In Animal Crossing: New Horizons (ACNH), customizing your home’s exterior can greatly enhance your island’s aesthetic appeal. While you might be eager to change the outside of your house as soon as possible, it’s essential to understand the game’s progression and available options. This guide will walk you through when and how you can modify your house’s exterior in ACNH.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons, like its predecessors, follows a linear progression of unlocking customization options. You’ll need to progress through the game, interact with specific characters, and complete certain tasks before you can change the outside of your house.
Unlocking Residential Services
Your journey begins after completing the tutorial and becoming the island’s representative. Once you’ve spoken to Tom Nook about your island’s development, he’ll provide you with a residential services loan. This is a crucial stepping stone towards customizing your home’s exterior.
With the loan, you’ll receive a tent from Tom Nook to serve as your initial housing. Although this tent is replaceable, it sets the stage for your future dwellings and signifies your first significant progress in customizing your island life.
Saving and Upgrading
To start saving for your new home, you’ll need to contribute to your island’s development by paying off your loan and participating in island activities and events. Completing tasks for the museum, managing your deserves, and selling unwanted items are all viable ways to accumulate Bells, the in-game currency.
Once you’ve paid off your residential services loan, Tom Nook will offer you an upgrade to a house. Keep in mind that you’ll need to have a specific amount of Bells saved up before you can proceed with the upgrade. With each new home you obtain, you’ll gain access to exterior customization options.
Meeting with Tortimer
After moving into your new home, you’ll receive a note from Tom Nook informing you about a special visitor arriving on your island. This visitor is none other than Tom Nook’s elderly mentor, Tortimer. When Tortimer arrives, you can find him near Residential Services.
Upon speaking with Tortimer, he’ll reveal that he’s been monitoring your island’s development and will present you with a special gift: the ability to change the outside of your house. To unlock this feature, you’ll need to have fully paid off your residential services loan and have a home of your own.
Customizing Your Home’s Exterior
With Exterior Customization unlocked, you can finally start exploring the various customization options for your home’s exterior. Head to the Resident Services building and interact with the photo album on the counter to access the Customization options menu.
Here, you’ll find several categories, including “House Exterior,” where you can customize your roof color, wallpaper, and door. Each category offers a diverse range of visually appealing options, allowing you to create a unique and personalized exterior for your home.
Wallpaper and Roof Color
Wallpaper and roof color customization provide the foundation for your home’s appearance. Browse through the various options, which include a mix of classic and modern designs. Experiment with different combinations to create the perfect exterior for your home.
Keep in mind that some wallpaper and roof color options may require specific events, items, or Nook Miles to unlock. These restrictions ensure you’ll need to engage with the game’s various features before unlocking all exterior customization options.
Doors and Fencing
In addition to wallpaper and roof color, you can also customize your door and fencing. Doors are a highly visible aspect of your home’s exterior, making them an essential element of your customized look. Explore the various door styles, which range from traditional to whimsical, to find one that complements your island aesthetic.
Fencing is another exterior customization option that adds a touch of uniqueness to your home. Choose from a variety of materials, such as wood, stone, or metal, and select a style that best suits your home’s overall design.
Changing the outside of your house in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a rewarding journey that emphasizes progression and engagement with the game’s various features. By understanding when and how to unlock exterior customization, you can create a truly personalized island paradise. Happy customizing!
