Design Home: House Makeover Wiki

There are several things I like about this game. One is that it is really up to you if you pay to play or not. I have done it both ways and it’s fun either way. I was obsessed when I first started playing. My friends were worried about me. I still play everyday and usually complete at least one to three designs a day. But life has started keeping me from playing all day long. Some people complain about the design reward structure and the way the items are listed, but I think it is pretty fair so as to keep the game challenging. The only thing is, your personality probably influences how you play. I create and vote for rooms I would actually want to be in and I don’t necessarily like a room that is completely monochromatic. I prefer balance and there are more ways to achieve balance than just using the same color everywhere. Most of the winning designs are very monochromatic and they totally utilize whatever design bundle is for sale. If getting 5.0 designs is what you are all about, and you don’t really care about creativity, just buy every design bundle and pick one color for every design. You will probably get top designs almost every time that way. I have learned to just play the game for my own enjoyment, not to win. Most of the time I get at least 4.0 and that wins you furniture prizes, which is great to increase your inventory.

With the present system for judging design the score given has little to do with the quality of work the designer possesses. Poor design often receives top scores while good design gets low scores one of the main reasons for this is that all vote on the designs and those votes are usually based on the likes and preference of the voter not if the design follows good design guidelines, meets the requirements of that particular design and shows any design talent or individual creativity. . Whether the voter likes the color used or likes the wall art or the carpet etc. is the norm when he is asked which design do you like best design a or b. little regard is paid to the description of what the design style should be. Voters choices often have little to do with what makes a good design. Top designs usually end up looking like clones rather than a variety of options of design and individual creativity . Criteria for the design is often ignored and is not reflected in voting l think partly because that info is not available on the sketch during voting and who can remember the criteria for every design. Many designers admit to intentionally voting for poor design as protest. All in all a frustrating experience that keeps this game from being exceptional. A uniform, knowledgeable grading system would be a great improvement.

Update: so I’m a few days in playing everyday and like others have said, I’m at a stand still because I’m low on money. When you do a design challenge you get cash, but then you have to turn right around and spend that cash in order to do another design challenge Bc it has certain requirements you have to meet. There are very few challenges where there are no requirements. I also do not like the fact that you have to keep repurchasing items after 5 uses. Voting also is by other users, so most people are probably just voting for what they personally like and not viewing the design and making sure it matches the description/requirements. It’s still a fun and relaxing game, when you’re able to play it. I downloaded another design game but you had to play mini games in order to collect enough money to design. This game is all about designing, no “other” games to play in order to design. I’m only a level 3 designer right now since I just downloaded, but at level 4 more things unlock. I absolutely love getting to design a room and then you submit it to have it rated/scored by others. I think it’s from other players? You also have a gallery of all the designs you did so you can look back at them if you want, which I thought was cool. You do have to choose wisely about purchases or you will run low on money. I’m not sure how you gain money again yet, maybe by completing challenges and getting good scores. Anyway, I’m only on day 2 of playing and I LOVE IT!

I've been playing this game for 3 months now and enjoy it a lot. It's fun to take a break and mess around designing a room, and I enjoy seeing what others have done to design the same room. However, I've suspected on numerous occasions that some of my items are gone before I've used them up, but then decided I just had a bad memory... now I am SURE of it! When I went to use chairs that I won recently there was only one in my inventory! I went through my past completed designs and sure enough, I had never used those chairs! Same with a table I had purchased and who knows how many other items...Buying items is expensive and winning them is challenging! (The game should be WAY less stingy with diamonds! 500 hundred a day should be 1000 and winning a mere 125 for a five star design is ridiculous! That should be 1000 as well, especially considering one halfway decent plant or picture sets you back 1000 diamonds! There should also be some diamonds awarded for four star entries, with five stars winning more.) With inventory being so precious I'd like to be able to use the full five I have bought or won and not have the game lose them, or whatever is happening to my inventory. DO NOT SPEND ACTUAL MONEY ON THIS GAME! Also, don't waste your time trying to "complete offers" to earn extra diamonds. You will almost never actually get any diamonds. It is a waste of time. Play the game but use your daily rewards only.

This is a very fun way to keep current in home design. The inventory’s on trend and bonus points for the catalogue of info on each piece in the event you might like to purchase an item for your own real house. I happened onto this game and took off with it kind of learning the rules, strategy of play, etc as I go. I have been playing almost a year now and spent $200 on my debit card to buy inventory. I have only received 3 scores of 5 in all my designs entered which seems extremely unfair as when I view the 5 star design winners they are no where as near as nice as my own entry. It seems to me like the voting system is off kilter, why not let real true experienced designers make the decision on final score. That seems more like it, and would probably be helpful in keeping the character of the design patterns fresh, rather than stagnating into only a certain look getting showcased into the 5 category. One last comment, the winning designs do not seem to take into account the preview info given about the home owners goals. Often times the 5 star designs do not pay any attention to the criteria of gender of the intended occupant or style desired by owners. Therefore, a pink frilly room is able to achieve a score of 5 even though the monologue calla for designing a room for a boy occupant. How does that work when the rest of us are taking in the desired effect of each room asked for in the description? Otherwise, love, love, love this addicting app.

I really do love this game and greatly enjoy designing the different rooms using different styles. There is room for improvement. For example, I wait in anticipation for my designer score on a particular room that I was extremely pleased in how it turned out, only to receive a lower score while a room that was designed in all white, all black, a combination of the two or one that didn’t even follow the style description wins “Top Score”. I’ve voted for some pretty amazing designs during judging that I’m sure also scored lower than the so called “Top Designs” that use little imagination by going monochromatic or use whatever style the player wishes rather than follow the style description given. It’s kind of demotivating to say the least. I feel as if 90% of the players have a thing against using actual color in a design. It would be helpful if the developers left in the description on the voting screens to remind the judging public of what style was supposed to be depicted. Also, items are priced way too high for only getting 5 uses from them before having to repurchase them. And last but not least, there is a greatly insufficient diversity in artwork and decorative items to go with the varied style choices. If you can ignore the “color blind” attitudes of the voting public and not get too upset when your design doesn’t do as well as the same boring all black, white or gray right rooms, then you’ll enjoy this game.

I admit. I’m obsessed with this game. However, there are a couple of things I take issue with. First of all, SO many people don’t follow the design rules and they get ridiculously high scores. This seems to be a frequent complaint and I’m surprised the designers haven’t done anything about it yet. Honestly, I don’t care how beautiful your room is, I won’t vote for it if you have beach furniture in a challenge that calls for traditional. I’d rather vote for a less aesthetically pleasing room if I see the person really tried to follow the rules. There should have a description for each aesthetic (and possibly a visual representation) because people obviously have no clue how to design appropriately. And it’s pretty obvious that people who vote for these rooms don’t either. Also, we don’t ‘buy’ the items, we ‘rent’ them. A little pet peeve of mine. This should be changed in the app. And give us more than 5 uses! There also needs to be a category for “mid-century furniture.” One more thing... the prizes are often redundant. I’ve gotten 6 different grey chairs in the past couple of weeks. There really needs to be more variety in the prizes. What’s the point of designing a room if I’m getting another grey chair? In fact, I just passed on a challenge because once again the prize is... you guessed it: a another grey chair. There needs to be a better mix of furniture too. I have a bazillion cabinets. Give me a dang rug! P.S. I really do love your game.

I’m often disappointed by the rating portion of the game. Having had years of study in design (mostly interior) I am very surprised that some of my best designs (in the game), which I used “in app purchases” to create the best most correct space (according to the description challenge provided), with what is available to us in the game, are always rated EXTRA low. I wouldn’t complain (after all it is a game and does not reflect my actual talent or skill level in the industry) but what really bothers me is that when you see the “top designs” many of them are esthetically unpleasing and considers no color flow, organization, rarely any attention on focal points or motif .... not only by my own standards and opinions but when I show them to my friends or peers they agrees. I wonder sometimes how the game is actually set up. I understand the game is not full of designers and people who know what they are looking at nor is it designed specially for designers to play, I just find it extremely annoying. I wish they could come up with a more accurate rating system. Over all it’s a relaxing and a some what addicting game that I will continue to play.... but will not purchase “diamonds” anymore as it seems to not matter if I spend money on improving my designs. A shame, because it’s so fun putting the rooms together and I would spend a lot of money playing if it seemed to make a difference for my “over all rating”. Oh well.

After a recent update, I lost my entire inventory, design value - everything! I was at the top level, had over $96,000,000 in design value, and tons of inventory. All lost and gone. I have contacted support daily with no response. After a couple of updates since then, I now have to start from scratch every time I open the app and attempt to play. I understand mistakes and problems. I do NOT understand absolutely no response to weeks of support requests - not even one response except they are having a lot of requests which is causing a delay in responding. Despite repeated requests for support, and repeatedly performing clearing cache and doing troubleshooting recommended, I am frequently unable to complete designs to earn diamonds, $$, and other prizes. It is very frustrating to get almost finished with a design and have the app crash and close, only to have to start over from the beginning. Then have it do the same thing ver and over again. And if you “buy” pieces for the design, often the $$ or diamonds are removed from your balance but when you go to use them in the design they are not there. Very unhappy with the game, and I don’t enjoy the frustration it causes. I play it much less now. I cannot even complete a new “home” project I attempted several days ago. There has been an update since I requested support, but that didn’t fix the problem either. 😏👎

I have a, for the most part, great time playing this game. I love interior design and I feel it is a creative outlet. But, I feel some things should be changed in order for me to enjoy it more. Because things are so expensive I find myself not playing it for a while because my rooms can't look the way I'd like them to. I understand having to repurchase items, because some items I wouldn't want to have in my inventory forever, and the game has to make it so that people have to spend money. But, I feel if you win a prize you should be able to purchase it at a reduced price, that isn't diamonds. If you didn't win the prize it should remain the same price. I need diamonds to buy art and plants over and over again, because they really make the room. And I can't afford to spend the amount of money I'd like to on furniture because not only can I not afford to buy diamonds, and they took the earn free diamonds option off, when you buy them they don't give you a very large amount so it really doesn't last long. I also feel the score after voting should round up if you get a score of 3.7 or higher because there have been so many times I've gotten a score of 3.99 and not gotten the prize which is so annoying. But overall, love the concept of the game. Just wish it could be a little more fun by letting me create the kinds of rooms I'd like to create.

I’ve completed 2 rooms that were the same today, but only see one under my designs. Wondering if the furniture I used will be given back to me, but I don’t remember everything I used. Plus, I was also about to complete another challenge I had completed, but stopped because I wasn’t sure if it would happen again. Adding to this complaint. One other person complained of items disappearing, I believe that’s happened to me also. I’ve completed offers or gotten through the first couple of questions and honestly could not answer truthfully on the surveys because “My answer” wasn’t a choice. No diamonds rewarded. Actually ordered from Black Cobra, one of your sponsors for diamonds and haven’t received the item (from them) or an update. I also had to send several support msgs for diamonds not received. Most offers require a purchase which is not really an FREE offer. I’ve purchased diamonds to make a room look nice only to receive below 4 stars. On top of that the prizes are, for the most part, unusable for the challenges. Too many requirements and items that look way too similar that can’t be substituted. Will not spend anymore money on this game. It was fun initially, but aggravating now. Items cost too much whether game cash or diamonds and some people spend real cash. I understand trying to make a buck, but this is ridiculous. A game is supposed to be relaxing and fun!

I really do love this game! I enjoy doing the designs, and I’m always eagerly waiting my score for each design. I do however agree with many people’s responses around the expense required to buy accessories and wall art. I wish that if I bought an item, it was always my item and I didn’t have to continue repurchasing. My husband actually chastised me for the vast amount of money I have spent on this game. I also agree that the voting does not always seem accurate and that the criteria is not listed when someone is voting so the design may not reflect the desire of the customer and instead it’s just based on what the designer wants to design. I have changed the way I play because I recognize that I will not be judged on the client criteria, but on the general appeal. As I am voting, it seems that the two designs I am choosing between are very similar in style/quality/score. Therefore, the great designs are put together, and the designs that aren’t as good are put together. That would mean that some designs that should probably receive five stars do not because they were put up against others who are also very good. Finally, I really wish there was a way to earn more diamonds. It would be great if after you have achieved 75 keys, you could keep voting in order to receive diamonds. Great way to inspire people to vote and incentivize those of us who would like to earn diamonds more quickly.

First off I love the app! I've been playing for months and haven't lost interest, that being said there's a few things I wish were different; first off I wish it was easier to earn cash I've put some of my own real money into the game and it's gone so quick but takes so long to add back up, second thing i think it'd be so fun to have mirrors available for wall decor the pictures and stuff sometimes just look weird but going without the decor looks weird too! Third thing is that I tend to find a few things frustrating the first being with the new update it takes HOURS to get your voting results, the second being the prizes often are things you can't use for a long period of time-I love the sectionals but they're not required often! The last thing is more of a personal preference more than anything I love when there are outdoor spaces to do I wish they were more frequent! I also really think it would be fun if you could choose more than just furniture in the rooms maybe do a series where you're in control of the paint and flooring too! in all I love the game and don't see myself quitting it anytime soon! This is an edit and I’d love the suggest the idea of being able SELL our unwanted stuff back! I have dozens of chairs i hate and won as prizes but I’ll never use i think it would be great to sell them or trade them in for something else and have to pay the difference kind of thing!

First for the Pros. The game is fun, relaxing and allows you to express your creativity through home design. If you have friends that also play you can connect via Facebook and share inventory. Definite Pro. It’s also nice to see how your friends interpret the same room. Now for the Cons. At the top of the list is any interaction with Tapjoy. In order to obtain any wall decor, table art, or floor decor you have to earn or buy (with real money) diamonds. Some furniture also costs diamonds. They are hard to earn. Each day you earn 500 diamonds but most items are 700 diamonds plus. Most rooms need 6-7 items that are purchased with diamonds. In other words to play and completely outfit a room 500 diamonds a day doesn’t cut it. So you have to watch videos or take advantage of offers posted by Tapjoy. Most of these are scams. BEWARE! They just want you to spend real money. It is difficult to play without spending money. Diamonds should be more easily earned. You have to earn 5 stars on a design to earn 250 diamonds. This is a rare occasion. In order to earn 5 stars other players vote randomly on your designs. Sometimes they get it right and sometimes they don’t. Conclusion, the game can be frustrating since you are constantly trying to get diamonds to play and they don’t provide enough ways to get them without paying real money. Play at your own risk, I do cause I like to decorate. I wish there was another app like this. I would switch in a minute.