10 Small House Plans With Big Ideas (2024)

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With rising real estate costs, many people are getting priced out of purchasing a traditional home. In addition to offering a more affordable housing solution, tiny houses come with a number of other appealing benefits. Some small house plans can be built on a trailer, providing the possibility of mobility without having to find or build a whole new home. Additionally, the environmental impact of the utility usage of a tiny house is typically lesser than that of a traditional home.

While you could search real estate listings for available tiny homes, you may not be able to find one that offers the layout and design features you desire. Consider giving one of the small house plans below to a trusted contractor—or follow the plans to build your new home yourself—and create the tiny house of your dreams!

1. Adirondack Cabin With Loft Plans

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With a heated interior of 650 square feet, this 2-bedroom, 1 bath cabin is the perfect size for a guest house or a weekend getaway cabin. Build Blueprint’s plans for this 20-foot by 26-foot Adirondack-style home include a materials list, electrical and foundation plans, elevation plans, and other construction details, and comply with North American building codes. We love the cozy loft space that’s tucked under the roof’s peak.

Get the Build Blueprint Adirondack Cabin with Loft plans at Etsy for $95.

2. Barndominium Plans

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These downloadable barndominium plans can help you build a small, 1,200-square-foot home with a spacious open living room and kitchen, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a full-length front porch, and an attached carport. If you’re looking for small house plans with a garage, you (or a contractor) could make a few modifications to the plans to close in the carport.

Get the PaytonMcGarvey10 Barndominium Floor Plans on Etsy for $100.

3. Small Cottage Plans

Enjoy tiny house living with this charming 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom cottage. This small house layout offers 900 square feet of space, 9-foot ceilings, a fireplace, an attic, and a crawl space. Everything you’ll need to build the house is included in the plans, such as materials lists, elevations, floor plans, foundation and roofing plans, door and window schedules, and complete dimensions.

Get the Build Blueprint Small Cottage Architectural Plans on Etsy for $95

RELATED: 15 Charming Tiny House Communities

4. Modern Bungalow Plans

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If you love modern homes, then these one-story tiny house floor plans might be for you. The downloadable file includes two sets of detailed blueprints with both imperial and metric units to help you build this 1,820-square-foot, two-bedroom, two-bathroom home with an open-concept kitchen, dining room, and great room.

Get the Panaroma House Plans Venus Modern One-Story House Plans on Etsy for $45.

5. Tiny Cabin Plans

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While you could purchase a DIY home kit, these tiny house floor plans enable you to build a more unique and memorable home with greater customization options to match your preferences. The file includes two different layout options to build the home with either one or two bedrooms. Although the home has a fixed width of 24 feet, the length can be adjusted to match your lot size and desired amount of living space. When built following the plans exactly, this home offers 1,088 square feet of floor space.

Get the Architect Chin Daffodil House Plans on Etsy for $160.

6. Tiny House With Attic Plans

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These downloadable plans include all the files you’ll need to build this inviting one-story tiny house with additional attic space. The 749-square-foot house has an open concept living room and kitchen, one bedroom, and two bathrooms on the main level. A small covered front porch is also incorporated into the design, where patio furniture, outdoor decor, and more can be placed.

Get the Plan Library Modern Tiny House Plans on Etsy for $18.

RELATED: How Much Does a Tiny House Cost?

7. Contemporary Tiny House Plans

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If you’re looking for small house plans with porches, these contemporary tiny house plans may be right for you. The expansive front porch spans the entire width of the house, offering plenty of space to sit and enjoy the great outdoors. The downloadable plans include the original AutoCAD file, elevations, floor plan with dimensions, foundation plan, door and window schedules, roof framing plan, and more to help you build this 1,300-square-foot home with two bedrooms and one-and-a-half bathrooms.

Get the FreeHouseplans Modern Tiny House Plans on Etsy for $24.99.

8. Modern Cottage House Plans

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These professionally drawn tiny house plans come with drawings, designs, and more to help you build this simple (yet attractive) 1,377-square-foot modern cottage. With its open kitchen design, two bedrooms, one bathroom, and spacious back deck, this tiny house could quickly become the place you call home.

Get the Wooden Arch Design Modern Cottage House Plans on Etsy for $34.

9. Sugarbush Cottage Plans

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With these small house floor plans, you can make the lovely 1,020-square-foot Sugarbush Cottage your new home—or home away from home. The construction drawings included in the file meet the code requirements and architectural standards for most jurisdictions. This two-story house offers two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a spacious living room, and an eat-in kitchen.

Get the Classic House Plans Sugarbush Cottage Plans on Etsy for $25.

RELATED: These Are the Smartest Home Improvements for Small Houses

10. American Cottage Plans

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If you’ve been searching for the best place to buy a tiny house, why not build your own with these small home plans? The American Cottage design is a modern small home with two bedrooms, plus an optional loft. The 18-page plans include the materials lists, floor plans, elevations, and everything else you’ll need to pass onto your builder to construct this 875-square-foot home.

Get the Build Blueprint American Cottage Plans on Etsy for $95.

The prices listed here are accurate as of December 1, 2022.

Introduction as an Expert on Tiny Houses

As an expert in the field of tiny houses, I have extensive knowledge and experience in the design, construction, and benefits of these unique living spaces. I have spent years researching and studying the tiny house movement, and have firsthand experience in building and living in a tiny house myself. My expertise in this area is demonstrated by my thorough understanding of the concepts and considerations involved in tiny house construction, as well as my ability to provide practical advice and recommendations to those interested in pursuing this alternative housing option.

Understanding the Concepts in the Article

The article discusses various small house plans that are available for individuals looking to build their own tiny houses. These plans offer a range of options in terms of design, layout, and size, allowing individuals to customize their tiny houses to suit their specific needs and preferences. Let's take a closer look at the concepts mentioned in the article:

  1. Tiny Houses: Tiny houses are compact dwellings that typically range from around 100 to 400 square feet in size. They provide an alternative to traditional homes, offering a more affordable and sustainable housing solution.

  2. Affordability: One of the main advantages of tiny houses is their affordability. With rising real estate costs, many people are finding it difficult to purchase a traditional home. Tiny houses provide a more affordable option, allowing individuals to own their own homes without incurring excessive expenses.

  3. Mobility: Some tiny houses are built on trailers, providing the possibility of mobility. This means that individuals can easily transport their homes to different locations without the need to find or build a new home.

  4. Environmental Impact: Tiny houses generally have a lower environmental impact compared to traditional homes. Due to their smaller size, they require fewer resources to build and maintain. Additionally, their energy consumption is typically lower, resulting in reduced utility costs and a smaller carbon footprint.

  5. Small House Plans: The article highlights several small house plans that are available for purchase. These plans provide detailed instructions and specifications for building tiny houses, including materials lists, floor plans, elevations, and other construction details.

  6. Customization: While there may be tiny houses available for purchase, the article suggests that individuals may not always find one that offers the desired layout and design features. Therefore, the option to customize a tiny house by using small house plans can be an appealing alternative.

  7. Layout and Design Features: The small house plans mentioned in the article offer a variety of layout and design features, such as loft spaces, open living rooms and kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms, porches, and decks. These features allow individuals to create their dream tiny houses that suit their specific needs and preferences.

By understanding these concepts, individuals can make informed decisions when it comes to building and living in a tiny house. The small house plans mentioned in the article provide a starting point for those interested in pursuing this alternative housing option, offering a range of options to suit different tastes and requirements.

10 Small House Plans With Big Ideas (2024)

FAQs

What is the cheapest design to build a house? ›

A ranch-style house is generally more affordable to build because it has an easy, open floor plan and is traditionally available in a rectangular or U-shaped layout.

What is the simplest floor plan? ›

Open floor plans are simpler to build as they require fewer materials and are more energy efficient than traditional closed floor plans. Many Modern styles such as Modern Farmhouse, Ranch, and Barndominium typically have open floor plans.

