Southern Living House Plans celebrates the best of the region, combining traditional and modern design. This style has an old-fashioned charm, thanks to its wide front porches and classic features such as double-hung windows, gabled roofs, turned posts, and paneled doors. Soft, neutral colors bring the focus to the detailing, and the end result often looks like something plucked out of a bygone era. Structurally, Southern Living house plans often have a distinctive Southern 1830s look: a central hall front door, symmetrically arranged rooms, and a departure from the boxy style of more modern houses. With the many customizing options, this style is also a great way to express your individual tastes in a classic form.Southern Living House Plans
By utilizing natural elements such as sunlight, wind, and the natural cooling properties of the Earth, you can design passive solar house plans. Passive solar homes are designed to use materials that absorb energy from the sun during the day and provides natural temperature control during the cooler hours. These house plans utilize innovative designs such as skylights and large windows, shading devices, and thermally-retentive surfaces. When these are done in harmony with the style of your home, a passive solar home can save up to 30% in energy costs!Passive Solar House Plans
Black and white façades, traditional wood accents, and energetic colors are all components of modern farmhouse plans. This style combines “modern” convenience and materials with the traditional country look that many homeowners love. Having plenty of open space as well as charming country details, these homes show how style, efficiency, and flexibility can work together effectively. The tall façades often provide a great way to utilize loft spaces, which can improve your home in both form and function!Modern Farmhouse Plans
If the thought of navigating a multi-level home doesn't appeal to you, take a look at one-story house plans. These single-story designs provide an efficient use of space, often including open plan living areas. Many can be customized depending on your unique preferences and land size. These homes usually have some kind of centrality from which all of the other rooms branch outwards. This type of floor plan allows residents to easily transition from one living area to another without having to worry about stairs.One-Story House Plans
A dreamy blend of French and American Colonial architecture, Acadian house plans are characterized by their steep gable roofs and welcoming front porches. As light and airy as they are elegant, these homes are designed to provide lots of outdoor space without sacrificing any of the indoor comforts. Windows are plentiful and are often separated by colonnades or shutters. Interiors are usually just a modernized version of the traditional Acadian style—think planked wood floors, rustic exposed beams, and French doors. With its Cajun and Creole influence, this style is sure to bring the South to your home!Acadian House Plans
For those with an eye towards simple living but who don’t want to sacrifice style, tiny house plans are the answer. As the name implies, these house plans are of a much smaller size, ranging from 100 to 1000 square feet. While tiny houses have limited space, they are still nice and cozy. With clever, efficient designs, furniture can be used for multiple purposes—from couch to bed—and walls, windows, and doors may be used for storage. This style is a perfect combination of sustainability, financial responsibility, and comfortability (all in a tiny package!).Tiny House Plans
For those who prefer a more natural and please look when it comes to their home, rustic cottage plans are the way to go. This style is the perfect marriage of cozy comfort and rustic charm. It is best characterized by natural stone walls, open floor plans, and exposed wooden beams. Aside from its quaint exterior, the interior of a rustic cottage is just as charming. The living area is usually quite spacious, with the kitchen and dining area open to the living space. Large wood-burning fireplaces, vaulted ceilings, and lots of natural materials like stone and wood all add to the country-living charm of a rustic cottage.Rustic Cottage Plans
With its clean lines and breezy atmosphere, coastal house plans turn to the sunny seaside for inspiration. From the strong, sturdy bones to the large windows that allow for ample natural light, these homes make a statement with their classic style and modern features. Coastal house plans usually place an emphasis on open spaces, natural ventilation, and other features that help keep living areas cool and comfortable. Colors like whites, blues, and grays are often favored and exteriors may feature lap siding, shake shingles, and sustainable materials.Coastal House Plans
Although originally popular in the early 1900s, Craftsman house plans have been gaining popularity again in modern times. This style emphasizes the beauty of natural materials such as stone and wood, as well as an appreciation for the craftsmanship of the artisans who constructed the home. Large overhangs, deep covered entryways, and large windows are commonplace features of this style. Interiors are usually open and inviting, featuring plenty of natural light and often decorated with stained-glass and hand-crafted furniture. Craftsman House Plans
Whether screened in, covered, or open, porches are a great way to add living space and value to any home. Not only do they provide a comfortable respite on warmer days, but porches can be multifunctional spaces. Depending on how and where it's situated, a porch can provide shade, become a pseudo-outdoor living room, or even become an alfresco dining area. When designing a porch for your home, the possibilities are truly endless. Round columns and large post brackets are often preferred for the traditionalist, while metal framing and glass panels create a modern look. No matter what design style you’re going for, porches can really bring the look of your home together. House Designs with Porches