Counter

Countertops, or counters, are a type of surface primarily used for food preparation. Small appliances, such as microwaves and toaster ovens, can be placed on counters. Non-freestanding or wall-mounted sinks need to be placed on a counter. Meals will also typically be placed on a counter when they are finished. There are three types of counters: kitchen counters that are usable from one side; island counters that are freestanding and can double as a dining surface; and general purpose counters typically used for cash registers and certain display racks.

Counters can be placed next to each other; starting with The Sims 2, players no longer needed to hold the key to place multiple counters down at a time. Counters can be placed around corners; if a counter is placed perpendicular to an existing row of counters, a corner-piece counter will be created where the two ends intersect. Corner-piece counters can have objects placed on them, but Sims could not use said counters or any appliances placed on them until The Sims 3.

In The Sims 2 and The Sims 4, dishwashers and trash compactors must be placed under a regular counter. This is not a requirement in The Sims 3. In The Sims, dishwashers and trash compactors cannot be placed under a counter and are always standalone appliances, although objects, including plates, can be placed on top of them. A counter that has a dishwasher or trash compactor underneath cannot have sinks placed on them, as there is no room for the basin and the pipes.

Counters used for food preparation will eventually get dirty and will need to be cleaned. In The Sims 3, using a kitchen appliance placed on the counter will dirty it too.

List of cabinets
Cabinets appear in The Sims 3 and The Sims 4 and are styled after their respective counter set. Regular cabinets are hung on the wall and are meant to appear above kitchen counters, while double-sided cabinets must be placed under a ceiling or inside a room. Counters are purely decorative and serve no additional purpose.