Advice

What’s the fastest way to level up? I’ve always just gone by islands but recently I’ve been told to buy all of the furniture in the shop, this has been extremely helpful. Placing the furniture only seems to increase my house but does the house eventually help my total stat or is it just the house itself? Again mostly just asking for best ways to level up but also curious on the house. Thank you!! Also does anyone know why they made the statue so monstrous with a small return? It doesn’t even seem worth it to work on it.