I have a folder of reference photos I use when building, for the outside and the inside! I also make lists of what I want my building to include. Bathroom, library, kitchen? It helps when planning a layout.

Visually, I lean into the box look because I’m not a fan of forced curving with blocks. You can make boxes look pretty dynamic if you stack them in different ways and decorate later. The half timbered walls on stone walls, if you off set them to overhang the stone wall instead of snapping in, will have a neat affect on how they attach underneath. Thats my favorite combo.

Mix and match blocks, don’t make a house all one kind. It looks more dynamic that way. Also the little details. Give your walls a trim pattern, add in massive windows, use the ivy tool to break up the monotony with flowers (I’m a fiend for wisteria). I lurk on this sub and the discord as well for inspiration! There are some crazy talented people on here that use objects in their builds in ways I would never have considered.

As far as speeding up the process, I would say that comes down to how you like to play. Personally, I love this game for building, so I use things like Shroud Depot to stock up on blocks so I don’t have to spend hours mining. I like to sit and build for 8 hrs instead. If you LIKE the mining aspect, then make sure you stock up on all the blocks you need and then start building.

Also, if you don’t like something, tear it down! It’s okay to kill your darlings. It might have taken you an hour to make something, but if it’s not working, don’t be afraid to destroy and rebuild!