How many boxes can a build use before it looks boxy?

Sorry, but just another advice question

This was largely because I had avoided trying to build structures for ages because on hearing complaints about "boxy" builds, I kept trying to build them without using any boxes, and then giving up because I couldn't make them look right. (If you're laughing a bit at that I understand, but it's true *blush*)

Actually a very easy answer, 1.

If your referring to architectural builds, it is true that they aren't as simple as one would think, this also relates to RL somewhat, there are only a few great architects.

"I kept trying to build them without using any boxes" you don't have to not use boxes to stop them looking boxy. The placement of prims, different levels of floors, with steps/ramps, different sized rooms, L-shaped rooms, them you can have semi-circular windows, dome roofs, there are hundreds of ways to stop a build looking boxy with just prims alone.

Then further to that, how you apply textures can vastly improve the final look of a build, they can be a great illusion to disguise those edges and corners.

If you didn't mean houses, I hope this still helps.

As a footnote, I have done some houses & skypods and I spend a long time constructing them, then twice as long with textures, usually two weeks or more. But yes I could do the same build in a couple of days, it would just be less considered, messy, something would be unaligned, walls would have that sparkling gap look, I'd forget to alpha my edges etc etc. It just needs a little bit of planning and patience. Also knowing when to say, stop that's enough would help me too LOL.