Home Architecture and Home Design Cabins And Cottages Under 1,000 Square Feet These tiny cabins and cottages embody a lot of Southern charm in a neat, 1,000-square-foot-or-less package. By Southern Living Editors Updated on January 24, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Sometimes all you need is a simple place to unwind, and these charming cottages and cabins show you how to have everything you need in a small space. For waterside living, our house plans for The Boathouse & Bunkhouse, and The Beachside Bungalow, will feel like they are made-to-measure for relaxing. If you love rustic style, you will feel at home with our small cabin plans for the Cedar Creek Guest House or Yancey's Mill. You may prefer to have your holiday home a small retreat, but these house plans show you how to make every square foot of your cottage or cabin inviting, comfortable, and serene. No matter what you are looking for, these house plans show how these cabins and cottages embody a lot of Southern charm in a neat, 1,000-square-foot-or-less package. 01 of 25 Cedar Creek Guest House, Plan #1450 Southern Living This cozy cabin is a perfect retreat for overnight guests or weekend vacations. With a spacious porch, open floor plan, and outdoor fireplace, you may never want to leave. 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom 500 square feet See Plan: Cedar Creek Guest House 02 of 25 Shoreline Cottage, Plan #490 Southern Living Inspiration for the Shoreline Cottage came from the desire for a simple house that would capture serene views from all sides. The board-and-batten exterior, gabled roof, and generous porch set a traditional tone, while tall windows and an open interior make the home more modern. 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom 930 square feet See Plan: Shoreline Cottage 03 of 25 Eagle's Nest, Plan #739 Southern Living With a touch of Gothic styling, this plan offers open spaces and a straightforward layout. The main level is a multipurpose space, while the cabin's steeply pitched roof allows for a comfortable bedroom and bath upstairs. The screened back porch provides additional space. 1 bedroom, 1.5 bathrooms 634 square feet See Plan: Eagle's Nest 04 of 25 Deer Run Plan, #731 Southern Living This thoughtfully designed and affordable house illustrates cabin living at its best. The open living room boasts a fireplace, windows along three walls, and a set of French doors that open to a screened back porch. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms 973 square feet See Plan: Deer Run 05 of 25 Hilltop Plan, #728 Southern Living Retreat with family and friends on this lovely getaway, perfect as a charming mountain retreat or a cozy lakeside cabin where casual conversation takes place around a beautiful stone fireplace. When sunny mornings beckon, enjoy coffee and fresh air on one of two railed porches. 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom 539 square feet See Plan: Hilltop 06 of 25 Beachside Bungalow, Plan #1117 Designed by Moser Design Group An adorable front porch is a place to set up a couple of chairs or a hanging swing and take a load off your heels. The gable roof covers this Southern-inspired cottage bungalow that will make every day feel like a vacation. 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom 484 square feet See Plan: Beachside Bungalow 07 of 25 Lake Haven Plan, #609 Southern Living This quaint cabin, tucked in the woods, can be a weekend retreat or guesthouse. The charming exterior offers an inviting front porch that opens to the casual living room. Upstairs, a sleeping loft adds more room for guests. 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom 915 square feet See Plan: Lake Haven 08 of 25 Crooked Creek, Plan #740 Southern Living This plan has timeless appeal with a fun-loving and unpretentious design in mind. This two-room cabin features a cozy fireplace and a spacious living area. It makes the perfect house for first-time, retirement, or vacation home buyers. 1 bedroom, 1.5 bathrooms 631 square feet See Plan: Crooked Creek 09 of 25 Boathouse & Bunkhouse, Plan #049 Southern Living No place has more charm than this little boathouse perched over the water. This boathouse makes a welcoming weekend cottage or waterside home with windows on every wall, wood siding, shuttered windows, and a metal roof with exposed rafters. 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom 376 square feet See Plan: Boathouse & Bunkhouse 10 of 25 Gin Creek Plan, #738 Southern Living This floor plan is a compact, story-and-a-half cabin with enough style and flexibility to become either a lake house or a mountain retreat. A covered front porch provides a haven for afternoon naps. Inside, one room accommodates family living and dining. 1 bedroom, 1.5 bathrooms 906 square feet See Plan: Gin Creek 11 of 25 Cypress View Plan, #735 Southern Living This cottage is home on a lake, beach, or mountain site. The plan includes an optional screened porch that expands the living space and allows for enjoying the beautiful views. 1 bedroom, 1.5 bathrooms 897 square feet See Plan: Cypress View 12 of 25 Sun River Plan, #644 Southern Living This quaint log cabin is ideal for weekend getaways or retreats in the wood, with two floors and room for a swing. The main living room has multiple windows, brightening the space, which features a wood stove. The upper-floor loft bedroom includes two sizeable closets. 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom 360 square feet See Plan: Sun River 13 of 25 The Ozarks Plan, #730 Roland Davis This rustic and comfortable cabin plan makes the most of its space with less than 1,000 square feet. The doors in the living room open onto a back porch to enjoy the scenic surroundings. Create a private retreat upstairs with a spacious bedroom and bath. 1 bedroom, 1.5 bathrooms 974 square feet See Plan: The Ozarks 14 of 25 Little Red Plan, #742 Southern Living Board-and-batten construction and simple post-and-rail detailing give our Little Red plan the sturdy, primitive feel of a log cabin. Using local stone and wood siding helps the home blend effortlessly into its surroundings. 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom 800 square feet See Plan: Little Red 15 of 25 Yancey's Mill Plan, #741 Southern Living Roughing it can be a lot of fun. Yancey's Mill, with its screened-in porch, great room, and stone fireplace, is perfect for short getaways or as a sportsman's cabin. The stone fireplace in the vast great room is the ideal spot to retreat after a long nature walk or leisurely boat ride. 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom 841 square feet See Plan: Yancey's Mill 16 of 25 Garden Cottage, Plan #1830 Dale Watson This one-bedroom, one-bathroom retreat packs everything you'd want in a weekend getaway in just 540 square feet. Enjoy the pleasures of simple living with the comforts of a covered front porch and cozy fireplace. It's the perfect part-time or retirement cottage. 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom 540 square feet See Plan: Garden Cottage 17 of 25 Greer Lane, Plan #1024 Southern Living With Southern and country influences, the Greer Lane floor plan has an open layout and a wide front porch. The gable roofing adds a classic element to this house's design. 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom 738 square feet See Plan: Greer Lane 18 of 25 Hickory Cove, Plan #992 Southern Living The first floor of Hickory Cove includes a connecting kitchen, living room, and dining room space, which extends to the screened-in porch. Upstairs are two bedrooms with a full bathroom in the middle, so guests can always have access. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms 986 square feet See Plan: Hickory Cove 19 of 25 Grayson Trail, Plan #988 Southern Living This floor plan proves that you don't have to sacrifice comfort or style for a smaller footprint. Grayson Trail has a single bedroom and bath but includes a loft that guests can use as a quiet retreat. 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom 808 square feet See Plan: Grayson Trail 20 of 25 Oak Creek, Plan #737 Southern Living Designed by William H. Phillips, Jr., of Dauphin Island, Alabama, Oak Creek is a part of the Cabin Collection. This floor plan has plenty of sitting and relaxing space on the roomy front and back porches, even in this compact design. The main area includes one large cooking, eating, and relaxing space. 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom 412 square feet See Plan: Oak Creek 21 of 25 Heaven's Door, Plan #732 Southern Living Heaven's Door features designer details like a Gothic window about the sink in the kitchen. It makes the most of its space by stacking the washer and dryer units in a utility closet and positioning the bath, so it's accessible from both the bedroom closet and hallway. A stacked-stone fireplace adds warmth to the great room. 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom 804 square feet See Plan: Heaven's Door 22 of 25 Budget Beach House, Plan #102 Ron Ward This tiny cottage uses natural materials to weather gracefully near coastal landscapes, as its simple, straightforward construction resembles turn-of-the-century beach houses. The metal-clad roof helps to reflect the heat and provide durability. 1 bedroom, 2 bathrooms 751 square feet See Plan: Budget Beach House 23 of 25 Weekender Cabin, Plan #156 Southern Living The Weekender Cabin is comfortable for extended stays, perched on piers and clad in board-and-batten siding. The main living area features an open cooking, eating, and relaxing space. The bedroom positioned to the side, creates a sense of privacy and coziness. 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom 770 square feet See Plan: Weekender Cabin 24 of 25 Shoreline Cottage, Plan #490 Southern Living Tall windows and an open interior make this home modern, while a board-and-batten exterior, gabled roof, and generous porch provide traditional elements. The interior features unique details like a built-in window seat on two walls, ideal for storage or cozy spaces for reading. A sleeping loft, accessible by a ladder, is also available. 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom 930 square feet See Plan: Shoreline Cottage 25 of 25 The Smokey Creek, Plan #729 Southern Living Designed by William H. Phillips, Jr., of Dauphin Island, Alabama, The Smokey Creek cabin is planned for enjoyment and practicality. The screened-in porch works need a beach, lake, or mountain site. Interior details like a wood-burning stove and central fireplace help make this a great year-round home. 1 bedroom, 2 bathrooms 640 square feet See Plan: The Smokey Creek Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit