Interior design games are super satisfying to me because they give you a chance to decorate a space of your own (in the style that you like) without worrying about the budget or any of that real world stuff. These are fun and relaxing games that you can play without stressing out, and just have a really chill time.
Surprisingly so, there aren’t that many great ones out there. They often get relegated to mobile platforms (where you have to deal with ads and energy systems), and you’re left with scraps. But thankfully, I managed to find a few that play beautifully and have that addictive, satisfying quality. Check this list out!
1. Animal Crossing: New Horizons (With Happy Home Paradise DLC)
Platforms: Nintendo Switch
Style: Life simulation with interior/exterior design
If you love design and don’t mind combining it with a slice of relaxing village life, Animal Crossing: New Horizons offers the perfect blend. You start with a small tent on a deserted island and gradually transform it into a thriving community. Alongside fishing, bug catching, and chatting with quirky animal villagers, you’ll also spend a good chunk of time customizing homes, both yours and others’.
The base game already gives you a ton of creative freedom with furniture placement, wall patterns, flooring, and yard design. But the Happy Home Paradise DLC takes it up a level. In it, you become a vacation home designer for different animal clients, each with unique tastes and requests. You’ll choose layouts, themes, and decor, learning new design tricks along the way.
Why it’s great for design lovers:
- A large catalog of furniture and decor items (and more added seasonally)
- Total freedom to mix and match themes
- Outdoor design tools to shape gardens, patios, and paths
- Relaxed pace, no deadlines
The DLC’s design mode is incredibly flexible — you can experiment with furniture arrangements without worrying about cost or item availability, which is perfect for testing ideas before bringing them into your main island.
2. House Flipper 2
Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox
Style: Renovation and design simulation
For lovers of HGTV, House Flipper 2 is basically all you ever wanted in a game. It puts you in the shoes of a property renovator, letting you buy rundown houses, fix them up, and sell them for profit.
You’ll clean, paint, knock down walls, install fixtures, and choose every element of the final design, from flooring to furniture placement. The sequel improves on the original with better building tools, expanded customization options, and a sandbox mode where you can design without budget restrictions.
While the simulation leans toward realism in that you’ll have to deal with some real world things like fixing pipes or cleaning, for example, it’s also a creativity outlet. You can stick to tasteful, market-friendly designs or go completely wild with bold color palettes and unconventional layouts.
Why it’s great for design lovers:
- Realistic renovation tools and processes
- Full control over interior and exterior design choices
- Sandbox mode for pure creativity without financial pressure
- Satisfying transformation process from wreck to dream home
Even if you’re not interested in the renovation “work” side, the free build mode offers endless opportunities to create custom dream homes.
3. Hotel Renovator
Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox
Style: Renovation and management simulation
Hotel Renovator takes the home renovation concept and expands it into hospitality design. You inherit a rundown hotel and must bring it back to life, one room at a time. Alongside repairs and decorating, you’ll also manage the property and do things like attracting guests, handling requests, and keeping the business profitable.
The design options are surprisingly deep, with hundreds of furniture items, wallpapers, and decorative touches to choose from. You can go for a sleek luxury vibe, a cozy boutique style, or even lean into themed rooms or floors.
The extra challenge here is balancing aesthetics with function. Your designs directly affect guest satisfaction and reviews, which in turn impact your income.
Why it’s great for design lovers:
- Combines interior design with business management
- Freedom to create themed or highly personalized spaces
- Large catalog of furniture and decor to mix and match
- Hands-on renovation process from demolition to decoration
Bold, unique room designs often attract more attention in the game’s review system so don’t be afraid to push creative boundaries.
4. The Sims 4
Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox
Style: Life simulation with in-depth building tools
It’s hard to talk about house design games without mentioning The Sims 4. While it’s technically a life simulation game, the building mode is robust enough to stand on its own. You can create anything from tiny studio apartments to sprawling mansions, complete with landscaping, pools, and intricate interiors.
The game’s “Build/Buy” mode offers precise control over walls, roofing, window placement, and decor. There’s also a massive range of furniture styles, color swatches, and decorative items. For even more variety, you can get mods.
Unlike purely design-focused games, The Sims 4 also lets you see your creations “in action” as Sims live in and interact with the spaces you’ve built.
Why it’s great for design lovers:
- Flexible building tools for highly customized spaces
- Vast furniture catalog with different packs and expansions
- Ability to decorate interiors and exteriors in detail
- Mods and custom content add near-limitless possibilities
If you only care about building, you can play in “Build Mode” without managing Sims’ needs at all.
Love Sims? Find games similar to it here.
5. Unpacking
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox
Style: Puzzle and design hybrid
While Unpacking isn’t a traditional house design game, it taps into the joy of arranging and decorating a space. The game follows a character’s life through a series of moves and each new home tells a piece of their story as you unpack boxes and find places for their belongings.
The act of placing each item feels meditative, and the art style’s cozy pixel visuals add to the relaxing atmosphere. There’s no scoring or time pressure, just a quiet focus on creating an organized, lived-in space that reflects the character’s personality.
Why it’s great for design lovers:
- Relaxing, story-driven approach to arranging spaces
- Encourages thoughtful placement and attention to detail
- Cozy, minimalist art style
- No stress; purely about making spaces feel right
Pay attention to where items “want” to go—some objects reveal subtle story details depending on placement.
6. Kawaii Home Design
Platforms: Mobile (iOS, Android)
Style: Mobile design and puzzle game
Kawaii Home Design blends interior decorating challenges with a cute, anime-inspired art style. You take on client requests, each with specific style preferences, and then decorate rooms to meet those needs.
You’ll unlock more furniture and design elements as you progress, allowing for more creative freedom. While it’s more casual and puzzle-like than the other games on this list, it’s great for quick bursts of creativity on the go. The lighthearted style and bright visuals make it especially appealing if you prefer whimsical, colorful interiors over hyper-realistic ones.
Why it’s great for design lovers:
- Fun, quick design challenges perfect for mobile play
- Cute, colorful art style with anime influences
- Steady unlocks keep the furniture catalog growing
- Focus on meeting style briefs while adding your own flair
Pay attention to each client’s style requests for higher ratings but don’t be afraid to sneak in a personal touch.
Leave a Reply