Upgrading your farmhouse is one of the most important progression systems in Stardew Valley. A house upgrade in Stardew Valley doesn’t just improve how your home looks—it directly affects cooking, marriage, family growth, storage efficiency, and overall late-game comfort. Understanding every Stardew house upgrade, along with its cost, materials, and benefits, is essential for both new farmers and long-term players who want to build the perfect life in Pelican Town.
In this complete 2025 guide, we’ll break down all farmhouse upgrades, how to unlock them, how long construction takes, what each upgrade adds, and smart strategies to decide when you should upgrade your house in Stardew Valley.
What Is a House Upgrade in Stardew Valley?
A house upgrade in Stardew Valley refers to expanding and improving your basic farmhouse through Robin the carpenter. Each upgrade adds new rooms, utilities, and gameplay mechanics that unlock major life features such as:
- Cooking full recipes
- Getting married
- Having children
- Increased storage space
- Decorative and furniture freedom
Without upgrading your house, you are locked out of several core gameplay milestones.
Where to Upgrade Your House in Stardew Valley
All farmhouse upgrades are purchased at Robin’s Carpenter Shop, located in the mountains. You can visit her shop between 9 AM and 5 PM, except on Tuesdays.
Robin handles:
- House upgrades
- Barn and coop upgrades
- Farm building construction
- Home renovations
You must provide gold and building materials for each Stardew house upgrade, and construction takes several in-game days to complete.
All House Upgrades in Stardew Valley Explained
There are three main house upgrades in Stardew Valley, followed by optional renovations. Each upgrade dramatically changes how your farmhouse functions.
1. First House Upgrade – Kitchen & Double Bedroom
This is the most important and commonly searched house upgrade in Stardew. It transforms your tiny starter cabin into a real home.
Cost:
- 10,000g
- 450 Wood
Build Time:
3 days
What This Upgrade Adds:
The first house upgrade introduces a fully functional kitchen, allowing you to cook recipes using ingredients from your inventory and refrigerator. It also adds a larger bedroom, a dining/living area, and improves the interior layout space for furniture.
Why This Upgrade Is Essential:
- Cooking becomes possible
- Energy restoration becomes efficient
- You can now give cooked meals as gifts
- Marriage becomes unlocked
You must complete this first house upgrade before you can marry any eligible NPC.
2. Second House Upgrade – Nursery & Extra Rooms
This upgrade is focused on family expansion and home comfort.
Cost:
- 50,000g
- 150 Hardwood
Build Time:
3 days
What This Upgrade Adds:
The second house upgrade adds:
- A nursery with a crib
- Extra bedroom space
- Additional room layout depth for decorations
Why This Upgrade Matters:
- Children become unlocked
- More interior customization
- Role-play and family progression
If you plan to start a family, this Stardew house upgrade is mandatory. Without it, having children is impossible.
3. Final House Upgrade – Cellar (Late-Game Power Boost)
This is the most powerful and profitable house upgrade Stardew Valley offers.
Cost:
100,000g
Build Time:
3 days
What This Upgrade Adds:
The final upgrade adds a basement cellar, which allows you to use Casks to age:
- Wine
- Beer
- Pale Ale
- Cheese
Aged products double or triple their value, making the cellar one of the biggest money-makers in late-game Stardew Valley.
Why This Upgrade Is Crucial:
- End-game profit scaling
- Passive income growth
- Perfect for artisan-focused farms
- Essential for min-max players
For gold-focused players, this is the single best house upgrade in Stardew Valley.
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Home Renovations After House Upgrades
Once all main house upgrades are complete, Robin unlocks home renovation options. These are cosmetic and layout-based changes that don’t affect gameplay systems but improve quality of life.
Renovation options include:
- Removing cribs
- Adding southern room expansions
- Opening up wall partitions
- Creating larger open spaces
These features are perfect for players who love interior decoration and role-playing aesthetics.
How Long Do House Upgrades Take in Stardew Valley?
Each Stardew house upgrade takes:
3 in-game days
Robin works on your house while you continue playing. During construction, you can continue to sleep in your bed and access your farmhouse, although some areas might experience temporary blocking.
Best Time to Upgrade Your House in Stardew Valley
The ideal time for your first house upgrade is:
Late Spring or early Summer of Year 1
This allows:
- Enough gold generation
- Access to kitchen before major festivals
- Early romance development
The cellar upgrade is best delayed until:
- You have a stable wine production system
- Kegs are already mass-produced
- Gold income exceeds 20k–30k per day
Stardew House Upgrade and Marriage Requirements
To unlock marriage in Stardew Valley, you must:
- Reach 10 hearts with a romanceable NPC
- Upgrade your house at least once
- Purchase a Mermaid Pendant
- Give the pendant to your chosen partner
Without the first house upgrade, marriage is completely locked. This is why “Stardew Valley house upgrade for marriage” remains one of the most searched queries every year.
Can You Customize Your House After Upgrading?
Yes. After completing house upgrades, you can:
- Move furniture freely
- Place rugs, wallpapers, and items
- Decorate nursery rooms
- Design cellar layouts
- Create themed interiors
The Stardew house upgrade system blends progression with creative freedom, making your farmhouse a fully personal space.
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Common Mistakes Players Make With House Upgrades
Many players delay upgrading their house for too long because they fear losing gold. This slows:
- Cooking efficiency
- Gift quality
- Romance progression
- End-game income
Another common mistake is rushing the cellar upgrade before having enough kegs, which limits profit potential. Always build infrastructure before expanding your house for maximum returns.
Who Created Stardew Valley?
Stardew Valley was created entirely by Eric Barone, whose attention to detail is why systems like house upgrades feel deeply connected to farming, romance, and economic progression all at once.
Final Thoughts: Is the House Upgrade in Stardew Valley Worth It?
Absolutely. A house upgrade in Stardew Valley is not just cosmetic—it unlocks cooking, marriage, children, end-game profit systems, and full creative freedom inside your farmhouse. Each stage of the upgrade system supports a different phase of your journey:
- Early game → Kitchen & romance
- Mid game → Family & comfort
- Late game → Cellar & massive profits
If you want to experience Stardew Valley in its full depth, upgrading your house is not optional—it’s essential.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times can you upgrade your house in Stardew Valley?
There are three main house upgrades, followed by optional renovations.
How much does it cost to upgrade your house in Stardew Valley?
Total cost:
- 10,000 g + 450 Wood
- 50,000g + 150 Hardwood
- 100,000g
Total: 160,000g + 450 Wood + 150 Hardwood
Can you marry without upgrading your house?
No. You must complete at least the first house upgrade to unlock marriage.
Does the cellar make money in Stardew Valley?
Yes. Aging wine and cheese in the cellar can double or triple product value, making it a top-tier income source.
Can you remove the crib after upgrading your house?
Yes. After completing the main upgrades, Robin offers crib removal as a renovation option.
