18 "Tiny House" Floor Plans That Don't Require an Architect (2024)

18 "Tiny House" Floor Plans That Don't Require an Architect (1)

Every item on this page was hand-picked by a House Beautiful editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

Whether you plan to live off the grid, monetize a rental property, or simply need extra space, tiny houses can do it all. Our obsession with the miniature dwellings is well-founded, in large part due to all the versatile floor plans out there. Tiny house plans aren't limited by square footage; in fact, that limitation can inspire the most creative layouts. The best tiny homes offer more than one bedroom, office space, and porches, decks, and pergolas—some can even go on your rooftop. A floor plan can be pricey if you opt for a custom one or use an architectural firm, but more affordable stock tiny house floor plans abound online and at retailers like Wayfair and Amazon. And cost isn't the only smart reason to go the stock route.

Using a stock tiny house plan is one of the most reliable and fastest ways to build one. (Buying a prefab tiny house to plop down in your yard is easier, but it's also less customizable.) Why? For starters, you know it'll work. "Stock plans have often been used before," says Hubert Miles, a certified master home inspector and founder of the website Home Inspection Insider. "You can see how they work in real-life situations rather than just a rendering." A stock tiny house floor plan can also help you avoid unnecessary delays, adds Miles: "You don't have to wait on a lengthy drafting process. Stock plans are ready to be printed and given to your contractor."

Before you buy a tiny house plan, double check all the dimensions and compare them with your lot size. (You might be tempted to assume it will fit in your yard because, after all, it's tiny, but that's not always the case.) Miles also recommends taking into consideration any special needs you may have now or in the future, such as ADA accessibility or extra storage space, and ensuring the tiny house floor plan you pick accommodates them. Ahead, 18 tiny house floor plans with features you'll love, from walk-in closets and lofts to the ultimate roof deck.

1

Tiny Modern House Plan

18 "Tiny House" Floor Plans That Don't Require an Architect (2)

1

Tiny Modern House Plan

Ideal for extra office space or a guest home, this larger, 688-sq.-ft. tiny house floor plan features a miniature kitchen with space for an undercounter fridge and a gas stove, a laundry closet, and two bedrooms separated by a partition. Its main selling point, though, is the great light. Three walls of windows offer the ultimate sun exposure.

2

Cabin-Style House Plan

18 "Tiny House" Floor Plans That Don't Require an Architect (3)

2

Cabin-Style House Plan

This 480-sq.-ft. one-bedroom, one-bathroom cabin has a homey covered front porch and slanted ceilings. It also carves out space for a full-size kitchen, a tiny house rarity.

3

Cottage-Style House Plan

18 "Tiny House" Floor Plans That Don't Require an Architect (4)

3

Cottage-Style House Plan

This 624-sq.-ft. home features a bathtub, laundry-slash-mudroom, and corner kitchen with an island. Unlike many traditional tiny house exteriors, this one can fit right into any neighborhood with its quaint shingles and front porch.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

4

PLAN 23-2290

18 "Tiny House" Floor Plans That Don't Require an Architect (5)

This tiny home with a coastal twist prioritizes gathering space over everything else. There's a sizable front porch and (relatively) large living-room-slash-kitchen, which gets extra light from the unique clerestory windows up top. In the back of the 480-sq.-ft. unit, a full bath is easily accessible from the family room and two bedrooms.

A true tiny home at just 288 sq. ft., this home is for the minimalist. The studio layout features an essentials-only kitchen and full bath. Two closets provide ample storage for the less-is-more type.

6

PLAN 1016-72

18 "Tiny House" Floor Plans That Don't Require an Architect (7)

With double French doors and a pergola made for climbing roses, this 322-sq.-ft. guest house looks like something out of a storybook. It has a big main room, a walk-in closet, and a full bathroom, but no kitchen—though you could add one with a bit of customization.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

7

PLAN 124-1199

18 "Tiny House" Floor Plans That Don't Require an Architect (8)

This 460-sq.-ft. one-bedroom, one-bathroom tiny house squeezes in a full galley kitchen and queen-size bedroom. Unique vaulted ceilings in the kitchen, living room, and bedroom soar an airy eight to 10 feet high from edge to center for an open feel.

8

Cottage Plan 23-2287

18 "Tiny House" Floor Plans That Don't Require an Architect (9)

8

Cottage Plan 23-2287

At 320 square feet, this tiny home is laid out like a cozy alcove studio. The full kitchen and spacious living space lead out onto a small, partially covered porch just the right size for a swing.

9

Plan 48-953

18 "Tiny House" Floor Plans That Don't Require an Architect (10)

Conceived as an office-slash-studio, this 312-sq.-ft. contemporary floor plan could be a tiny home thanks to its washer and dryer hookups and full bath. The sparse kitchen has only a sink and open shelves, but an induction cooktop might be all you need to add.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

10

Plan 60-105

18 "Tiny House" Floor Plans That Don't Require an Architect (11)

If you love the great outdoors, this unique 576-sq.-ft. setup is for you. A-frame structures on either side of a central deck hold the living/eat and sleep/bathe spaces, but we bet you'll spend most of your time in the middle. Alternatively, you could customize the floor plan to house two spacious studios.

