Animal Crossing New Horizons 3.0 has brought endless creative possibilities to island design. From cozy seasonal blends to whimsical themed worlds, every island tells a unique story. Below is a detailed tour of five amazing islands, each with distinct themes, creative designs, and charming details that will inspire your own island build.
Created by kckeesey, "Furever" is a delightful mix of spring’s freshness and subtle fall warmth—two of kckeesey’s favorite seasons. The island feels soft, calming, and endlessly charming, with a "cutesy" vibe that shines through every corner. It’s open, easy to navigate, and balances aesthetic beauty with practical use.
The entrance sets the tone with a stunning mix of white cosmos flowers and wheat fields, alternating in a pattern that’s both simple and eye-catching. The custom design paths are a standout—wooden planks add a rustic touch, and there are even little details like overturned flower pots and puddles under water buckets that scream spring. kckeesey left fun items (like a tambourine) for visitors to carry, making the tour feel interactive.
The villager lineup includes Anchovi, Molly, Tad, Tangy, Sana, Loi, Punchy, Gabby, Camo Frog, and Henry—all perfect for the cute, cozy theme.
Some yards have little treehouse-style decks, while others feature cliffside spaces accessible via vines (no ladder needed!).
Gabby’s yard is carrot-themed (fitting for a bunny villager) with a tiny carrot garden and cute decor.
Tangy’s yard is iconic—bright orange, with an orange stand selling marmalade, an orange grove, and a smoothie stand. It even has a shipment area, making her look like a "business queen."
Loi’s yard leans into fall vibes with ruins, an owl clock, and a suspicious cauldron—giving it a subtle witchy feel that blends seamlessly with the spring theme.
Pumpkin Patch: A small pumpkin patch near the beach hints at fall, adding warm orange tones to the springy palette.
Rock Garden: A beautifully crafted rock garden with a central fountain and gyroid friends—creating a peaceful spot to relax.
Museum Overlook: The museum is accessed via double bridges, with alternating pathways below that look neat and cohesive. The overlook from the cliff offers a stunning view of the area.
Shops & Practical Spots: Nook’s Cranny is cozy with a cute yellow trash can, and there’s a storage shed nearby for functionality. Able Sisters is close to the airport (practical!) and has a lovely beach lounge area outside—complete with a carrot cake slice that adds a sweet touch.
Resident Representative’s Home: The interior is decorated with pink, happy, and girly vibes. The main living area is bright, the kitchen is precious (with a coveted KitchenAid mixer!), upstairs has a sister-style bedroom and a separated bathroom, and the basement is a practical rec room with tools, a deep freezer, and even an Animal Crossing Switch. Outside, there’s a secret beach near the house and a little meadow soccer field with yellow and white tires that look surprisingly charming.
The beaches are simple but cozy—no overwhelming decor, just soft pillows and calm vibes. They’re easy to walk through and add to the island’s relaxing feel.
Designed by cosy.chey, "Hades" is a unique blend of spring inspiration and Greek mythology—specifically the story of Hades and Persephone. The island has a whimsical, almost mystical feel, set at 6:19 a.m. with fog and haziness that enhances the ancient, magical atmosphere. It uses a neutral color palette with plenty of white flowers and stone elements, creating a cohesive "ruin" theme.
As you exit the airport, you’re greeted by vast wheat fields dotted with white hyacinths. Beautiful stone archways line the paths, setting the ancient Greek tone. Cozy Shay left gifts at Resident Services: a bun wig, ballet outfit, ballet slippers, and a giant ribbon—perfect for dressing up to match the theme.
Ruins & Archways: The island is filled with stone archways, columns, and statues—everywhere you look, there’s a nod to Greek architecture. The overgrown flowers add to the "ancient" feel, like a forgotten temple garden.
Hades’ Throne Area: A standout build is Hades’ space, featuring a large throne, castle walls, and columns. It’s darker in tone than the rest of the island, creating a clear divide between Hades’ domain and the brighter, springier areas.
Overlooks & Graveyards: There are multiple stunning overlooks with views of the island’s terraforming. A graveyard near Nook’s Cranny is an unexpected but fitting touch—blending Hades’ role as ruler of the underworld with the island’s overall theme.
Able Sisters & Shopping Area: Able Sisters has a cottage core-esque look, with various items and outfits displayed outside. The area around it is filled with more archways and flowers, keeping the theme consistent.
Neighborhood: The island has one small neighborhood with a darker theme, fitting for Hades’ area. Villagers include Persephone, Mac, Lucky, Daisy, Shep, Punchy, Non, Dobby, and Kid—each with homes that match the island’s aesthetic.
The terraforming is impressive, with ramps and pathways that flow naturally. The early morning time (6:19 a.m.) adds fog and soft light, making the island feel whimsical and dreamlike—like stepping into a Greek myth.
This natural-themed island focuses on layout and immersion, with a massive lake as its centerpiece. Every inch of the island is filled with decor, creating a dense, lush forest feel. It’s perfect for players who love nature, exploration, and a touch of mystery.
The island’s main draw is its huge lake—so big you can’t see the other side! Signs guide visitors through the dense woods, preventing getting lost (though it’s easy to get distracted by all the details). Ladders and vines are placed strategically to help you climb cliffs and explore different levels.
Main Home: The resident’s home looks like a ranger’s cabin—simple, with books, snacks, and packages, as if someone just moved in. It’s small but cozy, fitting the natural theme.
Camping Spot: Near the lake, there’s a cute camping area with a milk store nearby. It’s a peaceful spot to relax and take in the lake views.
Cemetery: A small cemetery adds a touch of mystery, with consistent theming that fits the dense forest vibe.
Lookout Points: There are several dense forest lookouts with balloon gifts hidden among the trees. These spots offer beautiful views of the lake and surrounding greenery.
Beach: The beach is quiet and natural, with no over-the-top decor—just the sound of waves and the feel of sand underfoot.
The terraforming is substantial, with multiple levels and hidden paths. Every step reveals something new: a stream to hop over, a tree to duck under, or a small decor item (like a butterfly statue) that adds to the immersion. The island feels wild but intentional, like a untouched natural paradise.
Created by happyplace_acnh, "Oh Snap" is a vibrant, playful Lego-themed island—built before the official Lego collaboration in 3.0! It’s colorful, fun, and full of kid-core energy, with custom codes designed entirely by Ry. Every area feels like a Lego set come to life, with brick patterns, bright colors, and playful details.
The entrance is a showstopper—bright, brick-patterned custom paths (all made by Ry) lead from the airport to Resident Services. The airport has a cute outfit and props for visitors, including a Recetti model (a nod to 3.0). The custom codes are everywhere: on paths, walls, furniture, and even the beach tiles—creating a cohesive "brick by brick" look.
The villagers are perfect for the theme: Dizzy, Henry, Murphy, Joey, Petri, Meera, Goldie, Scoot, Eric, and Apple—all with a kid-friendly, playful vibe. Their homes are colorful, with primary colors and brick-patterned yards. Some homes have stacked crates that look like Lego blocks, and others have little details like board games or baseball equipment outside.
Shops & Services: Nook’s Cranny uses medium simple panels to block areas, feeling like a Lego build. Resident Services has a straight path to the airport (practical!). There’s a little plant shop with custom codes on feed bags, and a DIY station with Lego blueprints.
Able Sisters: The shop is framed with brick-patterned curtains, and the dresses inside are custom-made by Ry—bright, fun, and perfect for the Lego theme. Cosmo wands and tulip wands are placed outside, looking like they’re growing from the Lego "ground."
Main House: The main house is a little farmhouse with color-themed rooms: a yellow front room, a green side room, a pink kitchen, a spa-like bathroom, and a neon green study/dorm room. The basement has an underwater pool—super cool! Every room uses custom brick patterns, and even the Animal Crossing furniture (like cube lights) looks like Lego pieces.
Playground & Drive-In Theater: A playground with pull-up bars arranged as monkey bars is cute and functional. The drive-in theater is a standout—huge, with bright lights, little cars for seating, snacks, and a projector on top of Lego blocks. It’s immaculate and so much fun.
Beach & Extras: The beach has palm trees with round bases that look like Lego pieces, and a Mario pipe (for decor). There’s also a gas station, car wash (with water and bubbles!), construction zone, grocery store, and rock garden—all with Lego themed details. The museum is under construction, with colorful scaffolding that makes it bright and fun (instead of beige!).
Even with its playful theme, the island is practical: storage sheds, fishing spots, and farming areas (wheat, tomatoes, potatoes, pumpkins) are scattered throughout. It’s easy to navigate, with straight paths and clear areas, making it fun for both exploration and daily tasks.
This island, crafted with 3.0 updates, is a magical blend of fun, calm, and function—shining brightest at night. It combines a retro carnival, a tidy farm, and whimsical fairytale gardens, creating a vibe that’s both exciting and relaxing. The island uses twinkling lights, colorful decor, and custom paths to flow seamlessly between areas.
The carnival area is vibrant and nostalgic, with ACNH items like teacups and a carousel. Twinkling lights line the paths, making it magical after dark. It’s a fun spot to gather with friends, with playful details that evoke the joy of a county fair.
The farm is neat and functional, with rows of tomatoes and wheat surrounded by blue fences. It adds a calm, rural touch to the island, balancing the excitement of the carnival. The farm feels lived-in and practical, perfect for players who love growing crops.
Winding paths lined with hedges, colorful flowers, and fire torches create a magical garden experience—especially at night. The torches cast warm light, and the flowers add pops of color against the dark. It’s a peaceful spot to walk and relax, with a whimsical, fairytale-like feel.
A cute tutor home with a dog house and blooming gardens adds cozy charm. Vending machines and custom paths improve flow, making the island easy to navigate. Every area is packed with thoughtful details—from the carnival’s twinkles to the garden’s hedges—that make the island feel cohesive and magical.
Stick to a Color Palette: Cohesive colors (like spring pastels for "Forever" or bright primaries for "Oh Snap") make your island feel intentional.
Mix Aesthetics & Practicality: Add storage sheds, shops near the airport, and farming areas—your island should look good and be fun to play on.
Use Custom Codes: Custom paths, walls, and decor (like Ry’s Lego bricks) can take your theme to the next level.
Add Interactive Details: Leave small gifts for visitors, create hidden spots (like secret beaches or vine-covered cliffs), and use items that encourage exploration.
Embrace ACNH 3.0 Items: Use new items like the Lego items, Zelda items to make your island feel fresh and unique.