In Animal Crossing: New Horizons, there's a community in full swing dedicated to creating next level islands. There's so many items and customization options available now that the ability to come up with incredible creations is at your fingertips. And, if you’re looking for Animal Crossing: New Horizons island inspiration, you're in the right place as we've gathered some examples from the game's finest creators showing you what's possible in the game.
In Animal Crossing: New Horizons, you get 50 standard regular custom design slots and the ability to buy 50 custom design pro slots at the Nook Stop for 800 Miles. Ideal if you spent a long time lusting after multi-slot paths in previous games (or even just before the 2.0 update), but couldn't spare the space. Don't forget, you can access codes directly from your NookPhone too. So, take a look below at some of the most inventive Animal Crossing: New Horizons island ideas we've come across.
1. Get inventive with Kapp’n’s pier
If you're heading to Kapp’n’s Pier every day to go on exciting island tours, you might be thinking about sprucing up the place. So, it’s the perfect time to take some inspiration from @MistyCoveIsle on X/Twitter who has come up with some genius ways to decorate the space with a selection of design codes. Whether you decorate it with a fringed rug or even a lounger or two, the pier will quickly become your island’s most stylish locale. You don’t want Kapp’n to sing about your bad design choices, do you?
2. ‘Abandonedcore’ is the new cottagecore
Whilst cottagecore paradises are still very much a thing, how about something a little more apocalyptic? @Seaburd on X/Twitter has coined her dilapidated creations ‘Abandonedcore’ and we’re getting a distinct 'The Last of Us' feel from her designs. You can add vehicles with ease, so there’s no longer a need to build them from perspective cheats and broken dreams of yesteryear. Expect many more industrial island creations, but the idea of nature reclaiming the world here is a lovely touch.
3. Keep an eye out for vines
Crafting vines and glowing moss means that things have taken a distinct turn for the Indiana Jones in Animal Crossing, or at least Bertown by @BertCrossing on X/Twitter. Using the path design by @kuroneko_5810 mixed with the vines, ancient items and twisted overgrown fairytale trees is a perfect combination for ruins chic. If you’re looking for the recipes and crafting resources for these, remember to get on Kapp’n’s boat every day and keep hunting for DIYs.
4. Hit the road
Seeking a cozy town vibe? You might want to think about adding in some roads and over on Cabbage Island, @krystalkat_acnh on Instagram has done exactly that. For anyone looking to bring an urban look to their Animal Crossing: New Horizons island, throw in a vehicle or two and you've got yourself a bit of traffic to match. It's as lovely and as simple as that.
5. Start customising lamp posts
It’s the little details in Animal Crossing: New Horizons that make it so difficult to put down – well, that and the thousands of different items you can use to customize your island. But, it's the addition of customisable lamp post signs that means people like @Daileyart on X/Twitter can create these perfect miniature designs that make your island even more unique. Whether you want a Skyrim-style fantasy island packed with dragon iconography or just something to make your streetlights look a bit fancier, these custom creations are a subtle addition to make things feel truly yours.
6. Achieve zen
Feeling like finding some inner peace in Animal Crossing: New Horizons? This test build from the wonderful creator @_horriblegaming on Instagram is as serene as they get. With a bridge sunken idea from @crossingani_ combined with bamboo plants, beautiful flowers and waterfalls, it's a unique design that'll spark lots of Japanese-inspired island ideas. And there's plenty more where that came from with lots more ideas on her page.
7. Go to Wonderland
Curious and curioser, why not theme your entire island to your favourite children’s literature? That’s exactly what @MarieTattersall on X/Twitter has done with her astonishing Wonderland creation. Making the most of many mushroom items, this incredible island is packed with iconic imagery from Lewis Carroll’s world. Every section of the island is perfectly themed, complete with the caterpillar, a ‘beheading’ zone and just the right number of roses to keep the Red Queen happy. You can even check out a full tour of Wonderland on Animal Crossing Island Tours With Mimi.
8. Get re-creating
Inspired by the Animal Crossing: New Horizons 3.0 update, @marit.plays on Reddit shared her recreation of the hotel from the trailer. The resort facility opened up on the pier run by Kapp'n's family to bring in guests from off the island, but there's no reason you can't create your very own replicas across your island. As long as Kapp'n isn't totally clued up on copyright infringement, that is.
9. Make a splash
The best thing about this peaceful outdoor pool design from madoodlem on Reddit isn’t the three available colours to match your mini pool, or even the inventive lighting system, it’s that it only takes three of your custom design slots. But this is just the beginning. With countless other incredibly intricate tile designs available, your pool can quickly become a work of art. You could even search for ‘puddles’ at the Able Sisters to add even more H2O. Just be prepared for images of a very small pink frog to appear too.
10. Take the museum outside
If you like wandering into the museum just to sit and watch the butterflies flutter, you’re not alone. And, more importantly, you don’t always have to head to Blathers’ domain to enjoy them. Catch three of the same of your favourite bugs, hand them over to Flick for model making, and you can create your very own butterfly garden like twerk_on_that_shark on Reddit. It’s probably a good thing that Blathers never leaves the museum. Wretched things…
11. Release your inner pirate
Ahoy, there! Raise the mainsail, cross your ayes, and practice your best me hearties with a full on pirate ship to make the most of Gullivarr’s booty. @Cosmos_ray on X/Twitter has taken it, quite literally, to the next level with a fully terraformed multi-level galleon complete with moat, Wood Burning Stove mast and Market Sign sails. Don’t worry, there’s no need to make any villagers walk the plank if you don’t have space. The beach makes a perfect location for a docked or even grounded ship.
12. Build glass bridges
There are now 10 bridges available, but dependent on your designs, that might still not feel like quite enough. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to get inventive and create your own island crossings with terraforming. Tile over the top with a design like ghosthost999’s glass bridge on Reddit and you might find that Nook’s own variety are now lacking a distinct sense of risk with every step.
13. Dark & mysterious forestcore
Like something straight out of Hobbiton, @xixi_playing on X/Twitter has created the perfect bewildering wilderness on her Animal Crossing: New Horizons island, Arcadia. An abundance of foliage alongside a colour palette that screams the great outdoors, this forestcore island proves that you don't have to feel overwhelmed by trees, as long as you embrace them. An incredibly serene design idea that's sure to inspire.
14. Get farming
This is for those of us who switched up a Stardew addiction for an Animal Crossing one. Is there truly a way to feel at home in a game without any cows or sheep to tend to? No, Rodeo and Wendy don’t count. This barn and livestock combo comes courtesy of Mctieknots on Reddit and it’s a perfect springboard to a future agricultural paradise. Tilled fields of turnips, Simple Panel greenhouses and orchards all make for perfect Animal Crossing island ideas.
15. Don’t forget the chickens
A little further down the pecking order, so to speak, is this perfect chicken coop. Made up of two stalls, some Simple Panels and some egg-cellent hat designs from @daileyart on Twitter, this hen packed-delight is another innovative creation with AC’s existing recipes. For more Animal Crossing inspirations and ideas, make sure to follow Andrea on Instagram too for more brilliant pieces. French doors on a Simple Panel, anyone?
16. Winter all year round
Brrr, it's cold outside! But weather isn't going to stop a designer like @MarieTattersall on X/Twitter from getting her creativity flowing and her winter-themed island, Everest, is a truly frosty creation. Who says the holiday season has to stay in December, right? On Marie's island, there's Mistletoe Mews, Candy Cane Castle, Penguin Pavillion and so much more to explore – and to be inspired by.
17. Build a bar
If you and your friends are looking for something a little stronger than coffee in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, you might want to create your own drinks establishment that'll compete with the likes of Brewster. This classy bar design from @morimorisenyou on X/Twitter works both inside and outside and comes complete with a satisfying keg Simple Panel design. Use this as a diving off point and recreate your favourite cocktail bar. Tangy would probably love a cannibalistic Screwdriver or two.
18. Give villagers themed gardens
Who cares if they have no intention of even looking at your creations, let alone acknowledging them, your villagers deserve perfectly themed garden areas. This perfect barber zone from @wd_mori on X/Twitter in honour of Gaston’s impressive facial fuzz is only the beginning of the glorious potential. Why not build a tea house for Tia? An orange grove for Tangy? And Lucky would just love a graveyard… Well, there’s another hundred hours gone.
19. Embrace the path
Gaze back in time to the Animal Crossings of yore and you might remember that the only way to make paths previously was to constantly run along the same patches of ground. Thankfully we aren’t still purposefully making holes in the grass. Instead, we're gazing upon more creations by @bertcrossing on X/Twitter. Using a mix of path design by @kuroneko_5810 and the Herbology preset by @sherrieblossom_ culminates in this wonderful open outdoor space.
20. Have a picnic
Yes, your villagers will probably still sit adamantly right next to your perfectly placed cushions but that’s no reason not to try. Creating a picnic area on the beach or hidden snugly in an orchard is a simple addition that only requires a few design slots. This creation from moonbunnyart on Reddit comes complete with blanket tassels and makes the most of a stack of Sable’s patterns for the custom cushions. Teddy bears are of course optional. Just don’t tell Stitches.
21. Build an outdoor library
If the one thing keeping you from building a library outside is the idea of the books getting wet, you’re not alone. We like to imagine that they’re all waterproof which is the only way that we could build anything like @haru_eiffel’s beautiful natural library. Check out the rest of their Instagram if you’re looking for more non-book flavoured Animal Crossing ideas. Be warned though, it’s one of those ‘are we even playing the same game?’ accounts.
22. Construct a market
Even though DIY recipes can now go in your storage, you want to make sure you actually do as the game wants and find a way to properly share them. Where better then than an actual marketplace. You don’t really need to build an entire cityscape for the background like @okinawa.island on Instagram but a market packed with stalls will be a welcome addition to your island. It’s also perfect for leaving other specific items to share with friends.
23. Add city feels
Visit an Animal Crossing newbie’s home and the first thing that will hit you is just how green it all is. We did all start out on an abandoned island, y’know. A fun mission then is to design like you never want to see green again. Islands like those of @miss_acnh on Instagram make the most of stone and metal to bring a big city atmosphere to proceedings. Just remember that if you don’t like the colours of your Nook Miles items you can take them to be customised on Harv's Island so that everything fits in.
24. Keep clean with a laundry
Until this moment, we’d never really thought about where villagers are cleaning their clothes without washing machines... It turns out that all those Jocks joking about sweat stains on your recipes probably weren’t kidding. Step in @imotarez on X/Twitter then with some fresh-smelling inspiration. This laundrette once again makes the most of Simple Panels as both dividers and machine facades and thankfully has plenty of reading material.
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