Via TheSims.com!

Have you built any basements in The Sims 4 yet? They were added in a recent Update, and we hope you’ve taken time to create some of your own. If you haven’t built any yet, we have some advice to get you started – and if you have, we’ve rounded up some higher-level tricks we’ve used in the studio that we want to share. Ready to brush up on building down? We’ve got you covered.

Learn the Basics. Before you start building expert basements, you need to know where to find them in the game. Head to Build Mode (by clicking the icon on the top right or pressing B on your keyboard while in Live Mode). From there you will see a new Basement Tool, right near the Build Room tool. Select that and start dragging away – your basement will be built under the level you’re currently on.

Play with Depth. Basements can be built two levels deep, and follow the same height rules as the floors above ground. That means you can change their height, and even build a basement two levels deep and remove the ceiling on the bottom floor, making it look like you’ve one giant, deep, dramatic looking Basement.

Create a Natural Light Observatory. Before you even start on your basement, you’ll need to place a pool. Once that’s done, build a basement adjacent to it, and then remove the basement’s ceiling. Next, place some windows on the dividing wall of the pool and basement. Ta da! You have and underground pool observatory, and can admire the natural light that pours in through the windows.

Build an Eye-Catching Underground Garden. You can remove the ceiling from the first level basement, too, which allows you to make a giant hole in the ground that you can turn into a pretty cool Underground Garden. Once you’ve built a basement, navigate down to the first basement level and select the block. Navigate back to the top and click the yellow strip that is highlighting the block. From there, click Delete Ceiling. Now that you have an open pit on your lot that you can fill with grass, place some planter boxes, and you’re all set!

Build Stairs Through Foundations. Gone are the days of having to demolish and rebuild your house if you forget to lay down a foundation. InThe Sims 4, you’re able to adjust staircases dynamically. Once the basement is built and your stairs are in place, placing a foundation and adjusting the staircase is a simple experience that works with you.

Build an Underground Silo to Store Your Rocket Ship. So… this might not necessarily be a “tip” but it’s still a pretty cool thing you should try. Start by building two basements down, then remove the ceiling from both blocks so you have a two-floor open pit in the ground. Now place your Sim’s Rocket Ship on the ground level. There you have it, you Sim’s very own private Rocket lair! Science!