Home Architecture and Home Design 26 Tiny House Plans That Prove Bigger Isn't Always Better Tiny house ideas are abundant, and it's easy to see why. By Marissa Wu Marissa Wu Marissa Wu is a writer with a love for home, food, travel, and art stories. She holds a journalism degree from Boston University. When not editing and producing articles or updating the homepage, she's trying new recipes, jolting along in her manual transmission car, Fitz; hammering out a manuscript on her 1930s Royal Aristocrat typewriter, Georgie; and making film photographs with her Rolleiflex, Cecil. She's currently an Associate SEO Editor for PureWow. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on October 2, 2023 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Southern Living It's safe to say the tiny house has a robust and invested following and tiny house ideas have never been so abundant. Are you considering one for yourself? The pros are many—a simplified lifestyle, relief from the burden of maximalism, and not to mention there's less cleaning involved. And, let's face it. While a stately home is always a dream, it's not always practical or feasible. A tiny house? More so. And, lucky you, our Southern Living House Plans Collection has 25 tiny house floor plans for your consideration. Whether you're an empty nester looking to downsize or someone wanting a cozy, custom lake house, mountain retreat, or beach bungalow, we have something for you. Our tiny house blueprints are thoughtfully designed and bring a full throttle of Southern character with their front (and sometimes back) porches, stone fireplaces, and comfortable layouts. They may be small, but they aren't cramped. Explore these 26 tiny house ideas that are ready to be built. 01 of 26 Backyard Retreat, Plan #2061 David Cannon This plan is a great backyard multi-purpose structure, but it is designed with all the needs of a stand alone tiny home with a living area, kitchen, and covered porch. The flexibility of the plan allows for the second room to be a private bedroom with room for a built-in closet or small home office. 1 bedroom/1 bathroom891 square feet 02 of 26 Deer Run, Plan #731 Southern Living Cozy cabin living in 973 square feet? It's possible. At Deer Run, one of our top selling house plans, you'll find an open living room with a fireplace, plenty of windows, and French doors to the back porch. The upstairs features another full bathroom and a comfortable sleeping area for the occasional guest. 2 bedrooms/2 bathrooms973 square feet 03 of 26 Palmetto Cottage, Plan #2009 Southern Living House Plans; Photo: John McManus This Lowcountry cottage might be the definition of charming. With a vaulted entertaining space, an eat-in kitchen, and an inviting front porch, there's plenty of room to spend time with friends—even if it's just 656 square feet. 1 bedroom/1 bathrooms656 square feet 04 of 26 Garden Cottage, Plan #1830 Southern Living Simple living at its finest. This one-bedroom, one-bathroom cottage is a delightful retreat with a fireplace and covered front porch. Turn it into a weekend getaway or your new, permanent home. 1 bedroom/1 bathroom540 square feet 05 of 26 Whiteside Cottage, Plan #1980 Southern Living This cottage clocks in at just 430 square feet, but it still accommodates a bedroom, one full bath, and a tiny porch. The clapboard style helps it fit right into a peaceful clearing in the woods. 1 bedroom/1 bathroom430 square feet 06 of 26 Grayson Trail, Plan #988 Southern Living Front porch and back porch? Consider us sold. Plus, transform the loft area into an additional guest space or personal haven. 1 bedroom/1 bathroom808 square feet 07 of 26 Hilltop, Plan #728 Southern Living If you're looking for a mountain getaway or lakeside retreat, consider the ever-so-winsome Hilltop tiny house plan. A rustic stone fireplace and railed porches provide the finishing touches. Catch us here stargazing on a warm summer evening and huddling around the fireplace in the winter, cocoa in hand. 1 bedroom/1 bathroom539 square feet 08 of 26 Beachside Bungalow, Plan #1117 Southern Living Dream of living on the beach? With this bungalow, all that's left for you to do is find the prime real estate location. Just imagine it: You, cocktail in hand, rocking on the front porch and looking at the sunset. 1 bedroom/1 bathroom484 square feet 09 of 26 Hickory Cove, Plan #992 Southern Living With a bit of Victorian influence, Hickory Cove charms us all with its steeply pitched roof, shutters, and planter boxes hanging from the windows. A relaxing side porch ensures room for entertaining, while the spare room allows you to host a guest or two. 2 bedrooms/2 bathrooms986 square feet 10 of 26 The Ozarks, Plan #730 Southern Living This country cottage is a comfy mountain hideaway—from the back porch that beckons you to sit awhile to the fireplace and spacious living quarters. You might want to spend all your time here—not only on weekends. 1 bedroom/1.5 bathrooms974 square feet 11 of 26 Bluebird Cottage, Plan #2026 Southern Living This tiny house becomes a fantastic guest retreat on a larger property (it pairs particularly well with Oakland Hall) or as your own snug small home. The house features a bedroom and loft space, which can easily transform into a bedroom or sitting room, depending on your design. 