Home 15 Dreamy House Plans Built For Retirement Choosing your new house plan is hands-down the most exciting part of retirement planning. By Patricia Shannon Patricia Shannon Patricia Shannon gives how-to content a can-do attitude, sharing her knowledge and research on housekeeping, decorating, gardening, etiquette, beauty, and more. She has been writing and editing lifestyle content for more than a decade. Southern Living's editorial guidelines and Mary Shannon Wells Mary Shannon Wells Mary Shannon is an Associate Digital Editor and has been on the Southern Living team since 2017. She helps run the brand's social media accounts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and TikTok, where she's happily behind the scenes. When she's not ruffling feathers with an etiquette poll via Instagram Stories, she's writing content for the website and assisting in various print projects like gift guides and home stories. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on January 17, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Southern Living House Plans If you've picked the perfect town for retirement living but are striking out with the available real estate, this might be the solution. We've gathered a few of our favorite house plans to make the ideal abode for soaking it all in. Our collection of Southern Living house plans includes single-story and two-story house plans. Our house floor plans will run the gamut from simple house plans to more elaborate, larger options. Choosing your new house plan is hands-down the most exciting part of retirement planning. 01 of 15 Adaptive Cottage, Plan #2075 Moser Design Group Moser Design Group designed this beautiful one-floor cottage in conjunction with the Parkinson's Foundation to adapt to the physical needs of the owners. With three bedrooms and bathrooms, there's plenty of room for the family to visit. Plus, there's a front porch and screened porch in the back, so there's no shortage of spots to relax, read a book, or drink a glass of sweet tea. 3 bedrooms/3 bathrooms 1,966 square feet See Plan: Adaptive Cottage 02 of 15 Whisper Creek, Plan #1653 Southern Living This 1,555-square-foot cottage is all about the porches. They're ideally suited for rocking the afternoon away with a glass of tea. The interior features two bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths, so there is enough space to entertain guests. 2 bedrooms/2.5 bathrooms 1,555 square feet See Plan: Whisper Creek 03 of 15 Palmetto Cottage, Plan #2009 Southern Living House Plans Looking to downsize in style? You won't believe how much charm 656 square feet can hold. This floor plan also makes an ideal size to add as a guest house (hint, hint). Despite thinking small with this house plan, the architects at Court Atkins Group had to leave enough room for a proper Southern front porch. 1 bedroom/1 bathroom 656 square feet See Plan: Palmetto Cottage 04 of 15 Eastover Cottage, Plan #1666 Southern Living The stately Eastover Cottage is a beautiful place to call home. The wide front porch adds even more livable space to the 2,530-square-foot-cottage. With three bedrooms and three and a half baths, there will be plenty of room for hosting the grandkids. 3 bedrooms/3.5 bathrooms 2,530 square feet See Plan: Eastover Cottage 05 of 15 Young's Crossing, Plan #1912 Southern Living Who doesn't love a brick house? This one-floor, French country-influenced home is positively timeless. The primary bedroom's French doors open to the back porch for the perfect spot to enjoy your morning coffee. The best part is that this house plan provides accessible living with wide doorways, handicap-accessible baths, and five-foot turning radii throughout. 3 bedrooms/3 bathrooms 2,285 square feet See Plan: Young's Crossing 06 of 15 Tideland Haven, Plan #1375 Designed by Our Town Plans If deep front porches and a sprawling layout are what you're after, this might be your retirement plan. The 2,418-square-foot home is designed with comfort in mind and includes two bedrooms and two and a half baths. 2 bedrooms/2.5 bathrooms 2,418 square feet See Plan: Tideland Haven 07 of 15 Farmhouse Revival, Plan #1821 Designed by Historical Concepts This floor plan is dreamy. It clocks in at 3,511 square feet with four bedrooms and four-and-a-half baths, but that's just the beginning. The porches are the real stars here. 4 bedrooms/4.5 bathrooms 3,511 square feet See Plan: Farmhouse Revival 08 of 15 Sparta II, Plan #1810-A Southern Living House Plans This one-floor home gives you everything you need in less than 2,000 square feet. There's an opportunity for three full bedrooms or two bedrooms and an office if anyone in the family needs a work-from-home spot before retirement. Keep the doors open from the dining area to the screened porch for pleasant summer nights. Will you spend more time on the front patio or the screened porch? Decisions, decisions. 3 bedrooms/3 bathrooms 1,804 square feet See Plan: Sparta II 09 of 15 Tucker Bayou, Plan #1408 Designed by LRK Architects If the coastal lifestyle has been calling your name, check out the Tucker Bayou Plan. The 3,554-square-foot home, inspired by historic seaside architecture, packs five bedrooms and four baths. While it may look like a vacation home, the thoughtful design of Tucker Bayou makes it an excellent choice for year-round living. 5 bedrooms/4 bathrooms 3,554 square feet See Plan: Tucker Bayou 10 of 15 Amelia River Cottage, Plan #2069 Southern Living This spacious one-floor cottage is the ideal forever home. With an expansive owner's suite on the wing, you have privacy and relaxation when your family is in town. Adapt the front porch stairs between the garage and mud room to include a ramp. 3 bedrooms/2.5 bathrooms 2,449 square feet See Plan: Amelia River Cottage 11 of 15 Nautical Cottage, Plan #224 Southern Living It's easy to see why this is one of our all-time favorite house plans. Small summer cottages inspire it, but they are easily adaptable to whatever climate and locale you call home. It's chock-full of charming details like cedar shakes and a Nantucket star design on the porch railing. Don't be deceived by its tidy exterior. This home is larger than it looks: 1,315 square feet, three beds, and two baths. 3 bedrooms/2 bathrooms 1,315 square feet See Plan: Nautical Cottage 12 of 15 Covington Cottage, Plan #1010 Southern Living House Plans Who can resist a bay window? Not us! This one-floor charmer is just under 2,000 square feet with open living spaces and a private owner's suite in the back of the home. The architects at Countryside Homes designed this plan to fit nicely into a traditional neighborhood. It can work in whatever retirement setting you prefer, whether the beach or the mountains. 3 bedrooms/2 bathrooms 1,941 square feet See Plan: Covington Cottage 13 of 15 Deer Run, Plan #731 Southern Living If you're a fan of cabin living, this might be the one for you. The meticulously designed space uses every square inch of the 973-square-foot cabin to maximize space. It includes two bedrooms, two baths, an open living room with a fireplace, lots of windows, and French doors that open to a screened back porch. 2 bedrooms/2 bathrooms 973 square feet See Plan: Deer Run 14 of 15 Crabapple Cottage, Plan #667 Southern Living Look no further than the Crabapple Cottage for plenty of space and a timeless design. Its spacious 3,945 square feet, four beds, three baths, and two half baths is hardly a cottage, but it just sounds much more charming. 4 bedrooms/3 full bathrooms, 2 half 3,945 square feet See Plan: Crabapple Cottage 15 of 15 Farmdale Cottage, Plan #1870 Laurey W. Glenn This 2,057-square-foot cottage oozes Southern charm. A stunning entry and plenty of bedrooms and baths make this one to consider seriously. 3 bedrooms/3 full bathrooms 2,057 square feet See Plan: Farmdale Cottage Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit