Tiny House Floor Plans: Top 5 Floor Plans & Designs for Tiny Homes | Architecture & Design (2024)

What is a tiny home?

You can roughly describe the size of a tiny home as about two 20ft shipping containers stacked on top of each other. Tiny homes can be anything from a specially built house on wheels, to a caravan, to a teeny house built on land.

Why are they popular?

For many young singles and empty-nesters, it makes perfect sense to save money and be more mobile and ultimately, 'small'. Although two-bedroom tiny house floor plans are not very common, you can easily find plenty of designs with modern loft or flexible designs amidst tiny house plans that allows for tiny house expansion by connecting two tiny houses together.

Besides saving a lot of money, downsizing is truly the best way of organizing your stuff and de-cluttering your home. Minimalism as a movement among the younger generation is also picking up steam, much of which has characterised the population of tiny houses due to not only its minimal size, but also design.

Regulations

Building a tiny home on foundations on a block of land requires normal council approval and applications, which takes time and money.

Cost

They can be built to match anyone's lifestyle and budget. They can range from $10,000 to $180,000, but the average falls somewhere in the range of $30,000 to $40,000, making them cheap as chips (for a home).

Here are some of the best, free tiny house plans, fit for homes on wheels, for those concerned with a considered interior, or those generally just looking to be inspired by ideas. These houses will be sure to fit the dimensions...excuse the pun.

  1. Modern tiny house — View plans
    Tiny House Floor Plans: Top 5 Floor Plans & Designs for Tiny Homes | Architecture & Design (1)
    Not everyone wants to build something traditional or classic. This tiny house plan has a clean and modern minimalistic design that is aesthetically pleasing and easy to build. Out of all tiny home layouts, this one speaks to the younger generation of artistically-inclined freelancers.

    Pro's include its simplicity, which extends to cost and materials. Cons include it's sterile design and permanence...if you're looking for wheels and colour, this may not be the one for you.

  2. Tiny Tudor House — View plans
    Tiny House Floor Plans: Top 5 Floor Plans & Designs for Tiny Homes | Architecture & Design (2)

    Just look at this 300 sq. ft. Tudor cottage plan and facade. It’s a promise of a fairytale-style life! This adorable thing even has a walk-in closet! As an added bonus, the plan can be customized.

    If you don’t want to build it for yourself, you can consider it for your in-laws or as a guest house. They don’t have to suffer staying in one of your rooms or a hotel during visits.

    Another idea would be using this tiny cottage as a stand-alone home office or art studio. It could be a very nice addition to your existing real estate. Your real estate agent may give you some ideas on how to build it, so it will increase your property value.

  3. Binishells: Dome-shaped concrete home for $3,500 — View plans
    Tiny House Floor Plans: Top 5 Floor Plans & Designs for Tiny Homes | Architecture & Design (3)Tiny House Floor Plans: Top 5 Floor Plans & Designs for Tiny Homes | Architecture & Design (4)Tiny House Floor Plans: Top 5 Floor Plans & Designs for Tiny Homes | Architecture & Design (5)

    These tiny dome-shaped homes are called Binishells. They are constructed using a process that is similar to making a papier-mâché balloon base and cost a friendly $3,500 approximately, to build. They are both a builders best friend, and yours (if you like concrete).

    In this case, concrete is poured over a heavy-duty air pump bladder and steel rebar framework. Next, the bladder is deflated to reveal a tiny, resilient home that can stand up to extreme conditions such as earthquakes, high winds, or even lava flows.
    Originally used as a blueprint for emergency shelters and temporary structures such as auxiliary school classrooms, recent years have seen Binishells adopted by the tiny-house crowd.

  4. Ana White's houseView Plans
    Tiny House Floor Plans: Top 5 Floor Plans & Designs for Tiny Homes | Architecture & Design (6)Tiny House Floor Plans: Top 5 Floor Plans & Designs for Tiny Homes | Architecture & Design (7)Tiny House Floor Plans: Top 5 Floor Plans & Designs for Tiny Homes | Architecture & Design (8)Tiny House Floor Plans: Top 5 Floor Plans & Designs for Tiny Homes | Architecture & Design (9)

  5. Vermont Tiny House — View Plans

    The Vermont Tiny House sits on a 22’ flatbed trailer and is approximately 155 square feet. The dormers in the loft allow for extra head room and many windows in the loft area.

    With a total of 12 windows, this tiny house has a tremendous amount of natural light in every corner. Window and door types and dimensions are specified in the plans.

    The Vermont Tiny House is a unique combination of rustic and modern, featuring rough cut pine and cedar details combined with modern efficiencies. It feels right at home nestled in the trees or next to a small pond. I enjoy playing music both on the deck and indoors as the space resonates well for acoustic music.

    This home is perfect for a couple or individual looking to live a life of freedom and simple pleasures. With everything you’ll need to live a comfortable life, the Vermont Tiny House makes it all possible.

    Tiny House Floor Plans: Top 5 Floor Plans & Designs for Tiny Homes | Architecture & Design (10)
    Tiny House Floor Plans: Top 5 Floor Plans & Designs for Tiny Homes | Architecture & Design (11)Tiny House Floor Plans: Top 5 Floor Plans & Designs for Tiny Homes | Architecture & Design (12)

Tiny House Floor Plans: Top 5 Floor Plans & Designs for Tiny Homes | Architecture & Design (2024)

FAQs

What is the best size building for a tiny house? ›

The most common sizes of tiny houses range from 100 to 400 square feet, though some may be smaller or larger depending on the individual's needs and preferences. Generally speaking, the smaller the house, the easier it is to move around and transport from one location to another.

What are the 2 different types of tiny homes? ›

Some specific types of tiny houses include:

Microhouse - with a solid foundation and a living area of up to 50 m2. Floating tiny house - small, boat-like living accommodations. Modular house - designed as a prefabricated house.

What is the best framing for a tiny house? ›

Tiny House Framing Systems
  • Advanced Wood Framing-This is our modern twist on a classic, reliable system-wood stick framing. ...
  • Light Gauge Steel Framing– This method takes the familiarity of wood framing, but uses steel studs. ...
  • Structural Insulated Panels (SIP's)– SIP's are our personal favorite!

What is the most expensive part of a tiny house? ›

Inside your tiny house, the kitchen and bathroom are often the costliest areas, just like in a traditional house, Dobrowolski says.

How big is too big for a tiny house? ›

If you are considering building a tiny home, it will likely have to be less than 400 square feet in size, whereas a small home can extend to about 1,000 square feet. One important thing to remember is that tiny-home size is determined by the Department of Transportation (DoT) when it comes to height and width.

How much money do I need to build a tiny house? ›

Depending on materials, design, appliances, etc., the DIY option will typically run anywhere from $30,000 to $60,000. You can find tiny home kits from major retailers like Home Depot or more luxurious tiny house options for $100,000 and up.

What are 3 common features of tiny homes? ›

Each tiny home includes amenities like a tiny kitchenette, a small bathroom, plumbing and electricity. Some homes include a private deck, and others that are side by side share the outdoor deck space.

How many bedrooms can a tiny house have? ›

These tiny houses typically feature three separate bedrooms, allowing for privacy and flexibility in how to use the space. In addition to the bedrooms, these houses often come with a small living area, a kitchenette, and a bathroom.

What is the difference between a small house and a tiny house? ›

The biggest difference between tiny homes and small homes is their size. While tiny homes are typically less than 400 square feet, small homes can range up to 1,000 square feet. This difference in size impacts how the space is utilised and what additional features can be included.

What are the best interior colors for a tiny house? ›

Instead, it's best to opt for neutral colors, such as grays and off-whites. They may seem boring, but they're soothing and act as a solid foundation for wall art and other fixtures. Cool colors, such as blues and greens, are receding colors, and like neutrals, they'll help complement the small amount of space you have.

Should I build a tiny house on wheels or foundation? ›

While tiny houses on a foundation and traditional stick-built houses often build equity, tiny houses on a trailer offer a little-to-no return on your investment. Key Takeaway: Tiny houses on a trailer depreciate over time, offering you little to no return on your investment.

What is considered a foundation for a tiny home? ›

Advantages to a Permanent Foundation for a Tiny House

Permanent foundations come in several forms, including concrete slabs, concrete footings (sometimes with a basem*nt or crawlspace), or even wood pilings. These can come in different shapes and sizes and afford the builder a lot of design flexibility.

What is the most popular tiny house size? ›

The average size of a tiny house is 400 square feet or less, while a tiny home on trailers is 8.5 x 40 by 13.5 feet or 320 square feet overall. You could expand as large as 1,000 square feet assuming you wanted to. However, this size is more common for smaller houses.

What is the best location for a tiny house? ›

10 best places for tiny house living
RankStateLegality Rank
1Vermont1
2Kentucky1
3Arkansas1
4Maine1
6 more rows
Mar 8, 2024

Is it cheaper to buy or build a tiny house? ›

The average cost of a tiny house is a reasonable $30,000 – $60,000, although they can cost as little as $8,000 or up to $150,000 depending on the amenities you choose to include. It's typically cheaper to build a tiny house than to buy one prebuilt, but don't get too caught up in the savings.

Is building a tiny house cheaper than buying? ›

The average cost of a tiny house is a reasonable $30,000 – $60,000, although they can cost as little as $8,000 or up to $150,000 depending on the amenities you choose to include. It's typically cheaper to build a tiny house than to buy one prebuilt, but don't get too caught up in the savings.

Can a tiny house be 1000 sq ft? ›

Homes under 1,000 square feet can and often are used as primary residences. Empty nesters looking to downsize might appreciate a tiny house plan that requires little upkeep. At the same time, a young married couple with a modest budget might also seek out a tiny house plan to cut down on costs.

What's the biggest tiny house you can build on a foundation? ›

In California we can build to a maximum height of 14 feet. The maximum height for a tiny home is 13'6” tall nationwide. The legal allowable width is up to 13.5” although we only currently offer 8.5' , 10.5' and 12' wide homes.

What is a good size small house? ›

The Optimal Square Feet Per Person For The Ideal House Size

This means for a family of three, the ideal house size is 1,800 – 2,100 square feet. For a family of four, the ideal house size is between 2,400 – 2,800 square feet and so forth.

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