Stardew Valley 1.6: Forest Farm and Ginger Island Layout Reference

Basic Information
Stardew Valley 1.6 version, Farm Type: Forest Farm, 100% completion, following the sacrificial route, focusing on brewing, and all relevant mods are listed at the end.

Farm Layout
Forest Farm
The most challenging aspects of the Forest Farm layout are twofold. Firstly, the land is quite fragmented, especially with the western side divided into three sections by the forest. The arrangement of grass and dirt is also not very uniform. Secondly, there are multiple ponds and various hardwood tree stumps and bushes scattered throughout the map. However, there are solutions available. You can decorate the naturally segmented areas on the west side, such as creating a fish pond and a slime hutch like I did. Utilize the hardwood tree stumps provided by the map as seating areas. If you find the hardwood unattractive, you can lay down flooring to prevent the hardwood from respawning. Additionally, use the ponds to designate livestock pen areas, with each pond corresponding to a breeding zone. To improve the visual appeal of the mixed grass and dirt area at the center of the map, consider laying down flooring, planting trees, and raising pets.

Now, let’s discuss two crucial factors that I believe are essential in farm layout planning.

The first is the farm’s pathways. If you plan to design your farm layout, I highly recommend sketching out the main pathways first before dividing the various areas based on their functions. Then, proceed with fine-tuning. It’s worth noting that your choice of flooring will directly influence the design style of your farm. I prefer a more modern and minimalist style, so I primarily use stone pathway flooring, with most paths forming a grid pattern. If you prefer a different style, you can experiment with other floorings for decoration. For instance, a rural-style wooden path, stepping stone path, or a vintage-style red brick floor would also be good choices. If you lack a clear plan for your farm layout, consider using the Stardew Valley wiki’s Farm Planner tool to pre-plan your layout and make adjustments to avoid wasted efforts.

The second equally important factor is the division between different areas, such as fences, trees, and various artisan equipment, which can serve as partitions. However, it’s essential to ensure that the styles match. For example, an area predominantly filled with crops is not suitable for iron fencing but is better suited for wooden or stone fences. In summary, when planning, try out the effects using a planner tool in advance to save time.

Lastly, here is my Forest Farm layout diagram:

Ginger Island Farm
The shape of the Ginger Island Farm is irregular and not conducive to planting large areas of a single crop for aesthetic reasons. Therefore, utilize the regularly shaped large areas for planting starfruit and use the remaining “corner” areas for other distinctive Ginger Island crops such as pineapples and yams. The layout is shown below:

House Decorations
Farmhouse
Decorating the farmhouse is also a time-consuming and labor-intensive task (especially for those with decision-making difficulties). The author, Eric, has prepared an array of wallpapers, floors, and furniture in the game, making the decoration process overwhelming. In reality, the choice of furniture is not limited; select items that match your decor style. Several interchangeable furniture pieces can work well together. When decorating the interior, it is advisable to adhere to the principle of “less is more.” Many individuals, when beginning decoration, feel excited by the variety of furniture and wall coverings available and tend to clutter the space. For example, looking back at my first save file, the decoration at the time suffered from this issue—too chaotic and disorganized, affecting the overall aesthetics. Therefore, my advice is to resist the urge to fill every available space. Some areas are best left empty.

Similar to farm layout planning, the choice of flooring and wallpaper, as well as the selection and placement of dividers, is crucial in interior decoration. Opt for flooring and wallpaper within the same color scheme to avoid a cluttered look. Dividers can include railings, bookshelves, or even fish tanks. With careful selection, appropriate dividers can yield excellent results.

Here are some direct snapshots of the decorations:

Ginger Island Farmhouse

Greenhouse

Cellar Restaurant

Bar

Aquarium

Artisan Room

Note
If you wish to reference my farm layout, consider using beautification mods, as my layout style was designed based on these mods. Reverting to the original textures may not achieve the same effect. For instance, I didn’t quite like the original four totem towers as they were too tall and obstructed the view when placed in the middle of the farm. After replacing them with beautification mods, the layout improved significantly.

Beautification Mods:
Elle’s Seasonal Buildings

Elle’s New Barn Animals

Elle’s New Coop Animals

Elle’s New Horses

Seasonal Outfits – Slightly Cuter Aesthetic

Elle’s Town Buildings

Visible Fish – see catchable fish in the water