1 bedroom/1 bathroom619 square feet 12 of 26 Heaven's Door, Plan #732 Southern Living A stacked-stone fireplace and Gothic windows are just two touches that help this tiny house live up to its name. The plan is also available in two variations, with one offering a more prominent front porch. You can't say no to that! 1 bedroom/1 bathroom804 square feet 13 of 26 Shoreline Cottage, Plan #490 Southern Living A contemporary take on the classic cottage, Shoreline is designed for those who appreciate a view. Tall windows enable you to look out into the surroundings, and the gabled roof, window seats, and porch create a welcoming ambiance. The loft, accessible by a ladder, serves as storage space or a reading nook. 3 bedrooms/1 bathroom930 square feet 14 of 26 Cypress View, Plan #735 Southern Living Are you looking for a tiny mountain house, lakeside cabin, or beach hideaway? Look no further. With the choice of a screened porch, you can extend the living space and maximize the enjoyment of a lovely view. Exposed board-and-batten and stacked stone give the home a rustic feel, while you can select lap siding and brick to your taste. 1 bedroom/1.5 bathrooms897 square feet 15 of 26 Oak Creek, Plan #737 Southern Living With a front and back porch, this little cabin gives you plenty of space for lounging around with sweet tea and a book in hand. Inside, you have a large living area accommodating cooking, eating, and lounging spaces, plus a snug bedroom. 1 bedroom/1 bathroom412 square feet 16 of 26 Weekender Cabin, Plan #156 Southern Living If you want to rough it a little, this cabin is just for you. It's ideal as a sportsman's cabin or weekend hideaway. The tiny house, raised on piers, features board-and-batten siding, a stickwork fence, and a ship's wheel trim below the porch roof. Inside, you'll feel snug as a bug on a boat. The bed tucks into a window bay, and a wood stove sits in the living room so you can use the cabin all year. 1 bedroom/1 bathroom770 square feet 17 of 26 Idea House at Fontanel Bunkie, Plan #1857 Southern Living This diminutive cottage has everything you need to create a delightful guest house or extremely tiny home at just over 315 square feet. Walk up the front steps, past the porch (which accommodates a rocking chair or two), and enter the guest suite. The kitchen and bathroom sit at the end of the home, neat and compact. 1 bedroom/1 bathroom317 square feet 18 of 26 Gin Creek, Plan #738 Southern Living At one and a half stories and the ideal mix of charm, comfort, and tradition, Gin Creek makes a compact—but no less stylish—mountain retreat or lake house. The generous, covered front porch invites all to stop for a nap on a lazy afternoon, and the interior accommodates a living and dining area, the kitchen tucked behind the stairs. 1 bedroom/1.5 bathrooms906 square feet 19 of 26 Eagle's Nest, Plan #739 Southern Living With Gothic touches and a steeply pitched roof, Eagle's Nest provides ample living space on both the main floor and the loft, which fits a bedroom and bathroom. The back porch has ample room to accommodate a picnic or dining table, and if you fancy, you can also hang a hammock. 1 bedroom/1.5 bathrooms634 square feet 20 of 26 Crooked Creek, Plan #740 Southern Living If we could only choose one word to describe Crooked Creek, it would be timeless. Crooked Creek is a fun house plan for retirees, first-time home buyers, or vacation home buyers with a steeply pitched, shingled roof, cozy fireplace, and generous main floor. 1 bedroom/1.5 bathrooms631 square feet 21 of 26 Beach Bungalow, Plan #243 Southern Living Whether on a beach or a lake, this tiny house can pack it away. Inviting a friend or two to tag along for the weekend is feasible with two bedrooms. Spend lazy summer evenings lounging on the ample front porch or sitting on the raised piers, drinks in hand, feet swinging 2 bedrooms/1 bathroom921 square feet 22 of 26 Greer Lane, Plan #1024 Southern Living Greer Lane has signature Southern charm with its generous front porch, beautiful windows, and cheerful shutters. The porch columns add a touch of grandeur, and you can hang some planters for an extra spot of greenery. 1 bedroom/1 bathroom828 square feet 23 of 26 Little Red, Plan #742 Southern Living You'll love Little Red's board-and-batten construction and post-and-rail detailing if you love the old-fashioned, hand-crafted feel. It brings the nostalgia of a primitive log cabin but doesn't disappoint in the comforts. Little House on the Prairie, here you come. 1 bedroom/1 bathroom800 square feet 24 of 26 Boathouse & Bunkhouse, Plan #049 Southern Living From the boathouse to the bunkhouse, this tiny house plan features windows on every wall, allowing an abundance of natural light to open up the space. Boathouse accents include the metal roof, exposed rafter tails, shuttered windows, and wood siding. While it works as a boathouse, it'll become your favorite bunkhouse with these modifications. 1 bedroom/1 bathroom376 square feet 25 of 26 The Smokey Creek, Plan #729 Southern Living Escape into a forest hideaway in this tiny house, with a screened porch for warm-weather enjoyment and a wood stove and central fireplace on chilly nights. 1 bedroom/2 bathrooms640 square feet 26 of 26 Lake Haven, Plan #609 Southern Living If you want your own cabin in the woods, look no further. We're in love with this inviting front porch which leads right into the spacious living room. A dining area tucks itself right by the kitchen, while a sleeping loft makes space for a guest to spend the weekend. 2 bedrooms/1 bathroom915 square feet Frequently Asked Questions Is it cheaper to build or buy a tiny home? In some cases, it can be cheaper to buy a pre-built home. This depends on whether you are considering building a home yourself or hiring a professional. Building the home yourself can save about half of the cost, but requires significant time and expertise. Is 1,000 square feet a tiny home? The definition varies depending on who you ask, but homes under 600 square feet are typically referred to as tiny. A 1,000 square foot house is generally considered a small house. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit