Home The Best House Plans of 2017 By Kaitlyn Yarborough Kaitlyn Yarborough Part of the Southern Living team since 2017, Kaitlyn Yarborough is a Georgia native living in Austin, Texas, who covers a wide variety of topics for both the magazine and website, focusing on culture and lifestyle content, as well as travel in the South.She earned a B.A. in Journalism at the University of Georgia. She hopes to inspire your travel bucket list with her features on road trips through Texas Hill Country, bourbon tours in Kentucky, and the best beach getaways on the Gulf Coast. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on December 12, 2017 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Laurey W. Glenn It's hard to find a house plan that's just right. Because it's not just about laying down brick and mortar; it's about striking the perfect balance of size, style, and features to make your home the best fit for your family. Our custom-designed house plans work harder than homemade cornbread at the church potluck to give the homiest homes for each and every Southern family. From the coziest cottages to the most classic Colonials, we like to say that we love them all like our mamas love all their children—equally, but each in a different way. We fall over giddy as much for our modern farmhouses and Lowcountry retreats as our stately Victorians and shingled bungalows. Tapping into our end-of-year nostalgia, we rounded up our most loved and most popular house plans of this year. Whether you're in it for the eye candy or looking for your future forever home, these Southern Living House Plans will tickle your fancy; we're sure of it. 01 of 22 Farmdale Cottage Laurey W. Glenn We don't know if we could find a more charming Southern cottage than this 2,057-square-foot abode with a satisfyingly symmetrical exterior and stunning entry. 3 to 4 bedrooms and 4 baths2,057 square feetSee Plan: Farmdale Cottage 02 of 22 Charlestowne Creek Cottage, Plan #1956 Southern Living We can't get enough of this perfectly symmetrical exterior and historic style (though it's a newer house plan). The Chippendale front railing, four front columns, and floor-to-ceiling front windows flanking the big front door pack it with charm and curb appeal. 3 bedrooms and 3 ½ baths2,314 square feetSee Plan: Charlestowne Creek Cottage 03 of 22 Cottage Revival, Plan #1946 Southern Living There's something so effortless about this bright and homey modern cottage. Its L-shaped layout gives an organic flow to the living spaces, while the great room is located towards the back of the home for easy access to the kitchen and outdoor deck. 4 bedrooms and 2 ½ baths1,929 square feetSee Plan: Cottage Revival 04 of 22 Aiken Street, Plan #1807 Southern Living This house plans exudes vintage appeal, while its mix of simple spaces and natural materials sets a relaxed tone. A metal roof and tall operable shutters lend a Lowcountry feel to this otherwise classic neighborhood home. 4 bedrooms and 4 ½ baths2,233 square feetSee Plan: Aiken Street 05 of 22 Orange Grove, Plan #1848 Southern Living This cozy country abode is detailed with rustic charm, but modern sensibilities. The plain slab shutters, simple board-and-batten siding, and a low wall and wooden gate could be pulled straight from an old farm; but a curved railing for the porch steps, two pairs of French doors, and a round window on the right side of the house turns up the urban elegance. 3 bedrooms and 3 ½ baths2.440 square feetSee Plan: Orange Grove 06 of 22 Elberton Way, Plan #1561 Southern Living This layout works just as well for a young, growing family, as it will for an older one on the cusp of being empty nesters. The first floor is a spacious 2,400 square feet with an open (and large) kitchen-living room, formal dining room, a master suite, a guest room, a tiny home office or mudroom, and not one–but two–covered porches to ease with the flow of the home. The prominent stacked stone façade mixed with brick and siding finishes with a charming touch. 3 to 4 bedrooms and 3 ½ baths3,469 square feetSee Plan: Elberton Way 07 of 22 Farmhouse Revival, Plan #1821 Designed by Historical Concepts This modern farmhouse is spacious and open, making it perfect for a growing family. The large kitchen is big enough for weekend breakfasts with a crowd, and the porch and outdoor spaces make sure to give entertaining options no matter the occasion. 4 bedrooms and 4 ½ baths3,511 square feetSee Plan: Farmhouse Revival 08 of 22 Tideland Haven, Plan #1375 Southern Living This plan is all about letting in natural light with large windows and French doors, while detailing for comfort with deep overhangs and a wraparound porch. 2 bedrooms and 2 ½ baths2,418 square feetSee Plan: Tideland Haven 09 of 22 Eastover Cottage, Plan #1666 Southern Living The front porch is directly off the living areas, letting you enjoy part of what makes living in the South so special—bringing the outdoors in and long evening sits on the porch. 