Dream Low Country House Plans & Tidewater Designs

While Low Country house plans (sometimes called "Tidewater home plans") have the potential to be built anywhere, they are meant for marshy areas of the Southern United States.* Honing in even further, the term "low country" (or "lowcountry") is most notably associated with the coastal areas of South Carolina—an especially distinct region that embraces a multitude of area-specific traits—from architectural designs to culinary tastes. Therefore, if you’re planning to build a home in, say, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, selecting a Low Country house plan from the collection below could be an especially beautiful choice that perfectly complements your lot’s richly unique environment.

Low Country house plans originated as humble one-room cottages in the original English settlements in the tidewater regions of Maryland and Virginia (Low Country home plans are also called Tidewater house plans for this very reason). From there they spread down the coast to the Carolinas and as far as Alabama. Often raised on piers (pilings) to avoid coastal flooding, these simple, square designs will sometimes be referred to as elevated house plans or beach house plans on pilings. Designed to live comfortably in hot, humid climates, Low Country floor plans feature lots of windows to capture coastal breezes and highlight the views, with gracious porches to shade the interior. Far from humble, today's Low Country plans feature second floor bedrooms, while the wide inviting front porches invite guests to stay and linger. Rustic but elegant, airy Low Country or Tidewater home plans are perfect for those who enjoy casual waterfront living and entertaining. Though perfect for beach houses, Low Country house plans easily accommodates year-round living for families, retirees, and anyone who appreciates the sense of simplicity and history of this romantic coastal cottage.

*This collection may include a variety of plans from designers in the region, designs that have sold there, or ones that simply remind us of the area in their styling. Please note that some locations may require specific engineering and/or local code adoptions. Be sure to check with your contractor or local building authority to see what is required for your area.

Related categories include: Southern House Plans, Coastal House Plans, Vacation House Plans, House Plans with Porches, and House Plans with Front Porch.