Author: CHPBlog

Whether you live in the South or have massive land with breathtaking views, consider building a Southern house on your property. This historic style home has been around for centuries, but it’s still prevalent today because of its unmistakable features and versatile design. Living in a Southern home allows you to add a modern touch to a traditional architectural style while creating fun memories with your family.

We offer thousands of Southern home floor plans at COOL House Plans with unique features and customizable designs. To find your dream home, you can use the filters on our search engine to modify your options. Use this guide about the characteristics of a Southern house to help you figure out how to design your property.

What Is a Southern House?

A Southern house is a building that resembles the architecture from the American South before the Civil War. This home’s design kept the indoors cool in the harsh summer heat before air conditioning became available. Even though you could build your house on a small plot of land, a traditional Southern home is usually near a spacious field, allowing you to take in the views and enjoy a simple lifestyle.

Here are some of the standard features of a Southern house:

• Full-length windows: Southern homes include full-length arched windows that give you a front-row seat to the natural beauty around you. Since most Southern houses are symmetrical, the curved windows can add texture to your property. If you install windows that you can open, you can bring a fresh breeze into your living space to help control air circulation, especially on a hot summer day.
• Porches: Consider adding an open, wraparound porch to make better use of your outdoor property. This exterior addition allows you to entertain guests outside or put out a few chairs to admire the surrounding views. You may even want to set up an outdoor kitchen or fireplace near your porch to help with your next summer barbecue.
• French doors:Glass doors inside the home allow light to travel through your living space. Consider including French doors in your design, especially if you want to establish an open floor plan.
• High ceilings: A vaulted ceiling can control airflow and make the room feel more spacious. Since warm air rises, high ceilings can help keep the lower part of a room cooler. You may want a great room with a vaulted ceiling to provide a grand entrance to your home.
• Large entrance:A traditional Southern home’s entrance hall is where the master of the house greets the guests. Since the entryway is the first impression of your home, consider making a bold statement with a spiral staircase or a grand chandelier. Besides impressing your guests, a large entrance also provides better ventilation.
• Media rooms: In the 19th century, media rooms provided homeowners with a place to entertain guests in a private and comfortable setting. Since a traditional Southern home has plenty of space, you can turn your bonus room into an area to play games, watch movies or indulge in your favorite hobbies.
• Fireplaces: A fireplace used to be the only source of heat in a Southern home, but in your home, it can serve as the focal point to your great room.
• Open floor plan:A Southern house usually has an open floor plan that combines the living room, kitchen and dining room into one giant space to provide better ventilation and convenient entertainment.
• First-floor master suite: Even though you can have your master suite on the top floor, a Southern home design often features a spacious master suite on the first level that’s away from the other rooms in the house.

5 Benefits of Living in a Southern House

A Southern home encourages you and your family to adapt to a simpler lifestyle. Here are some ways this house style can be beneficial for you.

1. Plenty of Natural Light

If you design your home with traditional full-length windows, you can bring an abundance of natural light into your living space. Natural light reduces your need for light fixtures and lamps, allowing you to save money on your energy bills. The sunlight is also beneficial for your health, boosting your mood and giving you energy throughout the day. Your house will feel brighter and more spacious when you install large windows and give you convenient access to the beautiful views in your yard.

2. Healthy Air Circulation

Due to their location in a warm region, Southern homes often feature an open floor plan and architectural design that controls airflow and allows a consistent, fresh breeze. Even though this design accommodated the temperature before central air and heating, the benefits still exist for your modern home. Air circulation can reduce the wear and tear on your HVAC system, helping you save money on your monthly energy bills. A healthy airflow can also make your home more comfortable, especially for those with allergies or other respiratory conditions.

3. Versatile Design

With our custom options, you can modify your floor plan to accommodate your family and budget. The Southern home aesthetic features a flexible design that allows you to reflect your values and lifestyle to the world around you. Since you’re building a brand-new property, you have a blank canvas to make this home exactly what you want it to be. Whether you design it with uniquely colored siding, bold hardwood flooring or traditional furniture, the possibilities are endless for creating your ideal living space.

4. Use of Natural Materials

Since an authentic Southern home features neutral-colored wood or brick siding, you can give new life to recyclable materials. These eco-friendly products send fewer carbon emissions into the atmosphere during the manufacturing process. They also tend to last a long time, so you won’t have to use as many resources to renovate your house in the future. Besides building your house with natural materials, you can also design your home with eco-friendly plants that can add color to your living space and boost your mood.

5. Ability to Adapt

When you build a new construction house, you probably plan to live in it for the next few decades. Consider how your life will look different in that timeframe to determine how to customize your property. As your family changes, you need a flexible living space that accommodates your loved ones throughout their lives. You may even want to grow old and retire in your new home. A Southern house has an adaptable floor plan to allow you to add or combine rooms as needed.

Types of Southern House Plans

At COOL House Plans, we have a wide selection of Southern house plans to help you find your dream home. Here are some of the different types we offer on our site:

• Country Southern house plans: A country Southern house tends to be small, but it has everything on the main level for convenient maintenance. Both the country and Southern aesthetics promote a more peaceful way of life and encourage you to admire the natural beauty around your property.
• Cottage Southern house plans: A cottage Southern house is often a cozy property with a versatile design. These two styles use symmetrical details and feature a private master suite on the first floor for convenient access.
• Craftsman Southern house plans:A Craftsman Southern house includes prominent architectural features that provide a dazzling first impression for your guests. Both the Craftsman and Southern aesthetics encourage you to include decorative details in the design.
• Cape Cod Southern house plans: A Cape Cod Southern house is a cozy abode with all the space you need for family gatherings and relaxing nights at home. The Cape Cod and Southern styles both feature symmetrical designs and gabled roofs.

3 Example Southern House Plans

If you’re still unsure about how you want your Southern home to look, here are three examples of the Southern house plans we offer on our site.

1. Traditional Southern House Plan

This traditional Southern country house measures 1,398 square feet, with three bedrooms, two full bathrooms and a two-car garage. All of your living space is on the same level, so it’s easier to clean and have all your family together in one area.

If you choose to enter through the front door from your porch, you’ll walk into the great room, kitchen and dining room. The dining room has a sliding glass door that opens into the backyard, providing a convenient flow for indoor and outdoor entertainment. The garage has a side entrance that allows you to save space on the design.

The pantry is next to the garage entrance, so you can conveniently stock it after bringing in your groceries. There are also lockers to create a mudroom and a utility closet. The master suite is past the pantry, with a spacious master bedroom, a walk-in closet and a bathroom with a double-sink vanity and a shower. The other bedrooms are on the other side of the house, along with the second bathroom.

2. Southern Country House Plan

This Southern country house offers 1,611 square feet of space, including three bedrooms, two full bathrooms and a two-car garage. Since all of your living space is on one floor, it’s easy to maintain. You enter the home through the entryway door past the expansive covered porch, which is 10 feet deep and spans the whole front of your property. The great room features a ventless gas fireplace and a snack bar, and it leads into the kitchen and dining room, which opens up to the rear covered porch.

The double garage has a door that opens to the laundry room, next to the master suite. The master bath has a jetted tub and a custom shower, and the bedroom has a walk-in closet. The other two bedrooms are on the other side of the house, and they share a bathroom.

3. Southern Farmhouse House Plan

This Southern farmhouse is 2,201 square feet, and it includes three bedrooms, two full baths, one half bath and a side two-car or three-car garage, depending on your need for space. The home has two levels, but most of the bedrooms and entertainment areas are on the main floor. As you walk up the steps into your new home, you’ll notice a front porch before walking in through the entry door.

The great room has a vaulted ceiling, a fireplace and built-in shelves on either side of it. Beyond this part of the house, the kitchen and dining room feature a door that gives you access to your rear porch. You’ll notice a pantry next to the stairs that lead up to the second level to the left of the great room. The hallway also features a powder room and an entry for the garage, with lockers to create a mudroom. There’s also a laundry room next to the garage entry.

The master suite is on the left side, with a trayed ceiling in the bedroom. The bathroom has a shower, tub and double-sink vanity. There’s also a walk-in closet that leads into the laundry room for convenient access. Two bedrooms and the second full bath are on the right side. On the second floor, over the garage, you’ll find a bonus room with a closet and a future bathroom.

FAQ About Southern Houses

If you’d like more information about building a Southern home on your property, here are the answers to some frequently asked questions:

• What are Southern houses made of? Most of the time, Southern homes feature natural materials, such as neutral-colored brick or wood siding, on the house’s exterior. Inside the home, you may want to use wood flooring, granite or marble tiles, which are also eco-friendly and recyclable.
• Are Southern houses expensive to build?Compared to other styles, Southern homes aren’t costly to construct. Since they offer a versatile design, you can make your custom property with features that accommodate your budget and lifestyle.
• Do Southern houses have basements? Traditionally, Southern homes don’t have basements because of the damp soil typical in the South. However, with our customization options, you could add a basement to your new construction home. This additional living area gives you more space for storage, entertaining guests, bedrooms or bathrooms. We offer more than a thousand Southern house plans with a basement.
• How much does it cost to build Southern-style houses?Due to their versatile design, it’s challenging to say precisely how much building a Southern house would cost. Several factors — including where you live and how big you want your home to be — will affect your property’s overall price. You’d have to pay for a plot of land and the materials to build the house. Keep in mind that any custom options will also increase the price.

Search for Your Southern House Plan

With thousands of Southern house floor plans for you to browse, we’re confident that you’ll find your dream home on the COOL House Plans website. Even if you can’t find what you want, you work with our designers to modify any plan by adding or changing a room. Please take a look at the blueprints we have to offer to get started on making your dream home a reality.

If you want an elaborate property with enough space for your whole family, consider building a colonial house. At COOL House Plans, we offer various colonial-style floor plans. Our easy-to-use search engine allows you to find your dream home based on filters such as minimum or maximum square footage, number of garage bays, and other unique features. This guide includes the characteristics and benefits of a colonial-style house to help you decide if it’s suitable for you and your family.

What Is a Colonial House?

A colonial house is a property that reflects the style of homes the European colonists built in the 17th century. As a result of these colonists’ cultural and national backgrounds, these structures feature architectural details that were common in their homelands.

• Two stories: A traditional colonial-style house features two or more levels. The common areas — living room, dining room, and kitchen — are usually on the main level, while the bedrooms are on the second floor.
• Symmetrical design: A colonial home’s floor plan is similar on either side. The front door is at the center of the house’s exterior, with multi-paned windows surrounding it. Inside, the staircase is near the entrance, and there is the same number of rooms on each side. Usually, the living room and dining room are in the front, and the kitchen and family room area in the rear.
• Pitched roofs: A colonial-style home often has a high-peaked roof to help snow and water slope into your gutters. This architectural style typically includes a gambrel roof, a two-sided design with a shallow slope above a steep one.
• Multi-paned dormer windows: A colonial house has small dormer windows in a symmetrical design, giving your property a grid-like appearance. You’ll find at least one window on either side of the entry door and several windows on the house’s second level.
• Wood or stone siding: When the colonists first built their houses, they only had access to the resources around them. New England colonial homes usually have wood siding, while those in Long Island and the Hudson Valley have brick or stone siding. You may want to build your property with local, natural materials to save money and make it authentic.
• Decorative entryway: Since the front door is at the center of the house, you might want to include an eye-catching design around it. You could set up an entrance with bold pillars to enhance your home’s curb appeal.
• Fireplaces: A colonial home has at least one fireplace in the living room, but you may find a second one somewhere else on the property. Before HVAC systems were available, a fireplace was the only source of heat for homeowners. Today, you can have a fireplace to provide a cozy focal point for your living room.

5 Benefits of Living in a Colonial House

If you like the features of a colonial-style house, consider the following benefits of living in one to find out how this property can add value to your lifestyle.

1. Design It How You Want

As the colonial house aesthetic has evolved over the years, it’s led to more flexibility in design standards. The interior’s symmetry gives you the freedom to use geometric patterns and bold colors to enhance the structured lines throughout your property. You can decorate with a minimalist, modern, or traditional style, depending on your preferences. With all the modern amenities available to you, you can enjoy your historic-style home while creating a convenient living space for you and your family.

2. Entertain All Your Guests

Since the rooms are all separate, you can easily create space for entertaining. You need enough room for your family and friends, whether you plan on hosting the holidays or spending lazy weekends together at home. Most of the time, a colonial house’s main level is shared space, while the upstairs features all your bedrooms.

With this defined space, you can use the entire first floor for entertaining guests. You could even make one of your spare bedrooms a guest room so your loved ones can stay overnight as needed.

3. Have Plenty of Space

Traditional colonial homes had to have enough space for the colonists’ large families. Even though family sizes aren’t the same as in the 17th century, modern colonial houses take up many square feet. We offer a colonial house plan that has more than 11,000 square feet. If you have a spacious plot of land, you can build a sprawling home on your property. Even if you have a narrow lot, you can add floors to your house, making it taller instead of wider.

4. Expand as Needed

If you invest in a rectangular floor plan, it’s convenient to expand your home if you ever need more space in the future. As your family grows and changes, you should have a flexible house that can accommodate your lifestyle. You can also add another level to the home if you run out of room in your yard or make better use of your outside property by adding a porch or patio. The symmetrical design allows you to build onto your living space without interrupting the overall flow.

5. Enhance Your Curb Appeal

The original colonists carried their bold architectural style with them from their homelands. A traditional colonial-style home has an eye-catching appearance with striking columns and architectural symmetry that’ll increase your curb appeal and make your property unique. The investment you make in designing your house today could add value to it in the future, especially when you want to sell it. If you use durable natural materials, such as wood or stone, you can maintain your siding without needing to replace it soon.

Types of Colonial House Plans

Besides a typical colonial-style house, you could also add some elements to your floor plan from other architectural styles. Here are some of the types we offer on our site.

• Traditional colonial house plans: A traditional colonial-style home has a high-pitched roof and the entry door at the center of the house’s exterior. This aesthetic features an asymmetrical structure to give your property a unique appearance. Since the traditional house plan doesn’t have specific characteristics, it blends old and new elements, allowing you to have flexibility in your design.
• Country colonial house plans: A colonial country property has a high-pitched roof and a grand entrance. Combining New England’s regality and the South’s rural charm, you can build your property with natural materials that enhance the beauty surrounding it. This design aesthetic also features symmetrical lines and a door at the center of the house’s exterior.
• Southern colonial house plans: A Southern colonial home features prominent architectural details that can improve your property’s curb appeal. Like the colonial architectural style, a Southern house also has columns and a grand entrance. However, it also includes an asymmetrical design with full-length windows to make your home unique and aesthetically pleasing.
• Colonial ranch house plans: A colonial ranch is usually one story, but it shares the colonial’s ornate, symmetrical design. This floor plan has smaller windows and a high-pitched roof to reflect both the ranch and colonial aesthetic.
• One-story colonial house plans: Even though a colonial is usually two stories, you can also build a one-story colonial house to have all your rooms on the same level. Keep in mind that this style tends to be more expensive because you’d need a more extensive foundation, but if you decide to build your house over a basement, you’ll have plenty of entertainment space on the lower level.

3 Examples of Colonial House Plans

If you’re interested in building a colonial-style home, here are some floor plans we offer.

1. Traditional-Style House Plan

This traditional colonial home is 1,870 square feet, and it includes three bedrooms, two full bathrooms, and a half-bath. Since it’s only one floor, all the rooms are on the same level, but the property will take up more space on your plot of land. You could watch the video we’ve provided beneath the blueprints for a visual tour of this floor plan.

When you first arrive at the house, walk up the covered front porch into the great room with a raised ceiling. The kitchen and eating areas are on the other side of the house, with a door that leads outside to the rear covered porch. The master bedroom is on the right end of the property, featuring a spacious bathroom with a jetted tub, shower, two vanities with sinks, and a walk-in closet.

Outside the master bedroom, there’s a half-bath your guests can use, followed by a spacious laundry room and a flex space for entertainment or an office. The other bedrooms are on the left side of the house, and they share a bathroom. Since this property is rectangular, you have space to expand as needed.

2. Southern Style Garage-Living Plan

This Southern colonial garage house is a humble 732 square feet over two stories, with a three-car garage on the ground level. Above the garage, there’s one bedroom and a three-quarter bathroom. After you park your vehicle in your three-car garage, you’ll notice a spacious storage closet next to the entry to your house. There’s also an exit door to access your rear porch. If you’d prefer that your guests don’t enter through the garage, they can use the entry door outside.

When you walk up the stairs, you can put your coat and shoes in your closet. The washer/dryer is next to the coat closet, followed by the dining room with a wide window overlooking your backyard. The kitchen is on the left, with a spacious pantry that includes built-in shelves. The family room flows out from the dining room. The bedroom has the only bathroom, but if you want to allow your guests to use it, they can access it through a separate door. There’s also a spacious walk-in closet in the bedroom.

3. Southern-Style House Plan

This Southern colonial home features 1,277 square feet, including three bedrooms, two full bathrooms, and a half bathroom. All the bedrooms are on the second floor to give you more space for entertaining on the main level. The first impression of your new home is a spacious, grand front porch. When you walk in through the front door on the house’s right front side, a small foyer meets you before you go up the stairs.

The living room is to the left of the foyer, with a fireplace as the focal point of the room. This space leads to an expansive kitchen and dining room, with the half-bath tucked out of the way for guests to use. On the second floor, there’s a bathroom at the top of the stairs. The main bedroom has a balcony and a full bathroom. After walking past the washer and dryer, you’ll notice the second and third bedrooms, each with double windows.

FAQs About Colonial Houses

If you’re still unsure whether a colonial-style home is suitable for your lifestyle, here are the answers to some questions you may have.

• What makes a house colonial? An authentic colonial reflects the architectural features of homes from 17th-century New England. These houses usually have European elements, such as large columns, symmetrical design, a high-pitched roof, and a two-story layout.
• What is the most common colonial-style house? The most typical colonial-style house is the British or English colonial because America was a British colony for several centuries. As a result of the countries represented by the various settlers in this country, we have a few different colonial home styles available for design inspiration. Besides the British colonial, there’s also the Dutch, French, Spanish, and German colonial styles.
• Are colonial houses mansions? Traditionally, a colonial house is often a mansion because of its ornate details and spacious rooms. Its historical beauty can enhance your curb appeal and provide your guests with an eye-catching first impression. However, since this style has a versatile design, you could also construct a small colonial if you have a limited budget or narrow lot.
• Do colonial houses have basements? Most colonial houses have basements to make the most of your vertical space instead of taking up room from your yard. If you build your home with an unfinished basement, you can save money and give yourself a project to plan when you have a larger budget in the future. Explore our colonial house plans with a basement to find one that’s suitable for your lifestyle.
• Are colonial houses expensive to build? Compared to other house styles, a colonial house can be more costly because of its ornate details and luxurious touches. However, with a customizable house from COOL House Plans, you can find a colonial-style home that accommodates your budget. The size, building materials, and property location can affect its price.

Search Colonial House Plans

At COOL House Plans, we offer thousands of colonial-style floor plans to help you find your dream home. Even if you don’t see a blueprint with your exact specifications, you can work with one of our designers to modify it. Feel free to browse through our colonial house plans to start building your dream property today.

Whether you need extra space to store your vehicles or an additional living area for guests, consider building a barn garage. At COOL House Plans, we offer various barn building plans to help you find the most suitable unit for your lifestyle. You can use our search engine’s filters to find a blueprint with your desired square footage, garage bays and design aesthetic. Use this guide to discover how a barn garage can add value to your property.

What Is a Barn Garage?

A barn garage is a structure where you can store your vehicles. It often has a level above it for additional storage or living space. Here are some of the standard features of a barn garage.

• Large loft: A barn garage usually has a loft above the garage to store farm equipment or create a studio apartment. Barn owners traditionally used this space to store hay or provide a living area for their farm or ranch hands.
• Gambrel roof: An elevated gambrel roof offers enough space for you to park a large vehicle and store other equipment. This roof style features shingles on either side of the barn, with a shallow slope above a steep one. When looking at the barn, you’d only see the roof’s shingles on the sides. The sharp pitch allows rain and snow to flow off the sides instead of pooling on top.
• Large plot of land: You’ll usually find a barn garage on a large piece of property. This garage style is popular in farming areas because it provides a convenient place to store equipment and animals.
• The number of garage bays: As you design a barn garage, you can add as many garage bays as you want. We offer plans that can accommodate up to six vehicles. Even if you don’t have that many cars on your property, you could use a three-car garage to store your yard or garden equipment.
• Slab foundation: A barn garage goes on top of a slab foundation instead of a basement or crawlspace. The slab is thick concrete that can withstand pressure from your vehicle. Instead of having storage space on the lower level like you would have with a basement, you can add square footage to your house by building up.

