Initially, I hated my exterior design. This time around I'm taking my time like... wow. lol, it's taken me days just to decide where I want my path. I'm okay with a kind of crappy rating and I'll wander until I get an idea or I'll think of ideas when I'm not playing ACNH and when I hop on next, I'll see if I can fit it somewhere. Granted, my island will take me who knows how long to get juuuust right, but I absolutely love it so far, so no complaints this time here!
struggles with island design
- Thread starter EtchaSketch
- Start date
crispmaples
Senior Member
Me right now!
I am currently having trouble with my entrance. I tried terraforming it all day yesterday, and no matter what I did, I ended up hating it.
I have been trying to look up inspiration on youtube, insta, tumblr, anywhere I can think of. I either don't like it or if I do, I can't fit it between my RS and my airport.
I am currently having trouble with my entrance. I tried terraforming it all day yesterday, and no matter what I did, I ended up hating it.
I have been trying to look up inspiration on youtube, insta, tumblr, anywhere I can think of. I either don't like it or if I do, I can't fit it between my RS and my airport.
Watchingthetreetops
*~Rude intolerance here~*
currently redesigning again because I like the new fall items. I don't want to do this every few months though lol
eseamir
festive water baby
I've been having a hard time with this too!! when I first started, I sat down and worked out a rough plan for my entire island (mostly just basic terraforming stuff, roughly where I wanted houses, rivers, cliffs, etc.) then I started laying it out and realised that I hated the 90 degree corners the in game paths give you so I got some custom paths and am now having to start all over again 
so far I've just been taking it very slowly, working on one area at a time. one day I set out the path around my house until I was happy with it, then I set up a small area where I knew I wanted to move one of my villagers and moved their house there when I had an idea of the placement I wanted. it's easier to get an idea for a small area (like a park, picnic area, back yard) than it is to know what you want to do with everything all at once
there are still parts of my island that I actively hate because I haven't gotten around to updating them yet or I have to work on another area first so I can move something out of the way but there are also areas that I'm really starting to like!! it's all a process and animal crossing is one of those game series that is easiest to enjoy at a slower pace (which I massively struggle with sometimes as I'll see other people's islands and then want to be finished Now haha)
so far I've just been taking it very slowly, working on one area at a time. one day I set out the path around my house until I was happy with it, then I set up a small area where I knew I wanted to move one of my villagers and moved their house there when I had an idea of the placement I wanted. it's easier to get an idea for a small area (like a park, picnic area, back yard) than it is to know what you want to do with everything all at once
there are still parts of my island that I actively hate because I haven't gotten around to updating them yet or I have to work on another area first so I can move something out of the way but there are also areas that I'm really starting to like!! it's all a process and animal crossing is one of those game series that is easiest to enjoy at a slower pace (which I massively struggle with sometimes as I'll see other people's islands and then want to be finished Now haha)
crispmaples
Senior Member
I do wanna add on to the one area at a time advice: best advice I heard. But, if you are stuck and starting to get frustrated (like I was), move on to another area and come back to the other one. You might find that you come back wish a fresh set of eyes and it might be easier to work off of somewhere else if they're nearby.
Blood Eclipse
𖤐 ♱ 𖤐
This is why I usually look to YouTube for inspiration. Not only because I'm not that good at decorating and have zero confidence in my "skills", but because even if I gave it a go, I'm usually not satisfied with it. It's sort of like drawing for me - I never get to a point where I can see my drawing and think "perfect". Every time I see my art I want to change it or toss it, but when I see other people's art, I think "this is so gorgeous and perfect! * u *"
Tiffkaboo
Representative of Hibiscus
I feel the same way! I was dying to get terraforming and when I did, I had no idea what I wanted to do or where to start! And I'm still not sure what I want to do. I kind of have an idea, but it's been a very slow process, unfortunately. I just don't know where to start. Do I want to star with my resident's homes? Or do I want to find a place for the cemetery? OR should I start with my own home?
I'm so confused!
I'm so confused!
The best medicine is to make sure to get out of your own head and island! I have to remind myself to do this often.. There are some dream addresses that particularly inspired me. It was fun to run around someone's island like a ghost, hahaha.
It's was more fun hanging out with a small group of people. Trading, fishing, and checking out each others islands. There are so many creative people in this community! It's inspiring to chat with them.
It's was more fun hanging out with a small group of people. Trading, fishing, and checking out each others islands. There are so many creative people in this community! It's inspiring to chat with them.
I haven't played properly for three days.
I start to load the game, then get depressed and shut it down.
There's not enough items to do what I had planned and I'm losing the will to play.
I can't even muster enough interest to load it this morning.
I start to load the game, then get depressed and shut it down.
There's not enough items to do what I had planned and I'm losing the will to play.
I can't even muster enough interest to load it this morning.
JellyBeans
only half awake
oh yeah, I keep designing and redesigning! I think I'm happy with an area and then suddenly the next day I hate it. or even worse is when I have great ideas but the execution of them just... lets me down. I haven't played in so long, partly just because of life but partly because I just know I have a few big empty patches I need to fill and no idea what to fill them with
I have a hard time putting fine details with exterior design. Like I get the base design of my island, but I have a hard time putting finer details with it. So I just have little empty spaces everywhere, uggghhh. I wish they had more exterior furniture that fits my aesthetic I'm going for, or it would be much easier
sleepydreepy
legendary egg
I love the freedom I have with designing my island but it does get overwhelming sometimes! My island is about 50% completed now and I've been working on it since launch (March). I have a huge blank spot in the middle of my island that I have no idea what to do with. For me I like to take my time and kind of just wait for inspiration to hit me. Sometimes its frustrating seeing people online with 100% completed towns and I feel like I have to get mine perfect too right away, but I just have to remind myself that if I rush through it I'm not going to be happy with it in the end and probably will end up redoing a lot of it. Or even if I do have to redo it, its not a total loss because terraforming and decorating is really fun for me, and I just try to go with the flow.
TheRevienne
Photogenic Lawn Clippings
If you need any help I’d be happy to I‘ve had a few friends who’ve been stuck with what to do with their islands, and I’ve been stuck too, I usually draw an outline of the island and plan from there I’ll see if I can attach a couple of examples
I‘ve had a few friends who’ve been stuck with what to do with their islands, and I’ve been stuck too, I usually draw an outline of the island and plan from there I’ll see if I can attach a couple of examples 
SmoochsPLH
Happy vibes ✌️🌈🎈🧸
it takes a little while to get used to it and all as im just starting to terraform (haven't even got to decorating :v), but just do what makes you happy and try not to stress over it. <3
My biggest problem is the house interiors. I had so many ideas in New Leaf and decorating rooms was a breeze. I can't say the same for Horizons. I'm currently working on my farm house, and somehow it's becoming a fancy hotel? Ugh. The struggle is real.
I recently redecorated my haunted forest, and regretted it so badly. Nothing looked good. It was so unique before, and I had worked on it since release. I've been working on it for over a week, and I'm finally liking it. A cute pond with a decorated island in the middle made a huge difference. Trees and little picnic and table areas helped too.
I recently redecorated my haunted forest, and regretted it so badly. Nothing looked good. It was so unique before, and I had worked on it since release. I've been working on it for over a week, and I'm finally liking it. A cute pond with a decorated island in the middle made a huge difference. Trees and little picnic and table areas helped too.
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