11

The Cool House Plans Company One Story Style Home

18 "Tiny House" Floor Plans That Don't Require an Architect (12)

11

The Cool House Plans Company One Story Style Home

You can live in your favorite fairy tale. This whimsical Tudor-style tiny home is a real-life version of Snow White's cottage with all the trimmings, including charming stone walls and a working fireplace. Even though it's only 300 square feet, it has a walk-in closet and an oversize shower.

12

Plan 062H-0376

18 "Tiny House" Floor Plans That Don't Require an Architect (13)

From the front, this unit might look like an ordinary garage. But there's a fully outfitted tiny home inside—and a big, swanky roof deck up top. The galley kitchen has room for full-size appliances, and the living space has French doors in the back. You could use the latter primarily as a primary suite; the roof deck, accessed by a narrow exterior staircase, is the perfect lounge for entertaining.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

13

Bowman Small Farm House Style House Plan 7236

18 "Tiny House" Floor Plans That Don't Require an Architect (14)

13

Bowman Small Farm House Style House Plan 7236

Now 23% Off

Equipped with a miniature kitchen, full bathroom, and high vaulted ceilings, this home is small but more than sufficient, not to mention stylish. The tiny house floor plans include ample built-in storage: shelving, a wardrobe, and a pantry. Other unique features include a fold-down dining table and sliding glass door for a second entrance.

14

Cabin Plan 25-4565

18 "Tiny House" Floor Plans That Don't Require an Architect (15)

14

Cabin Plan 25-4565

This bite-sized cabin's chimney isn't just for show. A working fireplace is the focal point of the living room in this 384-sq.-ft. floor plan, which also includes a bedroom, bathroom and full kitchen.

15

Design House One-Bedroom Cottage

18 "Tiny House" Floor Plans That Don't Require an Architect (16)

15

Design House One-Bedroom Cottage

There's actually space for your stuff in this tiny cottage. It prioritizes storage with a walk-in wardrobe in the bedroom, a coat closet by the front door, a laundry closet, and a full wall of kitchen cabinets.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

16

New American Backyard ADU

18 "Tiny House" Floor Plans That Don't Require an Architect (17)

16

New American Backyard ADU

Now 19% Off

Ideal for a studio space or guest home, this 400-sq.-ft. ADU (that's accessory dwelling unit for the uninitiated) floor plan features washer and dryer hookups and space for a dishwasher. The large windowed sliding door panels below and clerestory windows up top let in maximum light.

17

Alpine-Style Garage with Loft Apartment

18 "Tiny House" Floor Plans That Don't Require an Architect (18)

17

Alpine-Style Garage with Loft Apartment

Now 56% Off

Taking inspiration from mountain cabins and ski towns, this tiny home has a one-car garage on the ground floor and a loft-style apartment up top. It even manages to squeeze an elevated porch and covered patio (both optional) into its 393 square feet.

18

Studio-Style Tiny Cottage with Patio

18 "Tiny House" Floor Plans That Don't Require an Architect (19)

18

Studio-Style Tiny Cottage with Patio

Ideal for the modernist, this plan features clean, straight lines and an abundance of windows. The stucco-and-glass exterior is yours to customize, and a 14-by-8-ft. concrete patio adds an outdoor room those in warmer climates can enjoy all year.

18 "Tiny House" Floor Plans That Don't Require an Architect (20)

Kate McGregor

Kate McGregor is House Beautiful’s SEO Editor. She has covered everything from curated decor round-ups and shopping guides, to glimpses into the home lives of inspiring creatives, for publications such as ELLE Decor, Domino, and Architectural Digest’s Clever.

Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts

As an expert and enthusiast, I have personal experiences or opinions, but I can provide you with information on the concepts mentioned in this article. Here's a breakdown of the key concepts:

Tiny Houses:

Tiny houses are small, compact dwellings that typically range from 100 to 400 square feet in size. They have gained popularity due to their affordability, minimalistic lifestyle, and potential for mobility. Tiny houses can be used for various purposes, such as primary residences, guest houses, vacation homes, or even as rental properties. They often feature creative and efficient floor plans to maximize the use of limited space.

Tiny House Floor Plans:

Tiny house floor plans are architectural designs that outline the layout and dimensions of a tiny house. They include details such as the placement of rooms, windows, doors, and other features. Floor plans can be customized or chosen from stock plans available online or at retailers like Wayfair and Amazon. Using a stock plan can be a reliable and fast way to build a tiny house, as they have been used before and proven to work in real-life situations. Stock plans are ready to be printed and given to a contractor, which can help avoid unnecessary delays in the construction process.

Benefits of Stock Tiny House Plans:

Using stock tiny house plans offers several advantages. Firstly, they have been tested and proven to work, providing a sense of reliability. Secondly, stock plans can save time and money by eliminating the need for a lengthy drafting process. Additionally, stock plans can be more affordable compared to custom plans or hiring an architectural firm. However, it's important to double-check the dimensions of the chosen plan and ensure it fits within your lot size. Consider any special needs or requirements you may have, such as ADA accessibility or extra storage space, and choose a floor plan that accommodates them.

