The moment December arrives, my brain automatically switches into winter building mode. This year, I wanted to ease into the season with something calm, cozy, and realistic, so I started with a cozy winter apartment in San Myshuno, located at 21 Chic Street. This build is not about luxury or perfection. It is about warmth, soft colors, and that quiet winter feeling you get when everything outside slows down. ❄️
The layout is simple and practical, with two bedrooms, a combined open-space kitchen and living area, one bathroom, and even a small laundry room. I skipped a dining area on purpose. The space was tight, and I would much rather have a comfortable living room than squeeze in a tiny table no one would actually use. If the Sims complain, well… too bad. It looks good.
Watch the full winter apartment speed build on YouTube 🎬
About the Apartment
This apartment is designed for a young family who has just moved into the city. They did not want to overspend on furniture, so most of the items feel very IKEA-coded. Nothing is custom-built or perfectly matched, but everything works together. That slightly mismatched charm is intentional; it makes the apartment feel lived-in and realistic.
The color palette is very winter-inspired without using holiday-specific items. I focused on light blue, white, and light brown. Something snowy and soft, but still clean and Scandinavian. The whole space feels calm and bright, even during the darker winter days.
Kitchen and Living Area
🍳 The Kitchen
The kitchen is a small L-shaped corner using base game counters and cabinets in a dusty blue-gray shade. It feels almost traditional, but also very much like something you would see in an IKEA showroom. The marble countertop reminded me of snow on the ground, and that alone was enough reason to keep it.
To stay true to the story of a family on a budget, the kitchen is not perfectly matched. The fridge and stove are from the Restoration Workshop set and are slightly smaller than the counters. They look like appliances you would buy because they were on sale, not because they matched perfectly. That detail makes the space feel more believable.
I added a tiny coffee corner next to the fridge, complete with a coffee maker, cups, sugar, and a coffee-themed picture above. On top of the fridge, there are cereal bags, because I imagined a toddler in this family being very excited about breakfast. The sink is placed right by the window, which makes the whole kitchen feel brighter, especially with winter scenery outside. Sheer curtains from Parenthood help soften the light without blocking it.
Most of the clutter is placed slightly off the counters, not snapped directly, so Sims can actually cook. Space is limited here, so every usable tile matters.
🛋️ The Living Area
Right next to the kitchen is the open living area. From the start, I knew I wanted to use the sofa and armchair from the Modern Retreat Kit in the white swatch. They look exactly like modern Scandinavian furniture, chunky, clean, and cozy. To bring some color in, I added blue base game pillows.
The base game white curtains work surprisingly well here, especially for this style. I paired them with a base game floor lamp and adjusted the light to be slightly warmer so the space would not feel too cold.
For a subtle winter touch, I added the snowy Christmas tree from Seasons. It has just a bit of frost on the branches, perfect for that in-between period when winter is here, but Winterfest decorations are not fully out yet.
The rug is from City Living in a whitewashed swatch, soft and a little worn. The coffee table is actually a small display shelf from Businesses and Hobbies, which works surprisingly well as a low modern table. The TV is the framed winter TV from last year’s base game holiday event, and it fits this apartment perfectly.
I finished the area with Dream Home Decorator shelves, books, subtle decor, string lights, and a decorative toy box. It is not functional, but it looks like there are toys inside, which fits the family story. Snowflake window lights from the Holiday Pack add a beautiful glow in the evening.
Laundry Room and Entryway
🧺 Laundry Room
The laundry room is small and simple. A stacked washer and dryer, aprons on the wall, and a few essentials. It is nothing fancy, but it fits naturally into the flow of the apartment and makes it feel more complete.
🚪 Entryway
In the entryway, I used a winter rug with pine trees from last year’s cozy event. It sets the mood the moment you walk in. There is a small console table, a base game mirror, a lamp, and a necklace decor item from Modern Retreat.
I moved the grocery bag here instead of leaving it in the kitchen. I imagined the family coming home, putting it down, and then getting distracted by something else. Very realistic, especially if you have a toddler.
Eventually, I replaced all ceiling lights with small square lamps from Modern Retreat. They give off a much warmer glow and instantly make the apartment feel cozier.
Bedrooms
🛏️ Primary Bedroom
The primary bedroom works for two parents or a single parent; the vibe stays the same. I created a visual walk-in wardrobe using furniture, even though Sims cannot actually walk into it. It looks like a realistically built-in closet you might see in an apartment.
The bed is my favorite base game bed in the white swatch. Simple, cozy, and perfect for this style. I used Dream Home Decorator bedside tables, a winter mountain picture above the bed, books, an alarm clock, and Modern Retreat lamps.
To make the room feel warmer, I scaled up a fluffy City Living rug and placed it under the bed. Blue pillows bring in color, and the same curtains and snowflake lights tie the room to the rest of the apartment. A clothing rack, laundry hamper, floor mirror, and a plant finish the space.
🧸 Toddler Room
The toddler room was the trickiest one. I wanted it to feel connected to the winter theme without being too adult. I ended up using the base game checkered wallpaper, and it worked surprisingly well with the Scandinavian vibe.
I used mostly Dream Home Decorator furniture because it fits the size and style perfectly. There is a base game toddler bed, a cozy chair, and the cheapest base game lamp. I added a pillow and plush toy from the Forever Friends event, both in soft blue tones.
Instead of winter wall art, I used cute animal artwork from the Gallery, which works beautifully with the animal-shaped table from Modern Retreat. I added books, night lamps, a blue toddler potty, shelving filled with clutter, toys on the rug, and a cloud ceiling lamp. The final detail was adding the light switches I had forgotten earlier.
The Bathroom
The bathroom is very straightforward. A Parenthood shower-tub combo, a Dream Home Decorator sink, a round mirror, and basic clutter. I added candles from Businesses and Hobbies here instead of the living room, because it felt safer and cozier.
There is also a winter-themed picture with pine trees and a simple base game yellow rug. Nothing fancy, just warm and functional.
Gameplay and Functionality
This apartment is fully functional and playtested. It works well for family gameplay, especially with a toddler. It uses Base Game, City Living, Seasons, Parenthood, Businesses and Hobbies, Modern Retreat, Dream Home Decorator, Kitchen Clutter Kit, Restoration Workshop, and a few free event items.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Cozy winter atmosphere without heavy holiday decor
- Realistic, budget-friendly family layout
- Fully functional and playtested
Cons
- No dining area
- Small kitchen workspace
Download Information
You can find this build on the Gallery by searching for my ID: SIMSIOLI. It is completely CC-free.
Final Thoughts
This is not a high-end or perfectly styled apartment, but it is cozy, winter-inspired, and realistic. I really love how it turned out, and it feels like a place a real family could actually live in during the colder months. ❄️
If you enjoyed this build, check out my Painter’s Apartment or Musician Luxury Apartment for more San Myshuno homes.
Thanks for reading. If you enjoyed this apartment, watch the full speed build on YouTube, leave a like, and tell me what kind of winter build you would like to see next. ☃️