5 Benefits of Barn Garages

Here are some of the ways a barn garage can add value to your property and lifestyle.

1. Save Time During the Construction Process

Since a barn garage is easy to construct, you could set it up on your property in a matter of weeks. Unless you want to create an all-new custom design, most contractors have a prefabricated kit that they construct on-site when you’re ready to use it. If you have enough experience, you may even be able to build it without hiring a contractor. A barn garage usually goes on a slab foundation instead of a basement or crawlspace, saving you time and money on the construction.

2. Protect Your Vehicle From Potential Damage

Like a regular garage, a barn garage is a safe place to store your vehicle. You can protect your property from harsh weather conditions, vandalism, theft and accidents. Parking your car in a detached garage with a stable roof protects it from rain, snow and other falling debris, so you won’t have to clean your vehicle as often. Since it’s in a protected enclosure with a lock, you’re also less likely to have someone try to steal or damage your car.

3. Build Affordable Housing for Family or Tenants

You could use the additional storage in your garage to create an accessory dwelling unit to host a family member or rent out for extra income each month. The apartment can go on top of your garage, but if you don’t need to hold that many vehicles, you could also make a living space out of the lower level with plumbing and electricity. Explore our building plans to find a property that has enough space for you to make an apartment.

4. Have Plenty of Storage and Accessory Space

A barn-style garage gives you space to work on your personal and professional hobbies. Here are some ways you can take advantage of your property’s spacious square footage.

• Workshop: If you have a hobby that’s challenging to do in your main house, consider setting up a workspace above your garage. You could also use a garage with multiple bays to store your cars and work on your projects on the lower level.
• Apartment: You may want to put an apartment above your spacious garage, complete with a kitchen and bathroom. Set up your second-floor living area with electricity and plumbing, so your guests or family have everything they need.
• Animal stalls: Besides storing your cars, you could also keep your horses and other animals in your barn garage. Our plans include barns with plenty of ventilation, so your livestock can survive and get all the nourishment they need.
• Tack room: Some of our floor plans come with a designated tack room for storing your riding equipment in your barn garage.
• Feed room: You could also store your animal feed in your barn garage. Some of our floor plans have a specialized feed room, so you can conveniently access the food you need.
• Hay storage: The large overhead loft allows you to have enough space for hay bales and still be able to park cars in the garage. 

5. Invest in a Long-Lasting Structure

After spending thousands of dollars on your new property, the durable building materials you use should last as long as possible. Most barn garages are metal, which can withstand most harsh weather conditions, including wind, excess moisture and even fire. Besides cleaning debris from the siding, this structure doesn’t require much maintenance to keep it in excellent condition. When you use high-quality materials on your new property, it can last several decades before you need to repair or replace it.

Types of Barn Garages

Even though you might have only seen traditional red wooden barns, we offer various other styles to complement your home’s design aesthetic. Here are some of the barn plans we offer.

• Country Craftsman barn garage plans: A country Craftsman barn garage features a combination of eye-catching artisanal design and elegant rural charm. As you create your Craftsman garage, make it a representation of your one-of-a-kind style.
• Contemporary barn garage plans: To complement your contemporary-style home, consider building a modern farmhouse barn garage that features natural materials, an asymmetrical design and geometric shapes.
• Southern barn garage plans: You might like the classic, straightforward design of a Southern barn garage. Install bypass sliding garage and entry doors to accommodate your charming Southern lifestyle.
• Traditional farmhouse barn garage plans: If you prefer the familiar red, wooden design, we offer traditional farmhouse barn garage plans for your spacious farmland. These structures have enough room to store your vehicle, animal feed and riding equipment.

3 Examples of Barn Garage Plans

If you’re considering building a barn garage on your property, here are three specific examples of barn garage plans to help inspire your design.

1. Farmhouse-Style Garage-Living Plan

This contemporary farmhouse-style garage features 1,901 square feet, including a living area on the second level with two bedrooms and three full bathrooms. Once you park in the two-car garage, you’ll notice the necessary utilities for making this space functional — the water heater, furnace and washer/dryer. There’s also an exit door to a covered area in the backyard. To get into the central part of the house, you walk through the right side.

Besides the garage area, there’s also an office, storage space and bathroom on the lower level. Walk up the stairs to access the rest of the living space. The master suite is at the top of the stairs, with a bathroom and a spacious closet. The second bedroom is across the hall, and it has a guest bathroom. The great room, kitchen and dining area are on the property’s left side, with a pantry for storing food. A balcony in the great room overlooks the covered deck.

2. Two-Car Garage Apartment Plan 

This simple garage plan is a humble 431 square feet, and it has a second floor with plenty of space to make an apartment as needed. The lower level contains a two-car garage and two rooms for designated storage. When you walk up the stairs, you have 264 square feet for a kitchen, bathroom and linen closet. You could also turn the whole place into an office or a playroom, depending on your family’s needs. If you convert it into an apartment, ensure it has electricity and plumbing.

3. Farmhouse-Style Two-Car Garage Plan

This country farmhouse garage measures 591 square feet with a 106-square-foot bonus area. There’s enough space for two vehicles, but it features a single two-car garage door instead of two one-car garage doors. There’s only one level to this plan, making it easier to maintain. You can park in your two-car garage and work in your shop that comes with a built-in workbench. If you’re going in from the outside, you can enter through the covered porch into the entry door.

FAQs About Barn Garages

If you’re still unsure whether you should build a barn garage on your property, here are the answers to some of the questions you may have.

1. How Much Do Barn Garages Cost to Build?

Are barn garages cheaper than regular garages? They can be less expensive than standard ones because they are often easy to build on your own. However, if you want a completely custom design, you may end up paying more money. A barn construction’s price depends on several factors.

• Location: Before building your new barn garage, the contractor needs to prepare the site by removing trees and leveling the land. If you live in a remote area, you may have to pay more money to have materials shipped to your property.
• Siding material: The material you choose for your siding will determine its aesthetic appeal and durability. Wood siding tends to be more affordable than aluminum, but metal also lasts longer, so you’ll save money on future replacements.
• Building insulation: If you want to use your barn garage for anything other than parking your car, consider adding insulation to regulate the temperature and reduce energy costs. Contractors charge for insulation by R-value and square feet. Insulation with a higher R-value may cost more money, but it can help keep your indoor living space more comfortable.
• Floors: Since you’re building your property on a concrete slab, your lower level will have concrete flooring. This material is durable to withstand your vehicle’s weight. If you want to turn the upper level into a living area, you may want to install a more aesthetically pleasing material, such as wood or laminate. You’ll typically have to pay per square foot for your flooring.
• Loft apartment: If you want to have a larger space, you’ll have to pay more for additional materials and labor than you would for a simple one-car garage. To make a loft apartment on your property, you’ll need to install insulation, electricity, plumbing, windows, drywall and a staircase, all of which come at a price.
• Adding a door and windows: Even if you don’t want to create an apartment within your barn garage, you can add doors and windows to bring in natural light and provide better ventilation for your property. Including doors and windows in your new construction floor plan is more convenient and cost-effective than drilling into your wall later to make space for them.
• Painting: Adding a fresh coat of paint to your wood or metal siding can enhance its appearance. Painting wood siding costs more money than metal siding. Besides the price of the color, you’ll also need to pay a professional painter.
• Permits: Depending on how you want to use your barn garage, you need to acquire specific licenses from your local building department. If you plan to make a living space out of your garage with electricity and plumbing, you may need to comply with stricter regulations to ensure your property is up to code. A licensed and insured contractor should know what permits you need and how much they’ll cost.

2. What Are Barn Garages Made Of?

Barn garages traditionally have wood or stone siding, but modern designs feature metal. This durable material can withstand harsh weather conditions and temperature changes. You could even paint or stain it to look like natural wood and other visually appealing elements. Even though barn garages with wood and stone siding aren’t as prevalent anymore, you may want to consider them if you have wood or stone siding on your primary residence. Besides the metal siding, the framing contains high-quality, waterproof lumber.

Search Barn Garage Plans

When you’re ready to build a barn garage onto your property for more storage and recreational space, check out our barn garage building plans. At COOL House Plans, we have a wide selection of unique barn style garages to help you find the best one for your lifestyle. We can also modify any design you see that doesn’t match your specific preferences. Please browse through our blueprints and order one to get started on your new construction today.

Consider implementing a carport in your new construction home plans if you want to include additional storage for your cars. You could also add one to your existing property to give yourself a safe place to park. Whether you want an attached or detached carport, COOL House Plans provides plenty of carport designs to accommodate your style and budget.

Continue reading “A Guide to Carport Plans”

If you want to build a cozy house on a plot of land with plenty of views, consider designing a cabin. This type of home gives you a place to enjoy the great outdoors with your family or adapt to a more straightforward way of living. At COOL House Plans, we offer hundreds of cabin floor plans to help you find your dream home. Use this guide to learn about the benefits of living in a cabin house to determine if it’s suitable for your desired lifestyle.

Continue reading “A Guide to Cabin House Plans”

Do you find yourself drawn to the charm and nostalgia of traditional homes? Older houses can have a certain spell about them, but their age can make them difficult or expensive to maintain. With a historic house plan design, you can get the look of a timeless home with all of the modern amenities of a house built this year.

This guide to historic house plans will walk you through what a historic house is, the benefits of owning a historic home and a few historic house styles along with some specific house plan examples. We’ll also answer some historic house plan FAQs to clear up any lingering questions you may have. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know before investing in a historic home design.

What Is a Historic House?

A historic house is any home built with architectural features from the past. Although newer homes cannot qualify as historical landmarks, they can still be built in a historic fashion. In fact, new houses can be viewed as historic houses if they fall within a historic architectural style, such as Victorian or colonial.

Using a historic house plan enables you to give your home some character through recapturing the beauty and nostalgia of the past without the burden of renovating. By building a new home according to a historic house plan, you can create a classic, timeless home design without going through the hassle of restoring an older house.

