The Happy Home Academy or the HHA is a group that critiques homes in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, kind of like an HOA. However, this academy exclusively rates the indoor style of a home. There are plenty of things that can get players docked scores, and sometimes it can feel like a bit of a guessing game. Here are some things to try to score an S rank and gain a gold trophy!

Try out Feng Shui

Feng Shui is a Chinese system of spatial organization. It is a geomantic practice through decoration that is meant to create a flow of energy through a room. It can be a bit abstract at times, but there are tons of different ways it can be used.

Things that promote Feng Shui:

  • SymmetryNeutral/Calming ColorsSpacious areasBalanced Ying and Yang

These things can vary a bit from person to person and room to room. For instance, in a bedroom, the bed shouldn’t line up directly with the doorway. Instead, it should be slightly off to one side or the other of the path from the door into the room. For other rooms, it will be whatever the main object is, but in general, having a clear path for rooms from one doorway to the next is highly sought after.

Add Lucky Items to Rooms

If Feng Shui still isn’t enough to boost a player’s score, they can add lucky items to all of the rooms in their home. Each lucky item will add 777 points to the overall score a home receives. Some lucky items are lucky all year long, while others are specific to a certain season. These are all of the lucky items and their time of year:

Always Lucky Items:

  • ACNH Nintendo SwitchCrescent-Moon ChairGold Bug TrophyGold Fish TrophyGold HHA TrophyGold Rose WreathGolden CandlestickJingle’s PhotoKanji TeeKatanaKoiLeft Lucky CatLucky Black CatLucky CatLucky CloverLucky Gold CatPicture of VillagersPop-Eyed GoldfishRingRobot Hero

Seasonal Lucky Items:

  • Spring ItemsBamboo ShelfBlanca’s Pic (April)Blue Feather (March)Cherry-Blossom BonsaiCommon ButterflyLoachPink Carnations (May)Pink Feather (March)Purple Feather (March)Rainbow Feather (March)Red Feather (March)Tiger ButterflyWhite Feather (March)Wobbling Zipper ToyYellow ButterflyYellow Feather (March)Summer ItemsAnchor StatueArtisanal Bug CageBrown CicadaCicada ShellEvening CicadaFountain Firework (August)Giant CicadaGiant SnakeheadHorned HerculesNapoleonfishRed Carnations (June)Robust CicadaRoman Candle (August)Palm-Tree LampScorpionShell WreathSparkler (August)SweetfishWalker CicadaFall ItemsBug Mask (October)CricketElegant Mushroom (November)Ghost Mask (October)King SalmonMonster Mask (October)Mummy Mask (October)Mush ParasolRare Mushroom (November)Red DragonflySalmonSkeleton Hood (October)Werewolf Hood (October)Winter ItemsBagworm Big Festive TreeBitterling Chocolate Heart (February)Dung Beetle Football Fish Frozen TreeMole Cricket Pond SmeltSanta Beard (December)Santa Boots (December)Santa Coat (December)Santa Hat (December)Santa Pants (December)Sea Butterfly StringfishTarantulaTuna

Birthday Month Lucky Items:

  • Birthday CakeBirthday CandlesBirthday HatBirthday ShadesBirthday SignBirthday Table

Create Themes or Concepts for Rooms

Another thing to think about across the entirety of the home is themes and concepts. Concepts like having the standard rooms that a normal house might have, like a kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, study, etc. will help tremendously. On top of this, if players can stick to a theme with each room, this will add to their score. Themes can be anything from an idea to a color scheme. Matching flooring and wallpapers along with the colors of the furniture will help players score higher.

Using Matching Furniture Sets

This may or may not be obvious, as things within the game can easily be mixed and matched, but to get a better score, players should stick to one furniture set per room. This is only really necessary for the furniture portion of the rooms, otherwise, decor can all be mixed and matched for what makes sense with the theme/concept for the room. Having the full set also helps. Here is a list of different furniture sets within the game:

All ACNH Furniture Set Series:

  • AntiqueBambooBunny DayCardboardCherry BlossomCinnamorollCuteDinerFestiveFrozenFruitsGoldenGulliver’s TreasuryHello KittyIceImperialKerokerokeroppiKiki and LalaMarioMermaidMushroomMy MelodyPompompurinSpookyStar

The last thing to consider is what players shouldn’t put in their homes. Dropped items and non-furniture/decor items will deduct points from the final score. DIYs, cockroaches, and items facing the walls will also reduce the player’s score.

For more Animal Crossing content, be sure to check out Animal Crossing: New Horizons Toy Day (Christmas) Event: What to do, Gift Exchange, Rewards on Pro Game Guides.