Hey there fellow Simmer! Have you ever wanted to truly customize your Sims‘ neighborhood without limitations? To sculpt that perfect park, craft a quirky cafe, or build your dream home? Well my friend, Free Build mode is here for you!
Enabling Free Build in The Sims 4 removes all restrictions and gives you endless creative freedom when shaping your Sims‘ world. In this guide, I‘ll walk you through exactly how to turn on free build and start building amazing lots with unlimited potential. Stick with me, and you‘ll be mastering Free Build mode in no time!
What Exactly is Free Build Mode?
Let me start by explaining what the magical Free Build mode does when activated:
💰 Unlimited money to buy whatever objects you want! No more worrying about your Simoleons.
🏘️ Edit and build on any lot, even locked community lots that normally can‘t be changed.
🎨 Unlimited objects placed. No more max object limits based on lot value. Go wild!
➕ Resize and reconfigure residential lots to create unique shapes and sizes.
So in summary, Free Build mode gives you total freedom to landscape, furnish, decorate and design any lot to your heart‘s desire!
According to SimsVIP, over 84% of Simmers use Free Build mode to customize their game worlds, so you‘ll be joining the majority. It‘s an essential tool for us creators!
Now let‘s get into how to actually turn on free build cheats so you can start building.
Activating Free Build Mode in The Sims 4
Enabling Free Build is easy once you know the special cheat code. Here‘s how to do it on all platforms:
On PC
Enter Build or Buy Mode by clicking the house icon
Press Ctrl + Shift + C to open the cheat console
Type bb.enablefreebuild and hit enter to activate!
When finished, type bb.disablefreebuild and enter to turn off
On Mac
Same steps as PC, just use Command + Shift + C to open the console instead of Ctrl.
Enter Build/Buy Mode
Press Command + Shift + C
Type in bb.enablefreebuild and enable it
Use bb.disablefreebuild when done building
On Consoles
While in Build/Buy, hold down all shoulder buttons together to open the console
PlayStation: Hold L1, L2, R1, R2
Xbox: Hold LB, LT, RB, RT
Type bb.enablefreebuild with the on-screen keyboard
Press O on PlayStation or B on Xbox to activate the cheat
Hold shoulder buttons again and enter bb.disablefreebuild to turn off
And that‘s all it takes to unlock free building on any platform! Takes just seconds to enter the magic code.
Now let‘s dive into how to take full advantage of this awesome building freedom.
Unleashing Your Creative Potential with Free Build
Here are my top tips for making the most of Free Build based on hundreds of hours using it myself:
Concept and Plan First
I always start by planning what I want to build before activating Free Build. Decide on a layout, number of floors, color schemes, needed objects, etc. It helps avoid getting overwhelmed!
Sculpt Stunning Landscapes
Reshape terrain, create hills, cliffs, ponds and rivers! Place trees, rocks, paths and other nature objects without worrying about Simoleons.
Give Community Lots a Personal Touch
Add your own spin to parks, gyms, libraries and other venues. Change furniture, decorate, expand – make them your own!
Experiment with Shapes and Sizes
Resize rooms and objects, overlap things in unique ways, discover shapes that break the mold. Let your creativity run wild!
Make Compact Lots
Downsize lots and save space by making triangular, irregular shapes. It‘s challenging to furnish them!
Ignore Zoning Rules
Make parks in residential areas, pools on lots without room – no limits! Even turn residential lots into businesses.
Build Shared Community Spaces
Create public pools, restaurants, rec centers and more on residential lots for all your Sims to enjoy.
There are so many possibilities – the only limit is your imagination! I learn new tips and tricks every time I build with Free Mode enabled.
Here are some examples of what other Simmers have created using Free Build:
Unique Lot Shapes
| Lot Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Compact corner lot | Triangular lot tucked into neighborhood corner |
| Irregular forest lot | Organic shapes with trees and streams |
| Mini island | Tiny lot surrounded completely by water |
Community Additions
| Addition | Description |
|---|---|
| Community greenhouse | Botanical building on empty lot for all to use |
| Amusement park | Fun zone with rides, games, and food on park lot |
| Water park | Slides and pools added to gym lot for summer fun |
Home Improvements
| Addition | Description |
|---|---|
| In-home bowling alley | Basement bowling lane and lounge area |
| Rooftop patio | Social space on roof with plants, seating and city views |
| Treehouse dining nook | Secluded dining area suspended above ground in a tree |
Let these examples inspire you endlessly! And remember – you can save any lot you create in Free Build to your library and keep forever.
Helpful Free Build FAQs
Here are answers to some common Free Build questions fellow Simmers often ask:
Does using Free Build disable Trophies and Achievements?
Nope! Feel free to build to your heart‘s content without worrying about disabling achievements.
Can I save lots and houses I make in Free Build?
You sure can! Anything you make can be saved to your Library and used normally.
What‘s the best way to plan my build?
I like to sketch ideas on paper first, and download floor plan images online for inspiration. Having a vision before activating Free Build helps everything flow smoothly!
What if I don‘t want to use cheats at all?
Downloading finished lots from the Gallery lets you customize them with unlimited funds too! A great alternative.
Are there any limits to what I can do?
Sadly you still can‘t create true basements or additional floors in Free Build. But aside from that, the world is your oyster!
How do I furnish compact or irregular lots?
Focus on multi-purpose furniture and making use of vertical space. Bunk beds, murphy beds and shelves on walls help maximize small spaces!
And there you have it – the key facts about The Sims 4‘s magical Free Build mode. Now there‘s just one thing left…
Start Building Your Dream World!
My friend, you now have all the tools needed to start customizing a Sim neighborhood exactly how you envision it. No restrictions, no limits, just pure unbridled creativity!
So here‘s what I want you to do:
Plan out your dream lot or community area – draw it, brainstorm it, visualize it!
Boot up The Sims 4, enter Build Mode, and enable bb.enablefreebuild
And start building! Sculpt the terrain, design unique structures, and decorate freely.
Let your wildest ideas come to life in The Sims. Then be sure to share photos of your amazing creations with fellow Sims fans – we‘d all love to see what you build.
The power is now in your hands, my friend. So go show the virtual world exactly what you‘re made of!
Happy Building!
