30 ACNH Cottagecore Design Ideas: The Ultimate List
This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy something we may get a small commission at no extra cost to you. (Learn more).One of my favorite things about New Horizons is how players can decorate their islands pretty much however they want.
The cottagecore theme is one example that’s sweeping through the Animal Crossing community.
If you’ve already seen some of these islands then maybe you want to try this aesthetic for yourself (but just didn’t know how!)
Well I’ve got you covered here with some really incredible cottagecore designs, and even a little insight on how you can re-create some of these for yourself.
30. Mush River
When you want to kick back and relax, is there any better way than sitting on a giant mushroom by the river?
This cute little island gives me all the feels.
And you can make this too:
Collect your favorite custom designs for rustic paths and scatter them around the area. They don’t even have to be placed in a specific order.
Add some small sections of hedges along with some flowers placed throughout the area.
And don’t forget the giant mushroom, and of course the infamous mush lamps to complete the look.
29. Forest Core Circle Path
This little cottagecore area is the perfect addition to spice up your paths!
All you need is your favorite custom path design laid down, leaving a small grassy circle area in the middle.
Pop some shrubs in the middle with a bunch of flowers for color.
In this area they’ve even added a bunch of star fragments to make it look extra special.
This is such an easy way to add some character to a corner of your island. Any villager would love to wake up in this part of town.
28. Mush Dining Area
I simply love this little dining space, from its mushroom stools to its scattered leaf piles.
And it’s pretty easy to make too!
All you need is a small cliff area to work with. Add your favorite incline and a wooden flooring custom design.
Then add the ironwood kitchenette to blend into the vibe, although you’ll need the cutting board DIY to be able to craft this.
Now just spin a fireplace around so it’s backwards and you’ve got yourself a practical little shelving area!
Finish by adding some trees and plants to compliment the space.
27. Rocky Path
This cottage core path is the perfect idea if you’ve got a small space on your island, and just not sure what to do with it.
All you need is a custom design for some stepping stones, and rocks to form a path.
Add a whole host of cedar and hardwood trees scattered around, and you can also plant some flowering shrubs.
Of course, you’ll need a little wooden sign pointing your island residents in the right direction. You can also use jail bars to decorate this area.
Finish by adding a cute little seating area just in case anyone needs to take a well-deserved break during their woodland hike.
26. Flower Hill
This gorgeous area is what flower lover’s dream about.
If you want to create your own flower-filled cliffs, well here’s how!
Start by creating a few tiers of cliffs and adding waterfalls wherever makes sense.
On the very top cliff, cover this area in all types of yellow flowers, although you can use any color you like.
Finish by adding lots of wooden items and your favorite seating so you can kick back and look over your creation.
25. Hidden Hangout
This cottagecore-themed hideout is the best relaxation area. Invite your friends over for a much-needed catchup in this adorable little hidden seating space.
You can create this by adding an incline step leading down into a sunken space, and then add some custom brick designs for your flooring.
To start decorating, you can add a series of wooden furniture and piles of books.
Surround the area with tons of yellow and white flowers. You can then add some wedding candles to give it that truly cottage vibe.
I can’t help but notice the wedding cake on the table too. The colors tie in with the theme perfectly. And who doesn’t love cake?
24. Bridge Through the Forest
This beautiful design is like something straight out of a postcard. With its winding rivers and cascading waterfalls, it would make a great addition to any island.
You can create this masterpiece by terraforming just a few cliffs and adding waterfalls running through them.
Meet all the waterfalls together in a river flowing through your island.
Fill the rest of the area with a mix of cedar and hardwood trees, and place a wooden bridge across the main cliffs connecting the two together.
Complete the look by adding some plants and rustic items. And don’t forget to add a bike for spontaneous rides through the forest.
23. Rustic Farming
This farming area was made for villagers with a green thumb.
If you want to keep your gardening skills fresh, why not create this fantastic farming area for yourself?
All you need are some panels that you can customize to look like a barn. You can also add barrels and a fire oven outside.
The seating area was created with host of log tables and hay beds, with cute little place settings. This area is destined to be a treat with your villagers.
Maybe even design this around one of your villager’s homes. Anyone on your island ever wanted a farm?
22. Reading Area
How amazing is this cottagecore reading area?
You can create your own area like this by adding some wooden furniture to your favorite part of your island.
Add some custom paths to bring the area to life, and don’t forget to add stacks of books too.
Popping in some flowers to this area is a definite, but be sure to add plenty of barrels to fit in with your island aesthetic.
Of course, you can’t forget that every reading area needs a wooden mallard!
21. Stone Arch
This design is super simple to make, but looks amazingly complex!
It’s such a good idea for filling small spaces on your island.
You can get this look by placing a stone arch between two of your cliffs. Make sure you have a winding waterfall coming down the cliffside to tie the whole look together.
Take care to add some custom stone designs to the grass to take your design to the next level.
Finish with some shrubs, log furniture, and leaf piles, and you’ve got yourself the perfect cottagecore waterfall nook.
20. Private Lake
Hit your cottagecore goals by creating your very own lake dock right outside your front door.
There’s nothing quite like stepping and taking part in some early morning fishing, or taking a seat and reading until the sun goes down.
Add some waterfalls to the side and let them flow right into the lake around your home for that extra cozy vibe.
Then decorate your dock area with some log seating and tables, and don’t forget to add a fishing rod so you’re always ready to cast a line.
Lastly, make sure you have plenty of trees filling the area too.
19. Cottagecore Cranny
Channel your inner cottagecore with this super cute Nook’s Cranny design.
A bunch of aesthetically pleasing custom designs have been used on the ground around the store to make it look extra special.
If you’re going to try this design yourself, make sure to add plenty of plants around the store and surrounding area. Different styles. You can also add some flowering shrubs too!
Maybe toss in a barrel and a birdcage to really tie in with that old country theme.
You can also add a cute seating area outside. An iron bench or log bench would be perfect to bring the whole look together.
And if you want even more Nook’s Cranny ideas then check out our list of suggestions!
18. Hearty Lake
How amazing is this heart-shaped lake?
Dig a heart shape out with your river building tool, then be sure to add lots of custom paths swirling around the area.
You can add lots of flowers and shrubs around the lake too.
Lastly, place an iron bench next to the lake so you can enjoy the weather. Maybe with a lover?
17. Forest Picnic
Keep your woodland picnics pretty as a postcard with this super cute design.
Using two tree trunks as seats, you can then add a wooden table – making this a perfect spot for hosting forest tea parties.
Be sure to scatter spare acorns around too. You can also leave any weeds that grow, which is the easiest way to decorate.
Custom flooring designs can also be added, or flowers and wooden planks to take your cottage core vibes to the next level.
16. Sunken Library
This sunken library is making all of my cottagecore dreams come true.
Set your house within a cliff side and create your own living space in your front yard.
Add some custom carpet designs and drop a charming seating area on top, with wooden furniture and tree trunk stools. I’m also digging that umbrella stand.
You can add lots of teapots and cakes too, for any visitors that may blow your way. Because who doesn’t love snacks right?
Up on top of the cliff you can add lots of bookshelves to create the ultimate library vibes. You can also prop some art up around the area too.
Use your own custom art, or use some of the fakes you bought from Redd in the past.
15. Antique Island
This multilevel cliff design looks absolutely amazing.
If you love antique stores, then definitely add this into your island.
Just add a wooden table and chair to the center land mass you dig up. It’s a perfect location to set up a reading area, or maybe even a little painting space.
Fill the cliff edges with a host of antique and wooden items, along with a series of plants too.
You can illuminate the area with some mushroom lamps and it’ll look fantastic in the evening!
14. Laundry Area
Ever thought about how those villagers without washing machines clean their clothes?
Well, why not set up this vintage laundry area for them?
All you need is plenty of washing lines and old-fashioned washtubs.
Organize them out next to the lake and add to the look with barrels and hay beds too.
You can also add a clay oven and some bamboo trees to tie in with the theme.
Lastly, you can add a custom flooring design to create those wooden planks leading to the lake.
13. Market Core
This market what cottagecore was meant to be.
You can create you very own market like this by adding custom stalls with your old-world-y designs.
If don’t have any designs you can use, just speak to Sable a lot. Over time she will warm up to you and give you additional designs.
You can fill your stalls with any kid of products you like. But be sure to line your paths with some wooden fences to keep the theme alive.
Finish by adding the tree’s bounty arch and a custom market sign.
Soon it will be the busiest market on the island!
12. Outdoor Office
The custom flooring here really takes this design to the next level.
Pick your favorite brick flooring design and prepare the groundwork for your office area.
Grab yourself a fireplace and spin it around to create the perfect desk. You can also add stacks of books and scattered papers to really set the scene.
Pick up some simple panels and customize them with designs made to look like file drawers for that creative look.
And don’t forget to add a plant or two, because let’s face it: everyone needs a plant in their office!
11. Village Core
How cute is this little village area?
You can do this by filling the area around your home with trees, shrubs, and flowers. The classic cottagecore way.
Decorate the area with some mush lamps to illuminate this super cute villager area on an evening.
And use wooden inclines to really tie in with the theme. You can also cram in more stuff this way.
You can even add small details like those awesome wreaths you can give to villagers.
10. Campsite Picnics
Make your island the ultimate place to camp this season with this gorgeous cottagecore space.
Start by creating a custom campsite sign to let your villagers know what this area is all about.
Add a custom design to create your blanket, and place a host of items on top such as books, picnic items, or even a ukulele.
You can add a bunch of mushroom items to tie in with the forest theme, along with a washing line. That way your campers have somewhere to hang their laundry!
Most importantly, don’t forget the campfire and those marshmallow sticks. Can you smell s’mores?
9. Yellow Flower Road
Follow the yellow flower road!
How perfect is this bridge area? Cross over into cottagecore heaven with this gorgeous design idea.
You’ll need custom designs for the stone floorings to make this super cute set up, then add a stone bridge and watch this look come to life before your very eyes.
Don’t forget to add a bunch of fruit trees, and also some evergreen trees mixed in.
You can also add wooden fencing scattered around, no particular order.
8. Gardens and Orchards
These tiny little gardens are the best way to breed hybrid flowers quickly.
Planting flowers in 3×3 grids leaving spaces between each flower gives you the best chances of growing rare colored flowers of your own.
And keep them within these cute wooden fence garden areas to stop them from being trampled.
You can also achieve the orchard look by lining up your fruit trees and laying down paths between each line.
Make signposts for your gardens and orchard area for the final cherry on top.
7. Campsite Core
This campsite may be the best cottagecore style yet. It has everything a camper could need, from a roaring campfire to an inviting dining area.
To create your own amazing campsite between the cliffs, start by adding your favorite path designs.
Then add a blanket design and lots of wooden log furniture.
Of course, you can’t forget to add the campfire. Those log benches really complete the space.
Finish by adding lots of flowers and using tiki torches to light up your paths.
6. Able Sisters Cottagecore
Turn your Able Sisters into a cottagecore haven with this front yard idea.
You can create this by sectioning off an area around your store using a wooden fence and laying down a wooden style flooring.
Be sure to add a table and some chairs so your villagers can take a relaxing break outside. After all, clothes shopping is hard work!
You can also add a laundry area close to your store too. It fits the theme, right?
I’m sure Mabel and Sable will be thrilled with their new shop entryway!
5. Hiking Path
What better way to get a good look over your island than with a hike along your cliff edges?
You can decorate these paths in any way you like:
You could start by adding a bunch of custom floor designs, such as log slices and flowers. Or make it a bit dirtier with dirt paths.
Be sure to add lots of flowers to decorate the edges, and also some wooden fencing too.
And it wouldn’t be complete without a bunch of evergreen trees to give it that forest feel.
4. Cottagecore Forest Bridge
Create this ultimate forest bridge area: the perfect addition to your cottage core island.
All you need to do is show off your terraforming skills by building a series of cliffs and waterfalls circling your bridge.
Have your waterfalls running into the river that flows through your island, then you can add a wooden bridge to bring together the central focus point.
Make sure to plant plenty of cedar and hardwood trees, along with some shrubs too.
You can also add some custom paths and a bunch of barrels to complete the area.
And finally, don’t forget to add some old-timey lamp posts to light up the way on a dark evening.
3. Forest Diner
Check out this diner idea locating deep in the forest.
It has everything you need to indulge in a light bite in the middle of a hike.
Here’s how to make it:
Start with an area on your island that’s overrun with trees.
Nestle away a host of items such as coffee machines and fire ovens for any wanderers who may stop by for a snack.
Don’t forget to create a small seating area tucked close together too, and maybe a small sink & cutting board. And of course a wooden signpost to let everyone know where the food is.
2. Pumpkin Patch
Bring some cottagecore vibes to your yard with this fantastic design.
Create the ultimate pumpkin patch and bring those autumn vibes into any villagers front yard (anyone else dig that coffee table area?)
Just lay down some custom wooden plank designs, and also a pathway leading straight up to your front door.
Add some wooden furniture outside, and lots of pumpkin items!
Finish by adding a fireplace and a stack of books to pull the whole look together. Then mix in some old-timey cottagecore items wherever you want.
1. Cottagecore Entrance
This is such a perfect entrance to your island, guaranteed to wow any visitors that step foot of the plane.
And if you want a whole cottagecore island, what better way to start than with your entrance area?
I love that custom rock path leading deep into the island, and there’s even an adorable custom sign.
You’ll need to lay out some wooden fences to guide into your island, so if you try this make sure you plant plenty of trees too.
Maybe even throw in a few related items like a clothesline or an old mailbox. Just for good measure.