Small Spaces is a cozy singleplayer interior design simulation game developed by solo creator Niklas. Players furnish and personalize existing apartments across distinct real-world inspired locations, focusing on creative decoration within fixed layouts rather than building structures from the ground up.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on selecting from hundreds of furniture pieces and decor items to transform small apartments into functional and visually appealing spaces. Players work with modular elements like kitchens and wall panels, incorporating indirect lighting, plants, and smaller details such as record players or sewing tools. Each apartment comes with story-driven objectives tied to its residents, such as a student sharing a flat or a couple in their first home, which guide practical arrangements without limiting personal style.
Progression involves unlocking additional tools, materials like terrazzo or various wood finishes, and new furniture options by completing these objectives. A first-person perspective allows players to walk through finished designs and observe how lighting changes throughout the day, from morning light through golden hour to evening glow. The game emphasizes a relaxed creative flow, with hand-drawn illustrations and high-quality assets supporting detailed customization across more than 500 items.
Game Modes
Small Spaces features a primary design mode where players freely arrange items to meet objectives in story-guided apartments. An alternative Unpacking Mode, added in a major update, introduces a different loop focused on opening surprise boxes to discover and place decor pieces, offering a lighter, more discovery-oriented experience alongside the standard freedom of selection.
Objective-based play ties into the narrative elements of each location, encouraging thoughtful layouts that balance aesthetics with usability. Planned additions include a sandbox mode for custom apartment layouts, though this remains in development and is not yet available in the current Early Access build.
Locations and Progression
At launch in Early Access, the game includes nine apartments across three cities. New York settings feature raw industrial spaces converted into lofts with high ceilings and large windows. Berlin apartments highlight historic European charm with bay windows and vintage details. Tokyo locations draw from mid-century simplicity, incorporating sliding doors and concrete finishes. Additional cities, apartments, and furniture styles are scheduled for release during the Early Access period.
Unlock systems expand the available toolkit gradually, rewarding completion of objectives with new materials and building options. This structure supports repeated playthroughs as players revisit spaces with expanded creative resources.
Is It Worth Playing?
Small Spaces suits players who enjoy life simulation games primarily for the home design aspect and seek relaxing experiences that encourage creativity. It appeals to those interested in architecture, interior styling, or cozy gameplay without combat or high-pressure elements. Recent player feedback highlights its positive reception, with very positive ratings on recent reviews.
The game may not appeal to those wanting to create entirely new floor plans from scratch or import custom models, as it focuses on furnishing predefined spaces. As an Early Access title, it continues to receive updates that expand content and introduce new modes like Unpacking Mode. For fans of thoughtful decoration in a singleplayer setting, the current build delivers a satisfying creative outlet with room for further growth.
