Home Architecture and Home Design 40 Small House Plans That Are Just The Right Size 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 6, 2023 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Southern Living House Plans Maybe you're an empty nester, maybe you are downsizing, or perhaps you love to feel snug as a bug in your home. Whatever the case, we've got a bunch of small house plans that pack a lot of smartly-designed features, gorgeous and varied facades, and small cottage appeal. Apart from the innate adorability of things in miniature, these small house plans offer ample living space, even for small house living. 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 in by the lake, in the mountains, or near the beach—a perfect small cottage home. Whatever your preferences, look at some of our best plans for small-house living. 01 of 40 Ellsworth Cottage, Plan #1351 Designed by Caldwell/Cline Architects Charming details and cottage styling give the house its distinctive personality. 3 bedrooms/2.5 bathroom 2,323 square feet See Plan: Ellsworth Cottage 02 of 40 Wind River, Plan #1551 Designed by Frank Betz Associates, Inc. This comfortable design, covered with shingle and board-and-batten siding, may be built as a primary residence or as a getaway spot. 3 bedroom/3.5 bathroom 2,553 square feet See Plan: Wind River 03 of 40 Boulder Summit, Plan #1575 Designed by Frank Betz Associates, Inc. Whether built as a mountain retreat or a full-time residence, this plan features an open first floor and tucked-away ground floor. 4 bedroom/4 bathroom 2,704 square feet See Plan: Boulder Summit 04 of 40 Sugarberry, Plan #1648 Designed by Moser Design Group This classic one-and-a-half-story home takes advantage of every square inch of space. 3 bedroom/2.5 bathroom 1,679 square feet See Plan: Sugarberry 05 of 40 Topwater Lodge, Plan #1385 Designed by Caldwell/Cline Architects An easygoing, laid-back warmth characterizes this cozy cottage. 3 bedroom/2.5 bathroom 1,798 square feet See Plan: Topwater Lodge 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. 3 bedroom/3 bathroom 2,626 square feet See Plan: Allegheny 07 of 40 Bluffton, Plan #594 Designed by Hall & Hull Architects, Inc. With a deep, metal-roofed porch skirting the front, one entire side, and a portion of the house's rear, this plan looks like a Southern, shotgun-style home. 3 bedroom/2 bathroom 1,435 square feet See Plan: Bluffton 08 of 40 Striper's Cottage, Plan #1388 Designed by Caldwell/Cline Architects Here's a warm, inviting year-round retreat where friends and family can relax. 3 bedroom/2.5 bathroom 1,678 square feet See Plan: Striper's Cottage 09 of 40 Aberdeen Place, Plan #013 Designed by Frank Betz Associates, Inc. A cozy cottage that proves that good things come in small packages. Wood siding, stone, and shutters add charm to the home's facade. 3 bedroom/2.5 bathroom 1,593 square feet See Plan: Aberdeen Place 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 provides more space in less square footage. 3 bedroom/2.5 bathroom 1,715 square feet See Plan: Cedarbrook 11 of 40 The Maple Ridge, Plan #442 Designed by Frank Betz Associates, Inc. This floor plan makes the most of one-level living with a combination kitchen, dining room, and family room that provides open space for entertaining. 4 bedroom/2 bathroom 1,777 square feet See Plan: The Maple Ridge 12 of 40 Silverhill, Plan #749 Designed by Sullivan Design Company Its symmetrical shape takes advantage of every usable space, allowing for spacious living and dining areas. 3 bedroom/2.5 bathroom 1,771 square feet See Plan: Silverhill 13 of 40 Heather Place, Plan #945 Designed by John Tee Its simple roofline, clapboard siding, and wraparound front porch make this design an instant classic. 3 bedroom/2.5 bathroom 1,486 square feet See Plan: Heather Place 14 of 40 Coosaw River Cottage, Plan #671 Designed by Allison Ramsey Architects, Inc. This open plan combines the living and dining rooms to create one large space. A galley kitchen allows easy access to the dining and breakfast rooms. 3 bedroom/2.5 bathroom 1,705 square feet See Plan: Coosaw River Cottage 15 of 40 The Sage House, Plan #947 Designed by John Tee With a flexible floor plan, the kitchen, dining, and family rooms are one large space that shares views through a large picture window. A roomy screened porch is a natural extension of the home's living space. 3 bedroom/3.5 bathroom 1,672 square feet See Plan: The Sage House 16 of 40 Rockborne, Plan #639 Designed by Dungan-Nequette Architects Comfort, casual style, and thoughtful visual details define this house. 3 bedroom/2 bathroom 1,588 square feet See Plan: Rockborne 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. 3 bedroom/2.5 bathroom 1,524 square feet See Plan: Cherry Hill 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. 2 bedroom/2.5 bathroom 1,798 square feet See Plan: St. Simons Retreat 19 of 40 Fontanel Carriage House, Plan #1856 Southern Living Although this charming farmhouse cottage is small, it has plenty of porch space. 2 bedroom/2 bathroom 1,099 square feet See Plan: Fontanel Carriage House 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. 3 bedroom/2 bathroom 1,721 square feet See Plan: River's Edge 21 of 40 Deer Run, Plan #731 Southern Living This two-bed, two-bath cabin couldn't be a cuter hideaway for the lake. 2 bedroom/2 bathroom 973 square feet See Plan: Deer Run 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. 2 bedroom/2 bathroom 1,398 square feet See Plan: Rustic Beach Cottage 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. 3 bedroom/2.5 bathroom 1,720 square feet See Plan: Beaufort Cottage 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 only a little upkeep. 1 bedroom/1 bathroom 656 square feet See Plan: Palmetto Cottage 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-in back porch. 3 bedroom/3 bathroom 1,804 square feet See Plan: Sparta II 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. 2 bedroom/2 bathroom 1,200 square feet See Plan: Cloudland Cottage 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. 3 bedroom/2.5 bathroom 1,623 square feet See Plan: Canton Row 28 of 40 Shoreline Cottage, Plan #490 Southern Living Whether at the lake, beach, or mountains, you can catch nature from all its good angles with this home. It's a house plan with scenic views in mind. 3 bedroom/1 bathroom 930 square feet See Plan: Shoreline Cottage 29 of 40 Randolph Cottage, Plan #1861 Southern Living This home is sure to be the most inviting one on the block. 3 bedroom/2.5 bathroom 1,800 square feet See Plan: Randolph Cottage 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. 3 bedroom/3 bathroom 1,610 square feet See Plan: St. George Cottage 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. 1 bedroom/1 bathroom 484 square feet See Plan: Beachside Bungalow 32 of 40 Rustic Lake Cabin, Plan #1809 Southern Living We can already picture ourselves cozy by a fire in this sweet cabin. 2 bedroom/1 bathroom1,426 square feetSee Plan: Rustic Lake Cabin 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. 1 bedroom/1 bathroom 619 square feet See Plan: Bluebird Cottage 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. 2 bedroom/2 bathroom 1,611 square feet See Plan: Hawthorn Cottage 35 of 40 Whiteside Cottage, Plan #1980 Laurey W. Glenn This house plan highlights the perfect layout for a guest cottage. Maximize your efficiency without adding extra square footage. 1 bedroom/1 bathroom 430 square feet See Plan: Whiteside Cottage 36 of 40 Flint Cottage, Plan #1955 Southern Living Flanked by bedrooms and baths, this family-friendly house has a spacious living space and kitchen sandwiched between the front and back porches. 3 bedroom/2 bathroom 1,606 square feet See Plan: Flint Cottage 37 of 40 Magnolia Cottage, Plan #1845 John Tee Ideal for year-round living, this house plan uses a classically symmetrical layout with bedrooms on either side of the main living space. 3 bedroom/3 bathroom 1,776 square feet See Plan: Magnolia Cottage 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 a guest for long weekends. 2 bedroom/2 bathroom 1,334 square feet See Plan: Mango Cottage 39 of 40 Whisper Creek, Plan #1653 Southern Living A wide front porch, a stone chimney, and a vaulted ceiling make this home warm and welcoming—It's ideal for building near a mountain or lake. 2 bedroom/2.5 bathroom 1,555 square feet See Plan: Whisper Creek 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 house. 2 bedroom/2 bathroom1,269 square feetSee Plan: Holly Grove Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit