Home Architecture and Home Design The Best Southern Living House Plans Under 2,000 Square Feet Good things come in small packages. 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. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on January 9, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Helen Norman When it comes to the perfect home size, we don't subscribe to the mentality that bigger is better. Some of our favorite things come in small packages, including house plans. To us, a cozy cottage packs more charm per square foot than any McMansion. And the wonderful thing about our most loved Southern Living House Plans that land under 2,000 square feet? They feel big. With efficient design and strategic styling, these lovely abodes are set up for success and capture every bit of the character and livability of a larger home while eliminating the bulkiness of unused spaces and the stress of constant upkeep. From spacious open layouts to dreamy wraparound porches, these small-scale homes will have you smitten (and looking to downsize!). 01 of 25 Cottage Revival, Plan #1946 Southern Living This L-shaped cottage is your modern approach to a traditional style and offers a lived-in, cozy feel. Putting the great room towards the back of the home helps create a better flow, positioning it near the outdoor deck and kitchen for effortless livability. 1,929 square feet 4 bedrooms, 2 baths See Plan: Cottage Revival 02 of 25 Sparta II, Plan #1810-A Southern Living House Plans The cozy screened porch on the side of this house plan makes for relaxing evenings, while the living areas flow into one another organically for a family-friendly feel. 1,804 square feet 3 bedrooms, 3 baths See Plan: Sparta II 03 of 25 Sadie Springs Retreat, Plan #1957 Southern Living This shingled home is influenced by the traditional Colonial style while keeping with a cozy Southern cottage feel. The primary porch off the main level bedroom provides a private sitting area. 1,806 square feet 3 bedrooms, 2 baths See Plan: Sadie Springs Retreat 04 of 25 Randolph Cottage, Plan #1861 Southern Living This cozy cottage seems bigger than its sweet size thanks to its open floor plan. It strikes the perfect balance of Williamsburg-meets-New England style with a Southern touch we love. 1,800 square feet 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths See Plan: Randolph Cottage 05 of 25 St. George Cottage, Plan #1906 Southern Living This coastal-inspired cottage makes the most of its compact square footage using an efficient open layout. The design ensures you get incredible natural light in the home's interior. 1,610 square feet 3 bedrooms, 3 baths See Plan: St. George Cottage 06 of 25 Covington Cottage, Plan #1010 Southern Living This home, boasting just over 1,900 square feet of living space, gives the appearance of an ample, welcoming space with an open, one-level floor plan and spacious interiors. This home blends traditional elements with comfortable family styling. 1,941 square feet 3 bedrooms, 2 baths See Plan: Covington Cottage 07 of 25 Aberdeen Place, Plan #013 Southern Living This cottage has a façade full of charm with its shutters, stone, and birdhouses. The flowing living spaces make entertaining easy, while the luxurious details, like a vaulted ceiling in the primary bedroom, make the area seem sophisticated. 1,593 square feet 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths See Plan: Aberdeen Place 08 of 25 Nautical Cottage, Plan #224 Southern Living Small summer cottages built along the East Coast inspired this relaxed cottage, but the layout is adaptable to various climates and locations. The home's exterior uses cedar shakes and porch detailing in the Nantucket star design, adding authenticity and charm. 1,315 square feet 3 bedrooms, 2 baths See Plan: Nautical Cottage 09 of 25 Milledgeville Terrace, Plan #1800 Southern Living The vaulted living area with clerestory windows promotes a sense of spaciousness in this quant Folk cottage. The symmetry evokes a rural farmhouse feel, but modern details keep it versatile. 1,430 square feet 2 bedrooms, 2 baths See Plan: Milledgeville Terrace 10 of 25 Whisper Creek, Plan #1653 Southern Living A wraparound porch and natural wood accents give this mountain home a rustic touch that beckons you to call it "home." Complete with two bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths, this cottage with a vaulting ceiling and stone chimney is a welcoming arrangement. 1,555 square feet 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths See Plan: Whisper Creek 11 of 25 Town And Country House, Plan #115 Southern Living This cypress-and-stucco cottage, packed full of charm, has simple, traditional lines and cozy details, such as the whitewashed brick base. It offers the appeal of a weekend resort and year-round comfort and livability. 