The new platform tool in The Sims 4 is game-changing. Literally. We have already looked at how to use the platform tool to create space-saving loft beds in Sims 4 City Living apartments, but let’s take things to the next level (pun intended).
While this is will not be a step-by-step tutorial, we will look at some useful build tips to make platforms more functional.
You do not need any mods or custom content to build functional rooms underneath platforms in The Sims 4, but using TwistedMexi’s T.O.O.L mod will save you a lot of frustration.
To get the most out of platforms, you will need to be familiar with some very basic Sims 4 build mode cheats. Mostly the moveobjects cheat and the placement tools ? holding ALT for more precise placing and using the 0 and 9 keys to move objects up and down and [ and ] to resize them.
You?ll also need to use the debug and liveedit object cheats. Again, you do not require any mods, but the Better BuildBuy mod, also by TwistedMexi, is a lifesaver.
We recommend you build these rooms with a Sim on the lot (create a household with which you don’t mind using a money cheat). This way, you can playtest as you go along since the process can be quite finicky.
This tutorial is inspired by this amazing build pictured above by TheKalino and the tutorial created by them in the video below.
Useful things to know about platforms in The Sims 4
Sims can access platforms without stairs if the platform is a single step up. For most objects, Sims can also interact with them if they are placed right next to a platform of a single step up or down.
This is quite useful for placing objects such as beds, toilets and sinks in confined spaces. It is also useful if you are limited in terms of height adjustment for your platforms (as with the Evergreen Harbor apartments, for example).’
It is also useful to know that Sims do not need to be able to walk on a full tile in order to access a bed on top of a platform, provided there is nothing else obstructing their route.
Sims 4 platforms with functional rooms: Basic how-to tips
In order to build functional rooms underneath platforms in The Sims 4, you essentially need to use your platforms as ‘walls’.
You’ll find a video below that runs through some of the tips mentioned here. This will help to give you a visual sense of how to build functional rooms below platforms in The Sims 4.
This will result in a ?hole? in the floor ? because it is all on one level ? but you can fill the gap using objects such as sized up shelves or even some of the debug objects like the recently added ?foundations? from liveedit or, depending on which packs you have, any of the individual ?tile? objects.
Awnings work quite well, too. They cover a large area and can be downsized for a good amount of coverage, making the process far less time consuming and frustrating.
Using carpets will not work ? they will be visible on platforms but will cut out when they go over the ?hole? in the floor.
If you are using shelves, it is useful to place walls against the platforms to make placing the shelves easier. You can simply use the sledgehammer tool to delete these later on – the shelves should stay put.
Whichever gap-fillers you choose, the placing will take a bit of trial and error, depending on the layout of your room. You do not need to fill the whole gap if you use a bed, though.
Another important caveat is that even though the rooms built underneath platforms are completely functional, they are not the most user-friendly in-game if you opt to use half-walls.
Half-walls do not cutaway, so instructing a Sim to interact with an object inside the ‘under the platform’ room can be quite difficult. Keep this in mind when you work on your under-the-platform layout.
Some of this can be avoided by building part of the platform room against an actual wall. We’ll have a different tutorial on that in the near future.