When setting up a new save in Stardew Valley, players aren't limited to a single layout for their farm. There are seven different farms players can select from, and each has perks and problems. The best Stardew Valley farm layout for each person depends on what they are hoping to achieve. Some locations are better for raising crops, while others offer perks like extra forage items or better fishing. Stardew Valley farm layouts also vary in difficulty from easy to hard, as some require a little more strategic thinking to make enough money for expensive farm upgrades.

Whether playing for the first time or restarting a Stardew Valley farm thanks to the various updates that the game has received over the years, choosing the right location can set a farm on the path to success. To help players pick the best farm for their goals and desired challenge rating, below is a list of each Stardew Valley farm layout from easiest to hardest, based on the benefits and setbacks of each area, according to data from the Stardew Valley Wiki. One layout is even specifically designed for veteran players and could be the biggest challenge available for Stardew Valley farm management.

7 Standard Farm

The Standard Farm in Stardew Valley is a favorite for its basic layout and copious amount of farmable land. With few ponds or other areas to disrupt space, this is the layout best for creating elaborate crop farms or housing a number of barns and coops. Players looking to make a Stardew Valley truffle farm may want to consider this layout for its benefits to farming pigs for truffles. The map is a good pick for first-time players, as it has little to distract from learning the mechanics of the game. However, it can be a bit tedious for those who have played through several save files already.

6 Forest Farm

Stardew Valley's Forest Farm layout is a great pick for those who want to shake things up from the Standard Farm but don't want to struggle when making money or finding resources. The Forest Farm exchanges a bit of farmable space for areas that allow natural, seasonal forage items to spawn. These areas also spawn eight Hardwood Stumps daily, helping players earn the needed hardwood for upgrades, fences, and various machines more quickly. Despite the convenience of hardwood, forage items aren't worth much after a few seasons, and the loss of farmable land will hit players in the profit margin when it comes to total farming space.

5 Hill-Top Farm

Stardew Valley's Hill-top Farm bumps up the challenge for players wanting to focus on gameplay that isn't based entirely on farming. The Hill-top Farm cuts into players' farming area with dirt patches that spawn different types of ore, rocks, and gemstone nodes.

While mining in Year One of a Stardew Valley save can be a quick way to get cash, the difficulty of this map comes in the late-game, when the worth of gemstones and iron bars begins to be outweighed by crafted products like wine and cheese. Players who select this farm layout will need to think ahead and make sure they don't eventually plateau due to a lack of funds.

4 Four-Corners Farm

Stardew Valley's Four Corners Farm was designed for a past Stardew Valley update to encourage multiplayer game sessions. The map is divided into four different areas, each with certain perks seen in other layouts. Players will find slivers of the Standard, Forest, Riverland and Hill-top layouts tucked into each corner of the map.

However, due to the dividers and space allocated for ore mining, fishponds, and forage items, players will find they have much less space overall. The farming areas available are broken up into odd, unhelpful chunks. This map is a great challenge for players looking to get a taste of everything available without installing Stardew Valley mods while learning to prioritize limited farming space.

3 Wilderness Farm

Stardew Valley's Wilderness Farm layout is a good challenge for players who enjoy the combat system of Stardew Valley. When darkness falls over this farmland layout, monsters normally found in the Mines and other combat areas spawn and attack the player as they try to finish the last of their daily chores. This is a good map for players looking for a more all-inclusive combat experience, instead of having limited monster encounters. The Wilderness Farm also has large ponds that impact the farmable area, giving players less space to set up buildings and crops than other maps.

2 Riverland Farm

The Riverland Farm layout greatly increases the game's difficulty and is a good Stardew Valley challenge for veteran players. The majority of the map is made up of rivers, with very little farming space. Players have access to plenty of fish but lack the ability to have more than a handful of crop plots or animal buildings on their farm.

The use of the greenhouse in this map is especially important, as it will give players much needed year-round space for high-earning crops, like Ancient Fruit. Upgrading the house for access to the casks in the basement will also give players the ability to turn a profit in specialty items, like iridium-grade wine and cheese.

1 Beach Farm

The Beach Farm layout was part of Stardew Valley's 1.5 update, released at the end of December 2020. Described as a layout designed for "seasoned players," the Beach Farm presents many difficulties for those wanting a hardcore challenge. The map is primarily made up of beach sand instead of dirt, and farming space is cut significantly in exchange for ocean water and beaches. While the sand can be tilled to grow crops, players are unable to use sprinklers in sandy areas.

The Beach Farm map does offer a few extra bonuses like a nice forage area with Hardwood Stumps, as well as the potential for Supply Crates holding different items to wash up on shore. All the same, this map is sure to challenge even longtime players. Although it remains to be seen what exactly will be added to the game in the upcoming Stardew Valley 1.6 update, the Beach Farm remains the most difficult farming home location available in Stardew Valley.

Source: Stardew Valley Wiki