Blizzard's Jay Huang, lead artist on World of Warcraft's housing system, shared ten practical tips for players building and decorating their in-game homes. The advice covers fundamentals that transform basic player housing from functional spaces into visually compelling environments.
Huang emphasized the importance of establishing a clear theme before placing furniture and decorations. Rather than randomly collecting items, players should decide on an aesthetic—whether that's cozy cottage, grand manor, or fantasy tavern—then curate pieces around that vision. He stressed the value of negative space, warning against overcrowding rooms with every available decoration. Empty areas create visual breathing room and draw attention to carefully selected focal points.
The artist recommended studying real-world interiors and other players' creations for inspiration. Huang suggested experimenting with layering and depth, using furniture placement to create foreground, middle ground, and background elements within a single room. Color coordination matters significantly. Matching wood tones and fabric colors produces cohesive spaces rather than chaotic assemblages.
Huang highlighted WoW's lighting tools as underutilized assets. Proper light placement and adjustment transforms ambiance dramatically. He encouraged players to use verticality, stacking shelves and mounting items at different heights to avoid flat, boring layouts. Symmetry works for formal designs, but asymmetrical arrangements often feel more lived-in and natural.
The artist advocated for thematic consistency across spaces. If your main room follows a specific culture or time period, extending that theme to adjacent areas reinforces the overall design. Finally, Huang stressed iteration. Housing design benefits from refinement over time rather than perfection on the first attempt.
These tips reflect Blizzard's commitment to player housing as a serious creative outlet, not merely storage. Housing systems in MMOs drive long-term engagement when they offer genuine artistic expression. WoW's housing feature comp