Home 25 Tiny House Plans That Prove Bigger Isn't Always Better By Marissa Wu Marissa Wu Marissa Wu is an Editorial Fellow and Southern transplant by way of San Francisco, Boston, and Paris, France. She writes about anything and everything as it pertains to the South, but mostly home, food, and the occasional garden stories. Recipe reviews are a particular pleasure, as well as discovering the latest home trends.When not editing and producing articles or updating the homepage, she's trying new Southern Living recipes, jolting along in her manual transmission car, Fitz; hammering out a manuscript on her 1930s Royal Aristocrat typewriter, Georgie; and making film photographs with her Rolleiflex, Cecil.Marissa graduated from Boston University with a degree in journalism and a minor in French Studies. She still can't follow a football conversation but hopes her cheese straws make up for it. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Published on September 1, 2021 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: 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. 01 of 25 Deer Run 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. 02 of 25 Palmetto Cottage 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. 03 of 25 Whiteside Cottage Southern Living SL-1980 Get the House Plan 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. 04 of 25 Garden Cottage Southern Living SL-1830 Get the House Plan 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. 05 of 25 Bluebird Cottage 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. 06 of 25 Beachside Bungalow 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? 07 of 25 Grayson Trail Southern Living SL-988 Get the House Plan 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. 08 of 25 Hilltop Southern Living SL-728 Get the House Plan 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. 09 of 25 Shoreline Cottage Southern Living SL-490 Get the House Plan 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. 10 of 25 Weekender Cabin Southern Living SL-156 Get the House Plan 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. 11 of 25 Hickory Cove 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. 12 of 25 The Ozarks Southern Living SL-730 Get the House Plan 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. 13 of 25 Heaven's Door Southern Living SL-732 Get the House Plan 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! 14 of 25 Cypress View Southern Living SL-735 Get the House Plan 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. 15 of 25 Oak Creek Southern Living SL-737 Get the House Plan 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. 16 of 25 Gin Creek 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. 17 of 25 Eagle's Nest Southern Living SL-739 Get the House Plan 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. 18 of 25 Crooked Creek Southern Living SL-740 Get the House Plan 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. 19 of 25 Little Red Southern Living SL-742 Get the House Plan 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. 20 of 25 Greer Lane Southern Living SL-1024 Get the House Plan 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. 21 of 25 Beach Bungalow 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. 22 of 25 Idea House at Fontanel Bunkie 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. 23 of 25 The Smokey Creek Southern Living SL-729 Get the House Plan 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. 24 of 25 Lake Haven 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. 25 of 25 Boathouse & Bunkhouse 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. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit