RuneScape overhauled player housing with a new build mode, 650+ furniture pieces, and shared Homestead plots

RuneScape's big player-owned housing revamp went live on July 13, bringing a Sims-style build mode, a massive furniture catalogue, and a brand-new Homestead system that lets up to five players share a plot and each other's facilities.

The new build mode lets players mix and match prefab rooms and connect them however they like, then freely place furniture anywhere inside. There are over 650 decorative and functional items to work with, and crafting recipes for home furnishings can be unlocked through quests and other in-game activities. The construction skill cap has also been raised to level 120. Functional items like potion cauldrons, gilded altars, and combat practice devices mean your house can double as a proper utility hub, and you can now display weapons, boss trophies, and archaeological finds as permanent reminders of your achievements.

RuneScape's player-owned housing has been part of the game for a long time, but it always had a reputation for being clunky and limited compared to what players actually wanted from it. Jagex has been pushing harder on quality-of-life and social systems in RuneScape over recent years, and this update feels like a direct response to how modern MMO players actually use their downtime — hanging out, showing off progress, and sharing resources with friends rather than just grinding solo.

The Homestead system is the social centrepiece: up to five players can build on a shared plot and access each other's crafting stations, so one person can be the group's alchemist while another handles cooking. The update is live in RuneScape now.