Examples of Tiny House Floor Plans:

This article provides several examples of tiny house floor plans with different features. Here are a few mentioned in the article:

  1. Tiny Modern House Plan: This 688-square-foot plan features a miniature kitchen, a laundry closet, and two bedrooms separated by a partition. It offers great natural light with three walls of windows.

  2. Cabin-Style House Plan: This 480-square-foot plan includes a covered front porch, slanted ceilings, a full-size kitchen, and one bedroom.

  3. Cottage-Style House Plan: This 624-square-foot home features a bathtub, a laundry/mudroom, a corner kitchen with an island, and a quaint exterior with shingles and a front porch.

  4. PLAN 23-2290: This coastal-themed tiny home prioritizes gathering space and includes a sizable front porch, a large living room/kitchen area, a full bath, and two bedrooms.

These are just a few examples, and there are many more tiny house floor plans available with various layouts and features to suit different needs and preferences.

Please note that the information provided above is based on the content of this article.

18 "Tiny House" Floor Plans That Don't Require an Architect (2024)

FAQs

What is the simplest floor plan? ›

What are examples of simple floor plans? A single-story house with an open layout that usually includes a living room, dining area, kitchen, bedrooms, and bathrooms. A small, single-story house with a cozy layout. It usually includes a living room, dining area, kitchen, one or two bedrooms, and a bathroom.

What is the most efficient house floor plan? ›

Simple, straight lines are not only pleasing to look at, but they are also incredibly cost-effective. Keep roof lines simple and side and rear walls straight for an elegantly modern exterior with great curb appeal. Opting for a cozy floor plan with a modern footprint is a great way to keep your home cost-efficient.

What is the cheapest house design to build? ›

A ranch-style house is generally more affordable to build because it has an easy, open floor plan and is traditionally available in a rectangular or U-shaped layout.

Can you draw your own floor plans? ›

You can certainly create your own floor plan without being a proffesional as long as you have the right tools and a bit of creative inspiration. Sketching out ideas yourself will help communicate your vision to the architect when you need to have a professional blueprint drawn up.

How can I make a simple floor plan for free? ›

There are several free floor plan creators available, depending on your specific needs and preferences. Some of the most popular free options include Planner 5D, RoomSketcher, SketchUp and Floorplanner.

What is the cheapest floor option? ›

The cheapest flooring options are vinyl sheet flooring, luxury vinyl flooring, laminate flooring, oak flooring seconds, plywood flooring, painted flooring, wallpaper, and carpet tiles.

What part of building a house costs the most? ›

Interior. From insulation to walls, cabinets and flooring, finishing the interior of your home is one of the most expensive parts of the project. The cost of gypsum wallboard for a new-build home is nearly $12,000.

What scale is most commonly used for residential floor plans? ›

For residential floor plans, the most common scale used is ¼” = 1'. If you're working on a commercial blueprint, it is more likely that you will be relying on a scale of ⅛” = 1'.

What is the most cost efficient house shape? ›

Ranch homes are the most popular home style in the U.S. They're another rectangular-shaped house, though they come in “T” or “L” shapes, too. A home with a simple and concise layout is the cheapest type of house to build. Ranch homes are typically single-story structures with attached garages.

How to build a tiny house cheaply? ›

Another way to keep costs low is to buy pre-fabricated kits or plans for tiny houses that come with all of the necessary components and instructions needed to complete the build. These kits usually cost less than buying all of the materials separately and they provide an easier building process as well.

Is building a barndominium cheaper than a house? ›

In some cases, barndominiums are cheaper to build than a house. Since most wood frame homes use the same materials and are built essentially the same way, value is usually based on the number of square feet available.

Can I design my own house without an architect? ›

Unless your local building code absolutely requires an architect, most residential homes do not need to hire an architect. Part of the excitement of building a new home or doing a major retrofit is spending time creatively designing the space that you will inhabit.

What is a simple house plan? ›

Simple house plans are just as they sound, a home design with a simplified roofline and footprint all within a reasonable square footage range.

How do I make a quick floor plan? ›

You can create a floor plan by drawing a bird's eye view of a room on a sheet of graph paper. On a separate piece of paper, draw any movable furniture to scale, cut them out, and place them on your floor plan.

What is the most common floor plan scale? ›

For residential floor plans, the most common scale used is ¼” = 1'. If you're working on a commercial blueprint, it is more likely that you will be relying on a scale of ⅛” = 1'.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Clemencia Bogisich Ret

Last Updated:

Views: 6065

Rating: 5 / 5 (60 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Clemencia Bogisich Ret

Birthday: 2001-07-17

Address: Suite 794 53887 Geri Spring, West Cristentown, KY 54855

Phone: +5934435460663

Job: Central Hospitality Director

Hobby: Yoga, Electronics, Rafting, Lockpicking, Inline skating, Puzzles, scrapbook

Introduction: My name is Clemencia Bogisich Ret, I am a super, outstanding, graceful, friendly, vast, comfortable, agreeable person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.