Along with saving you the headaches that come with renovations, building your own historic home from the ground up allows you to build modern amenities into your historic style house. While looking like a beautiful, old-time cottage from the outside, your historic home can be energy-efficient and include an open-concept kitchen on the inside. Your new historic home will also have a sturdier foundation than an older house.

You have a wide variety of historic styles to choose from when building a historic house, but most historic homes tend to share some general features. Here are common historic house characteristics:

• Traditional elements: Of course, a historic house will be based around historical design principles from whatever era it’s channeling. Although it uses modern materials and modern amenities, a historic house will feature traditional architectural style elements that have remained popular for years.
• Pitched, varied roofs: To create a more charming look and feel, historic house plans often incorporate varied, pitched roofs.
• Porches: Many historic home plans include large front porches, back porches or both. These spaces give the homeowners an additional living area in which to enjoy the outdoors.
• Open floor plan: Typically, a historic house plan follows an open floor plan for the conveniences that come with allowing the living spaces, kitchen and dining area to flow together seamlessly.

Often, a historic house plan is selected when building in a neighborhood with similar architecture. Some districts in older cities even have strict guidelines about what types of homes may be built within them. Fortunately, historic house plans are available in endless sizes and designs so you can easily find a historic house plan that suits your style and needs.

5 Benefits of Living in a Historic House

Check out these top five perks of building a historic home:

1. Curb Appeal

A historic house can be aesthetically stunning. With beautiful architecture from the past, a historic home can set itself apart from the houses around it. Choosing a unique historic house plan will make your home worth stopping to take a look at from the street.

Incorporating the charm and signature characteristics of a certain architectural era can also give a house character, making it feel warm and inviting while maintaining its allure.

2. Modern Conveniences

Although it may appear straight out of another century from the outside, a newly built historic home can contain all the comforts of the 21st century on the inside. While renovating an older home might be impractical, building a historic house can give you the same visual appeal with all the functionality of a modern home. Historic house plans can include cutting-edge technology like wireless home automation for top-of-the-line security and energy efficiency.

Restoring an old house might mean revamping out-dated features or paying an exorbitant amount to have certain fixtures completely replaced. However, when you construct a new home with a historic house plan, you can build modern amenities right into its design. In this way, you get to have the best of both worlds with a home that looks gracefully aged but provides everything you could want, from smart appliances to a wireless security system.

3. Open Floor Plan

Part of incorporating modern amenities into your historic house plan can include using an open floor plan. With their expansive open rooms and few walls, open floor plans are becoming increasingly popular. An open floor plan makes a house feel more connected and inviting, giving the home a welcoming feel along with a sense of continuity, harmony and ease of movement.

4. Value

Because of all the benefits of owning a historic style home, choosing to build a historic house can add a lot of value to your property. Many historic homes are built in neighborhoods full of other houses with historic features, which will also give your home’s value a boost due to its favorable location.

When you include modern amenities in your historic house plan, you will drive up your home’s value even further. In this sense, your house will be deriving value from two fronts — both stylistically and functionally. You can even concentrate on modernizing certain rooms to add value, such as a commercial-grade kitchen or a home theater, while maintaining the home’s historic aesthetic.

5. Variety

House planners looking to get inspired by the past have plenty of historic architectural styles to choose from. Although America is a relatively young country, our nation’s homes borrow architectural elements from all over the world. Houses across the country draw on elements of Mediterranean, Victorian and Greek revival homes, as well as federal-, country- and cabin-style homes.

We’ll look at some specific styles of historic house plans in the following section.

Types of Historic House Plans

While there are numerous kinds of historic house plans, these are three of the most popular:

1. Historic Country House Plans

Country-style house plans can include anything rural or rustic from classic country bungalows to large modern farmhouses. Country house designs with a historic twist are rural homes with traditional elements like an early 20th-century farmhouse front porch or old-fashioned roofs that stand out against the open sky. Essentially, historic country house plans combine the relaxed, welcoming feel of a farmhouse with the timeless curb appeal of a historic home.

Although country homes are typically found in areas surrounded by expansive land and pastures, they can be adapted for suburban neighborhoods while holding onto their down to earth roots. Historic country homes can be a picture of the idyllic past, yet contain modern farmhouse features like an open concept design and plenty of storage.

2. Historic Southern House Plans

Historic Southern house styles are designed to suit the warmth and humidity of Southern climates, which means they typically feature high ceilings and sprawling outdoor living spaces like wrap-around porches. Because of the Southern heat, all outdoor communal spaces should provide ample shade or be screened in.

Historic Southern house plans focus on traditional Southern architectural characteristics like pitched or gabled roofs, shaded porches, uniformly spaced windows, bold columns and distinctive shutters. A historic Southern house design captures all the pomp of an old-time Southern home while providing modern conveniences like state-of-the-art kitchen appliances on the inside.

3. Historic Cabin House Plans

What could feel more historic than a cabin? Although cabin house plans are available in more contemporary configurations and styles, historic cabin house plans are classic log homes that highlight casual indoor-outdoor living. Perfect as a year-round residence or a vacation getaway home, a historic cabin house is easygoing and welcoming as an oasis in the middle of life’s hustle and bustle.

Historic cabin house plans embrace the colonial history of cabin architecture while including contemporary amenities like open kitchens and modern appliances. Whether near the mountains or by the beach, a cabin home can be a cozy sanctuary for your family.

3 Example Historic House Plans

Now that you know the basics of historic house plans and their styles, let’s look at some specific house plans. If you’re looking for a classic historic house design, these three historic house plans can give you a sense of what’s available to you:

1. Historic Country House Plan

This historic country house plan is a charming cottage style with an expansive front porch and traditional chimney. Along with a sweeping front porch, this layout includes a roomy screened porch at the back for additional outdoor living space. While quaint and historic from the outside, this 1,534-square-foot house plan follows a modern open floor plan that allows for easy access between the large living, dining and kitchen area and the hall that leads to three bedrooms. The master has a large walk-in closet and an ensuite bath with two sinks and a spacious shower. The other two bedrooms share the second full bathroom.

With its single-story layout, cozy fireplace and front and back porches, this country historic house plan is perfect for families who enjoy spending time together both indoors and outdoors.

2. HistoricSouthern House Plan

At 3,653 square feet, this multi-story historic Southern house plan offers a bit more space to spread out. Despite its size, this historic house maintains its charm with a full-length balcony stacked on top of a sweeping front porch featuring the same classy white pillars. The front porch and balcony complement the home’s pitched roof, which gives it a sense of personality. A screened back porch is also included for extra living space.

On the inside, this historic house plan features a formal foyer, living room and dining room before opening up into a wide family room, which flows into a large kitchen and connected breakfast room. This communal space is also adjacent to the screened porch, making it easy to transition from room to room even when guests fill the house. The main-floor master features a walk-in closet and a spacious bathroom with dual sinks and a separate tub and shower. A laundry room and half bath complete the downstairs.

Four more bedrooms are located upstairs for added privacy. Two rooms share a Jack-and-Jill bath, while the other two each have an ensuite bathroom. The smaller bonus area on the third floor features built-in storage, dormer windows and an optional fifth bathroom.

3. HistoricCabin House Plan

Those interested in a smaller historic home or classic vacation home will fall in love with this historic cabin house plan. Although only 558 square feet, this cabin house plan makes the most of its space by using an open layout that maximizes the living area. With the bedroom, bathroom and kitchen tucked toward the back of the house, this floor plan is conducive to relaxing and spending time with family and friends in the communal spaces.

A traditional, deep front porch completes this house plan’s rustic cabin look and makes it great for sitting in a rocking chair and watching the sunset, while windows on all sides fill the interior with natural light.

FAQ About Historic Houses

Check out these common questions and answers about historic house plans:

What Makes a House a Historic Home?

To be deemed an official historical house, a property must meet a sufficient age requirement, maintain a relatively high degree of physical integrity and have historical significance of some sort. However, newer homes can still exhibit the same outward appearances of a historic home without being a historical site. By including key architectural features of a certain period, new house plans can contain all of the elegance and charm of a historic home without being as worn down by time.

Can You Remodel a Historic Home?

Although it is possible to remodel a historic house, historical homeowners should be aware they may have to renovate in a way that preserves the home’s true nature and original construction. This often means the homeowner needs to obtain special permits to allow renovations. These permits may be restrictive to protect the property’s character or maintain the standards of the neighborhood.

What Are the Benefits of Owning a Historic Home?

The benefits of owning a historic home range from visual appeal and charm to comfort and amenities. While owning an older historic home may require more maintenance and potentially renovations, a newly built historic home can be aesthetic and unique with cutting edge appliances and a modern floor plan. Being a part of the planning process for your historic house will also allow you to customize certain aspects of your home for increased convenience without sacrificing the classic historic look of the house.

Are Historic Homes Historical Landmarks?

While some residences may meet the criteria to be considered a historical landmark, most historic homes do not. If you’re uncertain whether your house qualifies as a historical landmark, you can research your home’s history to check whether it is designated as a historic structure.

Are Historic Homes Worth More?

A historic home’s worth largely depends on location. Houses located within a historic district tend to retain their value better than if they were situated in another area of the town. Especially if the surrounding houses are historic as well, a historic home in a historic district could be worth a considerable amount.

Search Historic House Plans From COOL House Plans

If the past inspires you and you’re interested in all the benefits that come with owning a historic home, check out the wide variety of historic house plans COOL House Plans has to choose from. At COOL House Plans, you can find a home design with stunning curb appeal and a convenient floor plan you’ll love. We offer thousands of house plan options and custom modifications so you can be sure you’re building the perfect home for your family.

For more information about how you can get your dream historic house, contact COOL House Plans today.

Do you love the fairytale-style of a traditional Tudor house? You’re not alone — Tudor homes have a way of capturing all the magic and wonder of a faraway land right in the suburbs. So how do you plan a Tudor house design of your own?

This guide to Tudor homes will explain what a Tudor house is, the benefits of living in a Tudor house, the different types of Tudor houses and what a specific style of Tudor home could look like. For any lingering Tudor house questions, the FAQ section will go over common questions and answers. By the end of this guide, you can be one step closer to your dream Tudor home.

What Is a Tudor House?

Tudor style homes are an upgraded version of a more traditional English cottage, French country house or other colonial-style house plans. Although the Tudor style emerged and developed in 16th-century England during the royal House of Tudor reign, the trend saw a revival in both Europe and America in the early 20th century. As industrial, mass-produced homes became the norm in the 1900s, the intricate handcrafted look of a Tudor house became desirable again and saw a surge in popularity.

Tudor houses have a distinct look that makes them stand out among other types of house plans. While a Tudor house can come in a wide range of sizes, every Tudor home has an undeniably charming, old-world feel. Tudor houses draw their whimsy from a variety of characteristics. Below, we’ll take a look at what features make a house a Tudor.

Exterior Tudor House Features

Most Tudor houses are easily recognized by their steeply pitched roofs, which frequently have multiple overlapping and front-facing gables of differing heights. Typically, a Tudor home’s exterior is made of brick and accented with decorative half-timbering with either stone or stucco filling the spaces between boards. Tudor house plans also include prominent brick or stone chimneys and narrow, tall windows with rectangular or diamond-shaped panes as key Medieval-style architectural features.

The front door of a Tudor house especially adds to its majestic and castle-like appearance. It is typically a bit off-center and in the shape of a rounded arch bordered by a contrasting stone. While the exterior features of a Tudor house make it perfectly suited for colder climates, Tudor homes are popular in various areas across the nation.

Interior Tudor House Features

The inside of a Tudor home continues its striking style with elements of stone, wood and brick incorporated throughout the interior design. The main living room of a Tudor home typically has high ceilings with exposed beams and a stately fireplace to match the overall grandeur of the house. The furniture within the house is often wooden and quite sturdy.

To complete the Medieval-style look, some historical Tudor houses even feature stained glass windows.

5 Benefits of Living in a Tudor House

Owning a Tudor house brings a unique set of advantages. Check out these top five benefits of living in a Tudor home:

1. Aesthetic Appeal

A beautiful brick Tudor house is enough to make anyone stop and stare from the street view. If you pride yourself on the beauty of your home’s facade, the Tudor style is a great way to show off your impressive architectural taste. While many people have to travel to faraway places to see the stunning stone and glasswork traditional to Tudor houses, you can enjoy these visual wonders on a daily basis in your own home. A Tudor-style house is also perfect for those who enjoy lighting up their home at night.

2. Cozy Living Spaces

Thanks to their grand fireplaces, Tudor houses naturally provide a comfortable and cozy environment for their inhabitants. After a long day, you’ll love snuggling up with a good book in front of your Tudor home’s fireplace. A Tudor house’s soft lighting also adds an element of comfort to the home. A Tudor home’s interior is often illuminated by metal lanterns or chandeliers with flickering candles — both of which tend to generate a warm aura by casting a gentle glow on the house’s wooden paneling.

3. Durability

Because of their solid construction from sturdy materials like brick and stone, Tudor houses are extremely durable. Most Tudor homes are able to withstand the natural elements better than other types of houses and thrive in various weather conditions. Specifically, the slate roofs many Tudor houses feature are remarkably stable and may not be damaged as easily other roofing materials.

Although some Tudor houses are older and more historic, their sound foundation means they won’t need as much maintenance as houses of comparable age. As opposed to some newer styles of houses, Tudor homes are not hurriedly constructed so they can survive years of wear and tear.

4. Originality

Just because there are standard Tudor-style features doesn’t mean there’s no room for creativity for a Tudor homeowner. Tudor houses are unique in the way their exterior layout lacks symmetry. This lack of symmetry creates plenty of opportunities for innovation and individuality when it comes to interior floor plans. Some Tudor house plans may even have secret rooms or concealed staircases.

5. Historical Significance

Whether centuries old or more recently built, the appearance of a Tudor house elicits a sense of historical beauty and significance. For those interested in historical Tudor houses, they are also easy to restore, renovate or add on to due to their asymmetric builds. With the architectural style’s rich European background and 1900s resurgence, any history lover can feel right at home in a Tudor house.

Types of Tudor House Plans

A Tudor house plan can come in a variety of shapes and sizes depending on your family’s needs and style preferences. These are the main types of Tudor house plans you can choose from:

French Country Tudor House Plans

A French country Tudor house plan manages to seamlessly blend the warmth and charm of the countryside with more affluent French features. French country Tudor house plans elevate simple country home characteristics by incorporating them into an elaborate and extensive Tudor home design. By creating a sprawling estate of asymmetrical rooflines and stone accents, French country Tudor house plans cultivate an air of effortless elegance.

Cabin Tudor House Plans

Cabin Tudor house plans tend to be smaller and more rustic than other Tudor house plans. Thanks to its miniature size, a cabin Tudor home has a quaint ambiance that makes it seem as if the house came straight out of a storybook. Whether as a permanent home for a smaller family or a vacation home, a cabin Tudor house is the perfect place to escape from everyday stressors.

European Tudor House Plans

A European Tudor house plan typically has exceptionally steep pitched roofs and enchanting stone archways — the picture of a romantic English country manor. It is also common for European Tudor house plans to include decorative half-timbering and long rows of narrow windows to add a sense of drama. For those looking for a traditional Tudor home, a European Tudor house plan is often the perfect match.

Contemporary Tudor House Plans

Contemporary Tudor house plans tend to use less stone and brick to put a modern twist on the Tudor home. While keeping the notable pitched roof, prominent chimney and asymmetrical features of a Tudor house plan, contemporary Tudor house plans give this style a more sleek and polished look. A contemporary Tudor home may be less distinctive within this style category, but it is as visually appealing as traditional Tudor houses.

Southern Tudor House Plans

Unlike other Tudor house plans, Southern Tudor houses are built for the heat and humidity. Southern Tudor house plans include many of the staple characteristics of other Tudor homes while being sure to incorporate more dormers into their pitched roofs. This allows for more open-window opportunities in the peak of summer.

3 Example Tudor House Plans

If you’re wondering what exactly a Tudor house plan may look like, here are three specific examples of different types of Tudor homes:

1. European Tudor House Plan

This large European Tudor house plan is perfect for a growing family looking for an expansive single-story home. Although this house plan does include space for a second-story bonus room, all the home’s main bedrooms and communal spaces are conveniently located on the first floor. With multiple outdoor living areas and a three-car garage, this Tudor house plan has everything a large family needs.

Along with functionality, this European Tudor house offers all the traditional stylistic Tudor house plan features. A gorgeous brick exterior with plenty of chimneys and pitched rooflines give the home remarkable curb appeal. With an endearing archway framing its off-center front door, this large home retains all the charm of a smaller Tudor house.

2. French Country Tudor House Plan

No matter where it’s located, this Tudor house plan will immediately transport you to the French countryside. Thanks to its rustic, sloped rooflines and wooden garage door, this Tudor home is as charming as it is chic. The expert use of brick and stone detailing achieves a perfect balance between the two materials while giving the house a distinct Tudor-style visual appeal.

As a single-story home, this French country Tudor house plan follows an open floor plan that maximizes the amount of common space, including the outdoor living areas. Although spacious, the great room still offers a cozy environment where the family can gather around the fireplace and spend time together. With all the bedrooms on one half of the house and the common spaces on the other, this Tudor home still provides plenty of privacy while creating relaxed communal areas.

3. Cabin Tudor House Plan

As a smaller, more rustic version of a Tudor home, this cabin Tudor house plan embraces the outdoorsy side of the style. Featuring plenty of timber accents, this Tudor cabin showcases the versatility of Tudor designs and their adaptability for more rural settings. The home’s stone chimney stays true to the Tudor style while giving the petite cabin a more whimsical feel.

Inside the Tudor cabin, the open floor plan allows the fireplace to be a centerpiece for warm nights in. In keeping with the outdoorsy theme, this cabin Tudor house plan includes a large terrace for cooking and dining outside on nice evenings.

FAQ About Tudor Houses

For fast facts about Tudor house plans, check out this FAQ section:

What Makes a Tudor House a Tudor House?

A Tudor house has some key characteristics, such as pitched gable roofs, elaborate and prominent masonry chimneys, intricate arched doorways, groups of tall and narrow windows along with decorative half-timbering. These are the most notable features of a Tudor house and they are usually constructed using a mix of solid materials like brick and stone.

Are Tudor Houses Expensive?

Because Tudor house plans involve many different construction materials, elaborate designs, solid masonry and asymmetrical forms, Tudor homes tend to cost a bit more than the average ranch-style property. Tudor house plans also require plenty of space to build and expand, which means they are often found in wealthy suburbs.

Where Did Tudor Houses Originate?

The original Tudor style became popular in England during the late 15th century and remained popular through the early 16th century. This period is the time in which the reigning British monarchs came from the House of Tudor, which is how the architectural trend got its name. In the early 20th century, the Tudor style saw a revival and made its way over to America, where it became a common house design for many Americans.

What Are Tudor Houses Made Of?

Tudor houses are made from a variety of materials, which typically include brick, stone, stucco and wood. Today, advancements in construction techniques have inspired some homeowners to choose synthetic wood and stucco substitutes when building or updating their Tudor house.

Natural-feeling materials are often continued into the interior of the home, which tends to feature solid, wooden furniture, exposed beams and sometimes stonework floors. Although the interior design of a Tudor house can embrace the old-time look of the exterior, it can also take a more modern approach and incorporate more current interior design trends into the home’s layout.

Search for Tudor House Plans From COOL House Plans

If you’re interested in building a Tudor-style house, browse the huge collection of Tudor house plans from COOL House Plans. We offer over 600 different Tudor home designs so you can find a layout that fits your lifestyle, aesthetic preferences and budget. If you don’t find exactly what you’re looking for, we offer the opportunity to customize any of our house plans to suit your needs.

For more information about how you can find the perfect Tudor house plan for your family, contact COOL House Plans today.

The traditional house has been a popular architectural style for centuries. These elegant dwellings feature warm, natural building materials and cozy, distinct rooms to give your home character and charm. If you’re building a new construction home, consider our timeless traditional house plans.

At COOL House Plans, we have thousands of customizable traditional floor plans to help you find and design your dream home. This guide includes all the features and benefits of this style house so you can start creating your new construction property.

What Is a Traditional House?

