FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In
List

Design Ideas for Small Houses

Looking for small-house inspiration? FHB has you covered with this collection of more than two-dozen articles about well-built compact homes.

  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

What these houses lack in square footage, they make up for in both sensibility and style. A few are truly tiny houses, but most are just modest homes that have been designed to help their homeowners live well within their means. These small yet efficient homes reveal everything that there is to love about downsizing—and there’s a lot. From home plans to design inspiration and beyond, this collection of Fine Homebuilding articles is full of smart ideas to get the most out of a home.

  • Design 1
    Same Square Footage, but Bigger

    When converting this house on Martha's Vineyard from a two-family to a single-family, LDa Architecture & Interiors reworked the floor plan to make the home feel more spacious.

  • 2
    Small-Home Harmony

    Tight space restrictions, unique cultural requirements, and the desire to age in place informed this compact, efficient design.

  • Design 3
    The New Small House

    This book excerpt features 4 homes that represent essential design strategies for building comfortable small homes.

  • Design 4
    This Small House Is a Study in Efficient Design

    Architect Nir Pearlson designs an ultra-compact, sustainable home on the edge of an Oregon hamlet.

  • Design 5
    Inspiring Ideas for Small Houses

    Inspiration for small houses and great ideas for living with less square footage

  • 6
    hutchins-small-home
    5 Small Home Plans to Admire

    To help get the design of your small home right, check out these 5 small home plans to inspire the way you live.

  • 7
    Small Houses are a Big Deal

    While there are plenty of really big houses being built (do 2.54 people really need five bedrooms and over 3,000 sq. ft.?), there's no missing that small houses are a…

  • Design 8
    Little House in the City

    A compact home can feel roomy if the living space expands into the yard and the neighborhood around it.

  • Design 9
    Downsizing Below Grade

    Lanefab Design/Build’s client downsized from an adjacent 1920s main house into this 750-sq.-ft. single-bedroom abode with detached garage. Both the house and the garage were designed around a large magnolia…

  • Design 10
    Laneway House: Affordable First-Home Alternative

    A young family decides to build an architect-designed accessory dwelling unit on land owned by a relative instead of settling for a crowded condo.

  • Design 11
    Small House, Built Right

    Think $50 per square foot and $50 a month for utilities are unattainable? Government-sponsored research proves otherwise.

  • Design 12
    Downsizing From Suburbia to an Urban Bungalow

    Two sisters hire an architect to turn a dilapidated Craftsman house in the city into a cozy shared retirement home.

  • Design 13
    small home in Oregon
    Small Home in Eastern Oregon Suits Its Site

    This compact, panelized home takes its design inspiration from the vast Western landscape and local building traditions.

  • Design 14
    Bringing in the Light

    This energy-efficient bungalow makes for a cozy — and warm — retreat.

  • Design 15
    Mountaintop Treehouse

    This 440-sq.-ft. house shows that well-designed homes can be comfortable and inviting no matter what their size.

  • Design 16
    Smart Storage for Small Spaces

    Add convenience and comfort to small kitchens and baths.

  • Design 17
    Beautiful Small Bathrooms
    Beautiful Small Bathrooms

    These 5 bathrooms prove that good things do indeed come in small packages.

  • Design 18
    Compact Kitchens

    Smart design moves make these four small-house kitchens feel comfortable, not cramped.

  • Design 19
    Texas Transformation

    This small 1940s bungalow was redesigned to create an open and comfortable contemporary home.

  • Design 20
    Small-House Secrets

    This 800-sq.-ft. cottage uses 10 strategies for great comfort and style.

  • Design 21
    A Modern Modular At Home in Minneapolis

    A small house on a small lot is the right choice for a growing family.

  • Design 22
    7 Small Bathroom Layouts

    Learn some design secrets for remodeling a small bathroom floorplan layout without breaking the bank.

  • Design 23
    Live Tall on a Small Footprint

    Two projects smaller than 1500 sq. ft. illustrate how to design a comfortable home with little impact on the site.

  • Design 24
    Big Ideas for Small Houses

    Multiuse rooms, built-in furniture, and carefully orchestrated sightlines are just a few of the tools that can help you to get the most out of the space you have

  • Design 25
    Smaller House, Better Investment

    Whether you’re planning for retirement or looking to live life to the fullest right now, buying a small house might be the best way to achieve both goals

  • Design 26
    Small & Spacious

    Five ideas for making a pocket-size house feel like so much more.

Sign up for eletters today and get the latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding, plus special offers.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters
×

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

New Feature

Fine Homebuilding Forums

Ask questions, offer advice, and share your work

  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

View Comments

  1. Theresa_in_Tucson | May 22, 2020 07:34pm | #1

    Some of these houses are not what I would call "pocket sized". They might be "pocket sized" by the McMansion standard but the house I grew up in was 1700 sq ft (one addition, the original was 1300 sq ft) four bedrooms 2 1/2 baths and housed 2 adults and 8 children. A 1500 sq ft house (Small & Spacious) for one is very generous indeed.
    Theresa in Tucson

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

FHB Podcast Segment: Patching Drywall Near a Shower

Learn how to patch drywall above a fiberglass shower without totally redoing everything.

Featured Video

How to Install Cable Rail Around Wood-Post Corners

Use these tips to keep cables tight and straight for a professional-looking deck-railing job.

Related Stories

  • The Unabashed Maximalist
  • A 1980s Condo Goes Retro Vintage
  • Beat the Heat: Cool Innovations
  • Scaled to Suit the Site

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Video

View All Videos
  • FHB Podcast Segment: A Homemade Radiant Heat Floor Assembly
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Can a Pretty Good House Have a Fireplace?
  • Building a Detached Shop with Full Utilities and HVAC
  • Interior and Exterior Finishing Details for a 1950s Ranch-Style Home
View All

Architecture and Design

View All Architecture and Design Articles
  • Beat the Heat: Cool Innovations
  • Scaled to Suit the Site
  • Materials Make a Midcentury Remodel
View All Architecture and Design Articles

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2024
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers
  • Issue 327 - November 2024
    • Repairing Damaged Walls and Ceilings
    • Plumbing Protection
    • Talking Shop

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • Home Group
  • Antique Trader
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Bank Note Reporter
  • Cabin Life
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Fine Gardening
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Green Building Advisor
  • Garden Gate
  • Horticulture
  • Keep Craft Alive
  • Log Home Living
  • Military Trader/Vehicles
  • Numismatic News
  • Numismaster
  • Old Cars Weekly
  • Old House Journal
  • Period Homes
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Script
  • ShopNotes
  • Sports Collectors Digest
  • Threads
  • Timber Home Living
  • Traditional Building
  • Woodsmith
  • World Coin News
  • Writer's Digest
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

Enjoy unlimited access to Fine Homebuilding. Join Now

Already a member? Log in

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data