So, you've finally got your own little piece of Tamriel, huh? That's awesome! But let's be real, those starter homes can be a bit… underwhelming. Don't worry, upgrading your house in Skyrim is totally doable and can transform your humble abode into a luxurious dragon-slaying pad. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to make your dream home a reality.

Why Upgrade Your Skyrim House?

Before we dive into the how-to, let's talk about the why. I mean, why bother spending all that time and gold on upgrades? Well, there are a bunch of great reasons:

• More Storage: Let's face it, you're a hoarder. We all are in Skyrim. Upgrading gives you more chests, wardrobes, and display cases to stash all your loot. No more agonizing over which enchanted dagger to leave behind!
• Crafting Stations: Tired of trekking to the nearest town every time you want to smith a new sword or brew a potion? Upgrades allow you to add forges, alchemy labs, and enchanting tables right in your home.
• Aesthetics: Let's be honest, a cozy, well-decorated home is just plain satisfying. Upgrades let you customize your space and make it truly your own. Imagine showing off your trophy room to your adventuring buddies!
• Companions and Family: If you've got a spouse or adopted kids, upgrading your home provides them with a more comfortable and spacious living environment. Happy family, happy life, right?
• Improved Security: Some upgrades add defensive measures, like extra guards or stronger doors, to keep those pesky bandits and monsters away from your hard-earned loot.

Upgrading your house not only makes the game more convenient but also enriches your role-playing experience. It allows you to truly immerse yourself in the world and create a space that reflects your character's personality and achievements. Plus, let's be real, who doesn't want a fancy house to come home to after a long day of dragon slaying?

Types of Houses You Can Upgrade

Okay, so you're sold on the idea of upgrading. The good news is, Skyrim offers a variety of houses that you can customize to your heart's content. Here's a quick rundown:

• Purchasable Homes: These are the standard houses you can buy from various Jarls throughout Skyrim. Examples include Breezehome in Whiterun, Hjerim in Windhelm, and Proudspire Manor in Solitude. These homes typically offer the most customization options.
• Hearthfire Homes: With the Hearthfire DLC, you can build your own houses from the ground up! This gives you unparalleled control over the design and layout of your home. You'll need to gather resources like wood, stone, and clay to construct the various wings and rooms.
• Player-Built Homes (Mods): If you're playing on PC or Xbox, you can also use mods to add entirely new player-built homes to the game. These homes often come with unique features and customization options.

Each type of house has its own unique requirements and limitations when it comes to upgrading. Purchasable homes typically have pre-defined upgrade options, while Hearthfire homes allow for more flexibility in terms of room placement and design. Player-built homes added through mods can vary greatly in their upgrade options.

How to Upgrade Purchasable Homes

For the standard purchasable homes, the upgrade process is pretty straightforward. Here's how it works:

1. Purchase the House: First, you need to become Thane of the city and buy the house from the Jarl or their steward. The cost varies depending on the city and the size of the house.
2. Talk to the Steward: Once you own the house, talk to the Jarl's steward. They'll offer you a list of available upgrades, such as furniture, decorations, and crafting stations.
3. Choose Your Upgrades: Select the upgrades you want and pay the required gold. The steward will then arrange for the upgrades to be installed.
4. Wait (or Not): Depending on the upgrade, it may take a few in-game days for it to be completed. You can either wait around or go off on adventures and return later to see the finished product.

Some upgrades are purely cosmetic, while others add functional features like crafting stations or extra storage. Be sure to carefully consider which upgrades are most important to you before spending your hard-earned gold. And remember, you can always purchase more upgrades later if you change your mind.

Upgrading Hearthfire Homes

The Hearthfire DLC lets you build your own homes from scratch, which is super cool. Here's the gist of it:

1. Become Thane and Get Land: You'll need to become Thane of one of the holds that offer land ownership (usually Dawnstar, Falkreath, or Morthal). Once you're Thane, the Jarl will grant you a plot of land.
2. Visit Your Land: Head to your new property, and you'll find a small shack and a drafting table.
3. Use the Drafting Table: The drafting table is where you plan out your house. You can choose which wings to add, such as a library, armory, or greenhouse.
4. Gather Resources: Building your house requires a ton of resources, including wood, stone, clay, and iron. You can find these resources throughout Skyrim, or purchase them from merchants.
5. Build Your House: Use the workbench near the drafting table to construct the various parts of your house. You'll need to have the required resources in your inventory.
6. Furnish and Decorate: Once your house is built, you can furnish and decorate it with furniture, decorations, and crafting stations. You can craft these items yourself or purchase them from merchants.

Hearthfire homes offer a ton of customization options. You can choose the layout of your house, the materials used to build it, and the furniture and decorations you want to include. This allows you to create a truly unique and personalized home.

Essential Upgrades to Consider

Okay, so you know how to upgrade, but what should you actually upgrade? Here are some essential upgrades that I highly recommend:

• Bedrooms: A comfortable bed is essential for a good night's sleep (and the