Does anybody have any tips?

[Seabody]

I suck at building. My houses are usually just a box with random shapes sticking out of the sides. Does anyone have any tips that I could use so that I can build as well as (or nearly as well as) some builders here, like danefaith, samoht04 and Ausette?
Any tips would be much appreciated.

[LoveEvil]

There are two things I can think of that might help you. The first is to start small, build a small cottage or whatever takes your fancy really but don't overwhelm yourself with large rooms or a huge mansion. The second thing is landscaping, spending sometime on improving your landscaping will help the curb appeal no end. Good landscaping can help disguise a very boxy looking house. 

[TheChronicR]

You can make a box look like a home! Take a look at my Pieces Dynasty house, I've managed to add some variety to it by performing some architectural tricks. I think it turned out quite well, but yes, I am really bad at landscaping, even if I know how to do it.

[pallyndrome]

Check out these building articles from the guide. There's 3, with the first being for basic building:

http://www.carls-sims-3-guide.com/articles/homebuilding/

[Ausette]

I feel guilty now, I tend to just build by trial and error until I get something I like  . I definitely agree with the others here: start small and check out the awesome building guides. I also like looking at real life buildings for inspiration (not to copy directly from, just to get ideas), and you could probably look up pictures and floorplans online too. The main thing though is to keep trying. I've been playing The Sims series for ten years now and building for about five, and I've improved enormously over that time. I shudder to remember the "houses" I made in The Sims 1...

[Pam]

I know a topic just like this was started recently.  If anyone finds it, please post the link and I'll merge the two topics.  We don't need duplicates of this sort of thing.

[Seabody]

@Pam, I googled '"building tips" site:www.carls-sims-3-forum.com', as "Building tips" is the most likely phrase somebody would use in a topic of this sort, and there appears to be no match, bar results like "I found the Immortal Dynasty challenge while browsing the guide for building tips", or "Thanks for the basement building tips".
The only real result I got was the board description for this board.

[Pam]

Yeah, I know.  It probably wouldn't have a title specific enough to be searched.  That's why I asked for the link if anyone happens upon it.  It wouldn't be easy to find.

[TheChronicR]

I have found this topic while browsing the board, also this one, and this one might come in handy too.

[samoht04]

I shall throw some pictures together to show you what you could do with a Box Shaped House. 

[Pam]

Great links, Chronic.  Thank you.

Thank you to samoht04, as well. 

[Seabody]

Thanks for that link to the Building Sites and Inspiration thread Chronic! How I didn't see that when I looked at this board earlier is beyond me.
I bookmarked it - it's good stuff.

[TheChronicR]

You're welcome.

[samoht04]

Okay so here is one Box that I turned into a House.






And here is what I ended up with, the landscaping is rushed though but I hope it gives the idea of a finished house?

[TheChronicR]

I love it Tom. Especially the final shot. Well done.