Gardenscapes made a name for itself with its cheerful design, engaging puzzles, and—most memorably—its home decorating system. But it’s not the only game in town. If you love sprucing up digital spaces, here are other games that scratch that creative itch while giving you plenty of puzzles and personal flair.

Why We Love the Decor Element

Let’s be real: decorating is fun. And when a mobile game gives you the chance to make aesthetic choices while still offering challenges, it adds a whole new layer of engagement. It’s no longer just “win the level.” It’s “win the level so I can buy that vintage armchair for my virtual greenhouse.”

Standout Alternatives to Gardenscapes

1. Homescapes

From the same developers, Homescapes puts you in charge of renovating a mansion. The levels are match-3 style, but the real star is the freedom to choose furniture, wallpaper, and even the family pet.

2. Matchington Mansion

A soft pastel world meets story-driven puzzle solving. What sets this game apart is the cozy feel and clever placement of decorative elements across evolving spaces.

3. Project Makeover

Part makeover show, part interior design game. You don’t just redecorate rooms—you give characters full lifestyle overhauls.

4. My Home – Design Dreams

Focused more on the home layout and less on narrative, this game lets you work through dozens of room themes while unlocking new decor pieces as you go.

5. Decor Life

Less structured than puzzle-based games, Decor Life is all about pure design. There’s no match-3. Just you, a room, and thousands of item placements.

Real Player Story: Keisha, 42, New Jersey

“I played Gardenscapes for years, but I got tired of the same ‘save the garden’ loop. I found My Home through an ad, and I’ve been hooked since. I love being able to fully redecorate a kitchen and then do the same with a sunroom. The colors, the layouts—it’s my digital meditation.”

What These Games Get Right

• Creative agency: You get to choose what your space looks like.
• Reward loops: Your puzzle success directly funds your decor progress.
• Emotional attachment: Decorating creates a connection to in-game spaces.
• Replayability: Different decor choices mean every player’s version is unique.

The Puzzle-Decor Balance

The best decorating puzzle games know how to strike balance:

• Too many puzzles, and it starts feeling like a chore to get back to decorating.
• Too much freedom too early, and it lacks a sense of achievement.

Games like Homescapes stagger progress just enough to keep things motivating without overwhelming players with endless levels.

Real Player Story: Daniel, 35, UK

“I’m a designer in real life, and I didn’t expect to enjoy these games so much. But it’s the layering of progress that got me. You win a few levels, you unlock a new couch. Then suddenly you’re building a whole library. I wish more games understood that feedback loop.”

Decorating Without the Stress

Many of these games also let you redo choices without penalty. This is huge—especially for perfectionists. You’re encouraged to experiment, to mix and match until your vision feels right. That kind of sandbox mentality is refreshing in mobile gaming.

Monetization in Decor-Based Games

Yes, most are free to play—but expect timers, boosters, and special events designed to nudge purchases. Still, they often feel less aggressive than other genres. Why? Because the main incentive is aesthetic—players pay to personalize, not just to “win.”

Hybrid Styles on the Rise

The future of decor games is in mixing genres. We’re seeing puzzle-decor hybrids, fashion-decor crossovers, and even merge mechanics creeping in. Players clearly want more than just tile matching—they want creativity.

Why Decor-Driven Games Have Staying Power

There’s something deeply satisfying about control. In real life, not everyone has the time, money, or space to redecorate their living room or design their dream kitchen. These games offer a stress-free way to play with color, furniture placement, and architectural styles.

Decor games also let players revisit and reimagine. You can go back to old rooms and try new styles without judgment. It’s a flexible experience that reflects personal taste—something sorely missing from many “win-or-fail” style games.

Offline Play and Low-Stress Mechanics

Several of these games work well offline, which is a huge bonus for travelers or people with limited data plans. There’s no need to chase leaderboards or compete in timed events (unless you want to). You can take your time, finish a level, and unlock a vase or new flooring style whenever you feel like it.

The Community Angle

Fans of games like Homescapes and Matchington Mansion often share their decorated spaces in online communities. On Reddit, Discord, and Facebook groups, players trade design ideas and show off their progress. This social sharing adds another layer of creativity and gives you fresh ideas for your own in-game world.

Keisha, from New Jersey, says she takes screenshots of her finished rooms and sends them to her daughter, who plays on her tablet. “It’s become something we do together—we compare rooms and laugh about our color disasters. It’s sweet.”

In-Game Events That Boost Engagement

Weekly and seasonal events often bring in themed furniture, limited-time decor, or even crossover content. For instance:

• Halloween brings gothic candelabras and eerie wallpaper.
• Spring updates introduce cherry blossoms and vintage benches.
• Winter holidays bring festive fireplaces and snowy patios.

These timed updates keep the game feeling fresh and give players something to look forward to beyond just more puzzles.

Future Trends: AR and Personalization

Some newer games are exploring augmented reality (AR), allowing players to “place” their designs in real-world settings using their phone cameras. Others are letting players upload textures or photos to create wallpapers and rugs from their own lives.

Imagine designing a virtual living room where the wallpaper is a pattern from your grandmother’s old curtains or placing a couch that looks exactly like the one in your real home.

Final Thoughts on This Cozy Genre

These games blend creativity, problem-solving, and escapism in a uniquely satisfying way. They're light on pressure, heavy on personalization, and perfect for players who want more than just high scores. If you’ve ever felt soothed after rearranging furniture or picking out paint samples, these games are your jam.