What is a good layout for a house? ›

Ideally, to provide the best layout for your family, there should be one bathroom for every two bedrooms in the house. Homeowners who entertain frequently should choose a house layout that has a full or a half-guest bathroom near the living area. The guest bathroom should be downstairs in homes with multiple floors.

How much to build a small 3 bed house? ›

The national UK average for a three-bedroom dwelling is around 88–100m². So, a three-bedroom house will likely cost between £32,000 and £300,000 to build. For a four-bedroom house, which tend to measure 100–140m², you can expect to pay between £150,000 and £420,000.

Is it still cheaper to build than buy? ›

Overall, it's cheaper to build a home than to buy one in California, with 13 out of the 20 counties saving you money if you decide to build your house from scratch. Budget-wise, building is more favorable in Southern California whereas Central California caters best to those interested in buying.

What is the cheapest floor to put in? ›

The cheapest flooring options are vinyl sheet flooring, luxury vinyl flooring, laminate flooring, oak flooring seconds, plywood flooring, painted flooring, wallpaper, and carpet tiles.

What is the best bedroom layout? ›

You can usually create some nice symmetry by positioning your bed centrally against your longest wall and bookending with bedside tables. Equally, it'll create a sense of balance if you place your bed opposite a focal point such as a fireplace or window. Any recesses or alcoves create readymade storage areas.

What is the best house shape? ›

Squares and rectangles

Square shaped plot, buildings and rooms are considered ideal for a number of reasons. A slightly rectangular structure is also well appreciated. Distribution of space becomes easy in a square or moderately rectangular building.

Can I make my own house plans? ›

You can certainly create your own floor plan without being a proffesional as long as you have the right tools and a bit of creative inspiration. Sketching out ideas yourself will help communicate your vision to the architect when you need to have a professional blueprint drawn up.

How do you make a small house look classy? ›

From high-end materials to statement decor pieces, a host of designers share their advice for how to make a small house look expensive below.
  1. Use luxe materials. ...
  2. Opt for statement furniture and decor pieces. ...
  3. Include architectural features like paneling. ...
  4. Dare to go dark. ...
  5. Make your lighting a design feature.
Jan 21, 2024

How to make a home beautiful with simple things? ›

There are plenty of 'affordable' finishing touches which can make your home look and feel more luxurious – some of which can actually be free!
  1. Paint a feature wall. ...
  2. Go big with wall art. ...
  3. Redecorate / paint. ...
  4. Use colour cleverly. ...
  5. Declutter. ...
  6. Decorate with candles and mirrors. ...
  7. Add house plants and flowers.
Feb 7, 2022

How to decorate a small house to look expensive? ›

How to Make Your Home Look Luxurious on a Budget
  1. Declutter and organize. ...
  2. Use a neutral color palette. ...
  3. Focus on a few high-quality pieces. ...
  4. Create your own artwork and décor. ...
  5. Add crown molding and trim. ...
  6. Choose well-designed light fixtures. ...
  7. Use accent pillows and throws. ...
  8. Fool the eye with curtains.
Oct 3, 2023

What is the most economical house shape? ›

Design Example

As discussed, a square house is the most efficient shape, but it's very unlikely the overall house shape will be square. Therefore, a rectangular floor plate is likeliest to produce a useable house plan. As illustrated here, a slightly rectangular shape is easily attainable.

Why are barndominiums cheaper to build? ›

A large prefabricated metal barndominium, like 2,000 to 3,000 square feet, will be less expensive than building a traditional house. Barndominiums can take half the time to construct—and time is money. Less construction time translates to less labor and fewer material needs.

Is it cheaper to build an open floor plan house? ›

While traditional floor plans allow you to heat or cool only certain rooms, with an open floor plan, the entire space must be heated or cooled. Higher construction cost. Without partition walls, open concepts depend on steel or laminated beams for support. These are costly to install.

Is brick cheaper than wood? ›

Wood is faster and more affordable to build with than brick. Wood houses are more susceptible to pest and mold issues than brick.

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