Home 30+ Small House Plans That Are Just The Right Size By Southern Living Editors Southern Living Editors Since 1966, the editors of Southern Living have been carrying out the mission of the brand: to bring enjoyment, fulfillment, and inspiration to our readers by celebrating life in the South. We inspire creativity in their homes, their kitchens, their gardens, and their personal style. We are a friend they can trust, a guide to the seasons, a helping hand during the holidays, and a relentless champion of the Southern way of life. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on September 9, 2021 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Southern Living House Plans Maybe you're an empty nester, maybe you are downsizing, or maybe you just love to feel snug as a bug in your home. Whatever the case, we've got a bunch of small house plans that pack a lot of smartly-designed features, gorgeous and varied facades, and small cottage appeal. Apart from the innate adorability of things in miniature in general, these small house plans offer big living space, even for small house living. We love the Sugarberry Cottage, that looks like Goldilocks should be checking in, but has three bedrooms and bathrooms and a porch that extends the living area of the small house significantly. Prefer a more rustic look? The Cypress View plan is so versatile, it nestles comfortably in by the lake, in the mountains, or near the beach–a great, versatile small cottage home. Whatever your choice, take a look at some of our best plans for small house living. 01 of 32 Ellsworth Cottage, Plan #1351 Designed by Caldwell/Cline Architects Charming details and cottage styling give the house its distinctive personality. 3 bedrooms/3 bathroom 1,645 square feet See Plan: Ellsworth Cottage 02 of 32 Wind River, Plan #1551 Designed by Frank Betz Associates, Inc. Covered with shingle and board-and-batten siding, this comfortable design may be built as a primary residence or as a getaway spot. 3 bedroom/4 bathroom 1,749 square feet See Plan: Wind River 03 of 32 Boulder Summit, Plan #1575 Designed by Frank Betz Associates, Inc. Whether built as a mountain retreat or a full-time residence, this plan features an open first floor and tucked-away ground floor. 4 bedroom/4 bathroom 1,588 square feet See Plan: Boulder Summit 04 of 32 Sugarberry, Plan #1648 Designed by Moser Design Group This classic one-and-a-half story home takes advantage of every square inch of space. 3 bedroom/3 bathroom 1,679 square feet See Plan: Sugarberry 05 of 32 Topwater Lodge, Plan #1385 Designed by Caldwell/Cline Architects An easy going, laidback warmth characterizes this cozy cottage. 3 bedroom/3 bathroom 1,042 square feet See Plan: Topwater Lodge 06 of 32 Allegheny, Plan #1552 Designed by Frank Betz Associates, Inc. Inside and out, this classical house teems with ideas that reflect the historic charm of traditional, Southern architecture. 3 bedroom/3 bathroom 1,510 square feet See Plan: Allegheny 07 of 32 Bluffton, Plan #594 Designed by Hall & Hull Architects, Inc. With a deep, metal-roofed porch skirting the front, one entire side, and a portion of the rear of the house, this plan has the look of a Southern, shotgun-style house. 3 bedroom/2 bathroom 1,435 square feet See Plan: Bluffton 08 of 32 Striper's Cottage, Plan #1388 Designed by Caldwell/Cline Architects Here's a warm and inviting year-round retreat where friends and family can relax. 3 bedroom/3 bathroom 1,678 square feet See Plan: Striper's Cottage 09 of 32 Aberdeen Place, Plan #013 Designed by Frank Betz Associates, Inc. A cozy cottage that proves that good things come in small packages. Wood siding, stone, and shutters add charm to the home's facade. 3 bedroom/3 bathroom 1,593 square feet See Plan: Aberdeen Place 10 of 32 Cedarbrook, Plan #408 Designed by Caldwell/Cline Architects Here's a compact, rustic-style house with plenty of style and flexibility. More space in less square footage is gained by open planning. 3 bedroom/3 bathroom 1,715 square feet See Plan: Cedarbrook 11 of 32 The Maple Ridge, Plan #442 Designed by Frank Betz Associates, Inc. This floor plan makes the most of one- level living with a combination kitchen, dining room, and family room that provides open space for entertaining. 4 bedroom/2 bathroom 1,777 square feet See Plan: The Maple Ridge 12 of 32 Silverhill, Plan #749 Designed by Sullivan Design Company Its symmetrical shape takes advantage of every usable space, allowing for spacious living and dining areas. 3 bedroom/3 bathroom 1,771 square feet See Plan: Silverhill 13 of 32 Heather Place, Plan #945 Designed by John Tee Its simple roofline, clapboard siding, and wraparound front porch make this design an instant classic. 3 bedroom/3 bathroom 1,486 square feet See Plan: Heather Place 14 of 32 Coosaw River Cottage, Plan #671 Designed by Allison Ramsey Architects, Inc. In this open plan, the living and dining rooms combine to create one large space. A galley kitchen allows for easy access to the dining room and breakfast room. 3 bedroom/3 bathroom 1,705 square feet See Plan: Coosaw River Cottage 15 of 32 The Sage House, Plan #947 Designed by John Tee With a flexible floor plan, the kitchen, dining, and family rooms are one large space that share views through a large picture window. A roomy screened porch is a natural extension of the home's living space. 3 bedroom/4 bathroom 1,672 square feet See Plan: The Sage House 16 of 32 Rockborne, Plan #639 Designed by Dungan-Nequette Architects Comfort, casual style, and thoughtful visual details define this house. 3 bedroom/2 bathroom 1,588 square feet See Plan: Rockborne 17 of 32 Cherry Hill, Plan #1843 Designed by John Tee Compact and very functional, this cottage-style plan is an easy fit for any family. 3 bedroom/3 bathroom 1,524 square feet See Plan: Cherry Hill 18 of 32 St. Simons Retreat, Plan #256 Designed by Ken Tate Inspired by historic seaside architecture, this design combines the comfort of a vacation home with thoughtful features that make everyday life easier for today's busy families. 2 bedroom/3 bathroom 1,798 square feet See Plan: St. Simons Retreat 19 of 32 Fontanel Carriage House, Plan #1856 Southern Living Although this charming farmhouse cottage is small, it has plenty of porch space. 2 bedroom/2 bathroom 1,099 square feet See Plan: Fontanel Carriage House 20 of 32 River's Edge, Plan #1977 Southern Living House Plans With Lowcountry influences in its design, this home has plenty of Southern charisma. 3 bedroom/2.5 bathroom 1,721 square feet See Plan: River's Edge 21 of 32 Deer Run, Plan #731 Southern Living This two-bed, two-bath cabin couldn't be a cuter hideaway for the lake. 2 bedroom/2 bathroom 972 square feet See Plan: Deer Run 22 of 32 Rustic Beach Cottage, Plan #360 Southern Living Calling all gardeners: This adorable house plan has a latticework details on the porch and plenty of space for bountiful window boxes. 2 bedroom/2 bathroom 1,398 square feet See Plan: Rustic Beach Cottage 23 of 32 Beaufort Cottage, Plan #1136 Southern Living House Plans If you're looking for the perfect new-old home architecture? Meet your new cottage. 3 bedroom/2.5 bathroom 1,720 square feet See Plan: Beaufort Cottage 24 of 32 Palmetto Cottage, Plan #2009 Southern Living House Plans; Photo: John McManus This one-bedroom cottage has just the right amount of space for not a lot of upkeep. 1 bedroom/1.5 bathroom 656 square feet See Plan: Palmetto Cottage 25 of 32 Sparta II, Plan #1810 Southern Living House Plans In addition to this picture-perfect front porch, this classic house plan also has a screened-in back porch. 3 bedroom/3.5 bathroom 1,804 square feet See Plan: Sparta II 26 of 32 Cloudland Cottage, Plan #1894 Southern Living The name of this house plan says it all: Living in a cottage this cute is like living on Cloud 9. 2 bedroom/2 bathroom 1,200 square feet See Plan: Cloudland Cottage 27 of 32 Canton Row, Plan #1938 Southern Living This cottage has plenty of space for your family to come back and visit if you're empty nesters looking to downsize. 3 bedroom/2.5 bathroom 1,623 square feet See Plan: Canton Row 28 of 32 Shoreline Cottage, Plan #490 Southern Living This house plan was made with scenic views in mind. Whether at the lake, beach, or mountains, you can catch nature from all its good angles with this home. 3 bedroom/1 bathroom 930 square feet See Plan: Shoreline Cottage 29 of 32 Randolph Cottage, Plan #1861 Southern Living This home is sure to be the most inviting one on the block. 3 bedroom/2.5 bathroom 1,800 square feet See Plan: Randolph Cottage 30 of 32 St. George Cottage, Plan #1906 Southern Living This open-plan home is filled with natural night and has an expansive back porch. 3 bedroom/3 bathroom 1,581 square feet See Plan: St. George Cottage 31 of 32 Beachside Bungalow, Plan #1117 Designed by Moser Design Group Sit back and kick your feet up: At this beachside bungalow, there are no worries. 1 bedroom/1 bathroom 484 square feet See Plan: Beachside Bungalow 32 of 32 Rustic Lake Cabin, Plan #1809 Southern Living We can already picture ourselves cozy by a fire in this sweet cabin. 2 bedroom/1 bathroom 1,426 square feet See Plan: Rustic Lake Cabin Was this page helpful? 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