Small house plans are becoming more popular by the day because of their lower building costs and reduced maintenance required. These dream homes can help to simplify one’s life while still providing all the same great features of their bigger counterparts. Although the average home in the United States today is more than 40 percent larger than the average home 40 years ago, small house plans are making a comeback. As more people search for more affordable house plans with less space to maintain, small house plans are the answer. Don’t worry, living in one does not have to feel cramped.
Typically, our small home plans include:
- Open floor plans to open the common area up for a seamless flow without wall barriers
- Outdoor living spaces like porches, backyard patios, or raised wooden decks to increase living and entertainment spaces apart from the interior
- Increased energy efficiency for smaller electric bills and construction cost
Cottage House Plan 286-00090
Let’s take a look at some ways you can upgrade your new dream home for less with small house plans.
Cost to Build
The cost to build a new home goes up each year as materials and labor increase. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Building Permit Survey, the average cost per square foot to build a home in 2012 was $86.30*. This can put the price of a larger home out of reach for many hard-working people. On the other hand, small house plans may be the best option for those who have a healthy budget but choose to spend it elsewhere.
Modern House Plan 6146-00399
Maintenance and Utilities
Any homeowner knows first-hand how much maintenance is involved to keep things working properly. From caulking to painting to cleaning, the regularly required tasks can be difficult to fit into an already hectic schedule. So whether you choose to use your own free time to get it done or decide to pay someone else to tackle the maintenance for your home, the smaller the structure is, the less resources required.
Likewise, small house plans can have a huge positive impact on your utility costs. Building smaller will increase savings on the gas and electric fuel systems that make your home comfortable year round, regardless if you live in the upper Midwest with the cold winters or the tropical climate of Florida.
Build Time
Large custom homes with lots of architectural details can take up to a year to build. Small house plans on the other hand, can be built to the highest standards in a few months in some cases. The difference being that most trade contractors have the same crew sizes to do each job. In many cases these are small companies that may only have one crew. So, if the project size doubles, the time to complete each building activity doubles.
Modern Farmhouse Plan 041-00214
In addition, to the cost efficiency of small house plans, there are many ways to make any small house plan feel far larger. When considering small house plans, one of the hesitations is always if there is enough space in any given room. While this can be attributed to the smaller square footage, it also could be because the wrong design elements were used. The good news is it’s totally possible to make a smaller space feel big by making a few small adjustments.
Let’s take a look at a few of builder secrets for creating small spaces that feel big:
Secret #1: Artificial Light
Don’t make the lighting design for your new home an afterthought! The more light that can be introduced into a small space, the bigger it will feel. Strategically placed lighting fixtures help light up an entire room and if done correctly, light can totally transform a space.
Secret #2: Natural Light
There’s nothing like having a huge amount of sunlight coming into a room. Not only does it make the room feel more cheery, but it also helps give the impression of more space. For instance, by incorporating a wall of sliding glass doors and transom windows to the living room, creating access to the rear outdoor patio, offers a tremendous amount of natural light to fill up the room. Even if the patio is fully covered, this will not be a problem.
Secret #3: Ceiling Height
Back in the day, every new home built had eight-foot-tall ceilings. Now, it’s common to have nine or ten-foot-tall ceilings in the first-floor living area. These taller ceilings help to open up the space to make it feel much bigger than it actually is. Our small house plans offer a variety of ceiling heights as well as ceiling styles.
One ceiling style to consider are vaulted ceilings. Any living space feels far larger when it is topped with vaulted ceilings. This design element also gives a sense of grandness to your home. Use vaulted ceilings in the living or dining room to create a great entertaining space that feels spacious and airy, or choose a dome-vaulted ceiling in the bedroom to create a wonderfully magnificent effect.
Southern House Plan 048-00271
Secret #4: No Wasted Space
Smaller house plans push us to improve the usefulness of each square foot of living space. With tighter, more compact spaces you’re forced to get more creative when you have less to work with. Thus, focus on utilizing what you have on functional uses such as built-in seating areas and multi-functional work areas when building a smaller house.
Maximize bedroom areas in your small house plan by eliminating the short corridors that are often found between closets and adjacent bedroom doors. Instead of building inset closets that take up valuable space, build bump-outs.
Make the bathroom in your small house plan look and feel bigger by installing a full-sized mirror above the cabinet. Bring in air and light by adding a window, and make the whole room feel more spacious by installing a skylight.
Secret #5: Choose an Open Floor Plan
Homeowners often do not realize how much space walls and doorways occupy in their homes. An open floor plan takes back that space and makes it usable, increasing your overall living area. Open floor plans feel more expansive than those marked by many interior walls. In addition to making your small house plan feel larger, open floor plans encourage communal living and socialization between family members, bringing you closer together.
Secret #6: Minimal Design Elements
Small house plans look and feel larger when they are streamlined. This means avoiding clutter and selecting minimalist furniture that is in proportion to room sizes as well as going for understated design elements that won’t overpower the room.
Small House Plan 2559-00688
In addition to these benefits, small home design plans also simplify your life. Less space means less room for clutter and unused belongings, and it also saves you time on cleaning and maintenance. Instead of spending your precious free time cleaning, organizing and maintaining your space, you can enjoy spending it with your family. That’s what being home is all about, isn’t it?
In conclusion, living in a small house does not have to mean sacrificing style or luxury. The small house plan designs at America’s Best House Plans combine efficient living with comfort and convenience. Our small house designs are ideal for individuals, couples or small families, and you’ll find a wide variety of styles and features to suit your needs.
Brandon Hall
Our "go to guy" and company expert, Brandon is the visionary and dreamer of all we do here at America's Best House Plans. He manages quality assurance, audits existing processes for maximum effectiveness, and develops strategies to increase productivity and efficiency. With over 15 years experience in the home design industry, Brandon has a hand in every aspect of the day-to-day operations of our company, in addition to ensuring an unparalleled level of service to our customers.
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
Small house plans are becoming increasingly popular due to their lower building costs and reduced maintenance requirements. These homes offer a simplified lifestyle while still providing all the great features of larger homes. The average home size in the United States has increased by more than 40 percent over the past 40 years, but small house plans are making a comeback as people search for more affordable options with less space to maintain. Living in a small house doesn't have to feel cramped, as these plans often include open floor plans, outdoor living spaces, and increased energy efficiency [[1]].
Open Floor Plans
Small house plans typically include open floor plans, which eliminate wall barriers and create a seamless flow in the common areas. This design feature opens up the space and makes it feel larger than it actually is. It also encourages communal living and socialization between family members, bringing them closer together [[1]].
Outdoor Living Spaces
To maximize living and entertainment spaces, small house plans often incorporate outdoor living spaces such as porches, backyard patios, or raised wooden decks. These areas provide additional space for relaxation and socializing, extending the usable area beyond the interior of the house [[1]].
Increased Energy Efficiency
Small house plans are designed with increased energy efficiency in mind. By reducing the overall square footage, these homes require less energy for heating and cooling, resulting in smaller electric bills. This is especially beneficial in regions with extreme climates, such as cold winters or tropical climates [[1]].
Cost to Build
One of the advantages of small house plans is their lower cost to build compared to larger homes. The cost of building a new home increases each year due to rising material and labor costs. Small house plans offer a more affordable option for those with a healthy budget who choose to spend their money elsewhere [[2]].
Reduced Maintenance and Utilities
Small house plans require less maintenance compared to larger homes. With fewer square feet to clean, maintain, and repair, homeowners can save time and resources. Additionally, smaller homes can have a positive impact on utility costs, as they require less energy to heat and cool. This is particularly beneficial in areas with high utility costs [[2]].
Build Time
Building a small house generally takes less time compared to constructing a large custom home with intricate architectural details. Small house plans can be built to high standards in just a few months, while larger homes may take up to a year to complete. The time required for each building activity is often dependent on the crew size of trade contractors, and smaller projects can be completed more efficiently [[2]].
Making Small Spaces Feel Big
While small house plans offer many benefits, some people may be concerned about the perceived lack of space. However, there are several design techniques that can make small spaces feel larger:
- Artificial Light: Strategically placed lighting fixtures can illuminate the entire room and make it feel bigger. Adequate lighting design is crucial for small spaces [[3]].
- Natural Light: Incorporating large windows, sliding glass doors, and transom windows can bring in ample natural light, making the room feel more spacious [[3]].
- Ceiling Height: Taller ceilings, such as nine or ten-foot-tall ceilings, can create a sense of openness and make the space feel larger. Vaulted ceilings are also effective in making a living space feel more expansive [[3]].
- No Wasted Space: Maximizing the functionality of each square foot is essential in small house plans. Utilize built-in seating areas, multi-functional work areas, and eliminate unnecessary corridors and inset closets to maximize space [[3]].
- Open Floor Plan: Removing interior walls and doorways in favor of an open floor plan can increase the usable living area and create a sense of expansiveness [[3]].
- Minimal Design Elements: Choosing minimalist furniture and avoiding clutter can make small spaces feel larger. Select understated design elements that won't overpower the room [[3]].
Living in a small house offers not only cost savings but also a simplified lifestyle with less clutter and maintenance. Small house plans combine efficient living with comfort and convenience, making them suitable for individuals, couples, or small families [[4]].
