A-Frame House Plans
A-Frame homes fit beautifully in any scenic location. With its steeply pitched roof that forms the “A” of the name (sometimes reaching all the way to the ground), these rustic vacation homes usually hold a large window wall that can perfectly frame a lakeside or mountain view. Decks, patios, and porches give plenty of room for outdoor living. Sometimes this style features elements of a Swiss chalet, or the timber of a log cabin. Generally, an A-Frame floor plan features one large open space with living areas on the main level and a loft above for sleeping quarters. The ceiling can be left open to the rafters, further accentuating the A-Frame’s stylistic details, or closed-in for a more traditional look. An island kitchen adds contemporary appeal. Whether you decide to build by the coast or on a mountain top, your new home will be inviting, modern and economical.
Cape Cod House Plans
Cape Cod homes are the epitome of post-war American housing and were built prolifically throughout suburban neighborhoods to accommodate growing families. Beginning in the 1940s and continuing to today, modest Cape Cod homes have been built with simplicity and function in mind to evoke Colonial style. These homes are usually one story with a side-gable roof and little embellishment. Sometimes a small front stoop with a gable roof extends from the home to welcome guests and provide shelter from the elements. Although modern Cape Cods are very popular today, this style of home took shape in the early 18th century to suit the long New England winters. Their association with the New England coast also makes them perfect as vacation cottages, sitting nicely on a lakefront lot or by the sea. The floor plans are flexible, as the simple rectangular shape can accommodate a number of interior configurations, both traditional and more modern open layouts.
Chalet House Plans
Chalets originated in the Alps and are distinguished by exposed structural members called half-timbering that are both functional and serve as decoration. Chalet designs gained popularity in the mid-19th century throughout the United States, borrowing from a romantic ideal of contemporary Swiss architecture. The roof of a chalet is low-pitched with wide, overhanging eaves. This architectural element influenced Craftsman and Prairie house styles later in the early 20th century. There is almost always a front gable featuring highly decorative woodwork at the fascia board. The upper floor of a chalet usually projects beyond the story below, with a balcony at the front of the house for leisure and entertaining. The balcony often has a balustrade that is constructed of a flat, cut-out panel, adding to the gingerbread charm. This style of house was traditionally painted on the exterior with murals or faux architectural elements representing quoins, shutters, or ornamental design around windows and doors. Further interest may be added with vertical board-and-batten siding. The Chalet style would make the perfect mountain home for its use of natural materials and allure of the grand Alps. The floor plan of Chalet style houses tends to have less square footage, as they are typically used for vacation homes. That being said, two or more stories are possible with bedrooms on the upper floors that open to the balcony and maximize fairy tale views. The first floor could have an open plan with a central fireplace warming the interior and a spacious kitchen for entertaining guests. Provide 360 degree views with a spacious rear deck to complement the second floor balconies. For styles with similar rustic appeal, check out our collection of log homes, cabin house plans, and A-Frame designs.
Contemporary-Modern House Plans
Characterized by minimal, straightforward, and efficient home designs, contemporary-modern house plans boast a style that is livable and spacious. From clean lines, open floor plans, large expanses of glass, and minimalists interiors, contemporary-modern house plans are uncomplicated and exude simplicity and style.
Cottage House Plans
Affordable to build and full of charm, cottage homes are prized by many as the perfect vacation home or the quintessential style for building on a small lot. Usually one story, and with quaint details such as decorative woodwork, interesting windows, and a varied roofline, cottage house plans present a welcoming façade and a cozy interior. They are well-suited for the coastline, narrow urban lots, or in a suburban neighborhood of smaller traditional homes. Many cottage floor plans have a country look and feel, with front porches and dormers. Other cottage plans reference classic English cottage style, complete with large chimneys and charming shutters. Some modest cottage designs work beautifully for building in a rustic area, like Canada’s cottage country. Cottage home plans often have varied exterior materials, with a mixture of stone, wood siding, or shingles to break up wall surfaces. A small front porch may welcome visitors with a turned balustrade, thin columns, and a front gable roof. Casement windows offer cottage charm, or add decorative detail with leaded glass panes or stained glass windows. The roofline may be hipped, pyramidal, or gabled and often is broken up by attic dormers. These dormers provide additional space to expand upstairs later. While cottage house plans are usually one story, some may have a second floor or a bedroom tucked into the attic. The living space in is relaxed, often with a fireplace as the focal point and nooks provided for an eating area, reading room, or window seat. Expect quaint details to continue to the interior, such as a beamed ceiling, stonework on the fireplace, and transom windows above doorways. Maximize cottage charm with a patio at the rear, extending to gardens beyond with a picket fence as the exterior focal point.
Editors' Picks House Plans
The editors of Blueprints.com know what types of floor plans are popular and why. Below, you'll discover a special curated collection showcasing our favorite cool house plans! A typical editor's pick will feature an open floor plan, which is simply an open sight line from the kitchen to the main living area.
English Cottage House Plans
With their romantic charm and character, English cottage house plans (or storybook cottages) and floor plans are sure to catch your eye. Whether you are looking for a lovely vacation retreat, cozy guest house (or in-law unit), or primary residence, English cottage house plans are sure to fit your needs.
Exclusive House Plans
Our special collection of exclusive house plans and floor plans includes a variety of home designs from four skilled designers. You will find a myriad of architectural styles in our exclusive house plans and floor plans collection. Whether you are looking for a Craftsman, cozy cottage, modern farmhouse, Southern, country, ranch, European, Mediterranean, or traditional design – you are sure to find just what you’re looking for in the collection below. With smart details and floor plans, these home designs boast popular features that make everyday living easy. Looking for a house plan with an open layout? You will find many floor plans in the collection below with open layouts.
French Country House Plans
French Country home plans and designs, or French Provincial house plans, feature house plans and floor plans that show off elegant details, curb appeal, and European style. These attractive dwellings boast natural materials, single or multiple hipped roofs, dormers, and much more. Usually two-stories, French Country home plans and designs are stately and enchanting. Although, you will find cute country cottages in this collection as well. Plan on building your forever home? To make aging in place easier, opt for a French Country house plan that offers a main-level master suite. The exterior of French Country home plans and designs is typically brick, stone, stucco, or masonry.
Green House Plans
Green house plans and floor plans in this smart collection are energy efficient, sustainable, and will help you cut back on all kinds of costs in the long run. Thanks to their modest square footage, use of sustainable materials, efficient building techniques, and their simple design, many of our green house plans and floor plans can help you save on construction costs.
Low Country House Plans
Low Country style house plans and floor plans (or Tidewater house plans) are full of style and charm. These swoon-worthy designs work great in almost any setting – especially coastal locations. Low Country style house plans and floor plans usually feature a raised foundation to prevent flooding. Another perk of raised foundations? Scenic views! Low Country style house plans and floor plans are able to capture breathtaking views thanks to their raised elevations. You will find many house plans with plenty of outdoor living space in the collection below. These designs generally feature clapboard siding, and a metal hipped (or side-gable) roof. Low Country house plans boast spacious porches (usually wraparound porches), screened porches, and much more.
Luxury House Plans
Hello luxury! Do you like elegant details, cool amenities, and luxurious touches? Then you’ve come to the right place. Our collection of luxury house plans and home designs is full of floor plans that are smart, stylish, and practical. Luxury house plans and home designs boast attention to detail and come in all shapes and sizes (yes, even small). Luxurious doesn’t always mean large. A smaller house plan can still have all the bells and whistles that make a home luxurious – without the extra square footage. These upscale designs are full of high end features that are up-to-date and unique. Whether you are looking for a ranch, modern farmhouse, contemporary, European, Craftsman, country, traditional, Southern, Mediterranean, or even a small cottage design, we are sure to have just what you’re looking for here in our luxury house plans and home designs collection.
Mid Century Modern House Plans
Do you love clean lines, sleek style, and modern amenities? Then you’ve come to the right place. Our collection of Mid Century house plans and floor plans (also known as Mid-Century modern house plans) is full of home designs with loads of windows and minimal details. Mid Century house plans are a popular choice with homeowners today thanks to their sweet indoor-outdoor living spaces and open concept floor plans. Many of the home designs in this cool collection showcase patios, porches, lanais, decks, and more. Inside, an open layout creates a seamless flow between the main the living areas in most of our Mid Century (or Mid-Century modern) house plans in the collection below. An open concept floor plan makes hosting a breeze, while also promoting community.
Narrow Lot House Plans
Urban areas tend to have smaller, narrow lots because land is in short supply. Homes may be built quite close together, but sometimes have surprisingly deep rear yards with plenty of room to roam. Square footage can be maximized by building three stories high or more. For those with a tight budget, start small with future plans for expansion either at the rear or with additional stories. You can build any style of home, whether a quaint Victorian, cozy Bungalow or traditional Cape Cod on a narrow lot. Let exterior details define the style and play up the vertical orientation with thin columns, narrow windows or a steeply pitched roof. A small front porch might add curb appeal to a narrow lot house plan, as will a variety of building materials. Side porches add extra outdoor living space. Narrow lot house plans (or house plans for narrow lots) have the possibility of being more affordable due to the smaller lot, but this could be offset in a pricey in-town neighborhood. The square footage of a narrow lot house plan can vary depending on the number of stories. A small cottage or bungalow may be only one story in 1,000 square feet or less, while a rowhouse (sometimes written row house) could be 3 stories or more with 4,000 square feet to boot. Many narrow house plans are designed with rear-loading garages for a lot with an alley in back. The interior space of a narrow house plan must be planned well for the most efficient layout. An open plan is still possible, especially with several stories where vaulted ceilings and numerous tall windows can be employed to open the space. Because the home is narrower and may only be two rooms wide, sunlight is maximized for better energy efficiency and light can penetrate throughout the house. Employ tall narrow windows from floor to ceiling and site them on the southern side of the house to warm the home in winter and provide natural light in summer.
Neoclassical House Plans
Hello curb appeal! Our collection of Neoclassical house plans and home designs includes striking floor plans that showcase classical architectural details and elements. These stately house plans are symmetrical and well-proportioned and usually feature a centered door with balanced windows. Neoclassical house plans typically have a prominent portico, two-stories (or one-and-a-half stories), and ornate details. Other cool features you may find in Neoclassical house plans and floor plans include: broken pediments (generally over windows and doorways), dentil molding below the cornice, a central front gable, two-story porch, tall columns, and brick or stucco siding. These graceful home designs tend to be on the larger side and boast open floor plans that are smart, modern, and efficient. Some Neoclassical house plans offer more formal floor plans and feature formal dining rooms, living rooms, libraries, and more defined spaces. Neoclassical house plans and floor plans come in a myriad of sizes – but tend to be on the larger side.
Newest House Plans
Stay in style and up-to-date with our collection of new plans and home designs. These trendy designs display the latest and greatest in architectural home designs. Many of our new plans and home designs sport modern layouts with open concept floor plans. Open floor plans typically place the island kitchen (which offers plenty of counter space) at the center of the home – great for informal gatherings. Curb appeal is another stylish feature that is trending right now.
Shed House Plans
Our collection of shed house plans and floor plans features home designs that have multiple rooflines (usually asymmetrical and composed of single panes), lots of windows, and have major curb appeal. These striking designs typically feature clerestory windows that boast tons of natural light, while still maintaining privacy (thanks to their high placement). With a variation of sizes, our collection of shed house plans and home designs work well for all kinds of homeowners. We offer shed house plans and home designs in tiny, small, medium, and large sizes. Inside, many of our shed house plans and home designs showcase open floor plans.
Sloped Lot House Plans
Sloped lot house plans and floor plans (or homes designed for a sloping lot) are homes designed to work well in unique lot situations. Do you plan to build a home on a hill or on a lot that slopes? If so, then sloped lot house plans and floor plans might be just what you’re looking for. These convenient designs make building on a sloping lot less of a headache. Sloped lot house plans and floor plans generally include a walkout basement. Walkout basements offer many advantages. For example, they maximize a sloping lot, create another level of indoor-outdoor living, and add extra square footage (without sacrificing the footprint of the home).
Split Level House Plans
Split-level home designs and floor plans (also referred to as split-level house plans) gained popularity in the 1950s. These cool designs are relatives of the ranch style house plan. Split-level home designs boast horizontal lines, a landing at the entry that leads upstairs or downstairs, and a low-pitched roof. The exterior of split-level home designs typically showcases a minimal façade that is sleek and contemporary. With three levels of living space, split-level home designs and floor plans make it easy to carry on different activities, while maximizing space on smaller lots. These popular home designs usually feature a landing at the entry (that opens to the living, kitchen, and dining areas) that leads upstairs (to the bedrooms) and downstairs (to the basement).
Starter House Plans
Buying a home for the first time can be an exciting (and daunting) experience. With the help of our starter home plans collection, we hope to make the process of choosing your first home smooth and easy (and keep the headaches at bay). Starter home plans and floor plans are generally on the smaller side (most of them 2,000 square feet or less), making them affordable and builder-friendly.
Vacation House Plans
Most people have a preferred vacation destination, whether it is the coast, mountains or city. Few of us can have it all, so choose your favorite spot to relax and there will be a house plan waiting to fulfill your dream of a vacation. Coastal homes will often feature abundant outdoor living space and numerous windows to maximize views and take advantage of the mild weather. You may want a charming cottage at the end of a rocky bluff, or a sprawling Mediterranean style home with beachfront access. There will surely be guests no matter what the style, so choose a floor plan that can accommodate a crowd and makes entertaining easy. The kitchen should be close to the rear patio and open to a great room for effortless access to the bar-b-q and pool. A home in the mountains will be quite different, possibly more rustic and built with materials found in nature. Choose a log cabin plan and build with locally harvested wood for a more sustainable site. A-Frame homes are a contemporary, folk style of home reminiscent of a Swiss chalet that would be perfect in a mountain setting or by the sea. The shape is that of a triangle, hence the A-Frame, with a steeply pitched roofline sloping almost to ground level. Draw nature in further by using local exterior materials such as stone and wood. Vacation house plans should maximize efficiency so time away will be spent relaxing. Choose a kitchen that is spacious and has all of the necessary appliances, but keep it simple so cleaning does not become a priority. Make clever use of seemingly dead space by creating nooks and crannies for private retreats. You may have unused attic space that could become a loft, or simply tuck a window seat within a bay for the perfect vacation reading spot.
