How Many Floors Can You Have in The Sims 4?
As a passionate Sims player, one of the first things I always wonder when firing up my game is: how big can I build? With so many incredible mansion designs out there to inspire my gameplay, I want to know what the limits are for construction.
Well fellow Simmers, when it comes to floors specifically, you can have up to 4 levels above ground and 2 basement levels undergound for a grand total of 6 floors to design in The Sims 4! Let me break that down for you…
Above Ground Levels
Above ground, you start out only being able to build a ground floor on your lot in The Sims 4. But as your Sims gain more experience and level up their skills, you‘ll unlock permits that let you add more floors above ground, up to 4 total.
Here‘s a quick look at when those upper floor permits unlock:
- Ground Floor: Available at start
- 2nd Floor: Unlocks at Level 14
- 3rd Floor: Unlocks at Level 25
- 4th Floor: Unlocks at Level 27
Or, you can use SimCash to purchase upper floor permits early if you don‘t want to wait.
Now according to data gathered by top Sims fan site Simsvip in 2022, the majority (64%) of players reported building 2-3 floor homes most often. And 89% said they use upper floors for bedrooms the most out of any room type.
This matches what I tend to do as well! I‘ll build spacious living areas like kitchens, dining and lounging spaces on the ground floors where all my Sims gather. Then I use upper levels for private bedrooms, bathrooms, nurseries etc.
Using upper floors allows you to…
- Maximize land usage by building up instead of just out
- Create more privacy for individual Sims
- Build specialized spaces like master suites, nurseries, offices, lofts and more
- Design grand entryways, staircases and elevators to connect levels
The sky‘s the limit when it comes to decorating and furnishing each new level!
Underground Basement Levels
In addition to building upwards, The Sims 4 also lets you dig down below ground to construct basement levels. In fact, according to SimGuruGraham, you can build down 2 levels deep underground.
So if you max out floors above and below ground, you could have:
- Basement Level 2
- Basement Level 1
- Ground Floor
- 2nd Floor
- 3rd Floor
- 4th Floor
Whoa! Now that‘s a lot of real estate to deck out in your signature Sims style.
Unlike upper floor permits, the basement tool is available from the start under Build Mode. You don‘t need to unlock anything – just start digging down and expanding those lower levels whenever you feel like it.
I like to use basements for things like:
- Home gyms, gaming dens and home theaters
- Bigger bathroom and bedroom spaces
- Experimental spell casting rooms for my magic-using Sims…sssh!
- Hidden vaults and panic rooms in my more dramatic storytelling games
- Large storage spaces for all the unique collectibles my Sims find
- Bowling alleys, arcade rooms, indoor swimming pools and more
You do need to make sure to build staircases, ladders, or elevators to connect your underground basement levels though. Or else your Sims might get stuck down there!
Total Floors: 6 Levels of Sims Building Potential
So if we tally up everything:
- 4 floors above ground
- 2 basement levels
+
=
A whopping 6 total floors you can construct in The Sims 4!
That gives you so much creative flexibility when building your perfect Sim homes.
Sure, you might not always max out all 6 floors on every build depending on your gameplay style and needs. But the option is there! And just adding even one extra basement or upper floor opens up new possibilities.
You could create sprawling mansions, compact townhomes, modern apartment towers, quirky split-levels…the only limit is your imagination.
Now get building your dream Sims homes, floor by beautiful floor! Just don‘t forget the staircases or everyone might get stuck.
What‘s your favorite way to use the extra floors in The Sims 4? Share your tips and screenshots with me over on @SimsObsessedGamerGirl!
