There are so many ways to decorate your island in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. What I love about this game is that it allows you to push the boundaries of your creativity. I have seen unbelievable island transformations in this game, making me wonder “Are we even playing the same game?!”
While I shared a lengthy list of 100 themes in the past, today I wanted to get back to the core themes that I tend to see over and over. They are tried and true for good reason: they are an absolute delight to build and are especially great for beginners. If the idea of designing something from start to finish overwhelms you, maybe start with one of these popular and aesthetic choices.
Best ACNH Island Themes
#1: Forestcore Island
One of the most popular, if not the most popular island theme. That’s because the game storyline is setup in a way that really welcomes this vibe. You start out on a deserted island with a tent. There’s a campsite for visitors and some of your first items received are very rugged/forestcore-inspired. If you love lush greens and lots of trees, this is probably a good starting place.
The beauty of forestcore is that you can take it in many different directions, such as enchanted forest, campground, National Park, summer camp, mushroom forest town, etc. Let your creativity run with it.
Here a complete guide with island names, villagers, and items to use.
#2: Natural Island
Next to forestcore, this is probably the second most popular / easiest umbrella theme. I say umbrella because like forestcore, you can have a natural island with some smaller themes in mind, such as cottagecore natural, natural park, natural town and neighborhood, etc. You work with the landscape and use items that are one with the land. Lots of natural textiles like wooden furniture and mushroom items.
My very first theme was a simple natural island and I continue to go back to it because it feels the most comforting and laidback way to design.
Here a complete guide with island names, villagers, and items to use.
#3: Cottagecore Island
The cottagecore aesthetic has taken the world by storm, including Animal Crossing players. This theme is just so aesthetically pleasing, gentle, and peaceful. In a world that moves at the speed of light, a build like this feels like a breath of fresh air.
I am personally really into the slow living movement and an island like this can feel that way. Think cottage homes, bountiful gardens, natural parks to relax in, small bookshop spots to stop and read, a wishing well in a meadow, a farmer’s market, a side-of-the-road pie stand, a giant flower field. The build ideas are endless.
Here a complete guide with island names, villagers, and items to use.
#4: Fairycore Island
If you love a dreamy and whimsical island, fairycore may be the choice for you. I envision this theme to have lots of pinks, whites, blues, and purples, though any pastel you choose would work lovely. It all feels very “Thumbelina” and fairytale.
You’ll want to take advantage of items in the mush series, the stars series, and the DIYs that Celeste provides.
You may go darker fairycore, as well, which can feel like a fantasy novel. That’s a really fun take!
Here a complete guide with island names, villagers, and items to use.
#5: Kidcore Island
Players go nuts over kidcore islands. I think everyone loves the feeling of nostalgia and being connected to their inner-child. With bold colors and a rainbow of items, an island in this theme is sure to bring whimsy and joy and a touch of chaos.
And if you love bold and bright villagers, you will have no shortage of options. There are so many cute villagers for this style!
Here a complete guide with island names, villagers, and items to use.
#6: Zen Island
Find your inner peace and build a natural and restful zen island. This game boasts a number of oriental and bamboo items that make this island come together so beautifully.
Bamboo, stone, natural wood… these are all musts for this island. I have seen a number of codes to build ornate sand gardens, as well, which are so beautiful!! Be sure to head to Pinterest for code inspiration.
Here a complete guide with island names, villagers, and items to use.
#7: Coastal Island
As someone who grew up in New England, I am always drawn to a coastal island design. It is charming, quaint, and the perfect build for summertime.
A sleepy coastal town will have lots of hydrangea shrubs, fishing spots, maybe even a surf shack on the beach. Lots of spots for rest and relaxation are a must.
If you love fishing, you may even make a little fishery area.
Here a complete guide with island names, villagers, and items to use.
#8: Spring Island
Springcore is for all the players who love pastel colors, gardening, and butterflies! This is such a lovely theme that pairs very nicely with a natural island.
Think lots of big flower fields, a gardening center, roadside flower shops, farmer’s market, veggie gardens, and lots of decoy ducks and garden bunny decorations.
Here a complete guide with island names, villagers, and items to use.
#9: Witchcore Island
Witchcore as a theme has been up-and-coming and continues to grow in popularity. This is another theme that can go in a few different directions: autumn witchy, green witch, gothic vibes, cottagecore witch.
You’ll need Muffy, Kiki, and Coco are residents, because they are witchy queens! I picture this theme to have a blend of green, purple, and black, but there are many ways to go about it.
Here a complete guide with island names, villagers, and items to use.
#10: Neutral Aesthetic Island
I will admit, I am a sucker for this aesthetic. It is so calm and pleasant and pleasing to the eye. I am someone who can get overstimulated very easily and using colors like this truly calms my nervous system. If you are the same kind of person, I think you’ll agree.
Think natural woods, beige items, small spots to sit and read, and a whole lot of wheat fields. You’ll be ordering wheat fields for days unless you brave a treasure island run.
Here a complete guide with island names, villagers, and items to use.
#11: Rainbow Island
This theme is very much in the same vein as kidcore but it doesn’t have to exactly be “kidcore.” If you just love bright colors and the rainbow makes you happy and proud, then a rainbow island would be a really fun build!
You could try using one color in each area of your island (which would be a really great challenge) or just go crazy with color popping everywhere.
Here a complete guide with island names, villagers, and items to use.
#12: Pink Island
Pretty in pink! This is for all my cutesy girly gamers out there. A pink island has that twee and kawaii vibe that we all love. You can choose the cutest villagers from the lot and use lots of pink flowers and items all over the island.
This theme is also great for anyone who loves the girly pop aesthetic.
Here a complete guide with island names, villagers, and items to use.
#13: Minimalist Island
Minimalism is a mood these days and you can totally go this route on your island. I instantly think about Marshal and Zell, two smug villagers who would totally hop on this trend.
A minimal island may seem like it would be easy because it is sparse, but it actually takes a lot of intention when building on an island that is so large. If you like this theme but are afraid of an island that big, consider a slumber island build!
Here a complete guide with island names, villagers, and items to use.
#14: Boho Island
I have created a boho island in the past and it was an absolute delight to build! I took a lot of inspiration from the 60’s and 70’s retro styles and used bold colors and a lot of flowers.
Think wicker, flowers, flowery codes, orange and yellows, greens and browns… indoor and outdoor plants everywhere. Maybe even a giant sunflower field using yellow cosmos. This is a very fun theme that doesn’t get enough love!
Here a complete guide with island names, villagers, and items to use.
#15: Enchanted Island
Take forestcore to a whole new magical realm with an enchanted forest island theme. I love this one because there are so many villagers who are eerie and adorable! Coco and Peck come to mind. Deirdre makes a great witch, too.
Think lots of of items from the mush series, glowing moss series, and vine series.
Here a complete guide with island names, villagers, and items to use.
#16: Cozycore Island
If you love all things warm and cozy, go all in on a cozycore island. I find that this theme works best on autumn or winter islands (autumn especially).
For villagers, lots of warm brown tones and cozy species, like bear cubs, sheep, deer, and squirrels.
I love the Danish concept of hygge and this kind of island is a love letter to it. Cozy, comfort, contentment.
Here a complete guide with island names, villagers, and items to use.
#17: Fall Island
Speaking of autumn, if it is one of your favorite seasons, then celebrate it! I have created an autumn island (and you can still visit the DA) and it was everything my autumnal soul needed.
Cozy reading spots, picnic with pumpkin pie and pumpkin stew, a pumpkin carving station, pumpkin patches galore. What a beautiful atmosphere.
There are so many amazing items, too! Especially the tree’s bounty series, leaves series, and mush series.
Here a complete guide with island names, villagers, and items to use.
#18: Clean Girl / White Aesthetic Island
The clean girls aesthetic is new to me but I am here for it. It looks really bright, refreshing, and minimal. I am pairing with white island aesthetic, since they are both embodying the same clean feeling.
It feels very in-line with a minimalist island, but maybe a little bit more feminine. Think clean spaces, skincare, candles, white flowers. It is effortlessly polished.
Here a complete guide with island names, villagers, and items to use.
#19: Bright & Cheery Island
Lovers of the color yellow, unite! This is my favorite color and I love giving it a chance to shine. Yellow is the happiest color on the block and if you choose to design a yellow island, it is surely going to be a joyful experience.
The yellow villagers are so cute (Goldie and Cousteau, especially!) And the yellow cosmos are one of the best flowers in the game.
Here a complete guide with island names, villagers, and items to use.
#20: Earthy Green Island
Deep earthy green. Mysterious. Lush. Full of life. A green island is one of the most popular when it comes to color themes. It also pairs very nicely with browns and whites.
I think if you choose this theme, you will find a lot of peace in your builds. The color reduces anxiety, stress, overwhelm and promotes a feeling of harmony.
Here a complete guide with island names, villagers, and items to use.
