It isn't so hard, you just take a challenge and then cram your house full of items with whatever theme and have a few themed exterior things. I jumped from 220k to 1.8mil once I got my setup and initiated the challenge. Now I'm doing everything how I want
I did the theme challenge just to get all the exteriors then did what I wanted...I don't care about my score anymore because there is nothing left to get for it.
I don't like fiddling with themes, tbh, I just prefer sets. I don't know why I have so few points if I have the mermaid, pirate, sleek, and classic set...PLUS a fireworks table.
also also I reALLLY wish they graded the basement :c