Home Architecture and Home Design 24 Of Our Favorite One-Story House Plans We love these low-maintenance, single-level plans that don't skimp in the comfort department. By Cameron Beall Cameron Beall Cameron Beall is a writer, marketer, photographer, and creative with over a year of experience with Southern Living in the realm of homes and home building. She was infatuated by home design from a young age, credit to her mother and grandmother. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Published on April 27, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Southern Living Single level homes don't mean skimping on comfort or style when it comes to square footage. Our Southern Living house plans collection offers one-story plans that range from under 500 to nearly 3,000 square feet. From open concept with multifunctional spaces to closed-floor-plans with traditional foyers and dining rooms, these plans do it all. Whether you're looking to build your forever home in preparation for retirement, accommodating current mobility issues, or just looking for a low-maintenance option, look no further. These adaptable one-story house plans are made for young families and empty-nesters alike with comfortable layouts and flexible spaces for home offices or guest suites. And of course, plenty of outdoor living spaces from sprawling front porches to secluded screened-in ones. From longtime top-selling house plans to new designs, here are our favorite one-story house plans. 01 of 24 Adaptive Cottage, Plan #2075 Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Kathryn Lott This one-story cottage was designed by Moser Design Group to adapt to the physical needs of homeowners. With transitional living in mind, the third bedroom can easily be converted into a home office, gym, or nursery. Thanks to a welcoming front porch, spacious rear screened porch, and dutch doors off the primary bedroom, there are plenty of spaces to enjoy the fresh air. 3 bedroom/3 bath 1,966 square feet See Plan: Adaptive Cottage 02 of 24 Magnolia Cottage, Plan #1845 John Tee This classic, symmetrical cottage boasts a smart layout. The welcoming family room off the front entry flows into a U-shaped kitchen with an attached dining space with double doors that lead to the wide back porch. On the left side is a secluded primary suite, while the other two bedrooms are across the house—one with a private bath and the other with an additional hall entrance to function as a guest power room when needed. 3 bedroom/3 bath 1,776 square feet See Plan: Magnolia Cottage 03 of 24 The Loudon, Plan #2054 Laurey Glenn With just over 2,000 square feet, this universal design floor plan lives large with 8 foot doors and 10 foot ceilings. The front door opens to a spacious living room that connects to the kitchen and dining space with a cozy, screened in back porch that serves as an outdoor living room off the kitchen. Without a true powder room, a pocket door turns the the shared bathroom into a guest bath. 3 bedroom/2 bath 2,027 square feet See Plan: Adaptive Cottage 04 of 24 Bluffton, Plan #594 Designed by Hall & Hull Architects, Inc. If you're a porch lover, look no further. The family room, dining room, and kitchen are surrounded by the three-sided, deep wraparound porch with various access points for easy entertaining. This Southern, shotgun-style house, with the bedrooms aligned on backside of the house and a primary suite with porch access and a spacious walk-in closet. 3 bedroom/2 bath 1,435 square feet See Plan: Bluffton 05 of 24 St. George Cottage, Plan #1906 Southern Living This open-concept plan from architect John Tee, makes the most of its natural light-filled square footage and expansive rear covered porch. For added privacy, the primary bedroom is tucked to the left side of the living spaces, opposite of the other two bedrooms. 3 bedroom/3 bath 1,610 square feet See Plan: St. George Cottage 06 of 24 Tideland Haven, Plan #1375 Designed by Our Town Plans This top-selling house plan is a favorite for many reasons. Fit for any stage of life, the 2,418-square-foot home is designed with comfort in mind from a deep wraparound porch that ends with a screened-in option and sprawling interior layout. It's ideal for retirement complete with a spacious primary suite with two sinks and closets, a large bathtub, and direct access to the screened porch. 2 bedroom/2.5 bath 2,418 square feet See Plan: Tideland Haven 07 of 24 River's Edge, Plan #1977 Southern Living House Plans Designed with the lowcountry in mind, this home has a rear-entry mudroom, screened porch, and a connected living and dining space. Set at the front of the house, the third bedroom can easily be converted into a home office or flex space to fit the homeowner's needs. 3 bedroom/2 bath 1,721 square feet See Plan: River's Edge 08 of 24 Banning Court, Plan #1254 Southern Living You'll feel like you stepped inside a storybook with this quaint cottage. The deep front porch and screened-in addition encourages year-round, indoor-outdoor living. Tucked in the front of the house, off the living room, a cozy library easily makes for a home office. 2 bedroom/2 bath 1,286 square feet See Plan: Banning Court 09 of 24 Palmetto Cottage, Plan #2009 Southern Living House Plans; Photo: John McManus Looking to downsize in style? We have you covered with this one-bedroom, cottage that is just the right amount of space without all the upkeep of a large home. The compact floor plan with an eat-in-kitchen lives large thanks to vaulted ceilings. Its size and welcoming Southern-style front porch also makes it the perfect option for a guest house. 1 bedroom/1 bath 656 square feet See Plan: Palmetto Cottage 10 of 24 Sparta II, Plan #1810-A Southern Living House Plans In less than 2,000 square feet, this single story floor plan gives you everything you need with three full bedrooms each with their own full bathroom. It also features a walk-in primary closet, generous entertaining spaces, and a detached garage option. Best of all, a screened porch off the dining means you can keep the doors open for seamless indoor-outdoor living. 3 bedroom/3 bath 1,804 square feet See Plan: Sparta II 11 of 24 Hawthorn Cottage, Plan #2004 Lake & Land Studio, LLC This plan separates shared and private spaces with the entertaining area in the central part of the home and bedroom and baths attached as a side wing. The vaulted ceilings help the kitchen and great room, which serves as the dining and living area, feel extra spacious. With three walls of windows, the natural light flowing in adds to the inviting atmosphere. 2 bedroom/2 bath 1,611 square feet See Plan: Hawthorn Cottage 12 of 24 Bellewood Cottage, Plan #2049 Southern Living House Plans Architect Brandon Ingram is known for his classic Southern design down to the details and this front facade with a simple roofline and welcoming dormers, plus a wide front porch is no exception. With almost 3,000 square feet, the free-flowing floor plan of Bellwood Cottage allows for plenty of socializing and seclusion to keep everyone comfortable. 3 bedroom/3 bath 2,937 square feet See Plan: Bellewood Cottage 13 of 24 New Tideland Haven, Plan #1824 Southern Living House Plans From the grand wraparound porch to the open, nine-foot ceiling kitchen, living, and dining areas that are the heart of the home, there are plenty of spaces to stretch out in this expansive one-level home. In addition to the three bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a powder room, a bonus private porch off the primary bedroom makes this plan extra dreamy. 3 bedroom/3.5 bath 2,622 square feet See Plan: New Tideland Haven 14 of 24 Young's Crossing, Plan #1912 Whether you paint it white or leave it as is, it's hard not to love a brick house. This traditional home is accessible with wide doorways into all common areas and a five-foot turning radius throughout for wheelchair needs, making it an ideal one-level forever home for all stages of life. Best of all, French doors in the primary bedroom open straight to the back porch. 3 bedroom/3 bath 2,285 square feet See Plan: Young's Crossing 15 of 24 Whisper Creek, Plan #1653 Southern Living This all-time-favorite house plan was designed to take in the views, making it ideal for a mountain or lake lot. The deep porches are practically made for rocking chairs while the interior is outfitted with a fireplace in the living room and vaulted ceilings to visually expand the 1,555 square foot space. 2 bedroom/2.5 bath 1,555 square feet See Plan: Whisper Creek 16 of 24 Garden Cottage, Plan #1830 Sacrificing square footage doesn't have to mean giving up style or comfort. With all the essentials for simple living—a kitchen, fireplace, and covered porch, this tiny house makes for the perfect retirement cottage, weekend getaway cabin, or guest house. 1 bedroom/1 bath 540 square feet See plan: Garden Cottage 17 of 24 Amelia River Cottage, Plan #2069 Without being stingy when it comes to details, this skillfully designed, single-story cottage offers full-scale living. The generous primary suite wing provides plenty of privacy with the second and third bedrooms on the rear-entry side of the house. For a truly timeless home, the house plan even includes a formal dining room and back porch with a brick fireplace for year-round outdoor living. 3 bedroom/2.5 bath 2,449 square feet See Plan: Amelia River Cottage 18 of 24 Holly Grove, Plan #1581 Southern Living House Plans With a cozy 1,269 square feet, this shotgun-style house plan is efficient. The living, dining, and kitchen areas are for seamless, combined casual entertaining while the two bedrooms with individual baths complete the left half of the house. 2 bedroom/2 bath 1,269 square feet See Plan: Holly Grove 19 of 24 Cottage Revival, Plan #1946 Southern Living With a modern take on a classic cottage, this floor plan packs a punch. The unique layout places the primary bedroom at the front of the house with three floor-to-ceiling windows and a narrow side porch along the left to guide you to the main entry and foyer. The hub of the L-shaped cottage is towards the rear with a great room and kitchen that open to the back deck. You can easily adapt the plan to your needs by rethinking the study off the primary suite or forgoing the fourth bedroom to expand the living room. 4 bedroom/2 bath 1,929 square feet See Plan: Cottage Revival 20 of 24 Covington Cottage, Plan #1010 Southern Living House Plans From the beach to the mountains and everywhere in between, this quintessentially Southern charmer makes you feel right at home before you even walk in the front door with an inviting bay window and expanded front stoop. Just under 2,000 square feet, the plan includes a traditional foyer and keeping room (perfect for sipping coffee) off the breakfast nook. 3 bedroom/2 bath 1,941 square feet See Plan: Covington Cottage 21 of 24 Flint Cottage, Plan #1955 Southern Living This family-friendly house has a spacious living room and kitchen flanked by bedrooms and baths on each side. The front and back of the home are anchored with porches and there's an option to enclose the rear outdoor space as well. 3 bedroom/2 bath 1,606 square feet See Plan: Flint Cottage 22 of 24 River Run, Plan #578 Southern Living Dormer windows on the mansard-style roof provide interest for the front facade while a wide front porch welcomes you into this country-style rancher. Inside, the foyer opens up to the family room and traditional dining room. The study provides an opportunity for a third bedroom if needed. 2 bedroom/2.5 bath 2,003 square feet See Plan: River Run 23 of 24 Lakeside Cottage, Plan #751 Southern Living A classic entryway, complete with a nearby coat closet and powder room, makes entertaining a breeze with this floor plan. We especially love how the sunroom is sandwiched between the vast back deck and central living room. For additional square footage, the garage allows for a bonus room above for a mother-in-law suite, home office, or exercise studio. 3 bedroom/3.5 bath 2,370 square feet See the plan: Lakeside Cottage 24 of 24 Beachside Bungalow, Plan #1117 Designed by Moser Design Group With simple interiors, this itsy-bitsy bungalow, is designed for a casual and outdoor living style. It is just 484 square feet, but with the right view, that's really all you need. 1 bedroom/1 bath 484 square feet See Plan: Beachside Bungalow Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit