How do you make things smaller in The Sims 4? If you’ve ever wondered how expert builders create those impossibly detailed, miniature scenes or want to fit more decor on your surfaces without cluttering things up, the answer is surprisingly simple: use the in-game object resizing cheat. In Build/Buy mode, select the item, then press Shift + [ (the left square bracket key) to decrease its size. There’s more to resizing, though, than just tapping a key. Whether you’re aiming to maximize space, fine-tune your design aesthetics, or just want to experiment, let’s explore everything you need to know about making things smaller in The Sims 4, from quick cheats to advanced modding—and how to avoid common pitfalls in the process.
Why Resize: Transforming Your Builds with Shrinking Tools
Ever wanted that oversized gnome to fit just right by the porch, or maybe your trusty houseplant to perch on the tiniest shelf? Resizing, especially shrinking, objects in The Sims 4 is a creative game-changer. Whether you’re going for minimal, ultra-realistic spaces or vibrant, cluttered rooms that feel lived-in, shrinking objects lets you push the boundaries of what’s possible. It’s not just about decor, either—even the humble garden gnome can become a quirky miniature centerpiece when properly resized.
The Basic Method: Using Built-In Resizing Cheats
The easiest way to make things smaller is entirely built into the game. To shrink objects in The Sims 4, follow these steps:
- Enter Build/Buy Mode: Open up Build/Buy (F2 on PC).
- Select the Object: Click on the item you want to resize.
- Press Shift + [: Hold down Shift and tap the left square bracket [ to shrink. Each press makes the item smaller, but there’s a minimum size limit—once you reach it, tapping again won’t shrink any further.
- To Enlarge: Press Shift + ] (the right square bracket key) to make things bigger. Unlike shrinking, you can size things up almost endlessly—great for giant teddy bears or life-sized cupcakes!
This shortcut is available for most objects and works on both PC and Mac. It’s especially handy for decorative items, clutter, and plants.
Tip: Key Differences on Keyboards
If you’re not on a US/UK keyboard layout, your square bracket keys might be in a different spot or even require different modifiers (Ctrl, Alt, etc.). If the normal shortcut isn’t working, check your keyboard’s layout or experiment with different key combinations.
What Kinds of Objects Can You Safely Shrink?
Not everything shrinks gracefully in The Sims 4. Knowing what works can spare you from some awkward in-game surprises!
- Best for Shrinking: Decorative clutter, indoor and outdoor plants, sculptures, rugs, wall art, mirrors, some lighting fixtures, and even certain electronics. These usually look and function perfectly when scaled down.
- Can Cause Issues: Shrinking furniture (like sofas, beds, desks), doors, stairs, or any object your Sim needs to interact with often leads to clipping, floating, or routing bugs. Sinks and toilets can become especially problematic. Use caution—or plan for a “display only” home!
Playtest if you’re building for active gameplay, as a tiny computer or shrunken fridge might look adorable but could stop Sims from using them at all.
Advanced Shrinking: Modding and Custom Content (CC)
If you’re the kind to tinker behind the scenes, there’s a deeper level: editing the actual files that make up each object. Using tools like The Sims 4 Studio and Blender, creators can rescale meshes to make permanently tiny versions of any object. This is the method used by most custom content (CC) creators.
- Export the object using Sims 4 Studio
- Open the mesh in Blender
- Use the scaling tools to shrink the mesh
- Re-import and package as a CC object
This process is for the patient (and slightly geeky), but with it, you’re not limited to the in-game shrinking limit—and you can adjust animations and placement slots for true miniatures.
Unexpected Effects of Shrinking Objects
Sure, tiny plants and pocket-sized clutter look adorable, but let’s talk about the weird stuff that can happen. Sometimes, shrinking functional items causes some… interesting side effects:
- Sims might wave their arms and refuse to interact
- Items could float above surfaces
- Objects might become hard to click or select in Build/Buy mode
Decorative objects almost always play nice. Functional furniture, though, can be temperamental. It helps to move things back to their default size if you notice issues, or simply use smaller-sized objects for decoration only.
Pro Builder Tricks for Perfect Miniatures
Let’s peek behind the curtain at how pro builders and Sims 4 YouTubers achieve jaw-dropping, photogenic builds with the shrinking feature:
- Layer Mini Objects: Place multiple, shrunken decor objects together for a lush, detailed look, from cluttered desks to realistic gardens.
- Fake Landscaping: Shrink landscaping items for perfectly proportioned yards, tiny flower beds, or even forced-perspective scenery.
- Mix with MoveObjects: Combine object resizing with the bb.moveobjects cheat for free placement—ideal for stacking, layering, or sliding tiny items just out of reach of default grids.
Looking for inspiration? Builders share their favorite shrink tricks on community sites like SimsVIP’s resizing tutorial and on the Sims forums.
Compatible Mods and Resources
If you want to take resizing to the next level, exploring mods and custom content can be transformative. There are guides, mods, and active discussions on places like the Carl’s Sims 4 Guide forums and the official Sims 4 EA forum discussions. These communities are goldmines if you get stuck or run into quirky behaviors. If you want to see a Blender demonstration, check the in-depth guide at Sims 4 Studio’s forum—it’s thorough and approachable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you shrink every object in The Sims 4?
You can attempt to shrink nearly all objects, but there are a few exceptions. Items like doors, windows, and certain appliances are more likely to glitch graphically or become unusable. While decorative and clutter objects shrink seamlessly, active furniture or functional items can behave unpredictably. When in doubt, test interactable furniture after resizing, or limit shrinking to decor only.
Does shrinking objects affect gameplay or Sim behavior?
Yes, sometimes. Shrinking a decorative lamp or sculpture is usually all fine and dandy, but shrink the kitchen fridge or a chair and your Sims might suddenly refuse to use it. Interactions might disappear, or animations can look off. Generally, it’s best to keep functional items at their original size if you want everything to work smoothly in live mode.
Is it possible to go smaller than the in-game minimum size?
Not through in-game controls alone. The built-in cheat won’t shrink objects past a preset limit. If you really want dollhouse-scale versions, you would need to make or download custom content where the mesh has been edited—probably using The Sims 4 Studio and Blender. This requires a bit of technical know-how, but it’s worth it for ultra-tiny builds.
Will shrinking objects on one lot affect how they look on another?
Nope! Shrinking is applied on a per-object basis, right where you resize it. If you pick up a shrunken object from one build and place it in your Sims’ inventory, then move it to a new lot, it will retain its new size. The setting sticks until you resize again or replace the item.
Are there any helpful mods or CC for resizing objects?
Absolutely. Many creators have shared miniature versions of popular objects as downloadable custom content. You can find tutorials and downloads on the Sims 4 Studio forums and other CC sites. If you want to shrink objects further than the in-game limits or want new, tiny clutter, modding is your best bet.
What should I do if I accidentally made my object too small?
No worries—that’s easy to fix! Select the shrunken object, then press Shift + ] (the right square bracket) to restore it toward its original size. If you’ve shrunk it as small as possible, you’ll need to size it back up with this shortcut or just sell and replace the item from the Build/Buy catalog.
Can you use object shrinking on consoles (PlayStation, Xbox)?
While the basic resizing cheat works on PC and Mac, console controls can be trickier and might not support the same key shortcuts for shrinking and growing objects. Some newer console updates have brought similar functionality, but always check the in-game help menu or EA’s official forums for the latest console specifics.
Bigger Ideas… For Smaller Sims Worlds
So, how do you make things smaller in The Sims 4? Whether you stick with the dead-simple Shift + [ shortcut or dive into modding, scaling down objects is an easy way to upgrade your builds and bring more personality into your Sims’ world. Just remember to keep functional items at usable sizes or reserve your shrunken masterpieces for pure decoration. If you’re ever unsure or want to see these tricks in action, check out tutorials and builder showcases on YouTube and Sims Community forums for constant inspiration.