A traditional house is a vintage architectural style that points to the rich history of our ancestors. These homes are typically cozy and inviting, and they provide a comfortable and functional home for people of all ages. The term “traditional” encompasses a wide range of themes, such as Neoclassical, Victorian, Craftsman or Colonial architecture. Each of these styles shares the following features:

• Large, covered porches: A grand entrance is a quintessential symbol of a traditional house. When you first pull up to this type of property, you may see a spacious patio with large columns that invite you inside.
• Dormers: Traditional homes feature windows that sit vertically on a sloped roof. Aesthetically pleasing dormers bring more natural light inside a space with prominent vaulted ceilings.
• Tall, pointed roof: The tops of traditional houses tend to have pointed gables with sharp slopes. This architectural design controls rainwater away from your property, preventing moisture damage.
• Natural building materials: Most builders use stone, brick, wood, stucco and plaster on traditional homes. These natural, traditional elements give your cozy home an elegant, unique charm. Besides the materials they use, interior designers also include hand-crafted works of art throughout your property, such as wooden handrails and window trim.
• Large but separate: Traditional houses tend to have a larger blueprint than modern ones. Instead of an open concept plan, they feature small rooms that serve a single purpose in your property. With larger families in earlier times, homeowners needed more space for the people in their household. Today, you can use these rooms for bedrooms, home offices or entertainment areas. This floor plan style often includes a formal living and dining room.
• Small, symmetric windows: The windows on traditional homes are usually small and symmetrical to one another, creating a clean design. You may also find stained glass and decorative grilles on some of the panes.

5 Benefits of Living in a Traditional House

A traditional house can enrich your family’s lifestyle, and it can be easy to sell when the time comes. Consider some of this architectural style’s benefits to discover if it’s the right option for you and your loved ones.

1. Family Friendliness

Traditional houses are cozy and comfortable because of their separated rooms and defined spaces. Your growing family will enjoy making memories with you here. When you host the holidays or have your friends over, your guests are likely to feel at home from the moment they walk through your covered porch and into your formal living room.

Due to their unique charm and character, traditional houses can even be romantic in setting and appearance. Whether you build your property in an established neighborhood or the countryside, you’ll enjoy your picture-perfect home with your loved ones for decades.

2. Ease of Customization

As much as traditional-style homes look similar, they all have a unique charm that honors the builder, designer and homeowner. Since your home’s design is flexible, you can customize your floor plan to your family’s specific lifestyle. If you want traditional decor, a large deck, a finished basement or an additional level to your house, consult with your floor plan designer to discover what’ll work for your property.

Besides customizing your home’s design as you build it, you could also adapt it to your lifestyle over several decades. As your family grows and changes, you can knock down walls or add rooms to accommodate your household. This benefit will appeal to potential homebuyers when it’s time to sell your house in the future.

3. Potential for a Higher Return on Investment (ROI)

A traditional property tends to be more affordable than other types because of its ease of construction and all-natural materials. You can also work with your builder and designer to find ways to accommodate your budget and save money in the process. When it’s time to sell your house, its unique and romantic design will most likely attract potential homebuyers. As a result, you could end up making more on your home than you initially spent on building it.

4. Use of Natural Materials

A must-have of traditional homes is the use of natural materials. Compared to cold concrete and bland asphalt, brick and natural wood come in various colors and textures to make your home unique. These raw materials also last longer and are durable against harsh weather conditions. To save time and money on your building process, try to get local materials that are usually less expensive and more available. As long as the builder installs these high-quality materials correctly, your house will last for a long time.

5. Timelessness

Since traditional houses have been famous for centuries, they feature a rich history that captures the essence of our most historic times. Their original design accommodated the conventional nuclear family, and today, they share a narrative that honors the traditional way of living. As you grow and customize your property, you’ll create your own story with the memories you make with your loved ones.

Brick and natural stone can last up to a century or more with the proper maintenance. If you use these durable, all-natural materials on your home, you may never have to change the siding again. Having a well-known, timeless material on your property means that your house design will never go out of style.

4 Types of Traditional House Plans

Traditional homes come in many different styles. To get an idea of what types of house plans we offer, consider the following categories.

1. Traditional Country House Plans

A traditional country house is a property found in a rural setting. This style of home has unique, defining characteristics, such as:

• A rustic, inviting environment.
• A large, wrap-around porch.
• Exposed wood trims, siding and doors.
• A distinct, bold roof with defined lines.
• An open floor plan or traditional layout.
• A simple, straightforward interior design.
• Warm, muted colors.
• An emphasis on natural imperfections.

Since it’s comfortable and inviting, a country house is a favorable style for families. The kitchen is often the focal point, allowing you to gather your loved ones together for meals and holidays. This plan may also feature a formal dining room to give you plenty of space to host the whole family.

2. Traditional Southern House Plans

Southern houses honor the magnificent beauty and charm of the South, but this style is also popular in the rest of the country. It features regal architectural elements, such as:

• Decorative crown molding.
• Balconies with excellent views.
• Deep porches for entertaining guests.
• Large, prominent columns at the front of the house.
• Grand staircases that create an impressive entrance.

The traditional Southern house plans that we offer feature breathtaking exterior design with ornate details and modern amenities. You can browse through various home plans in this collection and customize your choice according to your design preference and lifestyle.

3. Traditional Ranch House Plans

As a cozy, intimate alternative to an elaborate multi-story home, a traditional ranch house is one story. This style is usually rectangular, but you may also see floor plans in an L- or U-shaped configuration. Besides its simple interior layout, you may also enjoy these other features:

• A front porch or back patio
• Long, low-pitched roof
• Deep, overhanging eaves
• A mixture of natural building materials
• Large windows with plenty of natural light
• An attached garage
• Separated rooms
• Full basement
• Exposed beam ceilings

4. Traditional Craftsman House Plans

A Craftsman is a traditional home that features natural materials, functional design and attention to detail. This style promotes creativity and unique architectural elements. As a result, you’ll notice the following features in your traditional Craftsman house plan:

• Nooks and crannies, such as window seats and built-ins
• Prominent hearths and fireplaces
• Covered front porches
• Tapered pillars and columns
• Wide eaves and exposed rafters
• Triangular, low-pitched rooflines
• Double-hung windows

3 Examples of Traditional House Plans

If you’re considering a traditional house blueprint for your new construction home, you can review the following floor plans we offer on our site.

1. Traditional Country Farmhouse House Plan

This country-style home plan measures 1,398 square feet, and it includes three bedrooms, two full baths and a two-car garage, giving you plenty of room for your family. All of your rooms are conveniently on the first and only floor. As you pull up to the house, the first component to greet you is your grand front porch. Once you walk inside, you enter the great room that flows into the kitchen and dining room for easy entertaining. The kitchen and dining room also features a sliding glass door that allows access to your rear porch.

If you decide to park in your garage on the left side of the house, you have a convenient flow to your utility closet, mudroom lockers and master suite. The additional two bedrooms and a shared bathroom are on the other side of your property to give you some privacy from your children and guests. Each bedroom comes with its own spacious closet. If you wanted to add a basement, you could make the garage slightly smaller to provide enough room for stairs.

2. Traditional Southern Country House Plan

This house plan is a similar style home, but it features a little more space than the first option. With a total of 1,521 square feet, this three-bedroom home features two full baths and a two-car garage. The first impression of this property is the spacious front porch that reveals the two-car garage on the right side.

Your guests can walk through the front porch and into the main entry door to take a seat in your great room, which is also part of the kitchen and dining room that leads to your rear porch. If you want a private entrance, you can sneak in through the garage and access your master suite with a full bathroom.

Besides your master suite, the right side of the house also features a utility closet that includes your washer and dryer. You have plenty of storage with a nook in the garage and lockers by the entry to your master bedroom. The other side of the home includes the additional two bedrooms and a shared bathroom with closets in each room. You could also add a basement if you wanted additional space for storage or entertainment.

3. Traditional Ranch House Plan

Out of the three examples given, this three-bedroom ranch-style house plan has the most total square feet. Measuring 1,600 square feet, you’ll have plenty of space for family and guests. The rooms are big enough to allow your children to share the same bedroom comfortably. The front porch provides an excellent place to enjoy nearby views and greet your loved ones as they come inside.

The great room conveniently flows into the dining room and kitchen, and the vaulted ceiling over the whole entertainment space provides a rustic charm. The dining room features a door that transitions outside to your spacious deck or patio. The two-car garage is on the right side of the house, allowing you a separate entrance to your coat closet, laundry room and master suite. In this plan, the master suite features both a shower and garden tub, whether you need a quick or relaxing bathing experience.

This side of the house also includes room for optional basement stairs, but if you’d rather build your house on a slab, you can use this space for open storage. On the left side of your property, the two bedrooms share a bathroom, and they each have a spacious closet. A small entryway door separates the hallway that joins the two bedrooms from the rest of the home.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Traditional Houses

If you’re still unsure whether a traditional house is a suitable option for you and your family, consider the following FAQs:

• What is a traditional floor plan? This floor plan features many straightforward, classic characteristics — such as symmetrical windows, humble ornamentation and bold rooflines — that honor the country’s unique regions. When creating authentic traditional homes, builders often use natural materials, such as brick or wood, for the siding, roof and trim.
• What’s the difference between classic and traditional homes? The classic style tends to be more ostentatious and bold, but a traditional home is usually warmer and less rigid. In terms of a color scheme, a classic aesthetic prefers natural hues and soft chromaticism, but traditional interior design features a more expansive and decadent color range.
• How expensive is it to build a traditional style house? Compared to a modern style, a conventional home tends to be more affordable. These house plans often feature more walls for structural support, so you don’t have to buy expensive beams to hold up the house. Their small symmetric windows also usually cost less money than the large, custom-made windows that are popular for modern properties.
• What are traditional houses made of? Traditional homes contain natural elements, such as stone, brick, stucco, wood and plaster. When you build with these durable, aesthetically pleasing materials, you may never have to upgrade your siding or trim.
• How long do traditional houses last? Traditional homes tend to last longer than other styles because of their natural, durable materials. The average home usually lasts about half a century without renovations. Your property’s lifespan ultimately depends on the materials you use and the quality of the installation. After getting your house plan, make sure you find a trustworthy builder to construct a sturdy structure.

Search Traditional House Plans

If you’re ready to build a new house, start with one of our customizable blueprints from COOL House Plans. We have thousands of traditional home plans for your selection, so we know you’ll find your dream home on our site. Even if you can’t find exactly what you want, you can modify any one of our plans to accommodate your family’s lifestyle. Browse through our house plans to get started on your new home build today.

If you enjoy having everything you need in your home on a single floor, then a one-story home is ideal. One-story houses are also very functional if you have mobility issues or small children since you won’t need to climb stairs to access the upper level. 

What Does the Term “One-Story House” Mean? 

You might think that one-story houses, bungalows, ranch houses and single-level homes are all different names for the same type of house. While all these types of homes typically have all public and private rooms on the same floor, unique differences prevent them from being lumped into the same category.

The distinction comes in the words “story” and “level,” which are sometimes — but not always — interchangeable. A story generally refers to any living space that is above ground and covered by a roof. That means an underground basement or a rooftop terrace wouldn’t be considered stories. However, they could be considered levels of a house. 

Features of a One-Story House

A one-story house is a floor plan that spreads over a single story and usually has no basement. Some one-story houses can be bungalows, but sometimes bungalows tend to have a half-floor, which disqualifies them from being one-story houses. 

The ranch-style one-story home is the most popular option, and it differs from a bungalow by having all private rooms — like bedrooms, bathrooms and offices — at one end of the house, while all the public rooms — like the kitchen and living room — are at the other end. This ensures privacy for the home’s residents.

When building a home using house plans, you have the option to build a one-story house in a range of architectural styles. Ranch-style homes tend to be the most popular, but it doesn’t mean you’re restricted to that style alone.

Benefits of Living in a One-Story House

The practicality that results from using single-level house plans is the biggest benefit of this design. The floor plans are customizable, and, depending on the plot of land you have, the house can range from being a few hundred square feet to several thousand square feet.

Here are five more benefits of living in a one-story house.

1. Easier to Maintain

With everything sitting on a single level, you’ll likely find it much easier to maintain your home, both inside and out. A big part of that is because of the ease with which you can navigate the home.

Not having stairs means you don’t need to carry the vacuum cleaner or loads of laundry up and down several flights, making cleaning and everyday household chores simpler to accomplish.

Exterior maintenance can be just as easy since there’s only one level. Depending on the height of your ceilings and roof, chores like cleaning the windows, painting the house or even putting up holiday decorations can be easier and safer.

You might also end up saving on your power bill since it can be less expensive to heat and cool a single story rather than multiple. This is especially pertinent for homes in colder climates, which require adequate heating. Since hot air travels upward, the second floor is often a comfortable temperature in multi-story homes while the lower levels are colder. In a one-story home, the temperature is more evenly distributed, which means you don’t need to use additional heat methods to remain comfortable.

2. Easier to Build

Single-story homes are some of the easiest to design and build, simply because they sit on one level. This allows for a floor plan that can range from spacious open-concept to a traditional house plan with rooms separated by walls.

You can also plan a building with an in-law suite above the attached garage or even build to leave open the option to include a basement at a later date. Labor costs and the cost of materials tend to be less expensive for one-story houses as well since they’re easier to build than multi-story houses.

On top of being easier to design and build, one-story houses also have more flexibility in certain design features. Being on a single level means you can play with ceiling height throughout the house instead of picking and choosing which rooms should have high ceilings. You also get to make the most of the square footage and don’t lose any of it to stairways. 

Plus, when it comes time to renovate, it’s usually easier to do so on a one-story house than a multi-story house for a lot of the same reasons it’s easier to build a one-story house. With a simple and efficient design and the roofs likely much lower than in a multi-story home, it can be much easier and less expensive to remodel or expand a one-story home.

3. Safer for Aging Place

So many older people opt to age in place in one-story homes because they don’t have to worry about accessibility in their own homes. With everything on a single story, you reduce the chances of trips and falls with stairs. Aging in place and with dignity becomes easier, especially for those who live with increasing mobility issues as they age.

But it’s not just safer for older people. Anyone with mobility concerns — including young children who are still learning to maneuver their bodies, people living with temporary injuries that impact their movement or those with permanent disabilities — will find it easier to navigate a single level. 

4. Safer in Emergencies

Related to being safer to navigate than multi-story homes, one-story houses can also be better in case of an emergency. For instance, since all the exits are on the ground floor, you can get out easier. Even if the doorways are blocked, for instance, with only a ground-level living space, you can climb out of windows easily and more safely, and often without accessories, like ladders.

5. Better Inclusion of Outdoor Spaces

If you love the idea of an enclosed porch or a sunroom, a one-level home provides an ideal floor plan to accommodate. It’s much easier to expand your back deck or porch into an additional living or entertaining space. And if you’re a fan of outdoor living, you can easily and seamlessly join the outdoor world to your indoor one much more easily in a one-story house than in a multi-story house.

One-story houses also have the incomparable benefit of a more peaceful lifestyle. With only a single floor of living space, you don’t have to worry about noisy footsteps or excess noise above you — or disturbing those below you if you happen to be on the upper level.

Types of One-Story House Plans

We’ve already mentioned that the ranch architectural style is the most popular option for one-story houses, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t dozens more from which you can choose. 

Here are some of the other common architectural styles for one-story homes:

• Traditional one-story house plans: If you can’t choose between a single design style, you might opt for the traditional style, which borrows from the most popular assets of older architectural styles, like gables, columns and dormers. The houses are simple yet efficient, with ample room for creativity inside and out.
• Southern one-story house plans: Ideal for warmer climates, thanks to the inclusion of large porches or verandahs, Southern-style homes are made up of classical features, like columns, shutters and porticoes. 
• Country one-story house plans: If you want your home to recall pastoral Americana, then the country-style house is for you. Wide porches and shady trees are common on these homes’ exterior to help recall the quintessential quaint American home. Still, the interiors range from the traditional to the ultra-modern, as per the homeowner’s tastes.
• Farmhouse one-story house plans: If bridging outdoor and indoor living is your goal, the farmhouse-style home will make it easiest for you. Traditionally build in rural areas, these homes are known for their expansive porches, which often can double as an extra living space.
• Tuscan one-story house plans: Think of the pastoral beauty of Italy’s Tuscany region, and that’s the inspiration for the Tuscan-style house. Stucco exterior walls are often highlighted with stone, while a terracotta roof exudes an air of sophistication and comfort.

Example One-Story House Plans

The possibilities for your one-story home really are endless, but here are three examples of one-story house plans to help give you an idea of what you can accomplish.

Traditional-Style House Plan

This three-bedroom house comes equipped with two bathrooms, an open-concept living area as well as an attached garage. With a living space spanning 1,398 square feet, this simple and functional house is bookended by porches, which can increase the home’s overall entertaining and living spaces.

You have the option to have this house built on a slab or concrete foundation. You can also build your house with a crawlspace, which means you can potentially add a basement later on if you need it. 

The two-car garage is linked to the home via the kitchen, and the main suite enjoys a space on one end of the house, away from the remaining bedrooms, ensuring privacy for all.

Southern-Style House Plan

Similar in layout to the traditional-style house plan, this Southern-style house includes a split bedroom layout to ensure the utmost privacy. The rooms are divided by an open-concept living, dining and kitchen area, with the kitchen separated from the living room by a snack bar. 

An attached garage can comfortably fit up to two vehicles, and the house recalls Southern living with its large, covered porches — one at the front with the entrance and the other at the rear through the dining area. 

The exterior of the house is quintessential Southern style, with large columns standing proudly across the front.

Country-Style House Plan

A perfect mix of a country-style house and a ranch-style home, this three-bedroom home features two bathrooms, an open-concept living area and a spacious rear deck.

The front entrance is decorated with a covered porch and the gabled roof and symmetrical windows make this quaint little home perfect for anyone who loves to have a bit of country no matter where they are.

FAQs About One-Story Houses

If you’re thinking of building your home using prefabricated house plans, it’s important to make sure you’ve done your research. This includes making sure you follow local building codes and ensure you’ve secured all the necessary permits as well.

Beyond that, you may have more generalized questions, so here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about one-story houses.

How Many Square Feet Is a One-Story House?

A one-story house can be as big or small as you want it to be. On average, homes in the United States are approximately 2,300 square feet. For some people, that is too much house, while for others it’s not enough. For a one-story house, you’re likely going to see smaller square footage, especially in urban areas, where plots are much smaller.

Depending on how many people live in your household, you may want a larger home to ensure everyone has their own space. However, if your household is small, such as if you’re an empty-nester, you may want to downsize and build a house that doesn’t have any excess space.

Is It Cheaper to Build a One- or Two-Story House?

The cost of building a house will vary and will depend on several factors, such as who will be occupying the house, what materials will be used to build the house and what — if any — customizations you’ll need.

Generally, foundation and roofing are the most costly parts of building a house, so building up is often less expensive than building across. 

However, your decision shouldn’t be based solely on cost. It’s best to consider other important factors — like the overall comfort of everyone in the household, the benefits of a one-story house for children and the design freedom that a one-story house plan affords. Though the cost is an important component of building a house, it shouldn’t be the deciding factor. 

Can a One-Story Home Have a Basement Added After Construction?

The short answer to whether you can add in a basement after construction is yes. The longer answer is that it may depend on the foundation of your home, how much of the basement you want to be below the ground and how much money you’re willing to spend.

Generally, you have the option to dig through the concrete slab to create a basement or you can raise the house on braces and dig under it, then replace the house on top of the newly dug basement. Digging through concrete will inevitably be a little more expensive because of the extra labor necessary. If you have a crawlspace, it can help make the job a bit easier since it’s an entryway to the job.

What Makes One-Story Ranch-Style Homes Popular?

There are several reasons why ranch-style homes are such a popular design for one-story houses. The basic answer comes down to the simplicity of ranch houses — they are easy to build and encourage customization. They also emphasize a modern, casual lifestyle that is directed toward spending quality time with the family.

They’re also fairly inexpensive to build when compared to other home styles. The popularity of ranch-style houses significantly increased after World War II, when returning soldiers and their young families moved into new, suburban housing developments. The open-concept interior layout encouraged quality family time.

Today, these homes continue to be popular for many of the same reasons. Their simple designs, open floor plans and freedom to customize as needed make them great starter homes, family homes or homes in which to age in place.

Select Your Dream House From Cool House Plans

When building your dream house, save yourself some time and money by using prefabricated house plans from Cool House Plans. We offer dozens of styles and designs for one-story houses, and we can also help you customize any of our plans — allowing you to build the house of your dreams.

Browse our selection of home plans today, or for more information, call our toll-free customer service line at 1-800-482-0464.

