Dream Basic Starter House Plans & Floor Plans

Can your starter house also be your dream home? Absolutely. In fact, if the design is flexible enough, you may never need to move.

Starter homes aren’t just for newlyweds or young families. Because home ownership has become expensive, it’s likely that your first house has been years in the making while up money by living in an apartment or with parents. Or maybe you’ve already owned a home (perhaps a fixer-upper) but now you’re ready to start from the ground up to make your vision come true. Empty nesters looking to downsize can also appreciate the elegant simplicity of these homes.

Here’s what you’ll find in this collection: homes with modest square footage (most of them under 2,000 square feet), simple footprints, and other details that make a home more affordable to build. Many of the floor plans cost less than $1,000.

Perhaps you only need one bedroom. On the other hand, you may want the flexibility and space that two or three bedrooms offer, especially if you’re starting a family or you work from home. Building on a narrow lot? You’ll find plenty of designs that fit nicely on a tight infill lot.

Many of the homes in this collection have one story, though bonus rooms upstairs offer excellent places to expand later on if you need more space. On the other hand, you may want to build up instead of out if you’re dealing with a small lot, especially one with a nice view.

Styles cover a wide range, from classic Craftsman bungalows to country cottages and even ultra-modern designs. Simple ranch homes often lend themselves well to starter homes. The modern farmhouse, an ultra-popular style, also makes an excellent starter home.

Of course, the term "starter home" implies that you’ll trade up to a bigger home later. But why? If you choose a design that includes space to expand later (such as with a bonus rooms, unfinished basements, or flex spaces) you may find that you already have everything you need.

Keeping a close eye on your budget? You can order a Cost to Build Report for any plan.

Related categories include: Affordable House Plans, Green House Plans, Empty Nest House Plans, and Vacation House Plans.