Home Architecture and Home Design 40 Small House Plans That Are Just The Right Size Live big in these compact homes. By Katherine Owen Katherine Owen Katherine Owen is a writer and editor with a passion for home design. In her 10+ years of experience, she's covered everything from cozy Southern cottages to fresh farmhouses to sprawling mountain retreats. Her areas of expertise include home design and construction, gardening and pets. Her work has been featured in Southern Living, Birmingham Magazine, The Atlantic, Boulder Lifestyle, Log & Timber Home Living, and more. Southern Living's editorial guidelines and Betsy Cribb Watson Betsy Cribb Watson Betsy is the Senior Home and Features Editor at Southern Living. She writes about a veritable potpourri of topics for print and digital, from profiling Southern movers-and-shakers and celebrating family traditions to highlighting newsy restaurant openings and curating the annual holiday gift guide. Prior to joining the Southern Living team in 2017 as the style editor, she worked at Coastal Living as an assistant editor covering pets and homes. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on August 7, 2024 Close Photo: Southern Living House Plans Maybe you're an empty nester, maybe you are downsizing, or perhaps maybe you love to feel snug as a bug in your home. Whatever the case, a sprawling mansion isn't for everybody. Good news: The Southern Living House Plans Collection has bunches of small house blueprints that pack smartly designed features, gorgeous and varied facades, and small cottage appeal into less than 500, 1,000, or 2,000 square feet. Apart from the innate adorability of things in miniature, these small house plans offer ample space, even for small house living. For example, the Sugarberry Cottage, which looks like a place Goldilocks might enjoy, has three bedrooms, two full bathrooms, and a porch that significantly extends the tiny house's living area. Prefer a more rustic look? The Cypress View plan is incredibly versatile. It nestles comfortably by the lake, in the mountains, or near the beach—perfect for a small cottage home. Whatever your preferences or needs, though, look through some of our best plans for small-house living. The plans range in price, depending on your preferred foundation, the plan type, and whether you want a material list or a garage. 27 Tiny House Plans That Prove Bigger Isn't Always Better 01 of 40 Ellsworth Cottage, Plan #1351 Designed by Caldwell/Cline Architects Charming details and cottage styling, like board-and-batten and shake finishes, give this house its distinctive personality. Designed by Georgia-based Caldwell Cline Architects & Designers, it has two stories, plus a walkout basement with potential space for another bedroom, family room, and patio. 3 or 4 bedrooms and 2 ½ or 3 ½ bathrooms2,360 square feet See Plan 02 of 40 Wind River, Plan #1551 Designed by Frank Betz Associates, Inc. This comfortable design, covered with shingle and board-and-batten siding, can be built as a primary residence or as a getaway spot. Almost a perfect square at 42- x 43 feet wide, the three-story, Frank Betz design has 10-foot-tall ceilings on the main level, several porches, a walkout basement, and an attic. 3 bedrooms and 3 ½ bathrooms2,553 square feet See Plan 03 of 40 Boulder Summit, Plan #1575 Designed by Frank Betz Associates, Inc. Built into the side of a hill, this Frank Betz plan is perfect for a mountainside retreat. The first floor features two bedrooms and an open 1,588-square-foot layout, and the lower level has a terrace, two more bedrooms, and two flex spaces. 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms2,704 square feet See Plan 04 of 40 Sugarberry Cottage, Plan #1648 Designed by Moser Design Group This classic bungalow takes advantage of every square inch of space. The open kitchen-dining-living space lives large, and there are plenty of porches to escape to the outdoors. 3 bedrooms and 2 ½ bathrooms1,679 square feet See Plan 05 of 40 Topwater Lodge, Plan #1385 Designed by Caldwell/Cline Architects An easygoing, laid-back warmth characterizes this cozy cottage. Designed as part of Southern Living's Reynolds Cottages Collection, the plan has three stories with a whole floor between the primary and secondary bedrooms for additional privacy. 3 bedrooms and 2 ½ bathrooms1,798 square feet See Plan 06 of 40 Allegheny, Plan #1552 Designed by Frank Betz Associates, Inc. Inside and out, this classical house teems with ideas that reflect the historic charm of traditional Southern architecture. Think board-and-batten exterior finishes, vaulted ceilings, and anchoring fireplaces in this Frank Betz plan. 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms2,626 square feet See Plan 07 of 40 Bluffton, Plan #594 Designed by Hall & Hull Architects, Inc. At 28 feet wide and 66 feet deep, this shotgun-inspired home is Southern through and through. The deep metal roof overhangs over a porch that wraps around most of the house, maximizing the outdoor living space. 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms1,435 square feet See Plan 08 of 40 Striper's Cottage, Plan #1388 Designed by Caldwell/Cline Architects Also part of the Reynolds Cottages Collection, here's a warm, inviting year-round retreat where friends and family can relax. The plan has large porches, two stories, and a spacious family room. 3 bedrooms and 2 ½ bathrooms1,678 square feet See Plan 09 of 40 Aberdeen Place, Plan #013 Designed by Frank Betz Associates, Inc. This cozy Frank Betz cottage proves that good things come in small packages. Wood siding, stone, and shutters add charm to the home's facade. The basement can be finished off to add another 1,118 square feet of living space, and the plan comes with a garage. 3 bedrooms and 2 ½ bathrooms1,593 square feet See Plan 10 of 40 Cedarbrook, Plan #408 Designed by Caldwell/Cline Architects Here's a compact, rustic-style house with plenty of style and flexibility. Open planning in the great room provides more living space, and the home has several covered porches, an old-fashioned sleeping porch, and a garage. 3 bedrooms and 2 ½ bathrooms1,715 square feet See Plan 11 of 40 The Maple Ridge, Plan #442 Designed by Frank Betz Associates, Inc. This Frank Betz-designed floor plan makes the most of one-level living with an open kitchen-dining-living plan on one side of the home and a wing of bedrooms on the other. The 50 x 52-foot house comes with a small porch, garage, and optional basement. 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms1,777 square feet See Plan 12 of 40 Silverhill, Plan #749 Designed by Sullivan Design Company This home's symmetrical shape takes advantage of every usable space, allowing for spacious living and dining areas. The Craftsman-inspired house keeps the primary downstairs, placing the two secondary bedrooms and a jack-and-jill bathroom on the second level. 3 bedrooms and 2 ½ bathrooms1,771 square feet See Plan 13 of 40 Heather Place, Plan #945 The peaked roofline, shake siding, and welcoming front porch make this design an instant classic. The John Tee design has three stories, 10-foot ceilings on the main level, and optional terraces and loft areas. 5 bedrooms and 4 ½ bathrooms2,356 square feet See Plan 14 of 40 Coosaw River Cottage, Plan #671 Designed by Allison Ramsey Architects, Inc. This open plan, which merges the living and dining rooms, and the tall ceilings create one large living space on the main level. A galley kitchen connects the family space to the breakfast room, utility room, and covered back porch. 3 bedrooms and 2 ½ bathrooms1,705 square feet See Plan 15 of 40 The Sage House, Plan #947 Southern Living This flexible, three-story floor plan has everything you need, including plenty of bedrooms, a spacious screened porch, and several fireplaces. A large picture window lets lots of light into the open kitchen-dining-living space. 5 bedrooms and 3 ½ bathrooms2,670 square feet See Plan 16 of 40 Rockborne, Plan #639 Designed by Dungan-Nequette Architects Comfort, casual style, and thoughtful visual details define this house. The one-story plan includes a stone ledge for potted plants on the porch, a niche for art in the foyer, and banquette seating in the breakfast room, as well as three bedrooms. 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms1,588 square feet See Plan 17 of 40 Cherry Hill, Plan #1843 Designed by John Tee Compact and very functional, this cottage-style plan is an easy fit for any family. The John Tee design has several porches, a lofted second story, three bedrooms, and a roomy living room. 3 bedrooms and 2 ½ bathrooms1,527 square feet See Plan 18 of 40 St. Simons Retreat, Plan #256 Designed by Ken Tate Inspired by historic seaside architecture, this design combines the comfort of a vacation home with thoughtful features that make everyday life easier for today's busy families. A large hall separates the family spaces from the downstairs bedroom, and the plan includes plenty of window seating, a private porch for the primary, two foyers, and lots of storage. 2 bedrooms and 2 ½ bathrooms1,798 square feet See Plan 19 of 40 Idea House At Fontanel Carriage House, Plan #1856 Southern Living Although this charming farmhouse cottage is small, it has plenty of porch space. It is one of four designs created on country music star Barbara Mandrell's Tennessee estate, Fontanel, for Southern Living's 2013 Idea House. 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms1,099 square feet See Plan 20 of 40 River's Edge, Plan #1977 Southern Living House Plans With Lowcountry influences in its design, this home has plenty of Southern charisma. Relax by the double-sided fireplace, enjoy the breeze on the screened porch, or look out the window from the flex office-bedroom space. 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms1,721 square feet See Plan 21 of 40 Deer Run, Plan #731 Southern Living At just 30 x 36 feet, this two-bed, two-bath cabin couldn't be a cuter hideaway for the lake. It's rustic and sweet, with plenty of vignettes, like two cozy porches, to hang out and relax in. 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms973 square feet See Plan 22 of 40 Rustic Beach Cottage, Plan #360 Southern Living Calling all gardeners—this adorable house plan has latticework details on the porch and plenty of space for bountiful window boxes. Inside, you can relax in either the dining room's or the downstairs bedroom's bay window. 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms1,398 square feet See Plan 23 of 40 Beaufort Cottage, Plan #1136 Southern Living House Plans If you're looking for the perfect new old-home architecture, meet your new cottage. The Allison Ramsey Architects-designed plan has a portico, columns, dormer windows, lap siding, and more. 3 bedrooms and 2 ½ bathrooms1,720 square feet See Plan 24 of 40 Palmetto Cottage, Plan #2009 Southern Living House Plans; Photo: John McManus This one-bedroom cottage has just the right amount of space for simple upkeep. Set it up as a tiny guest house or as a private, standalone mother-in-law suite. 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom656 square feet See Plan 25 of 40 Sparta II, Plan #1810-A Southern Living House Plans In addition to this picture-perfect front porch, this classic house plan also has a screened back porch. It has three bedrooms, 11-foot ceilings, and a detached garage. 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms1,804 square feet See Plan 26 of 40 Cloudland Cottage, Plan #1894 Southern Living The name of this house plan says it all: Living in a cottage this cute is like living on Cloud 9. We can't decide what we love more—the charming exteriors, the huge back porch, or the bunk bed areas upstairs. 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms1,200 square feet See Plan 27 of 40 Canton Row, Plan #1938 Southern Living This cottage has plenty of space for your family to come back and visit if you're an empty nester looking to downsize. Plus, all the guest spaces are upstairs, giving you some added privacy. 3 bedrooms and 2 ½ bathrooms1,623 square feet See Plan 28 of 40 Shoreline Cottage, Plan #490 Southern Living Whether you're at the lake, beach, or mountains, you can catch nature from all its good angles with this cabin. It's a house plan with scenic views in mind, as well as two downstairs bedrooms and a sleeping loft that will feel like a slumber party every night. 3 bedrooms and 1 bathroom930 square feet See Plan 29 of 40 Randolph Cottage, Plan #1861 Southern Living This home is sure to be the most inviting one on the block. It has English cottage vibes with its dormer windows, shake siding, steep roofline, and picturesque chimney. 3 bedrooms and 2 ½ bathrooms1,800 square feet See Plan 30 of 40 St. George Cottage, Plan #1906 Southern Living This open-plan home is filled with natural light and has an expansive back porch. The one-story house separates the primary suite from the secondary bedrooms, leaving a large family space in between. 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms1,610 square feet See Plan 31 of 40 Beachside Bungalow, Plan #1117 Designed by Moser Design Group At this beachside bungalow, there are no worries, so sit back and kick your feet up. The floor plan isn't large, but when you're right on the water, you won't want to waste time indoors. 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom484 square feet See Plan 32 of 40 Rustic Lake Cabin, Plan #1809 Southern Living We can already picture ourselves cozy by the fire or on the screened porch that's larger than both bedrooms in this sweet cabin. Make it light and bright or homey and warm, but however you decorate it, play up those windows. 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom1,426 square feet See Plan 33 of 40 Bluebird Cottage, Plan #2026 Southern Living Despite its small square footage, this quaint guest cottage features one bedroom, a fireplace, a sitting area, a full bath, and a loft space. At less than 650 square feet, it's sure to fit on any lot. 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom619 square feet See Plan 34 of 40 Hawthorn Cottage, Plan #2004 Lake & Land Studio, LLC Ideal for entertaining guests, this plan separates shared and private spaces with a great room and kitchen near the entrance and the bed and bathrooms attached as a wing to the side. Plus, two porches add another 578 square feet of living space. 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms1,560 square feet See Plan 35 of 40 Whiteside Cottage, Plan #1980 Laurey W. Glenn This house plan highlights the perfect layout for a guest cottage. There's no kitchen, but here you maximize your efficiency without adding extra square footage. 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom430 square feet See Plan 36 of 40 Flint Cottage, Plan #1955 Southern Living Flanked by bedrooms and baths, this family-friendly house has a spacious living space and an eat-in kitchen sandwiched between the front and back porches. Plus, 10-foot ceilings make the whole space feel airy. 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms1,606 square feet See Plan 37 of 40 Magnolia Cottage, Plan #1845 John Tee Ideal for year-round living, this John Tee-designed house plan uses a classically symmetrical layout with bedrooms on either side of the main living space. The exteriors are just as symmetrical with a central gable and equally sized porches at the front and back of the homes. 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms1,776 square feet See Plan 38 of 40 Mango Cottage, Plan #1623 Southern Living Two primary bedrooms make this cottage layout ideal for empty nesters who plan to host their children or guests for long weekends. And there's plenty of loft space to store bulky suitcases. 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms1,334 square feet See Plan 39 of 40 Whisper Creek, Plan #1653 Southern Living A stone chimney and a vaulted ceiling make this home warm and welcoming—it's ideal for building near a mountain or lake. At the end of the day, relax on the wraparound porch or in the library. 2 bedrooms and 2 ½ bathrooms1,555 square feet See Plan 40 of 40 Holly Grove, Plan #1581 Southern Living House Plans This efficient design combines a living, dining, and kitchen area so you can entertain family and friends. Two bedrooms and baths complete the other half of the 58-foot-deep house. 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms1,257 square feet See Plan Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit