These small house design plans may seem simple, but they are carefully crafted to maximize space and offer flexibility. Most importantly, these small houses are charming and have inviting house aesthetics. That’s why they are so popular among homeowners dreaming of building a new home.
So whether you plan on building a cozy in-laws’ cottage, vacation home, or a guest house that can serve double duty as a pool house, this collection of small house plans is for you. These flexible dwellings offer unique and customizable solutions for a variety of needs.
1. Versatile Craftsman Pool/Guest House Plan (636 SqFt)
This adorable Craftsman cottage checks a lot of boxes while maintaining a charming house aesthetic. With 636 square feet of total space, it offers 1 bedroom, 1 full bath, a kitchen, and a spacious covered terrace.
An open-concept living area with a dramatic two-story space immediately captures attention with its soaring 17-foot ceilings and lots of natural light. A spacious mezzanine on the second floor offers flexible space perfect for an additional sleeping area, home office, or creative studio.
This stunning property boasts a hidden gem – a secret room for added privacy. Keep your files and valuables safe in this unique feature, adding both functionality and mystery to the space.
2. Contemporary Vacation Retreat (686 SqFt)
If you are dreaming of building a vacation getaway, this versatile plan offers the right size, 2 bedrooms, and a practical small house design. A shed roof is easy to build and cheaper to maintain, while it can withstand a heavy snow weight.
Moreover, clerestory windows bring in extra light into the interior. Furthermore, with its compact footprint, the home is easy to clean and maintain. A large covered porch, a fireplace that keeps the whole house warm, and rustic stone accents add charm to this small cottage.
3. Modern Ranch Home – 1,260 Sqft
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This modern ranch home plan fits right into your mountain or woodsy lot, offering 1,260 sqft of heated living space, 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, and a covered terrace – all on a single level. The modern exterior with a metal roof, black trim, and wooden accents has an undeniable curb appeal.
As you step inside, you find a spacious open-concept living area with dramatic vaulted ceilings and a cozy fireplace. Most importantly, check out 24 additional images that help you visualize small space design and decor ideas.
With 2 spacious bedrooms, a well-appointed full bath, and a dedicated mudroom, this flexible floor plan is perfect as a mountain retreat or a permanent home for a small family.
4. Cozy Cottage – 1,064 SqFt
If you are looking for a spacious cottage with 2 bedrooms on a single level, this small house plan is for you. This cozy home has a charming exterior with board and batten siding and 2 covered porches. You’ll get plenty of natural light with the dormer, which is accessible from pull-down stairs in the laundry room.
The living, dining, and kitchen are all one open great room for easy entertaining and family gatherings. Furthermore, this living room has easy access to the front and rear porches, adding even more space and opportunities to enjoy the views and great outdoors.
Additionally, check out 14 interior design ideas for this cozy cottage plan.
5. Spacious 2-Bedroom Rustic Cabin (1064 Sq Ft)
If you are looking for a spacious cabin, check out this 1,064 sq ft single-level plan with 2 bedrooms. This small house offers a rustic appeal with a 10′-deep front porch that spans the width of the home.
An oversized glass door welcomes you into the vaulted living room, which freely flows into the kitchen, thus uniting the indoors and outdoors. In the kitchen area, you’ll find a stylish barn door, which opens to reveal a laundry unit and pantry.
A split bedroom layout provides privacy. Most importantly, each of the 2 bedrooms comes with its own private bath and closet space.
6. Cozy 2-Bedroom Cottage (1,257 Sq Ft)
Are you enchanted by an iconic covered porch? Check out this single-level cottage, which boasts 1,257 square feet of space, 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, and 2 covered porches – front and rear. Furthermore, check out the build gallery from homeowners who built this cottage – with real photos, videos, and reviews.
Considering the importance of outdoor spaces like covered porches in small house design plans allows you to fully utilize all available square footage and create a balanced and harmonious living environment. By integrating these outdoor areas, you can enhance the functionality and appeal of your small house while maximizing its overall potential.
7. 3-Bedroom Country Cottage
With a modest footprint of 28’x49′, this small cottage offers 1284 sqft of total heated living space and 3 bedrooms. The 2 bedrooms are located at the front and are accessible from a spacious entrance foyer. Of course, you can use them as a guest room, a home office, a gym, or a craft room.
The open-concept great room has vaulted ceilings, a cozy fireplace, and access to an L-shaped kitchen with a dining nook. The main bedroom is tucked away in the back for added privacy and offers a tranquil retreat.
Additionally, you’ll enjoy plenty of closet space and a well-appointed private bath. Furthermore, there is a separate laundry room and easy access to a back patio.
8. A Small Vacation Cottage (808 sqft)
This adorable vacation cottage is not tiny, though it is small, offering 808 sq ft of space. It is a comfortable 1-bedroom getaway place for someone who loves simplicity.
With a stone facade, black window trim, and exposed wooden beams, it offers a modern design vibe. A great room with a stone fireplace is the focal point of this small house. With access to a spacious, covered porch, it is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts.
Furthermore, the double barn doors lead to the bedroom, which can accommodate either one bed or a wall of built-in bunk beds. As illustrated, this vacation house is inexpensive to build and has everything you need.
As a result, this one-bedroom getaway is perfect for a couple, a small family, and could also serve as a vacation home or tiny living residence.
9. A Quaint 1-Bedroom Cottage
This quaint cottage has been popular with aspiring homeowners who are looking to downsize or want to build a small ADU on their property. Whether you need a guest house or a dwelling for extra income, this simple 650 sqft plan with 25’x26′ footprint has everything you need for comfortable living.
This small cottage plan offers 1 bedroom, 1 full bath, and 176 sq ft of covered porch space. The centered front door and matching windows on both sides give this small home’s facade its classic symmetry. A great room boasts vaulted ceilings with a 13′ peak. The vault is centered on the fireplace on one side and the kitchen stove on the other. With a spacious bedroom, a well-appointed bath, a dedicated laundry room, and space for a pantry, there is everything you need for comfortable daily living.
10. Small House Plan – 1362 SqFt
If you are looking for a slightly bigger cottage with 2-3 bedrooms (or a flex space), this floor plan is for you. This charming house plan offers 1,362 sq ft, featuring 3 bedrooms and 2 full baths, with a country/cottage flair.
As you enter the space from a covered porch (ready for your seasonal decor), you discover an open-concept living space enhanced by a striking vaulted ceiling. A warm fireplace and a cozy L-shaped country kitchen provide an ideal setting for daily meals and festive occasions. Also, a covered back porch is perfect for unwinding with a cup of mint tea at the end of the day.
A primary bedroom suite is slightly bigger than 2 secondary bedrooms. Lastly, you can use a third bedroom as a home office, demanding private video conferencing or quiet studies.
11. Contemporary 3-Bedroom Cottage
If you are a fan of Scandinavian simplicity, take a look at this modern cottage. It offers 1378 sq ft of space, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths on a single level. Suitable for the woods, a lake cabin, or a mountain getaway, it has a modern house design aesthetic with wood siding and a black metal roof.
As you enter from the front porch, step inside the great room spanning the whole length of the house and connecting 2 outdoor spaces. This open-concept living area provides a comfortable space for everyday living. Also, it ensures a split bedroom layout for an additional layer of privacy.
Additionally, the 4′-deep patio and the laundry/mudroom are essential for country living.
12. Small Vacation Getaway under 1000 sqft
Among all the featured flexible home design plans, this house fits a lot of scenarios. It can be an over-garage apartment, a beach-front cabin, or a lake cabin getaway. With 781 square feet of parking for 2 cars and shop space on the ground floor, it is a handyman’s paradise.
As you enter upstairs, you’ll find an open-concept living area and 2 spacious bedrooms with 915 square feet of total space. A Living room has cathedral ceilings, an electric fireplace, and a modern kitchen with a central island.
Lastly, for enjoyment of the outdoors and protection from the rain and sun, you have a covered patio on the ground level and a covered deck upstairs. Perfect for al-fresco meals and stargazing from the privacy of your own swing!
13. 25’x 26′ Rustic Vacation Cabin
This rustic country cottage features 857 sqft of space, 2 bedrooms, and 2 baths – all enveloped in a charming country exterior. Step inside from the small covered porch and be greeted by an open-concept great room, seamlessly combining the living room and kitchen.
The compact yet functional kitchen features an island with bar seating and a walk-in pantry. Both bedrooms are conveniently located on the same level, each with access to a private bath.
Thoughtfully designed with small spaces in mind, this home is versatile and can serve as a vacation getaway, a comfortable abode for a small family, or even generate extra income as an ADU.
14. Cozy Country Cabin with Bunk Room
Welcome to your dream country cabin – where rustic charm and cozy comfort meet. This 3-bedroom, 2-bath home boasts 1425 square feet spread across 2 levels. As you approach the exterior, the vertical siding, gabled covered entry, decorative dormer, and exposed rafter tails immediately catch your eye.
Step inside through the covered front porch and be greeted by the inviting vaulted great room, complete with a charming stone fireplace. To the right, the kitchen boasts a peninsula with seating for 4 and opens up to the dining room. Plus, with one bedroom on the main floor and two more upstairs – including a bunk room – there is plenty of space for everyone.
But that’s not all – two covered porches (including a grilling porch on the back) beckon you to unwind and enjoy the outdoors. And with an additional stone fireplace, it’s the perfect spot for barbecuing with friends and hosting family gatherings. As a result, this cozy country cabin is the perfect blend of country charm and modern convenience for the ultimate getaway experience.
15. Modern Cottage with Workshop
As illustrated, this modern cottage plan is unique in so many ways. With 1165 sqft of total living space, 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 2-car garage, and a workshop, it is a perfect home for a young family or a retirement home for those young at heart.
Not interested in a workshop? Turn it into a home office, gym, or craft room. This versatile plan with room for everything can adapt to your lifestyle. Walking upstairs brings you straight into the dining area, which is open to the living room and kitchen. A spacious bedroom with access to a private balcony is a serene retreat with all modern amenities, including a walk-in closet. Additionally, you have access to a spacious covered deck to enjoy the views and sunsets.
This modern cottage plan is all about embracing the great outdoors. From the sunken patio with a fire pit on the ground level to the covered and open decks on the upper level, every inch of this home is designed to bring the beauty of the surrounding landscape indoors.
Imagine sipping your morning coffee on the balcony, listening to the birds chirping, or cozying up around the fire pit with your loved ones on a chilly evening. As a result, this cottage is the perfect blend of indoor and outdoor living, making it an ideal choice for building a lake house or vacation home in your favorite spot.
More Small House Design Plans
If you are looking for more small house plans, check out these ideas:
- 11 Small Cottage House Plans: Charming and Budget-Friendly
- 14 Tiny Farmhouse Plans
- 14+ Modern Cottage House Plans
- 9 Small House Plans with Porch
In Summary
Incorporating open concept layouts, maximizing natural light, creating multipurpose rooms, utilizing creative storage solutions, and prioritizing outdoor spaces like covered porches all contribute to maximizing space in small house design.
By implementing these design plans, you can transform limited square footage into a stylish and functional living space that adapts to your needs. Take the first step towards maximizing space in your new house today and unlock the potential of flexible small house design.
As architect Frank Lloyd Wright once said, “Space is the breath of art.” Breathe new life into your dream small home with these innovative design plans.
