priced items offer more perks compared to basic versions.

Splurging on better items is often beneficial as they restore needs faster and can serve multiple purposes. Some high-quality items are only available after mastering the 10th and final level of a specific career, while others may require reaching level 6 in a career path. Many such items are mixed with those available to any Sim.

Along the top of the screen, a row of icons allows for manual renovation, including adding new rooms, painting, altering the land layout, and moving your entire house with a single click. Manual renovation can be very in-depth and time-consuming.