Narrow lots may seem like they don’t provide the luxury and space that you would want in a family home, but a bit of creativity can prove that assumption wrong.

Land is expensive, and sometimes it can be hard to obtain, especially in densely populated urban centers. That’s when narrow lots make the most sense, and urban growth inspired architects to expand the limits of homes that need to be built on narrow plots of land. Narrow lot houses are an elegant and simple solution for crowded cities, and contrary to popular belief, they don’t mean choosing between luxury and privacy.

What Is a Narrow Lot House?

Whether you’re purchasing a house or planning to build one of your own using prefabricated floor plans, you’ll find it difficult to go wrong with narrow lot houses. These houses are aesthetically pleasing, especially since they easily range in architectural styles.

Homes with attached garages typically encourage front-loading to reduce any trouble in maneuvering vehicles in the restricted space. In tight, urban areas, rear garages are also common — often with alley parking as well — to help keep a traditional neighborhood look at the front.

Even though narrow lot houses inevitably mean living closer to your neighbors, that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice privacy. Many homes are designed to include a side courtyard or similar private outdoor living space. Clever window placements invite in natural light, not prying eyes. Narrow lot houses can be an excellent place to create a seamless switch from indoor to outdoor living.

Narrow lot house plans have the benefit of building up rather than across. While land may be scarce, the sky is literally the limit, so you can live in a cozy single-level home or expand upwards as much as you want or need. The interiors tend to be open to interpretation, so you can decide whether you want a traditional layout with the living, dining and kitchen on the main floor and the bedroom on upper levels or if you want to take advantage of the luxury of the main suite being on the ground floor.

You can also build down, including a basement area in your narrow home. You can choose to finish the basement and turn it into an extra living area or use it as convenient storage, especially if you don’t have a garage.

5 Benefits of Living in a Narrow Lot House

You experience many benefits when you decide to build a narrow lot house using prefabricated house plans. Aside from the fact that you’ll save money by using preexisting plans, you can also take advantage of the many benefits that come with living in a narrow lot house itself.

Here are five major benefits of living in a narrow lot house:

1. More Light

You may think that a house built on a narrow lot won’t have much natural light filtering through it. While that may have been true in the past, contemporary narrow lot houses plans incorporate strategically placed windows and doors that allow more than enough natural light to fill the living space.

And because the interior is narrower than a traditional house’s interior, it doesn’t take as many windows to bathe the entire space with sunlight.

2. Less Maintenance

Overall, home maintenance is lower in smaller houses, but the smaller lot also means making the most of every inch. This often means there isn’t room for sprawling gardens or lawns. If you’re the sort who’s happy with a handful of plants and don’t care for the backbreaking work that gardening can be, narrow lot houses afford you the privilege of not getting your hands dirty with strenuous lawn work.

Plus, you’ll also save money on water by not having a lawn to tend to.

3. Affordability

Smaller houses always cost less in terms of energy since there is a smaller area to heat and cool. With narrow lot houses, you can take advantage of this benefit, especially since the reduction in the area also means less heat is lost. High-performing insulation becomes more affordable simply because of the money you’re saving — and the insulation will help you save even more in the long run.

You can bring more cost-efficient and energy-efficient practices into your home in other ways to save you even more money. For example, if you keep building your house upwards, you can take advantage of the space on the roof to install solar panels, which can make excellent alternatives to traditional water heaters or emergency generators.

4. Creativity

We already mentioned that living in a narrow lot plans don’t automatically mean having to sacrifice luxury and space. Innovative floor plans make it possible to enjoy spaciousness with simple characteristics such as high ceilings, open floor plans and clever ways to include storage to take advantage of otherwise unused areas.

5. Efficient Space

Just because your home is built on a narrow lot doesn’t mean it has fewer square feet. Narrow lot houses allow you to build upwards, and there isn’t a time limit on when you expand.

Whenever you want, you can add multiple stories to your existing home, providing your family with space as it — or its members — grow. You can add extra bedrooms, offices or family rooms to expand your home without enlarging its footprint.

Types of Narrow Lot Houses

Narrow lot houses are not limited to any one architectural style, which means you can build your narrow lot home using floor plans for any style that fits your aesthetic.

Some common styles include:

• Southern narrow lot house plans: Greco-Roman influence is abundant in Southern-style homes, which feature crown molding and brick masonry while recalling the classical styles of Mexico and Spain. Symmetry is key for this style of home.
• Craftsman narrow lot house plans: The Craftsman style of architecture was born from the Arts and Crafts Movement of the turn of the 20th century. That movement came from a desire to move away from the heavily ornate styles of the Victorian Era, so it’s no surprise that Craftsman-style houses emphasize clean, horizontal lines and triangular roofs and often feature exposed beams and rafters.
• Ranch narrow lot house plans: Known for their laid-back aesthetic, ranch houses typically sit on a single level and are known for the spaciousness they provide, which makes them ideal for narrow lots. Large windows, patios, high ceilings and open-concept interiors are all trademarks of the ranch-style house.
• Modern narrow lot house plans: Trading in traditional materials and shapes in favor of sleek, dramatic lines and lots of glass, steel and concrete, modern-style narrow lot houses are known for their simplicity and spaciousness.
• Cabin narrow lot house plans: If you want to take the woodsy aesthetic with you into the city, a cabin narrow lot house plan may be what you need. Calling on the sparsely decorated exterior of traditional cabins as well as the cozy interior with fireplaces and simple bedrooms, a cabin-style house brings a bit of nature into the urban jungle.

Example Narrow Lot House Plans

Seeing actual examples of narrow lot house plans that you can use to build your own dream house can be the thing that convinces anyone on the fence about whether they should invest in a narrow lot.

With an endless supply of styles, it’s hard not to find a narrow lot house that your whole family will love. Here are three examples of narrow lot house plans that you can choose to build your own home.

Southern-Style House Plan

This narrow lot house seems much larger than its 1,738 square feet, and the interior boasts an open floor plan that only makes the home seem all the more spacious. Covered porches bookend the house, inspiring outdoor living like on the airy verandahs of the South.

Through the front door, you’re greeted with a short foyer leading to an open-concept great room and dining room, which opens onto the back porch. Off to one side is a kitchen with a breakfast bar, while a half bathroom and a utility closet sit off to the other side.

A perk of this house plan is the main suite on the ground floor. The master bathroom features two sinks, a separate shower and whirlpool tub and mirrored doors leading to a walk-in closet. The main suite also opens onto the back porch, encouraging the blurred line between indoor and outdoor living.

On the second level are two more bedrooms and an additional full bathroom, perfect for kids’ rooms or a guest room and home office.

Craftsman-Style House Plan

A stone exterior and gabled roofs are two ways this 1,216-square-foot house shows off the Craftsman style upon first sight. The quaint cottage-like house sits on one level and features an attached two-car garage at the front. It also comes equipped with a front porch and a rear patio.

The front door opens to a spacious open-concept living, dining and kitchen area. Off to the side are a walk-in pantry and one of the three bedrooms. Further in is a hallway that leads to a full bathroom and another bedroom, as well as to the main suite.

The main suite is the only one with an attached bathroom, which is cozy and modest. The main suite also features two separate closets.

Ranch-Style House Plan

At 1,260 square feet, this ranch-style house is designed with economy and practicality in mind — but aesthetics aren’t ignored either. It gives off the feel of the quaint countryside, and its clean lines and triangular roofs only further that image.

A covered porch envelops the front of the house, creating an ideal spot for spending summer days and nights. The front door opens into a massive open-concept living, dining and kitchen area. If you love entertaining, this space is ideal for you, especially if you enjoy entertaining both indoors and outdoors.

A second, side entrance leads through a mudroom, which includes a washer and dryer as well as a coat closet and a utility room. Through the mudroom, you come to the main hallway, which leads to the three bedrooms, the main bathroom and a linen closet.

The main suite is situated at the back corner of the house and features a walk-in closet and a modest ensuite bathroom.

FAQ About Narrow Lot Houses

When building a house using preexisting house plans, you should understand everything about the house you’re building, including frequently asked questions about the style of house you choose.

Here are the answers to some of the most common questions about narrow lot houses.

What Is Considered a Narrow Lot?

The definition varies from country to country and, sometimes, even from city to city, but generally, a narrow lot is any plot less than 50 feet wide.

How Do You Build a Narrow Lot House?

If you’re using prefabricated floor plans, you can rest assured that the contractors and builders will know exactly how to build the house. To maximize your home’s efficiency, consider the following factors:

• Expand by building vertically
• Explore energy-efficiency
• Stick to open floor plans
• Take advantage of high ceilings
• Don’t forget your privacy

How Do You Maximize Space With a Narrow Lot House?

The best way to maximize your living space in a narrow lot house is by keeping in mind that less can be more. This means it’s a great opportunity to declutter and get rid of excess furniture in favor of a more minimalist style.

Keeping the interior walls a lighter color will help make the space seem larger, as will large windows with minimalist coverings. Skylights are an excellent option, especially in dense urban areas where windows on the side of the house won’t afford the privacy you need.

High ceilings, especially those with exposed rafters or beams, also help smaller spaces seem larger and more spacious. And using the walls to hang mirrors and strategic artwork can also help expand the space and keep it from looking too sparse.

Finally, erase the divide between indoor and outdoor living by turning the patio or porch into a sunroom or install sliding doors between the house and the porch to expand the living area of your home.

What Does It Cost to Build Houses on Narrow Lots?

As with most types of homes, the cost to build will depend on various factors, including:

• Size: A single-floor home will likely be less expensive than a three-story house. However, if you have a large family, three stories may be worth the extra cost in the long run.
• Customization: Prefabricated house plans are customizable, but the modifications may cost you extra. For example, if you want to turn a bonus attic space into a fully functioning room with its own bathroom, you should be prepared for the added cost that may come with it.
• Amenities: Some people like to have built-in working fireplaces or cooking grills in the patio, which can increase the cost of building a house.

Find Your Dream House From COOL House Plans

Take advantage of the ease of using prefabricated house plans to build your house. At COOL House Plans, we offer hundreds of floor plans for houses of all shapes and sizes, so you can be sure to find the house of your dreams.

We also offer customization and modification of our existing plans so even if you can’t find your dream house plans, you can create them yourself.

Browse through our selection of house plans today or, for more information, get in touch by calling toll-free: 1-800-482-0464.