Thank you for all the responses; it's been very helpful. I'm currently building a house and am trying to keep in mind what many of you said. I am trying to remember to use less clutter (I'm guilty of overdecorating I think) and trying to remember line of sight issues for playability. I did however, put the stairway in the middle of the house because it seemed easier than having sims walk from one end of the house to another. I definitely understand the playability issues and have during the last year, playtested each room or house. There's nothing more frustrating than to download something and not be able to use it as planned.
@MDianaSanders, I too build almost all the houses for my sims, so I know what I like. I confess that I only download houses that I find interesting to find out how the the technique or layout the builder used so I can keep it in mind the next time I build a house. BTW, I love your avi. I have a tuxedo cat sitting with me right now!
