Single-Story House Plans
Single-story house plans are the best options for families that have a lot of land. Rather than having to go up and down stairs to get to the different rooms, you simply go across. Single-story house plans are also great options for retirees or people with mobility issues.
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Single-story house plans can be very convenient in a lot of different cases. If you are in a situation where it is hard for someone in the household to climb the stairs, they’re great.
An aging Mother-in-law who lives with you will have a hard time climbing stairs. Maybe you have very heavy furniture that you wouldn’t want to carry up to the second story.
Single-story homes have a bunch of features for you to consider, including:
Features to consider | ||
Tiny, with loft | 2 baths | 4 bedroom |
Open floor | Small, with loft | barn |
5 bedroom | Small, with garage | With 2 master suites |
Among the many one-story house plans, there’s definitely one for you.
Many families opt for the one-story option. You could be building a cottage or a 2,200 sq ft primary residence. They’re often more inexpensive than their two-story or 3-story counterparts. Building toward the sky is sometimes very expensive. Their proximity to the ground also means they work well in very windy climates.
It can sometimes be easier to keep all parts of the family happy living in a one-story home. There doesn’t need to be a consideration for being especially quiet. One person gets back at night, and the floors make a lot of noise. Squeaking floors isn’t the end of the world on a single-story design.
We’re sure you’ll find inspiration by looking around. It doesn’t matter if you want a basement or open floors. You’ll find the perfect single-story house plans by spending time looking around.
Garage Apartment Options
Carriages and garage apartment house plans have a lot of things in common. They’re built in similar ways and have similar advantages. Whether you’re living by yourself or renting out, the design is great to consider.
This page is dedicated to the plans with a garage on the lower floor. At the same time, the living space is on the upper floor.
If you’re building on a narrow lot, it may be the option that suits your needs. Suppose it’s the case. You don’t end up finding the plans you want. In that case, we encourage you to visit our page dedicated to row houses. There is a great selection of multi-family designs, especially if you’re looking to rent it out.
Garages meant to live in do not need to have a boring look often associated with a garage. They can be modern and contemporary. Detached units are perfect for guests or a Mother-in-law when she comes around.
They can be small and affordable depending on the design you choose to go with. It all depends on the various needs and budgets. What do you want your garage to achieve?
You don’t necessarily need a massive, angled garage to have somewhere to park your car. Here are some stats on your average one-level house plan. Some people only want a single level.
Single-story house plans | Characteristics |
Price | $1,200 – $2,200 |
Layout | Spread out |
Mistakes to avoid |
Design inclusions that should have been 2-story instead.
|
Typical sizes | 1,200-3,000 square feet |
Design features we love | Accessible for the elderly. |
An alternative style that we recommend | House plans with basements |
Who is it for?
- People with a big plot of land
- People with mobility issues
- Couples with young children
- Multi-generational families with older parents
Having guests over?
Your family may have previously outgrown your house with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. You have realized you’re looking for an actual guest house to accommodate your needs.
We get it. Sometimes your mother-in-law may be a little too close if she doesn’t have space of her own. With an actual guest house, you get the advantage of having your guests close. They can do their things. It makes sure everyone is less likely to end up getting on each other’s nerves.
Choose the single-story house plan you like when you’re ready to get started. Should you have any additional questions, our support is always willing to help you out.
Things to look for
Whether you’re looking to build a single-story blueprint or something bigger, there are things to consider.
We’re sure you have found a bunch of design 2s on this platform you may already like. We think it could be useful to use a structured approach for your next place.
Depending on the lot you’re building on, some designs may not be suitable. The H-shaped design has certain limitations, for instance.
Do you have yet to buy the lot you will build on? Our recommendation is always that you consider the limitations of that lot. Figure out what works with its dimensions without making it feel too stuffed. Sloped lots will have several limitations you won’t have with your usual flat lot.
Our second recommendation is to consider the features important to you and your family. Consider the inherent limitations of various styles. Modern ones have limitations.
Choosing something practical is probably the obvious route if you have a growing family. To value the home you’re building. You need to make sure the important features are considered. They will be different for every single family.
There are also families where a single-story home won’t suffice. You’ll need to build a two-story or a three-story home instead.
Along with the important features, we encourage our users not to miss out on a bedroom. If you think 2 bedrooms will be enough, you may be right. You also might not be.
A lot of families may initially think that’s enough. When reality kicks in, it becomes more convenient to have either 3 bedrooms or 4 bedrooms. Use that extra space for an office or a guest house.
The extra bedrooms can also be used when you suddenly find your family growing in size. Do you have an older family member who wants to move in with you?
It is possible to add on later. It is a lot more expensive to alter your plans after you start building. Get it right, and then start to build.
Benefits:
- No stairs
- Easier to age-in-place
- Bedrooms spread out means more privacy
Cons:
- Potentially smaller living space than multi-story homes
- Limited view compared to multi-story homes
- Less visually appealing than tall homes
Special factors to consider | ||
Pool | Courtyard | Customization |
Open concept | With in-law suite | Vintage |
Open-concept
We get asked the most about single-story homes all the time. How does an open concept work with this layout and style? It is easy to imagine putting a big living room area in the middle.
The living room borders a modern kitchen. Each of the bedrooms is located on the outskirts. It becomes very natural for everyone to be meeting in the middle. At the same time, you ensure that there aren’t any unnecessary walls. They’d act as visual problems and prevent the line of sight through the house.
There may be certain fashion trends that we don’t believe will stand the test of time. It is hard to see the open-concept style going away anytime soon. An advantage of open concept layouts is how easy it is to bring in a lot of natural sunlight. We do not see families getting tired of that feature.
Single-story house plans | Characteristics |
Ease of access | Yes – great for the elderly. |
Are fireplaces typical? | Sometimes |
Is it good for natural light? | No |
Are garages common | Yes |
Typical ceiling height | 9 foot |
Typical number of bedrooms and bathrooms | 4 & 2.5 |
Limitations |
The designs can be dark in terms of natural light.
|
Low budget? | Yes |
Is it easy to modify? | Yes |
Simple vs. complex layout | Yes |
Features to include:
- Open concept for a spacious feel
- Functional layout
- Energy-efficient design and materials
- Outdoor living space for entertainment
- Bedrooms located away from the living room
3 or 4 bedrooms?
Your family’s individual needs determine which floor plans are the most appropriate for you. It is easy to see why the 3 and 4 bedroom designs are the most popular. They fit the average family that usually has one or two kids. As they grow older, each of those kids will very likely appreciate having their bedrooms.
Mistakes to avoid:
- Not including enough storage
- Going overboard with features
- Ignoring future needs
- Not including outdoor spaces
- Ignoring accessibility considerations if needed
Styles to consider | |
Country-style | Usonian |
Ultra-modern | Colonial |
Log | Cottage-style |
Get a quick view
If you can’t find anything on this page that you like, check out the section with 2-story homes. Some single-story homes are popular but may not be right for you. We’ve got lots of single-story floor plans.