Increasing Your Island Rating: Day Twelve

Discover essential decorating tips for Animal Crossing: New Horizons to achieve a 3-star island rating. Learn about gardens, parks, outdoor decor, and more.

This page offers guidance on how to decorate your island to achieve the 3-star island rating needed to have K.K. Slider visit. These decorating tips should be done alongside finding new villagers. You need at least 8 villagers on your island before you can reach 3-stars. You should have 7 villagers, with another moving in soon. Focus on making your island appealing by decorating with flowers, fences, and furniture.

This list offers beginners ideas on how to decorate their island during the early game. After unlocking Island Designer, you’ll have more freedom to terraform and add paths. For now, these are simple and effective ideas to raise your town’s aesthetic.

Gardens - An easy way to begin decorating is to plan out gardens for each house. If houses are spread out, this is even better as decorations should be spaced out. Gardens are a good start because you can use a small amount of fences to create enclosed areas. Each garden can have a different theme. Try to include flowers and fencing wherever possible, as these are important factors in your island’s appeal.

Parks - Parks are also a nice addition and can be enclosed using fencing. If you’ve been following the daily walkthrough, you’ll have tried making a park. Design a new one with a new theme. Japanese style parks are popular, with bamboo DIYs and Japanese furniture. If there are small lakes, create a picnic area and add flowers. Try to make as much furniture as you can, since DIYs are valued more than bought furniture.

Create small decorated spots - Small decorated areas add detail to your island’s appearance. This can be anything from a beach chair on the shore to a picnic basket between trees. Adding little details helps spread out decorations and make your island feel more complete.

Buy outdoor decorations from Nookstop - There are many outdoor decorations that can be bought from the Nookstop for Nook Miles. You can buy DIYs or items that need to be delivered, like street lamps or vending machines. These items are great for adding a modern touch.

Orchards and Flower Gardens - Many players create practical gardens and parks. Flower gardens are useful for cross-breeding flowers, and orchards are great for having a variety of fruit trees in one specific, accessible area.

Don’t forget about your beaches! - Beaches are sometimes neglected. Flat rocks and beaches are perfect for tiki bars and sea-shell themed furniture. Nook’s Cranny often sells beach-related items like surfboards and beach chairs. You’re on an island after all!

More Bridges and Inclines - Accessibility is important to your island’s appeal. Continue to build new bridges and inclines until the majority of your island is accessible without ladders and pole vaults. You can have a maximum of 8 bridges and 8 inclines.

Leif’s Bushes, Hedges and Flowers - When Leif visits, buy all the new flower types and bushes he offers. Bushes flower during different seasons, offering more seasonal variety. He also offers new flower breeds that Nook’s Cranny does not.