What makes a perfect house in The Sims 3?

[Leto85]

I find the image of the plan of your mansion quite confusing. How wide are the corridors? What happens if 2 sims try to pass each other but they can't?
As for my idea not looking nice - that's a matter of opinion. I like my house.

For a mansions big enough to hold 6 to 8 sims, you always need to have doors where 2 sims can walk through at the same time, otherwise you will have traffic jam. That isn't an opinion anymore. It's just a fact.

And what are corridors? First I thought it means arc, or arch, but I can't be sure. www.vertalen.nu didn't give any translation for it.

[Pam]

A corridor is a hallway that connects rooms.

[The Illuminator]

Oh, wait I should have written that down, Saltypaws.

It was made in 5 minutes so it isn't very detailed yet. Maybe I'll alter it when I have some time.
The corridors are usually 3-4 'boxes' (you know, those on the floor when in building mode) wide. Since there are corridors all around the house there will be no traffic jam, even with 8 people in one household.

Leto:
Yes, I am aware of that. Usually I use double doors; it looks quite nice and it is practical too!

The proper translation in Dutch of the word 'corridor' would be 'hal' or 'gang'.

[samoht04]

I have reached the +40 decorated moodlet without Gems, I just use loads of pictures and plants, with a few sculptures here and there.

Nice mansion by the way! 

This is my current Legacy House -

This is the closest I have to what it looks like now. But I have done more landscaping!


This is the empty house after it was built and decorated.

[Leto85]

Your house looks fine by me, samoht04. But aren't those columns getting you in your way (blocking your vision quite a bit) while playing the family and scrolling throw the house?

[samoht04]

Your house looks fine by me, samoht04. But aren't those columns getting you in your way (blocking your vision quite a bit) while playing the family and scrolling throw the house?

I view from the side of the house. So they don't really effect me at all. 

[AriaGirl77]

As far as I'm concerned, the perfect sim house is all on one story with an open floor plan to avoid pathing issues, and small enough so that I can see what everyone is doing without having to scroll around.

[Metropolis Man]

In Sims 1 I was really into an elaborate design phase for quite a while. The coolest looking house I came up with was lovingly dubbed "The Octopus." The central core was basically a big stop sign-shaped entry area with 8 arms/hallways leading off of it into individual rooms. In Sims 3 I typically play challenges and often don't even go with a house depending on the individual rule set. But, I'll have to revisit my idea and show everyone. Could be cool with all of the objects and design possibilities.

[Leto85]

As far as I'm concerned, the perfect sim house is all on one story with an open floor plan to avoid pathing issues, and small enough so that I can see what everyone is doing without having to scroll around.

I agree with you about that. But with all the wishes in mind that my house needs to have, staying on one story while not scrolling around wasn't really possible for me. Although for the player that will indeed be the best floorplan, for all the functions for sims it could be different.

In Sims 1 I was really into an elaborate design phase for quite a while. The coolest looking house I came up with was lovingly dubbed "The Octopus." The central core was basically a big stop sign-shaped entry area with 8 arms/hallways leading off of it into individual rooms. In Sims 3 I typically play challenges and often don't even go with a house depending on the individual rule set. But, I'll have to revisit my idea and show everyone. Could be cool with all of the objects and design possibilities.

Funny you came up with 'The Octopus'. I also have once made such a home with a central core where everything comes together. I totally forgot I did, until you brought it up. Unfortunately, I got the problem that walking from one arm to the other was not really practical, unless I've decided to connect the ends of it together.
Because that you play (and invent) a lot of challenges I consider you to be a strategic player. In that case a strategically designed house will be very interesting to see. I hope you will indeed show some.

[Schipperke]

My current favourite house style is a non-house.   What I mean, I make sure that Loves the Outdoors is one of my sim's traits.  Buy a lot with a good view.  Make a small enclosure for the toilet & shower -maybe a cookhouse, if there's enough cash, then everything else is outside.  My sim is always happy from the view & being outdoors, and I'm happy because the money saved on building can be used for more important things.  I like the campground look of it. 

[Leto85]

My current favourite house style is a non-house.   What I mean, I make sure that Loves the Outdoors is one of my sim's traits.  Buy a lot with a good view.  Make a small enclosure for the toilet & shower -maybe a cookhouse, if there's enough cash, then everything else is outside.  My sim is always happy from the view & being outdoors, and I'm happy because the money saved on building can be used for more important things.  I like the campground look of it. 

That is interesting. Because it is totally the opposite of how my legacy family lives. Can you show some pics? It almost sounds your sims are wanderers.

[pallyndrome]

Lovely looking mansion samoht

[Schipperke]

Here are a couple of pictures of James, Chen and their campground:






This is James's second home.  The first one didn't have that expensive fireplace.  There is electricity in the cookhouse/shower enclosure, but the rest of the lot has no electricity.  They have a wind-up record player and torches for light.  James has to write reports for work (law enforcement) but he is able to charge his laptop at work.  James is quite happy with his campground.  Poor Chen isn't as impressed - he keeps wanting to buy a couch!

[Leto85]

Hahaha, lovely Schipperke.

First I thought your sims will sleeping in a tent, but they are a bit more richer than I thought.
Btw, nice telescope.

[Swede1992]

OK, on the brink of off-topicism here, but is that telescope something from HEL?