How to Upgrade House in Animal Crossing: A Guide to Crafting Your Dream Home and Why Turnips Might Be the Key to Happiness

Animal Crossing: New Horizons has captured the hearts of millions with its charming gameplay, relaxing atmosphere, and endless customization options. One of the most rewarding aspects of the game is upgrading your house, transforming it from a modest tent to a sprawling dream home. But how do you go about upgrading your house in Animal Crossing? And why do turnips seem to hold the secret to happiness? Let’s dive into the details.

Step 1: Start Small – Pay Off Your Initial Loan

When you first arrive on your island, you’ll be living in a humble tent. To upgrade to a house, you’ll need to speak with Tom Nook, the ever-enthusiastic raccoon who runs Resident Services. He’ll offer you a loan to upgrade your tent to a small house. The initial loan is 5,000 Nook Miles, which is relatively easy to pay off by completing tasks like catching fish, bugs, and selling items.

Pro Tip: Don’t rush to pay off your loan immediately. Take your time to explore the island, gather resources, and enjoy the early stages of the game. After all, Animal Crossing is about the journey, not just the destination.

Step 2: Expand Your Horizons – Upgrade Your House Multiple Times

Once you’ve paid off your first loan, Tom Nook will offer you the option to expand your house further. Each upgrade increases the size of your home, adding more rooms and storage space. Here’s a breakdown of the upgrades:

First Upgrade: Adds a main room with more space for furniture and decorations.
Second Upgrade: Adds a back room, perfect for creating a cozy bedroom or study.
Third Upgrade: Adds a left room, ideal for a kitchen or dining area.
Fourth Upgrade: Adds a right room, which could be a bathroom or hobby space.
Final Upgrade: Adds a second floor and an attic, giving you even more space to customize.

Each upgrade comes with a new loan, ranging from 98,000 Bells for the first expansion to a whopping 2,498,000 Bells for the final upgrade. It’s a long-term investment, but the satisfaction of having a fully upgraded home is worth it.

Step 3: Decorate and Customize – Make Your House a Home

Upgrading your house isn’t just about adding more rooms; it’s about making your home uniquely yours. Animal Crossing offers a wide range of furniture, wallpapers, and flooring options to help you create the perfect space. Here are some tips for decorating:

Themes: Choose a theme for each room, such as a cozy cabin, a modern minimalist design, or a tropical paradise.
DIY Recipes: Collect DIY recipes to craft unique furniture items. You can find recipes by shaking trees, popping balloons, or talking to villagers.
Custom Designs: Use the Custom Designs app to create your own patterns for clothing, wallpaper, and even furniture.

Fun Fact: Did you know that some villagers will give you furniture as gifts? Building strong relationships with your neighbors can lead to some amazing additions to your home.

Step 4: Maximize Your Income – The Turnip Market and Beyond

Paying off your loans requires a steady stream of Bells, and one of the most lucrative ways to earn money is through the Stalk Market. Every Sunday, Daisy Mae visits your island to sell turnips at varying prices. You can then sell these turnips throughout the week at Nook’s Cranny for a profit.

Turnip Tips:

Buy low, sell high. Turnip prices fluctuate daily, so keep an eye on the market.
Visit other players’ islands to sell your turnips at a higher price.
Be careful not to let your turnips spoil! They rot after a week, so sell them before the next Sunday.

Beyond turnips, there are plenty of other ways to earn Bells:

Fishing and Bug Catching: Some fish and bugs are worth a lot of Bells, especially rare ones.
Fossil Hunting: Dig up fossils, have them assessed by Blathers, and sell the duplicates.
Fruit Farming: Plant non-native fruit trees and sell the fruit for a higher profit.

Step 5: Unlock Storage Expansions – Keep Your Home Clutter-Free

As you upgrade your house, you’ll also gain access to storage expansions. This is a game-changer for players who love collecting items but don’t want their homes to feel cluttered. The final storage upgrade allows you to store up to 5,000 items, giving you plenty of space for all your treasures.

Storage Tips:

Use storage to keep seasonal items, like holiday decorations, until you need them.
Organize your storage by category (e.g., furniture, clothing, materials) to make it easier to find what you need.

Why Turnips Might Be the Key to Happiness

While upgrading your house is a major goal in Animal Crossing, the journey is just as important as the destination. The Stalk Market, with its unpredictable nature, adds an element of excitement and strategy to the game. It’s not just about making money; it’s about the thrill of the hunt, the camaraderie of trading with friends, and the satisfaction of turning a profit.

Turnips also symbolize the game’s core philosophy: patience and perseverance. Just like in real life, success in Animal Crossing requires hard work, smart decisions, and a little bit of luck. And when you finally pay off that last loan and stand in your fully upgraded home, you’ll realize that the journey was worth every Bell.

FAQs

Q: How long does it take to fully upgrade your house in Animal Crossing? A: It depends on how quickly you can earn Bells and pay off your loans. Some players can fully upgrade their house in a few weeks, while others take months.

Q: Can I change the exterior of my house? A: Yes! Once you’ve upgraded your house a few times, you can customize the exterior, including the roof, door, and siding.

Q: What happens if I don’t pay off my loan? A: Nothing bad happens if you don’t pay off your loan immediately. Tom Nook won’t charge interest, so you can take your time.

Q: Are turnips the best way to make money? A: Turnips can be very profitable, but they’re also risky. If you prefer a steadier income, focus on fishing, bug catching, and selling fruit.

Q: Can I visit other players’ islands to sell turnips? A: Yes! Visiting other islands is a great way to sell turnips at a higher price. Just make sure to ask for permission before visiting.