8 Things to Build In Minecraft Survival Mode
Last updated: Mar 31, 2025 • 6 min readMinecraft players often find themselves with a great dilemma: should I create a building in Survival or Creative Mode?
Well, for many, there’s a straight answer to this question: Creative Mode is way more efficient for building purposes.
You can get an unlimited number of blocks to materialize your dreams!
Nonetheless, purist Minecrafters understand that Survival gameplay adds an additional layer of fun to the game.
So, if you are one of those brave gamers who want to build cool structures in Survival Worlds, then this article is for you! Keep on reading to get more information about:
- Best Things to build in Minecraft Survival Mode;
- Differences between building in Survival and Creative modes;
- Materials, blocks, and information you’ll need for creating impressive buildings in Survival.
A New Survival World is Waiting for You in Minecraft
Survival Mode is exactly what you think.
You need to protect yourself from the menaces of the Overworld, and it won’t be easy at all.
Survival is one of the main game modes of Minecraft, but some players don’t waste their time looking for things to build in Minecraft survival simply because it’s really challenging.
Let’s overcome those fears, and let’s find some interesting things to build in Minecraft survival.
Survival Mode vs. Creative Mode
Let’s be totally honest here: in terms of time investment, building in Survival Mode might become a headache.
Hence, Creative Mode is for those who don’t want their time spent unwisely building a simple house with new blocks.
That’s why there’s room for everyone in the Minecraft world, but finding the suitable materials in Survival will definitely take you more time.
This leads us to the following statement: Survival Mode is for creating smaller projects, not enormous structures.
But we know you are up to challenges - that’s why you are reading this blog post.
So, buckle up, and let’s do it.
Read Also
It’s time to unleash your full building potential.
We’ve written a complete blog post where we compiled the Top 40 Minecraft Building Ideas - check it out and get started!
8 Things to Build in Minecraft Survival Mode
Before building any kind of structure in Survival Mode, you need to take into account three things:
- Space. If you don’t have enough space in the location you want to build, you’ll end up messing things up;
- Blocks and materials. Check every single resource you need before putting your hands to work;
- Time. Do you really have time to build a 15-story building? Probably not.
That being said, we recommend you do your own research depending on the different factors that affect your Minecraft world before starting.
1. Mountain House - Go to the Top of the World!
Let’s start kind of simple: building a mountain house is not such a big deal!
Be sure to properly set the walls up for then the night falls, though.
Locating your starter house at the top of a mountain will ensure that you are well-protected against creepers and other annoying mobs that wander around the dimensions.
2. Creative Survival House - There Are no Limits for Imagination
Most users start with a simple Survival House, but once you get the hang of the game, you’ll find yourself assembling creative structures that will surprise your friends.
Minecraft houses are a crucial part of the game mechanics - they can be made out of wood, stone, and other blocks, but you’ll nonetheless always need one.
3. Underwater Base - The Ocean is Your Ally
There’s a vast underwater world waiting for you in Minecraft’s ocean.
Having a home underwater will give you lots of advantages in the long haul, so learn how to do it by watching this YouTube video.
Pro Tip
In order to survive underwater, you’ll need to get creative. Learn how to build a conduit in Minecraft so you can increase your breathing time around your newly built home.
4. Redstone Farm - Automate your Farming Duties!
Having a farm is a must in Survival Mode.
Farms can be built using spruce wood and other wooden blocks, but most of the work you need to do is manual.
Put a bunch of redstone repeaters and get valuable resources while you are out there facing monsters!
5. Garden House - A Lovely Place in the Minecraft World
If you are a fan of lovely garden houses, then it’s important to mention that you can also enhance their walls to make an undefeated fortress!
Learn how to do it here.
6. Desert Base - There Are no Limits, Not Even in the Desert
There are some resources that can only be found in the desert.
Hence, you need to have a desert base for you to visit it whenever you want.
Don’t forget to integrate an individual enchanting room so you can successfully manage the new resources you find.
7. Secret Storage Build - Keep Your Resources Safe and Sound
Almost any structure can have a secret passage that leads to a room where your materials are safe and sound.
Since you are playing on Survival Mode, you need to take care of each material as if it were the last one.
Read this official Minecraft article to learn how to build hidden doors and passages!
8. Decorate Your Builds with Water Fountains
As we mentioned before, once you get the hang of Survival Mode, you’ll want to implement additional things to the structures you have created.
For instance, adding Water Fountains at the entrance of your house is a great way to demonstrate to others the effort you have invested in the structure.
Just make sure to have the right materials beforehand!
Building in Survival Mode is challenging, but following the blueprints of these structures will give you a nice lead to enjoy Minecraft better than ever before!
Things to Build In Minecraft Survival Mode FAQ
How Can I Store More Items in Minecraft?
Storage is a big problem that many new Minecrafters face. To increase storage in chests, we recommend you read our guide about Ender Chest in Minecraft to learn how to craft this item.
Can I Use Cheats on Minecraft Survival Mode?
You can use mods in Minecraft, but it wouldn’t be Survival Mode anymore - it would be an altered version of Creative Mode. Keep this in mind before doing so.