Building Question: How do you handle small spaces?

[Venheart]

I'm not sure if this is something that I'm more subjected to due to my build style or if this is more common for other players too, but one thing that I find pretty common is ending up with spaces that are smaller than most attraction buildings like the ape house or aviary, but too large to just have a path go through. Depending on what's nearby, I can sometimes build more areas for food or gifts, or I can try and use that space for decorations, like a fountain. But I feel like there aren't really that many decorations that I really want to use. Like I'm really not a fan of using the snake pit or the well, for example. I start to run out of things that I haven't already done pretty quickly since I like using the largest zoo maps.

 

I thought it would be a fun conversation to start to talk about. So what are some tactics you use to fill any awkwardly shaped spaces in your zoo?

[(Admin)Savannahjan]

I have this happen regularly.  I usually employ some of the scenery pieces and add elements around them.  There are lots of small to large scenery buildings that can be made to give the illusion of working buildings by using the configured doors.  Set the building, foliage, water, rocks, etc and run path from the zoo walkways up to the front area of the building.  One or more squares of path away from the building, place one of the configured doors; there are several decorative ones that look somewhat like a gate.  Run decorative or exhibit fencing out from the sides of the door.  You don't have to go all around the building, even a few pieces of fencing on each side give the illusion of a fenced in area with a gate.  The guests will walk right up to the 'door/gate' and enter.  No, you won't see them go directly up to the building, but it's close enough for me.  If it look OK, you can put the configured door right up against the side of the building or object.  This can work with big rock formations, or you can build your own structure using solid fencing and strategically places trees or other objects/decor to fashion what looks like a building.  You can also use some of the exhibit annexes by putting the configured door right up against the building door.  This can turn one of the annexes into a restaurant or gift shop or restroom.  It's fun to experiment.

[Fern]

There may not be a lot of ingame statues but there are heaps of user made fountains, statues, rocks, scenery buildings, etc that are good for decorating. Not just here but over at DG, ZA and ZKL. There is stuff for all styles from natural to formal to alien and fantasy.

[Venheart]

That's one of the things I want to dig through soon, CC decorations specifically for this reason, though I can be a bit picky. I did actually pick out a couple statues already, like one for a llama and another for the horse. I do wish there were more 1x1 statues though. I'm not a huge fan of when items look kinda 'floaty' like the mask on a pole from the official extended downloads. I just don't like repeating things too much, especially when closer together.

[Truly_happy]

What would be cute is if someone took an image of a guest, turned it grey and then put it on a pedestal for a small statue.

[pukkie]

Well I often like you end up with spaces that are smaller than most attraction buildings like the ape house or aviary

And then is where the colour coded building come in handy

Only taking up 3X3 they are a huge crowdpleaser amongst guests of all ages They generate money like no food/drinkstand can generate

and they work wonders for all these reasons on your zoo ratings

 

But when decorating I love also for the handy size like the flower fountains by Genki

as they come in a multitude of colours they fit almost anywhere

Sometimes I just sneak in one picknick bench with a trashcan and a swing or a bouncy toyride to have  a mini playfacility

or I create an own little pond by using some stepping stones fetahered friends and water foliage

Always the willowtree with a bench underneath for guest to enjoy the pond ooks lovely and gives guests a resting place in your zoo