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  3. 25 Tiny House Plans That Prove Bigger Isn't Always Better

25 Tiny House Plans That Prove Bigger Isn't Always Better

marissa wu
By Marissa Wu September 01, 2021
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Deer Run SL house plan
Credit: Southern Living

It's safe to say the tiny house has a robust and invested following. The hashtag #tinyhouse has well over 2.3 million posts showing off people's tiny house plans, from decked-out Mercedes vans to vintage buses and tiny homes in the backwoods of Maine. Tiny house ideas have never been so abundant. Are you, by chance, considering one for yourself? The pros are many—a simplified lifestyle, relief from the burden of maximalism…not to mention there's less cleaning involved. And, let's face it. While a palatial home is always a dream, it's not always practical or feasible. A tiny house? More so. And, lucky you, Southern Living has 25 tiny house floor plans for your consideration, whether you're an empty nester looking to downsize or someone wanting a cozy, custom lake house, mountain retreat, or beach bungalow. Our tiny house blueprints, thoughtfully designed, bring a full throttle of Southern charm with their front (and sometimes back!) porches, stone fireplaces, and comfortable layouts. They may be small, but they aren't cramped. Explore these tiny house ideas and who knows? You may find one you can't resist.

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Deer Run

Deer Run SL house plan
Credit: Southern Living

SL-731

Get the House Plan

Cozy cabin living in 973 square feet? It's possible. At Deer Run, you'll find an open living room with a fireplace, plenty of windows, and French doors opening to the back porch. The upstairs features another full bathroom and comfortable sleeping area for the occasional guest.

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Palmetto Cottage

Palmetto Cottage
Credit: Southern Living

SL-2009

Get the House Plan

This Lowcountry cottage might be the definition of charming. With a vaulted entertaining space including an eat-in kitchen, plus an inviting front porch, there's plenty of space to spend time with friends—even if it's just 656 square feet.

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Whiteside Cottage

Whiteside Cottage
Credit: Southern Living

SL-1980

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This cottage clocks in at just 430 square feet, but don't be fooled by its size. It still manages to accommodate a bedroom and one-and-a-half bathrooms, plus a tiny porch. The clapboard style helps it fit right into a peaceful clearing in the woods.  

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Garden Cottage

Garden Cottage
Credit: Southern Living

SL-1830

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Simple living at its finest. This one-bedroom, one-bathroom cottage is a delightful retreat with a fireplace and covered front porch. Turn it into a weekend getaway or make it your new, permanent home.

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Bluebird Cottage

Bluebird Cottage
Credit: Southern Living

SL-2026

Bluebird Cottage

This tiny house becomes an amazing guest retreat on a larger property (it pairs particularly well with Oakland Hall) or as a snug little home of your own. The house features a bedroom and loft space, which can easily transform into a bedroom or sitting room depending on your design.

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Beachside Bungalow

Beach Bungalow
Credit: Southern Living

SL-1117

Get the House Plan 

Dream of living on the beach? With this bungalow, all that's left for you to do is find the prime real estate location. Just imagine it: You, cocktail in hand, rocking on the front porch and looking out at the sunset. Just send us an invite, okay?

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Grayson Trail

Grayson Trail house plan
Credit: Southern Living

SL-988

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Front porch and back porch? Consider us sold. Plus, there's a loft area that can be transformed into an additional guest space or personal haven.

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Hilltop

Hilltop
Credit: Southern Living

SL-728

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If you're looking for a mountain getaway or lakeside retreat, consider the ever-so-winsome Hilltop tiny house plan. A rustic stone fireplace and railed porches provide the finishing touches. Catch us here stargazing on a warm summer evening and huddling around the fireplace in the winter, cocoa in hand.

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Shoreline Cottage

Shoreline Cottage
Credit: Southern Living

SL-490

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A contemporary take on the classic cottage, Shoreline is designed for those who appreciate a view. Tall windows enable you to look out into the surroundings and the gabled roof, window seats, and porch create a welcoming ambience. The loft, accessible by ladder, serves as storage space or a reading nook.

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Weekender Cabin

Weekender Cabin
Credit: Southern Living

SL-156

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If you want to rough it a little, this cabin is just for you. It's ideal as a sportsman's cabin or weekend hideaway. Raised on piers, the tiny house features board-and-batten siding, plus a stickwork balustrade and ship's wheel trim below the porch roof. Inside, you'll feel snug as a bug on a ship. The bed tucks into a window bay and a wood stove sits in the living room so you can use the cabin all year long.

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Hickory Cove

Hickory Cove
Credit: Southern Living

SL-992

Get the House Plan

With a little Victorian influence, Hickory Cove charms us all with its steeply pitched roof, shutters, and planter boxes hanging from the windows. A relaxing side porch ensures there's room for entertaining, while the spare room allows you to host a guest or two.

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The Ozarks

The Ozarks
Credit: Southern Living

SL-730

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This country cottage is a comfy mountain hideaway—from the back porch that beckons you to sit awhile to the fireplace and spacious living quarters, if it's only destined to be a weekend house, think again. You may want to be here all year long.

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Heaven's Door

Heaven's Door
Credit: Southern Living

SL-732

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A stacked-stone fireplace and Gothic windows are just two of the touches that help this tiny house live up to its name. The plan is also available in two variations, with one offering a larger front porch. Can't say no to that!

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Cypress View

Cypress View
Credit: Southern Living

SL-735

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Looking for a tiny mountain house, lakeside cabin, or beach hideaway? Look no further. With the choice of a screened porch, you can extend the living space and maximize the enjoyment of a lovely view. Exposed board-and-batten and stacked stone give the home a rustic feel, while you can select lap siding and brick to your taste.

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Oak Creek

Oak Creek
Credit: Southern Living

SL-737

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With a front porch and back porch, this little cabin gives you plenty of space for lounging around, sweet tea and book in hand. Inside, you have a large living area accommodating cooking, eating, and lounging spaces, plus a snug bedroom.

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Gin Creek

Gin Creek
Credit: Southern Living

SL-738

Get the House Plan

At one and a half stories and the ideal mix of charm, comfort, and tradition, Gin Creek makes a compact—but no less stylish—mountain retreat or lake house. The generous, covered front porch invites all to stop for a nap on a lazy afternoon, and the interior accommodates a living and dining area, the kitchen tucked behind the stairs.

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Eagle's Nest

Eagle's Nest
Credit: Southern Living

SL-739

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With Gothic touches and a steeply pitched roof, Eagle's Nest provides ample living space on both the main floor and the loft, which fits a bedroom and bathroom. The back porch has ample room to accommodate a picnic or dining table of your choice, and if you fancy, you can also hang a hammock.

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Crooked Creek

Crooked Creek
Credit: Southern Living

SL-740

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If we could only choose one word to describe Crooked Creek, it would be timeless. With a steeply pitched, shingled roof, cozy fireplace, and generous main floor, Crooked Creek is a fun house plan for the first-time retirement and vacation home buyer.

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Little Red

Little Red
Credit: Southern Living

SL-742

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If you love the old-fashioned, hand-crafted feel, you'll love Little Red with its board-and-batten construction and post-and-rail detailing. It brings the nostalgia of a primitive log cabin but doesn't disappoint in the comforts. Little House on the Prairie, here you come.

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Greer Lane

Greer Lane
Credit: Southern Living

SL-1024

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Greer Lane is full of the signature Southern charm with its generous front porch, beautiful windows, and cheerful shutters. Colonial columns add a touch of grandeur, and you can hang some planters for an extra spot of greenery.

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Beach Bungalow

Beach Bungalow
Credit: Southern Living

SL-243

Get the House Plan

Whether on a beach or a lake, this tiny house sure can pack it away. With two bedrooms, it's totally feasible to invite a friend or two to tag along for the weekend. Spend lazy summer evenings lounging on the ample front porch or sitting on the raised piers, drinks in hand, feet swinging.

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Idea House at Fontanel Bunkie

Idea House at Fontanel Bunkie
Credit: Southern Living

SL-1857

Get the House Plan

This diminutive cottage has everything you need to create a delightful guest house or extreme tiny home at just over 315 square feet. Walk up the front steps, past the porch (which accommodates a rocking chair or two), and enter the guest suite. The kitchen and bathroom sit at the end of the home, neat and compact.  

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The Smokey Creek

Smokey Creek
Credit: Southern Living

SL-729

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Escape into a forest hideaway in this tiny house, with a screened porch for warm-weather enjoyment and a wood stove and central fireplace on chilly nights.

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Lake Haven

Lake Haven
Credit: Southern Living

SL-609

Get the House Plan

If you want your own cabin in the woods, look no further. We're in love with this inviting front porch which leads right into the spacious living room. A dining area tucks itself right by the kitchen, while a sleeping loft makes space for a guest to spend the weekend.

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Boathouse & Bunkhouse

Boathouse and Bunkhouse
Credit: Southern Living

SL-049

Get the House Plan

From boathouse to bunkhouse, this tiny house plan features windows on every wall, allowing in an abundance of natural light that opens up the space. Boathouse accents include the metal roof, exposed rafter tails, shuttered windows, and wood siding. While it works quite well as an actual boathouse, with these modifications, it'll become your favorite bunkhouse.

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    1 of 25 Deer Run
    2 of 25 Palmetto Cottage
    3 of 25 Whiteside Cottage
    4 of 25 Garden Cottage
    5 of 25 Bluebird Cottage
    6 of 25 Beachside Bungalow
    7 of 25 Grayson Trail
    8 of 25 Hilltop
    9 of 25 Shoreline Cottage
    10 of 25 Weekender Cabin
    11 of 25 Hickory Cove
    12 of 25 The Ozarks
    13 of 25 Heaven's Door
    14 of 25 Cypress View
    15 of 25 Oak Creek
    16 of 25 Gin Creek
    17 of 25 Eagle's Nest
    18 of 25 Crooked Creek
    19 of 25 Little Red
    20 of 25 Greer Lane
    21 of 25 Beach Bungalow
    22 of 25 Idea House at Fontanel Bunkie
    23 of 25 The Smokey Creek
    24 of 25 Lake Haven
    25 of 25 Boathouse & Bunkhouse

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    25 Tiny House Plans That Prove Bigger Isn't Always Better
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