The newest entry in the Animal Crossing series, New Horizons, introduced a robust crafting feature, allowing players to build and customize a ton of different items, from furniture to clothing and tools. There are a wide variety of things for you to create, allowing you to customize your island to your personal style and your heart’s content.
Some of these recipes are functional, while others are just straight-up cool. It can be hard to get your hands on the best recipes, but it’s worth the hunt. Here are the coolest DIY projects you can craft in New Horizons.
10 Succulent Plant
One person’s trash is another person’s treasure, they say. That’s the truth with New Horizons, where several trash items can be turned into great upcycled projects. The Succulent Plant is one of these upcycled treasures. To craft it, simply use an empty can fished up out of the water and ten clumps of weed.
The result is a colorful and beautiful new planter to spruce up the house. Saving the ocean, recycling, and adding a bit of greenery to your home — what else do you need? Your character will find inspiration for the DIY recipe after fishing up a couple of empty cans.
9 Outdoor Bath
Looking to add that perfect peaceful and meditative touch to your zen garden? Consider this Outdoor Bath, which is a great water feature for a variety of different situations. The recipe can be purchased with Nook Miles and will require 20 stone and a shovel.
The result is this beautiful stone pond with fitting accoutrements that can be placed anywhere you think it looks good. It can also be customized into different colors with a few Customization Kits, meaning it’ll match with any decor.
8 Golden Dung Beetle
If you’re looking for something a little less meditative and a little more humorous, consider crafting this terrible-yet-hilarious statue. The Golden Dung Beetle item can be crafted using three Gold Nuggets, and the recipe is found either on the beach in a message bottle or given to you by a villager.
The statue is a large dung beetle, complete with its spherical ball of dung, but in full golden glory. It’ll put Flick’s self-made bug models to shame.
7 Blossom-Viewing Lantern
Once a year, the annual sakura event takes place. Players typically love it, as it brings beautiful pink cherry blossom trees and pink petals that float through the air. Catch enough of those petals with your net, and you can use them to build a variety of gorgeous projects.
The best among them, arguably, is the Blossom-Viewing Lantern. This beautiful floral lantern casts a pink glow that makes nights on the island breathtaking, moreso than they already are. If you’re lucky enough to grab the recipe during the cherry blossom days, you can craft this project with four hardwood and six of the petals.
6 Pine Bonsai
If you want something a little more impressive than succulents, which anyone can raise, a bonsai might be right for you. The best bonsai tree in New Horizons is definitely the Pine Bonsai, which is a small carefully-curated pine tree that adds a touch of elegance to any room.
The recipe can be found in a variety of ways, including from message bottles. It’ll require five clay and eight pine cones. These can be found by shaking cedar trees during the fall months, which is also when the recipe will be available. You can then use that recipe plus a few other things to make the stunning Bonsai Shelf item.
5 Manga-Library Wall
Everyone likes to look as if they’re well-read when company comes over, and why should that be any different in a virtual world? The Manga-Library Wall can help you look as though you spend all your spare time consuming books and knowledge.
Sure, manga might not be your favorite, but no one can tell it’s only manga from just looking at it. Pretend it’s a fancy magazine that only rich people read or something. All it takes is ten magazines and the recipe, which can be found in a message bottle if you’re lucky.
4 Ironwood Kitchenette
This recipe has become the bane of many, and rightfully so. It’s a fantastic modern kitchen piece that will look nice in almost any home, but the recipes required for it seem to be non-existent for many people. It seems many have the actual Kitchenette recipe, but the Cutting Board and Ironwood Dresser required to make it are hard to find.
If you’re lucky enough to have everything required, it’ll be those two items, plus four wood and three iron.
3 The Zodiac Sets
If you’re playing in the evening and see Celeste wandering around your island, chances are there’s going to be a meteor shower that night. Start looking at the sky and pressing “A” when you see a shooting star, and star fragments may appear on your island the next day. These can be used for a variety of recipes, but some of the best are the Zodiac pieces given to you by Celeste herself.
These projects are based on the Zodiac signs, and they’re usually gold and look great. You’ll need the relevant horoscope fragments, so get wishing on those shooting stars!
2 Stall
One of the DIY recipes that can be purchased with Nook Miles in the town hall is the Stall. At first glance, this item just seems like a basic market stall. However, it can be customized into a variety of different colors, looks, and styles.
These can be used in so many ways (and have been by a ton of players). Create a small food festival, a market square, or even a gift shop for your museum. The possibilities are endless! You’ll need twelve wood to make this item.
1 Robot Hero
If you really want to show off to all your island visitors, flex on them with the Robot Hero. This large, hilariously-comical statue is a tough one to craft, but if you do, it’ll scream “I’m better than you but have no other hobbies but this game!”
The recipe can be purchased at the terminal in town hall for Nook Miles and will require a lot of hard-to-get items. You’ll need a Rocket, a Golden Armor, 10 gold nuggets and 90 iron nuggets. Additionally, you’ll need 30 Rusted Parts. This can be obtained one-at-a-time by helping Gulliver when he washes up on your beach. If you find his five communicator parts, a Rusted Part will show up in your island’s recycle bin the next day. But, it’s all worth it for this giant robot standing guard on your island.
NEXT: Animal Crossing: 5 Nintendo Characters We’d Want As Villagers (& 5 We Wouldn’t)
