23x38 Modern Cottage House Plan with Loft, 2 Bed 1 Bath, 826 Sq Ft

This modern farmhouse cottage floor plan delivers 826 square feet of heated living space across a main floor and open loft, built around a simple gable form with horizontal wood siding, cedar tongue-and-groove accents, and covered porches front and back. The layout keeps everything an owner-builder needs on one accessible ground floor, with the loft above adding flexible bonus space without the cost of a full second story.

Inside, the living room measures 10'7" x 18'3" and opens directly into a 7'11" x 10'6" kitchen, keeping the main living space bright and connected. The main-floor bedroom is 10'8" x 10'7", with a 4'10" x 7'6" bathroom that also functions as a laundry nook. A staircase leads up to the 130 sq ft open loft, which overlooks the living room below and works well as a home office, reading nook, or guest sleeping area. Covered porches wrap the front (21'0" x 5'10") and rear (9'4" x 5'7") for outdoor living space that doesn't count against the heated square footage.

Construction is straightforward for an owner-builder: 2x6 exterior wall framing on a pier foundation with concrete footings, suited to sloped or raised building sites. The roof carries rafter and insulation assembly options so a builder can match the approach to local climate conditions, and the exterior includes cedar tongue-and-groove rain-screen detailing for long-term weather performance. Electrical and plumbing layouts are fully drawn for the kitchen and bath, and a complete door and window schedule with installation details is included.

This plan suits first-time owner-builders looking for a manageable build, downsizers who want a real house without a large footprint, and anyone building a rental property, guest house, or accessory dwelling unit. The open loft gives it flexibility that a strict one-room cabin doesn't have, without adding the cost or complexity of a full second floor.

As with all our plans, this design is not engineer-stamped. Building codes, zoning, and foundation requirements vary widely by location, so we recommend having a licensed architect or structural engineer in your area review the plans before you apply for permits or start construction.