1,862 square feet 3 bedrooms, 2 baths See Plan: Town And Country House 12 of 25 Cloudland Cottage, Plan #1894 Southern Living This charming cabin brings everyone together inside its vast living space and a nearly 200-square-foot back porch. It is perfect for extended family weekends and relaxing time spent together. 1,200 square feet 2 bedrooms, 2 baths See Plan: Cloudland Cottage 13 of 25 New Albany, Plan #277 Southern Living Full of character but compact in design, this home features a columned front porch and stately gable that provide curb appeal, welcoming visitors with a traditional, inviting entrance. 1,920 square feet 3 bedrooms, 2 baths See Plan: New Albany 14 of 25 Winonna Park, Plan #503 Southern Living This cottage is all about free-flowing spaces, including an upper-floor loft area open to the main floor. We love the see-through fireplace that punctuates the living and dining rooms for an added openness and sense of community. 1,872 square feet 2 bedrooms, 2 baths See Plan: Winonna Park 15 of 25 Rustic Beach Cottage, Plan #360 Southern Living The wraparound porch is a major highlight of this house plan, with half being screened-in for ultimate comfort and emptying onto an open deck. This home provides plenty of entertaining space for family time. 1,398 square feet 2 bedrooms, 2 baths See Plan: Rustic Beach Cottage 16 of 25 Sugarberry Cottage, Plan #1648 Southern Living A family-oriented layout with features like a perfect breakfast nook in the living room, cozied up to the stairs and right off the kitchen, makes excellent use of limited space in this house plan. 1,679 square feet 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths See Plan: Sugarberry Cottage 17 of 25 Flint Cottage, Plan #1955 Southern Living The best part about this cottage is its perfectly planned living space. The kitchen and living room make up the center of the house in a free-flowing open space sandwiched between the front and back porch. 1,606 square feet 3 bedrooms, 2 baths See Plan: Flint Cottage 18 of 25 Bermuda Bluff Cottage, Plan #254 Southern Living The great room creates a spacious area for entertaining, connected to the outdoor screened-in porch and patio. The private upper level is ideal for guests, complete with its own bathroom. 1,984 square feet 2 bedrooms, 3 baths See Plan: Bermuda Bluff Cottage 19 of 25 Old Bethel, Plan #2044 Southern Living This one-story home features Lowcountry style and comfort. The great room, complete with a 12-foot ceiling, accentuates the open floor plan, filling the space with plenty of natural light because of the abundant windows. 1,984 square feet 3 bedrooms, 2 baths See Plan: Old Bethel 20 of 25 Brune, Plan #2019 Muir Stewart The Brune home plan makes the ideal weekend lakehouse. Enjoy plenty of privacy in the owner's suite on the second floor while the main level embraces a light-filled space. 1,970 square feet 3 bedrooms, 2 baths See Plan: Brune 21 of 25 Adaptive Cottage, Plan #2075 Muir Stewart Designed to accommodate individuals with mobility issues or who wish to age in place, this Adaptive Cottage house plan has all the amenities you need in a single-story home. There is ample porch space on this coastal-inspired cottage. 1,966 square feet 3 bedrooms, 3 baths See Plan: Adaptive Cottage 22 of 25 Evergreen Cottage, Plan #2003 Southern Living House Plans The open-plan kitchen and dining room make this home a welcoming space for family and friends. The expansive screened-in porch provides plenty of opportunities for indoor and outdoor entertaining, 1,921 square feet 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths See Plan: Evergreen Cottage 23 of 25 Shoreside Cottage, Plan #1419 Southern Living House Plans This plan divides the main level between family and entertaining spaces, with the primary bedroom near the rear. The front porch perfectly lines the length of the house's exterior. 1,911 square feet 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths See Plan: Shoreside Cottage 24 of 25 Abbey Row Cottage, Plan #1892 Southern Living House Plans This coastal cottage, complete with a large front porch and expansive great room, has all the style and charm you want in a home. The 12-foot ceilings provide a great sense of Southern style, paired with hallway built-ins. 1,891 square feet 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths See Plan: Abbey Row Cottage 25 of 25 Garden Home Cottage, Plan #1859 Helen Norman This home provides all the comforts you want on the main level, including the kitchen, parlor, and primary bedroom. Two more bedrooms are on the upper level, providing ample storage and room for family and guests. 1,870 square feet 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths See Plan: Garden Home Cottage Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit