3 stars now what: HOW TO START YOUR ISLAND | island planning process | Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Let's talk about what to do in Animal Crossing New Horizons once you've reached 3 stars and can start landscaping. It can be a super overwhelming moment as suddenly there are SO MANY things to do and so many directions to go into. So I hope this video can help with inspiration and organizing that process. I hope you enjoy!
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[@ericaashleyxo]

I’m only halfway through the video and oh my gosh. This video is so helpful. Thank you so much for all the time you put into this video. It’s so well thought out, the explanations are detailed but easy to take in & now I can’t wait to really start planning my island. I’ve had the game since Dec 2020 & I have yet to actually tackle designing my island because it always seemed so daunting. Now I don’t feel that way. Thank you again! 💛

[@sparksby]

How sweet is this comment? Thank you so much! I'm glad I could help! The most important thing is to always have fun with the game! So no pressure or rush ever, but have fun! ❤

[@CG-my1gf]

I came here to say this! I’ve been playing since Christmas this year and I can’t wait to decorate for real.

[@-StitchvxAngel-]

I got my switch for Christmas in 2021🎉

[@thecozyintrovert]

I really dislike how you have to decorate your island before you unlock paths and terraforming. It’s so backward.

[@lanaeshonestopinion]

That's why I just fill my island with mannequins and keep everything in my storage. It'll get you to 3 stars.

[@unreal__pml__whatshedo]

I collect every furniture piece I have, throw em in the corner of my island, and then when it comes to it, sell it all for loan payments.

[@smshahalol]

Its not meant to look good, it’s meant to get to 3 stars

[@TheGeekyBanana]

I knowwww! I finally unlocked terraforming and now I feel so lost on where the heck to start! I know I want an arcade and a boardwalk but idk where to start!

[@Carma.Carisma]

I was thinking about the same 😆 so annoying!!!!

[@sqrah623]

the villagers after the cleanup: *where did everything go??*

[@snethies]

I had 250 hours on my island and I’m deciding to restart because I was so burnt out and it was a pretty ugly island. I’m grateful for this video cause I’m actually gonna plan now

[@nsena8247]

Good luck!

[@Kai-ry8ns]

i’m just about to do the same T-T

[@SophiaC]

@@Kai-ry8ns me too!! Good luck everyone

[@polavanik]

same! i just restarted my island and i’m loving it so far

[@7osewood]

I did that once and that was the best decision i made fr!!

[@simply_diabolical2705]

At first when I unlocked terraforming, I ended up taking a break from animal crossing because it was all just so much. Looking online, I saw all the work other people put into their islands and it stressed me out. But getting back into it, I started with things I knew I couldn’t move, like doing around resident services and such. I’m now working on my entrance to my island. Looking at what other people have done helps me out a lot. After navigating other islands and looking at dream addresses I know features of islands that I not only like looking at, but love navigating more. I can’t wait to keep working on my island. 😊

[@callmehdino4362]

i feel you, i had used custon designs for paths and everything then i got the terraforming and i had already tried to build without it and it was all just a mess, then i looked at dream adresses and i felt really stressed out bc i wanted my island to look like that and stuff

[@jayden_1719]

I hit three stars two years ago, and I've never touched terraforming, I had no idea where to start, I think this video may be able to help

[@ibims2601]

And? How its going?

[@jayden_1719]

@@ibims2601 oh I haven't touched my switch since, actually I have no idea where it is

[@ibims2601]

@@jayden_1719 oh hahaha

[@inumaru4583]

​@@jayden_1719 jesus

[@lucy-lr1of]

​​​@@inumaru4583don't use the lords name In vain

[@fayefaerii]

I was already getting stressed, it's my first time playing the game, I'm in my first island EVER. I feel like my island it's to big and yet so small 😭 I can't even get 3 star don't matter how much I decorate the island, the guy Leif took more than 1 week to spawn to get more flowers, nothing seems to work! But now I know better thanks to your video! Thank you 🫶🏼

[@haewoah]

Personally, I love to simply keep the terraforming and waterscaping and try to work with them! I love to do this as it is a sort of already made area, but of course, I do take her advice in removing trees! I love to use the 3D planners to make little areas instead of my whole island 😅 But, that’s just how my brain works, so, do as you wish!

[@haewoah]

Hi, it’s me after only 5 months. My preferences have completely changed after trying to finish the last island. I restarted because of burnout yesterday, and omg I feel so much better. Turns out that working around the terraforming made me worry about the map looking perfect, and I just didn’t want to play anymore. Sooo, take of that what you will.

[@AmeliaEarhart537]

That's what I originally was going to do, but it didn't seem to work out and so I decided to flatten my island. I just finished flattening it, and now I'm absolutely clueless 😂

[@RainPlusThunder]

I recently unlocked terraforming for the first time and I had no idea how to go about designing an island. The way you broke down your process and the recommendations you made about getting started are super helpful! Thank you!

[@rari8499]

I definitly see the idea but when I started off my island decorating/terraforming my theme for the landscape was like, natural sort of, so I keep the original landscape and added my own terraforming projects and builds that connected to the original layout.

[@hols5003]

this video is a life saver! i have restarted my island countless times because i get stuck on the decorating, but this video has really helped me figure out where to start! thank you!

[@avarner72]

Great inspiration video. I have flattened my island and am really struggling to restart ANY part of it. I think watching this will definitely help me figure out what the heck I want to do with it!

[@sparksby]

Give it time though and don't rush it, ideas will come eventually! Glad I could help though! ❤

[@idia.o]

Same

[@stop.1003]

where am i supposed to put all of my villagers? and all of my buildings?

[@ravensrealm1170]

@@stop.1003 if your buildings and houses are getting in the way of terriforming, a perfect place to put them is the beaches, you may not be able to fit all of them, but being able to sqeeze as many as possible frees up allot of space for planning!

[@setphaser]

Incredible terraforming in this island! That’s what I’m stuck with, I’ve got my 3 stars, my codes, my furniture items, and several area ideas… but how the fit together or where the villagers I’ll live I have no idea!

[@hollsc2283]

I found planning the map and how things fit together hard too so I use a map planner and messed around with it a bit, looked at other peoples versions of their maps etc., the app is called happy island designer! You can terraform, add villager houses, the other buildings, trees, paths amongst other things so it’s very useful :)

[@deecozy]

Yes!!! This is exactly what I needed. Thank you for all your ideas.

[@hosewater-lb9hi]

This helped me so much! I flattened the starter cliffs and stuff about a month ago and it's been such a helpful start! I just wanted to drop by and say thank you for this.

[@marinacopeland4046]

First time playing the game, and I am so excited to start terraforming. I really enjoyed this video about planning and how to pick a theme. Thanks for linking your cards for previous islands. 💜

[@kgaclash]

This is helping me so much thank you for making this and putting sooo much thought into it! I've been fishing, collecting, trading and restarting islands for a year since I decided to flatten my original island and havent been able to decorate again because I keep feeling stuck. the greatest tip for me in this video is to collect all the custom designs/paths before... usually when I start to decorate I give up once I realize I want a new path. Same with just chopping trees instead of moving them as I go!!! Tysmmm

[@MarianaSilva-lr3wo]

this was sooo helpful!! i haven’t played since like april because i got so overwhelmed cause i didn’t know what to do and no videos were helping me but this has inspired me to go back to my island, tysm!!

[@Maggie_Rosalie]

You can carry a garbage bin around with you when removing the flowers you don’t want to keep and just throw them in the trash so you don’t have to going to sell them when your inventory gets full.

[@dullrabbit482]

YOOOO i didn’t think about this

[@nickelpickled]

I have a little area with my storage shed and a bin and a pipe so I can just get there whenever I need

[@gissellecarbajal723]

THANK YOU FOR THIS VIDEO!!!!!!!! I hit 3 stars a while ago and I don't know where to start, really needed this!!!

[@goodtyme]

thanks for the tips! I got 3 stars a few days ago and had no idea where to start on making it actually look good and this vid helped a lot

[@5STARROMEO]

i just finished my campsite and my first priority is decorating my island, this was SO helpful!!!

[@hollyjolly_lulu]

omg thank you SO much. i was so freaking overwhelmed on where to start and i finally watched this video and it helped a lot!!

[@sunlight5108]

This video is so much more helpful than I've ever imagined it could be. Thank you so much ❤❤❤

[@bbylucy666]

I've just started playing for a month && you've been the most helpful♡ thank you! xx

[@pomehanate]

This video was so helpful! I'm just planning on flatening my island soon, but this helps a ton!

[@laetittiapannellsgamingfav5334]

🧑🏽‍🦳🍹🙏🏼 will the video show me how to flatten my island 🏝️ so I can decorate it? My way with out all them mountains 🏔️ n hillsides in my way? Help? All want is flat so I can see swim 🏊‍♀️ fish 🎣 dive and a beach 🏝️ at the end of the water 💦 lol 😂 where I can relax on the beach 🏖️? Laetittia (Tisha ) Sandtown 🧑🏽‍🦳🍹🏝️

[@Patrick-ut3sy]

This video is very helpful. I just started a new island for the game's three-year anniversary. All my other islands have been disasters, but I'm gonna do my best to make Peachwood something special. Already have two builds in mind to incorporate: A gas station/general store build w/ Nook's Cranny featuring a gnome fueling up his pumpkin carriage. A trash/horror beach littered with oil barrels, scorpions, graves, etc.

[@-ElysianEcho-]

I just returned to the game after a long break deciding to make a clean save file cor afresh start, and i’m so happy to watch helpful peoples videos to help me avoid the mistakes i made before

[@safichii]

This video was so jam packed with love, effort and time THANKYOU SO SO SO SO MUCH! Like I can’t believe how much in hindsight I can see so many key points you’ve made and going to be so ridiculously helpful to me! I related a lot of how creativity you work and thrive upon when creating and building. Again loved this video so much and I truly look forward to your channel ❤

[@hannahwinslow7862]

I'm so glad i found your videos!! i have had animal crossing since april and i just restarted because i hate how my island was turning out. and i bought a notebook today and started my research on how to create an island im happy to be on. this video kind of just reassured me that im on the right track, so thank you! your advice is not only helpful, its kind and reassuring which i forever appreciate!

[@sparksby]

Thank you so much for this kind message 😭 I’m glad you’re having fun so far, you got this!! 🥰

[@leanna9201]

this video is what ive been looking for🥲. thank you for being the one to notice and explain it perfectly and give awesome examples and different choices u can do. i always have a hard time doing my whole island but now im sure ill do it.🌷❤️

[@rachelszewczyk5345]

This is amazingly helpful! I've been so overwhelmed with my island and this helps *so much*

[@vanadiumlight]

Thank you so much for this video! I love decorating but sometimes I wonder how on earth people came up with so many great ideas! This helps Also I learned the hard way, when I was going through your card, that there is a limit to how many MA's you can favorite :(

[@sparksby]

Practice plays a big part in it too! I worked on quite a few areas and started a few different island ideas before I was able to work on my first full island that I ended up finishing, so no rush! And yes, unfortunately you can only favorite so many creators... I really don't like the system that Nintendo put in place there...

[@xdimplesx]

id say something that really helped me to get three stars and not have to do the hugeee cleanup was putting down all of the fencing that tom gave me, and store all of my flowers in there. you dont normally fill all of your fence which is good, you can also work on breeding

[@AmeliaEarhart537]

I'm doing that myself.

[@laurieb3703]

This was so incredibly helpful! Thank you so much

[@cocogoat3256]

thanks for all the tips! im super excited to start decorating my island!

[@kappn4748]

Thanks so much for this video, I recently restarted my island after not playing for a year, and once I reached 3-stars, I had no idea where to even begin and how to build my wild-west dream island

[@callmeobsequious]

I wish this video had existed when I first started playing. Alas, glad to have it now! I just got back into the game again and I'm in the _"[frantically placing down furniture] AAAAAAAAAA"_ era of my island, lol. I'm really excited!

[@iris.art111]

This video is so helpful!! Thank you so much for this :)

[@Pinkairlie]

I Cant Explain How Helpfull This Is Last Week I Got 3 Stars So This Made Everything look Amazing! I Cant Thank You Enough Time! Tysm!

[@elsalin7643]

Thanks for this! You are inspiring me to finally leave my old island thank you 🙏

[@sparksby]

❤❤❤

[@jesusdisciplemsyg]

WOAH the spray paint u put on the ground is dope!!!

[@ashleyshannon253]

So helpful!! I needed this video!!! Thank you

[@natalieo5415]

This is super super helpful thank you sm!!

[@TylerEide]

tysm this video is helping so much because I HATE my island people that make this type of videos are the Best ty

[@SarahBar]

Thank you so much for this video❤ so helpful

[@kimmyymmik]

This is so helpful! Thank you!

[@raerae034]

Such a helpful vid tysm I rlly want an aesthetic island 😭❤️

[@tiffanytorres2375]

This is so helpful!!

[@deaysiahigdon6499]

this video makes me wanna hard reset my island for the 8th time since i got this game for mother's day in 2020 😭. THANK YOU SO MUCH 🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@Juliana-hn3bo]

The first thing that I bought with Nook Miles was the water feature… I was able to build cliffs and rivers before K.K., Isabelle, paying off my house, 2 stars, and it was the 2nd or 3rd time I had played. I’m not sure why but I unlocked all the terraforming before it should’ve ever been available.

[@whiffsz3555]

When u unlock terraforming on your first island you keep it for your other islands I believe

[@coolgirls944]

Thank you so much I have reset before I got teraforming slot and this is so hopeful on what to do when I get it

[@mamacat2049]

Thanks for the video. All of your tips and tricks are so helpful. I've gotten most of my codes from you and I appreciate it so much. Thank you Malin

[@nichole8470]

I needed this!!!! I just got 3 stars on Saturday

[@xSakuraStrawberryx]

Thank you!

[@OtheiaHodge-ji1km]

Thank you for this cause when i hit 3 star i do get stuck and don't know whatever to do this will help thanks

[@meredith18352]

I have made it to 4 stars but can't seem to get any further because I have no idea how to tackle an entire island. Guess it is time to chops some trees and flatten out my cliffs. Flower breeding takes so long as well. Thanks for the tips, maybe I will get to 5 stars one day after all

[@sparksby]

Don't pressure yourself too much on the 5 stars though! You only get the golden watering can recipe and some lily of the valley plants, apart from that I find it doesn't have any benefits and I like to focus more on whether I personally like my islands 😊❤

[@jesusdisciplemsyg]

Wow this is huge thank you

[@chaospaganwitch]

My biggest problem is I have no self control and can't stick to a theme very long 😭 When I first started I had one main island for a year. I started a new island that's kind of fairycore/has a chaotic layout (no idea how to describe it except every other square on the map grid is land and the rest is water) but when I was almost done with the decorating, I restarted Now I have an island that was supposed to be a blue challenge kidcore city... It's now Alice in Wonderland themed. And now I'm almost done with that theme and I want a new one 😭😭

[@orphicfemme7694]

I’m late to playing ACNH and have been obsessed since I started in March 2024. I’m so thrilled to have found this video. I’ve hit 3 stars, unlocked landscaping and have been at a loss for how to get started. Thank you!

[@thatchristian781]

Me too!!!

[@PuppyGems]

omg thank you :) my island is a mess but id love to try flower theme

[@kristamcmullen9296]

I like the mountains but this is great tysm ☺️

[@katastrofal]

Wish i saw this before, very good tips actually

[@nikkijewel1285]

this always used to stress me out so much, but thanks for saying to listen to what feels good for you, or if you're attached to ur island shape, not having to terraform much. Thank u!

[@vamplarua]

THANK YOU SM

[@katalystkatapatheticalyssa5987]

I really wish there was a tutorial on how to make paths/clothing patterns.

[@nsena8247]

I was thinking to make a tree garden, and I got pears, oranges, and apples. So, I need frickin peaches and cherries. Im also happy that I watched this vid, it was so helpful! It was perfect for my level. I just got my new campsite, Lionel, and I need KK slider

[@isaccerqueira7]

i can get u peaches and cherries

[@lorimalcolm7919]

This is the video I’ve been searching for. Where to begin after the 3rd star! My island is so scattered. I love the idea of cleaning the island taking it down to just the “ bones,” as it were. I have a couple of questions. What is DLY? And can you level land under buildings. My museum is on a cliff and I do wish to move it, but I’d like to level everything, first.

[@winterwolf5813]

Your video was so helpful ❤ sweetheart thank you so much ❤

[@vanessa1474]

I’m so thankful to you for doing this video. I reached 3 stars a couple of weeks ago and have been watching your Play With Me vids so I knew sort of what to do. I put all my villagers houses on the island instead of the beach so I’m guessing I have to pay 10,000 bells to Nook to reloa te each one to the beach? Now I’m trying to lose villagers I don’t want. What to do with their house’s? Will they disappear when the character leaves? So many questions lol.

[@asmrloverespeciallyreiki]

thank you for the video

[@HAMPT3RT]

This video helps a lot…only problem is that I don’t have nintendo online so i have to make paths and everything for myself, but I’m not going to complain because this video helps in a lot of ways (sorry for my english lol)

[@neutraliv899]

Same. I'm in a struggle with this too. I guess I just have to start learning how to make pretty designs

[@janicecyr5177]

I’ve been reterraforming my island and rn I am not in love with it. I’m hoping decorating it more will help but right now I feel like I need to start over, like my entire game.

[@Kathluvsbts808]

I just hit three stars on my winter island and I have no idea how to terraforming or designing an island! this video might help

[@crownclowncreations]

I've had my current island since the game came out. There were so many things I didn't know about - like that terraforming was even gonna be a thing, and that the things you SHOULD look for in an island, is where the Resident Service, dock etc is, because those you can't change. There is a part of me that wants to start a new island SO badly, and it has me so burnt out, but I have almost all of my dream villagers.. Zucker, Raymond, Sasha, Shino, Merengue, Julia, Tiansheng, Reneigh, Flora.. I love them all so much, and I don't wanna lose them, or have to hunt for them again 😭 Most I got just from pure luck.

[@dianebuckingham2224]

Thanks

[@sparksby]

Thank you so so much for this!! ❤

[@givemeprimelaughter]

Wait!! You have all the codes in a card?? I didn't even know this was a thing. I am stoked.

[@sparksby]

I do! Actually I just moved all my stuff to a brand new website (sparksby.com), but I keep track of all of them, makes sharing them so much easier! 🥰

[@Stoptherianfurryhate]

I’m sending good vibes your way! They’re coming There’s nothing you can do to stop them.

[@LovelyAmalee]

I have a springcore island, and after this video I’ve decided to flatten it. It’s a good form of restarting for me because my villiagers and my progress is dear to me. I’ve decided to flatten my island, but I’m going to keep my DA on my spring island so I can always go back. I felt like I could do better and that some parts of it were ugly but it was already done. Thank you.

[@allycrossingcloud]

One thing i can never understand (in awful at design lol) is how do people know where to put each build? For eg, I’ll have ideas such as a cafe and market etc but not know where to put them because i just have this huge blank island and no clue how to lay it out

[@zoepilled]

This!!! Oh my god its so difficult for me lmao

[@discobones]

Still so overwhelmed lol I'm terrible at making decisions!!

[@thehalfmoonchild6113]

I already hit 4 stars and I'm about to restarting a new island until i found this video, so thank you. I guess I just need a BIG clean up [sweating], or do you have any suggestions for me?

[@thedoctorTARDIS]

I could never clear the WHOLE island. Did different areas at once. So the housing district, then the shopping district, then the pretty waterfall zone, then archeology area and a market. Its not so overwhelming when you're sculpting a bit of cliff or water in one area. I'll make changes here and there but if I flatten the whole thing I'll never put new cliffs in.

[@AmeliaEarhart537]

I wish I did that 😭

[@kitty_cinnamonCrossing]

@Sparksby i have the same problem too i have like 250+ custom designs codes

[@ioanaart5539]

Amazing tips but i feel like idk how to make it how i like it like idk how to do it like what do i do where do i put my house But this helped so much i want to get everything off my island but i dont have the patience lol!

[@therealcanada12]

Hi your the best

[@KikiX127]

my problem is I've only been playing a month and have so many ideas but don't have the items required 😂 so rn I'm just experimenting with codes/terraforming and refining my aesthetic so that hopefully as I acquire more items, it'll be easy for me to incorporate them into my design. like watching this video I don't have half the items op has. It takes so long getting stuff. I started playing pocket camp first and it's much quicker to get to the meat and potatoes so to speak. but it's also incredibly expensive lol but this game is a long term commitment so I just gotta be patient ig

[@summeriswandering628]

i just got back into acnh after a year & 3 months of not playing it.. i’m trying so hard to get 3 starts but i am stuck at 2. i do think that tomorrow i will unlock 3 stars though. i’m gonna try to get happy home paradise & i’m definitely gonna use terraforming when i can use it. i want to add more inclines and bridges but i’m not sure when i want to do that. hopefully i hit 3 stars soon so i have more options.

[@Duchessofweirdness]

Hi! This video is helping me alot. Did you need to move all villagers out in order for you to fix your island first or nah?

[@J_larry]

Ironic how I hit 3 stars today 😆, Thank you

[@lazra4321]

You’re islands look so cool! Any chance you know what the code is for the faded stone path seen in the top right at 9:09 is? I had a look on your island codes but it seems that one wasn’t used.

[@averageche7405]

Thank you for this video. First time playing and totally overwhelmed. Can I ask, have you moved the plaza or airport and if yes, how? Also how do you get more than one island ? Thank u ☺

[@anaixx206]

you cannot move the plaza or airport sadly, it’s autogenerated in the game and permanent. And the only way to to get a different island is to play on a different switch or restart your game, because the animal crossings devs only allow you to have 1 island per switch.

[@juandesantos609]

I have this whole forest area I did but was thinking of redoing so I think I might take it all down.

[@wyattherring2135]

love that you mentioned acnh codes destroying your camera roll bc same :0

[@sparksby]

it's a true problem :D

[@eccentricsunflower]

thank youuu, you saved me lol

[@wildflowerwingz4398]

I flatten my island and I regret it soo much. It’s been in this werid half stage. I wish I would have left my cliffs and river alone to just find my style first.

[@AmeliaEarhart537]

I just flattened mine, I don't know if I regret it or not but I'm clueless on what I should do 😂 Just curious, do you have anything figured out for yours yet?

[@renae6437]

I want to flatten my island but i dont know what to do with all my villagers and their houses. They're in the way and i dont want to spend loads of money on moving them atm ☠

[@kabxksb]

What hair colour are you using? It looks more green than blonde but the only green hair colour is so intense and bright its not the vibe I want lmao, I wish they brought back the light colours from New Leaf cuz 'the colour of fresh leaves' was soooo nice 😭

[@user-im4pe9gl9y]

I had the perfect island, no terraforming at all and my entrance was beautiful. Then I get terraforming, take my entrance down and try to build with terraforming and I absolutely hate it. Now I have to rebuild my entire entrance and half a river again 😭😭

[@madelynsedghyar5380]

what do you do with all the furniture you have if you don’t have enough storage in your house??