3 to 4 bedrooms and 3 ½ baths2,530 square feetSee Plan: Eastover Cottage 10 of 22 New Oxford, Plan #068 Southern Living This best-selling house plans blends Greek Revival influences with inviting country charm. A front porch with traditional white columns and bay windows welcomes guests with comfort and grace. With a spacious 2,404-square-foot floor plan, this two-story home is fit for families or retirees alike. 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, and 2 half baths2,404 square feetSee Plan: New Oxford 11 of 22 Kinsley Place, Plan #1131 Bryan Chavez With a combination of lap siding and board-and-batten siding, this design draws inspiration from Victorian architecture. Designers combined form and function with stylish, innovative spaces for the whole family. 4 to 5 bedrooms and 4 ½ baths3,510 square feetSee Plan: Kinsley Place 12 of 22 River Place Cottage, Plan #1959 Southern Living We can imagine ourselves rocking in those rocking chairs on just about any afternoon, but this coastal charm is made even better with its spacious, open layout perfect for family time and entertaining. 3 bedrooms and 2 ½ baths2,420 square feetSee Plan: River Place Cottage 13 of 22 White Plains, Plan #1799 Southern Living Latticed porch columns, a steeply pitched roof, and exposed rafters make this Folk-inspired home anything but ordinary. This home is a twist on the Carpenter Gothic style and uses board and batten siding and a corrugated metal roof to give a modern vernacular appeal. 4 bedrooms and 4 ½ baths2,942 square feetSee Plan: White Plains 14 of 22 Tucker Bayou, Plan #1408 Southern Living If you love warm, inviting bungalow-style homes, don't go any further than this house plan with its family-oriented layout and versatile features. 5 bedrooms and 4 baths3,554 square feetSee Plan: Tucker Bayou 15 of 22 Carolina Island House, Plan #481 Southern Living Broad, deep, and square porches are the standout marks in this design. Beautifully detailed, the front porch stretches 65-feet across the front of the house, with a three 14' x 14' square porches set at each end, totaling approximately 1,097 square feet of outdoor living, dining and entertaining space. 3 to 4 bedrooms and 4 baths2,738 square feetSee Plan: Carolina Island House 16 of 22 Vintage Lowcountry, Plan #1828 Southern Living This classic style exudes relaxation and comfort with plenty of windows for letting in natural light and large porch space for hanging out together. The open layout makes the interior breezy and bright. 3 bedrooms and 3 ½ baths2,768 square feetSee Plan: Vintage Lowcountry 17 of 22 St. George Cottage, Plan #1906 Southern Living This coastal-inspired cottage is open and sunny, yet compact and cozy. Its perfect square footage lives big and offers dual access to a large full-width rear covered porch. 3 bedrooms and 3 baths1,581 square feetSee Plan: St. George Cottage 18 of 22 Islander Cottage, Plan #1951 Southern Living We fell in love with our 2017 Idea House, the dreamiest island oasis we've seen yet! The large porches invite lazy afternoons and late nights, while the modern farmhouse style stands out among traditional seaside retreats. 4 bedrooms and 4 ½ baths3,273 square feetSee Plan: Islander Cottage 19 of 22 Celebration Cottage, Plan #1891 Laurey W. Glenn For our 2016 Idea House, we wanted entertaining and style to be priorities in the design. Around 900 square feet of porch area wrapped with a traditional X-railing and newel posts welcome guests, while a dining terrace allows for a cozy evening under the stars. 4 to 4 bedrooms and 4 ½ baths4,037 square feetSee Plan: Celebration Cottage 20 of 22 Sand Mountain House, Plan #977 Rob Lagerstrom This traditional home can fit into any neighborhood and family effortlessly, making it a longtime favorite amongst our house plans. Its sturdy, simple design appeals to the growing family and empty nesters alike. 3 to 4 bedrooms, 3 full baths, and 2 half baths2,853 square feetSee Plan: Sand Mountain House 21 of 22 Vernon Hill, Plan #777 Southern Living In the tradition of George Vanderbilt, this design blends traditional styling with comfortable living. Its stucco exterior with wood and brick accents adds both distinction and elegance. 4 to 6 bedrooms and 4 baths3,510 square feetSee Plan: Vernon Hill 22 of 22 Abberley Lane, Plan #683 Southern Living Inside and out, this classical house teems with ideas that reflect the historic charm of traditional, Southern architecture. The interior is bright and open, with high ceilings and careful placement of windows and doors creating a spacious effect throughout the design. 4 to 6 bedrooms and 4 ½ baths3,846 square feetSee Plan: Abberley Lane Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit