Tips & Tricks for Decorating in Stardew Valley 👨🏻‍🌾🌻

Are you struggling with a messy farm in Stardew Valley? 👨‍🌾 Or are you simply looking for some inspiration for your current or next farm/project? Well, look no further! - In this step-by-step guide, I will share all of my best tips and tricks to help you improve your decorating skills and hopefully provide some inspiration for your next farm or decorating project!

Introduction ✨

Estimated reading time: 3-4 min.⏳

The highlight of my Stardew Valley "decorating career" so far. 🐷


Welcome to my guide on decorating in Stardew Valley! ☀️ In this step-by-step guide, I'll share with you my best tips and tricks for making your farm look amazing. Whether you're a new player or a veteran farmer, this guide has something for everyone.

Read along and I'll (hopefully🤞) show you how to take your decorating skills to the next level, or at least provide some inspiration.

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Important mention 1: This guide will contain some spoilers, as it showcases different areas and items of the game.

Important mention 2: I will most likely keep updating this guide to correct any writing and formatting errors (as this is my first and only guide I've ever written😊), add additional ideas and tips as they come to mind, and of course, share any beautiful and creative farms or decorations I come across as time progresses.
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Small storytime ✨
Not too long ago, I found myself frustrated with my farm looking like a mess, especially with buildings piling up in one corner and my lack of imagination to solve the issue. I really wanted to do something about it, so I started researching ways to become better at decorating. I began comparing some of the most beautiful farms in Stardew Valley that I could find and noticed some common traits among them, which eventually turned into this guide. I will highlight some of these traits and other findings I discovered on my small quest to improve my ability to make a really cool looking farm in Stardew.


My origin of love for farming games dates all the way back to the early 2010s. The nostalgia!🥹


Why decorate to begin with? 💭
You may wonder why bother decorating in the first place? After all, it doesn't really serve any important purpose in the game other than to make things "look nice", and it can be quite time-consuming to say the least!


I'll explain you why 👇🏽
Racing through the storyline, placing coops and barns left, right, and center, not paying attention to cindersap forest, trying to reclaim half of your farmland in the bottom area can quickly make your farm look like a wasteland. And just wait until you have to find available space for the slime hutch... yikes! Don't get me wrong, there is definitely no way you can play this game wrong, and you should keep on playing the exact playstyle that you find the most joy from.


So much fun!🥳
Decorating in Stardew Valley can truly be an enjoyable experience. It's a wonderful way to relax and forget about some of the daily chores (maybe I should go check on those cows I stopped milking two seasons ago, before they start a riot/cowpocalypse🐄), especially during winter when there isn't much else to do.


Timesaver 📅
Time is really of an essence in Stardew Valley. Having a neat and organized farm with paths, well light areas etc. can save you a ton of time in the long run.


Showing off 😎
This one should be taken with a grain of salt, no but seriously what more satifsying than creating something unique and beautiful and sharing it on the interwebs to farm some of those sweet sweet internet points.


The best part 🥇
And I haven't even told you the best part yet. You're not limited to just decorating your farm. You can decorate nearly any area in the game, such as the beach, the community center, the quarry, the bus stop, the train station, the desert, Ginger Island, and much, much more.

Cindersnap forest given new life by redditor papikipp


Bring new life to the game 🌱
There are several ways to bring more life to the game, such as building a beach resort by Willy, adding some decorations to the Dwarf's cave, setting up a community garden for the villagers, or taking on the wholesome task of restoring the Hat Mouse's old cottage. 🐭


Instant nomination for hero of the valley goes to reddit user CatBobber


However⚠️, before you start your decorating project outside of your farm, it's important to keep in mind that NPC-characters will destroy any decorations they walk into. So, make sure to research their walk paths beforehand.

Once again, I want to welcome you to this guide and without further ado, let's dive into my best tips and tricks to help you become better at decorating in Stardew Valley! 👇🏼

1. Getting inspired 💡

Estimated reading time: 5 min.⏳

Decorating your farm can be a fun and rewarding aspect of the game, but it can also be overwhelming to come up with new ideas and inspiration for how to decorate your space.

Fortunately, there are many resources available both within the game and outside of it that can help you find creative ideas for decorating your farm. In this section, we will explore some of the best places to look for inspiration.

New beginning 🌄
Loading up a new game can be quite uninspiring. Your farm is a mess and it's entirely up to you to decide what kind of farm you want to create. Sometimes I Imagine it as a blank canvas, and its up to me what kind of 'painting' I want to create.

Time for some garden warfare. ⚔️


Reddit 🤖
Undoubtedly, Reddit is the best platform to find inspiration and gather ideas for decorating. With access to literally thousands of pictures of individuals' farms, browsing through them can provide a great starting point.

r/FarmsofStardewValley is definitely the OGs when it comes to Stardew Valley decorations.


Google images 🌐
I'm not sure about you, but looking at this picture makes me eager to visit "the one who shall not be named" store, purchase all the flower seeds I possibly can, and plant them everywhere on my farm.

Tulip field, Netherlands.


Youtube ▶️
Sit back and relax while you watch some excellent YouTube videos on improving your decorating skills.

In before closing this guide and heading over to Youtube instead... lol!


Don't reinvent the wheel 🎡
You don't have to reinvent the wheel! Look for inspiration and ideas from other people. There's no harm in 'borrowing' beautiful designs created by others. For me, it's akin to building Lego sets and following the instructions step-by-step, which can be incredibly satisfying!


Browse the catalogues 🔎
It can be as simple as just browsing Pierre's and Robins catalogue. When I get stuck or lack inspiration, I found that browsing through the catalogue and seeing what different options I have to choose from can really help!


Buy everything! 🛒🛍️
Once your money starts accumulating, don't forget to purchase crafting recipes and furniture from various merchants around the valley. The catalogues don't offer all the available decorations, so there's a whole range of options to discover. You never know when you'll come up with a brilliant decorating idea that requires something new, so it's worth having a stock of diverse decorations at your disposal.



Chest dedicated for decorative items only
Consider setting up a chest(s) exclusively for decorative items. For example, if you plan to design, lets say a grape plantation on your farm but don't know where to begin, you can gather all the suitable items in this chest, such as barrels, kegs, grape starters, stone paths, grass starters, lamp posts, wooden and stone fences, and so on. This approach is similar to brainstorming and can be very effective I find!


Short summary ✍
In summary, the steps I would reccomend for starting any new kind of farm project would be as follows:

1. Check Reddit: Firstly, I would check on Reddit to see if anyone else has attempted something similar.

2. Browse pictures: Then, I would browse pictures of real-life places similar to what I am attempting to create on Google.

3. Gather materials: Next, I would place a chest near the area where I plan to begin building and gather all the necessary items. I would furthermore explore the catalogue and crafting recipes to determine what options I have available.

4. Take notes: Lastly, throughout this process, I would take notes to keep track of any good ideas or small little details that come to mind during this process.

I really hope these steps can help you in your future decorating endeavors.



Next up, we'll cover the planning phase.

2. Planning 🗺️

Estimated reading time: 1-2 min.⏳


Okay, before you begin your new farm or decorating project, it's important to plan your layout first. This doesn't have to be a perfect plan, but a rough sketch can be a helpful starting point. Planning ahead will help you make the most of your space and make your decorating efforts more efficient.

Reddit user -sxra- genuinely made me laugh with this one.

Additionally, I also really recommend taking notes during the planning process as you come up with good ideas for what kind of projects and decorations you want to incorporate on your farm.

Mine could look like this:

• Zen garden area with fish ponds ☯️
  
• Outdoor chessboard ♟️
  
• Flower garden area with beehives 🐝
  
• A fruit tree farm area 🍎
  
• Etc...

Now, this is truly some brilliant creativity shown by Redditor Akaed


Central point
Consider establishing a central point, or a "farm hub" as I like to call it. It can serve as a reference point for navigating your farm. I find this method helpful in determining the direction of my decorating and deciding which area to work on next.


Central point beautifully showcased by reddit user StardewValleyTanner.


Stardew Planner
Furthermore, Stardew Planner is an excellent tool which helps you to plan out your farm easily and make it possible to test different Stardew Valley layouts with ease. 10/10 would recommend using.



Next on the agenda: choosing a theme.

3. Theme 🏞️

Estimated reading time: 2-3 min.⏳

Choosing a farm theme right from the beginning is not a do-or-die decision in my opinion, as the game naturally changes over time as you clear more of your available farmland, buy buildings, come up with new ideas, find inspiration, and more importantly, get more money to splurge on decorations. But it can definitely serve as a guide or a starting point.

Absolute stunning Versailles themed farm made by redditor DippyWallop ⛲

Quick sidenote: 👉🏼 Just to illustrate my point about finding inspiration. Just take a brief moment and look up "Versailles" on Google and see how powerful a source of inspiration it can be!


Tropical paradise made by redditor oOHITMANOo 🏝️

Making money 💰
It can honestly be really tough to find the perfect balance between making your farm profitable, utilizing space efficiently, and creating a farm that is visually appealing. Trying to harmonize these factors can be quite a challenge, as simply filling a shed with kegs may bring in lots of profits, but it may end up looking, well like a shed full of kegs.

Navigating this tradeoff can be tricky, but as you progress through the game, you may find that the importance of making money becomes less significant, making it easier to focus on the creative aspect of your farm.

Lovely Valentines theme by redditor Birdee72 💘



A wild, forest-themed farm can be so charming! Big👍 to redditor Xianji 🌲🌲🌲


Now let's turn our attention to one of the really important topics

4. Symmetry & Asymmetry ⚖️

Estimated reading time: 3-4 min. ⏳

Very much related to making a central point on your farm, I'd like to give some thought to symmetrical and asymmetrical builds. I think knowing about this can really give you a significant advantage and bring your decorating skills to the next level ⬆️

Think of symmetry as the older brother who always follows the rules and does everything perfectly. He is well-behaved, organized, and predictable. On the other hand, asymmetry is like the younger brother who can be a bit wild and unpredictable. He might look messy and do things differently, but he can also be exciting and interesting to be around.

Symmetry 😇
Creating something symmetrical can look really cool, and certainly also be an eye-catcher!

Making a perfectly symmetrical build or shape in Stardew Valley can be a little challenging to get right the first time, especially if you are using trees, as you'll have to wait for them to grow. But I promise it can be so rewarding to see your farm or project come to life and develop into what you had envisioned.

Two beautiful symmetrical hearts mirrored by redditor Hawkster78 💞


A circle is an example of a symmetrical shape. 🔵

If you draw a line down the middle of a circle, dividing it into two equal halves, both halves will be identical mirror images of each other. This is true no matter how the circle is positioned, because it has rotational symmetry - you can rotate the circle around its center point and it will still look the same.

Almost a symmetrical circle made by redditor Cirkel_Slapfishhh. But again, it's Stardew Valley, nothing have to be perfect.


Asymmetry 😈
Asymmetry is so exciting because it adds an element of unpredictability and surprise. Like a maze, it creates a sense of discovery and exploration as you navigate through the design. The lack of symmetry makes it more interesting and engaging, as the eye is drawn to unique shapes and unexpected details. This creates a dynamic and visually appealing experience.

Higly unpractical 😂 but such a unique maze-like farm, with so much going on at the same time by redditor ayyyyyy11.


Both symmetry and asymmetry have their strengths and weaknesses. Symmetry can make your farm look balanced and peaceful, while asymmetry can make it look more exciting and dynamic. It's up to you to decide which approach you prefer and what kind of feeling you want to show off with your farm design, or heck, what not play around with both?


Winnie the pooh must be just around the corner with this much honey to go around! 🍯🐝 anyways, beautiful shape by redittor Coolbeansx23.


There are endless ways you can show off symmetrical/asymmetrical shapes in Stardew using beehives, crop fields, flowers, trees just to name a few.


On to the next topic we go! And thank you for reading this far - I really appreciate your time. 🙏🏼

5. Crops & Buildings 🌾

Estimated reading time: 3-4 min.⏳

Crops and livestock are often the backbone of every farm in Stardew Valley. By being mindful of how you use these, you can maximize their potential and create a thriving and aesthetically pleasing farm that brings in a steady stream of income.

Livestock and buildings 🐄
My best advice would be to plan ahead and find a designated area for each building before constructing them. Placing four deluxe barns to farm pig truffles can be really profitable, but finding an appropriate spot for them can be a challenge on its own.

Creating a pen area in front of your barn or coop can be a great way to improve the visual appeal of these buildings. Adding fences and gates to this area not only provides a practical space to keep your animals fenced in, but also looks great on your farm!

Really well thought out pen system by reddit user Mumbles74

Crops 🌽🍓🍈
Crops is obviously one of the primary ways to generate income in Stardew Valley. The type of crops change by season, and thus also the colors. The choice between creating a large field of crops to maximize profit or opting for a more natural look with paths and decorations in between is ultimately up to you to decide.


Pretty much every crop in Stardew Valley showcased by redditor Narwharkenny. Or maybe there is something missing? 🕵🏼 Okay, I'm not counting 😂


There is plenty of opportunity to play around with different kinds of field patterns, colors, integrate sprinklers, and different kinds of scarecrows.


Perfect illustration of utilizing crops as a decorative element by Redditor Fyrenza

Mega Crops
You can create mega crops using crops like melons, cauliflower, and pumpkins. These crops will remain in your fields throughout the seasons and can serve as fantastic decorative elements to add a touch of charm to your farm.

It's worth noting that Mega Crops can only be grown in the Summer and Fall seasons, and they cannot be grown in the Greenhouse or on the Beach farm.

Another great tip to keep in mind is that you can use deluxe water retainers to reduce the number of sprinklers needed on your farm. By doing this, you can create a more natural-looking farm with additional space to add decorative crops such as flowers.

Beautiful corn maze by reddit user bog_slut420

Talking of.. cornfields hehe.. ...Why did the scarecrow win an award?

... Because he was out-standing in his field!

Next up is colors

6. Colors 🎨

Estimated reading time: 3-4 min.⏳

Alright, let's talk about colors! This is a crucial aspect of decorating as it can significantly impact the overall appearance and atmosphere of your farm or decorating project. It's essential to pay close attention to the colors you choose. Opt for colors that complement each other and work together to create a cohesive and balanced look.

Amazing creativity by redditor calypsobound.

The color wheel 🌈
Learn about the color wheel. The color wheel is a diagram of colors that provides a useful illustration of what colors match and what colors don't work well together.

Primary colors:

• Red 🍅
  
• Blue 💎
  
• Yellow 🌽

Secondary colors:

• Green 🥬
  
• Orange 🍊
  
• Purple 🍇

Secondary and tertiary colors:

• Yellow-orange
  
• Red-orange 🍅 + 🍊
  
• Red-purple 🍅 + 🍇
  
• Blue-purple 💎 + 🍇
  
• Blue-green 💎 + 🥬
  
• Yellow-green🌽 + 🥬

Beautiful display of colors by reddit user... just kidding, this one is actually made by me.

Match primary colors
The concept of matching is also called "color harmony," which is achieved when colors create a pleasing effect. Red, yellow and blue always go well together. These colors are bold and eye-catching.

Match complementary colors
Look at the color wheel and pick any color, then move your finger to the color just opposite. Colors opposite on the wheel are complementary colors. When you place them next to each other, they help each other stand out and the combination looks appealing.
Complementary colors of the same brightness and hue will always work well together.
Popular complementary combinations include blue and orange, purple and yellow, and green and pink.

Warm and cool colors 🔥❄️
Warm colors like yellow, orange, and red are on one side of the color wheel, and cool colors like blue, green, purple are on the other side. Any color can have an element of warmth or coolness depending on what is mixed in.

Oh, and I almost forgot to mention, to those of you who don't know, you can change the color of any fully upgraded building free of charge by visiting Robin 👇

What more fitting way to conclude the color paragraph than with this colorful picture, by redditor Sparkleskeleton?


Without further ado, let's move on to lights and paths

7. Light & Paths 🕯️

Estimated reading time: 1-2 min.⏳


Shoutout to redditor Proof-Square7528 for creating a scene worthy of a western. 🤠


Look for the light 🔥
A really usefull tip of mine is to put torches around most of the valley. How many times have we not found ourselves sprinting back from the mines at 01:30 AM. in pitch darkness. Prevent this by placing torches strategically, such as behind bushes and trees, to attain the desired lighting effect while minimizing the visual impact of spamming torches around the valley.

Amazing job of 'lighting up the town' by reddit user papikipp 👍

Paths 👣
Paths can such a crucial aspect of your farm, serving as a means of linking all of your various buildings and areas together. Additionally, don't underestimate the time saved by having well-constructed paths from point A to point B, rather than having to navigate through weeds and zig-zagging trees.

A perfect example of how paths can be used to connect your farm and make a cohesive look, by Reddit user Xianji


Next up is feedback! 🗣️

8. Feedback 📸

Estimated reading time: 1-2 min.⏳

Take screenshots
Regularly taking screenshots of your farm is a great way to keep track of your progress and stay motivated as you work towards your goals. By looking back at your screenshots over time, you can compare, see how far you've come and gain a sense of accomplishment from all the hard work you've put in.



Interesting photo session of redditor GoDammitJim and Haley, to say the least (ง◉_◉)ง


Ask for advice
Another great way to use your screenshots is to share them with others and ask for feedback. Posting pictures of your farm on social platforms like Reddit can be a great way to get ideas and inspiration from other players. You can ask for suggestions on how to improve your farm, or simply share your progress and see what others think.

In addition to social media, you can also show your screenshots to friends and family members and ask for their opinions. They may be able to offer a fresh perspective and give you ideas that you hadn't thought of before. Overall, regularly taking screenshots and sharing them with others can be a fun and rewarding way to enhance your Stardew Valley experience.

And finally, I saved some of the most entertaining for last

9. Item displays & Chest rooms 🏆

Estimated reading time: 1-2 min.⏳

Item displays
Designing a space to showcase items can be so much fun! particularly during the late game when you've finished the museum and most of the main storyline. It's almost as embarking on a brand new quest of your own, with the added benefit of being able to create something truly stunning and impressive at the same time.

This is truly some dedication shown by reddit user oOFerris_BuellerOo



Chest Room
Gathering and organizing items from all around the valley can be an enjoyable task. Not only can you take pride in your collections, but also categorizing and arranging them in your chests can provide a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. You can sort them by type, rarity, season, or any other criteria that you find useful, making it easy to locate and use them later.

Beautiful, neat and tidy chest room by reddit user RY-en

Moreover, a well-organized chest system can be a huge time-saver in the long run. By keeping similar items in the same chest, you can quickly find what you need without having to waste precious minutes searching for it. This is particularly helpful when you need to grab something in a hurry.

In addition to being practical, organizing your chest can be a creative outlet for your inner artist. You can use different colors and patterns of chests, arrange them in different formations, and add decorative elements like signs, plants, and lamps. All it takes is a little bit of imagination and creativity.

10. Indoor House 🏠

Under construction.👷‍♂️🚧

Comming soon.™

11. Trees & Foliage 🌳

Looks like Robinson Crusoe will be stranded here any day now. Designed by me 🏝️


Tea bushes🍵🍃
Tea bushes may not provide the same visual density as grass, but they have the advantage of not disappearing during winter. You can also consider planting them in pots throughout your farm or using them as natural fences to add some variety to your arsenal of fencing possibilities.

I also like to integrate the natural bushes that appear at the start of the game into my farm decorating. However, it's important to know that once these bushes are cut down, they won't grow back, so it's good to keep that in mind.

Fruit trees 🌳🍒
When I have enough money, I buy all the fruit trees in bulk and plant them around my farm as if they were normal trees. They can serve as a unique decoration with a wide variety of colors. And the inner forager in me loves to run around the farm plucking all the fruits in the different seasons.

I absolutely love the idea of creating a fruit tree plantation, especially since I'm currently on the beach farm and my available space for farming is very limited. A fruit plantation can be an excellent way to fill space and create a beautiful landscape.

Cherry trees are my favorite!


Grass 🌿
Same as with the fruit trees, I tend to buy as many grass starters as I possibly can, as you can never have too many, especially with all the grass dying at the start of winter.

👉🏼 A really good tip of mine is to plant grass starters at the beginning of winter. Seemingly, they don't appear to spread at all, but actually, they are "stealth growing." By the start of spring, you'll have a farm full of lush, green grass that is both pretty and a source of food for your farm animals.

I also like to add an extra touch and incorporate some of the house plants found in the catalog into my grass. They provide a pretty and exciting variety to the landscape.

Final thoughts 🏁

Estimated reading time: 2 min.⏳

Procastination
Of course, at the beginning of any playthrough, the biggest priority is making money and creating an efficient farm, but it's a slippery slope. Before you know it, you've finished the main story, start decorating, only to realize the game feels a little empty without the thrill of what the next quest has to offer you or what area of the game you can unlock next.

Allow yourself to take your foot off the pedal as you start getting a steady income, slow down, and start having fun with decorating.

Learn from my mistake: I only got the idea to decorate the cave entrance after I had already unlocked the Skull Cavern, the Ginger Island volcano, and almost finished the Monster Slayer goal. As a result, I really had no incentive to actually go there and enjoy the work I had done.

Experimentation
Don't be afraid to experiment and try new things when decorating your farm. You never know what might look great until you try it, so have fun, get creative, and don't worry about being perfect.

Rome was not built in a single day, and Stardew Valley is all about having fun, relaxing, and enjoying yourself. Mix and match different styles and elements to create a unique look that reflects your personality and style.

Thank you for taking the time to read my guide and reaching the end! I sincerely hope that it has been helpful to some of you and that it can improve your experience of the wonderful game that is Stardew Valley.

Wishing you all the best.

~ Basspower
ε(´｡•᎑•`)っ 💕


Edit: I have many additional ideas and tips, or maybe some of you have something that I missed, that I can add to this guide. However, I just want to make sure whether there is anyone remotely interested in this type of content before investing more time into it ᵔᵕᵔㅤ

Last updated: 28-03-2023

Farm / Decoration Ideas MEGALIST 🧠

Under construction.👷‍♂️🚧

Comming soon.™

[Dexx Labs]

Awesome guide, thank you

[Kairo hehe]

Nice guide!!

[Thing]

I am surprised you had the patience to make this guide. Good job!

[Snap Dragon]

Amazing and inspiring, thank you for writing

[Amumununu]

Impossibly excellent guide, thank you

[bearhiderug]

Extremely good guide.
I enjoyed the read.