If you love the soul of a classic cottage but want the ease of a modern, efficient layout, this 1-bedroom cottage plan (716 sq. ft.) hits the sweet spot. It delivers a bright vaulted great room, seamless indoor-outdoor living with front and rear porches (381 sq. ft. total), and an attached 1-car garage with workshop area (418 sq. ft.)—all on one level. The result is a cozy, low-maintenance home that lives bigger than its numbers and adapts beautifully as a primary residence, downsized retreat, guest house, or high-appeal rental.
Plan Snapshot
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Total Heated Area: 716 sq. ft. (single story)
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Bedrooms / Baths: 1 bed, 1 full bath
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Porches: Front 176 sq. ft., Rear 205 sq. ft. (total 381 sq. ft.)
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Garage: Attached, 418 sq. ft., front entry (fits one car + tools)
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Overall Dimensions: 42′ W × 43′ D; Max Ridge Height: 18′-2″
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Ceiling Heights: 9′ throughout interior; vaulted ceilings in the great room create extra volume
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Roof Pitches: Primary 6:12; Secondary 3:12 (clean, economical lines)
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Framing / Structure: Stick-framed; 2×4 exterior walls (optional 2×6 upgrade for colder climates or energy goals)
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Foundations: Crawl, monolithic slab, or standard slab (choose to match soil/site and budget)
Exterior Character & Curb Appeal
The architecture blends Cottage and Farmhouse influences: a welcoming front porch, simple gable forms, and generous windows that bathe interiors in light. The front porch (176 sq. ft.) is wide enough for rocking chairs and planters, while the rear porch (205 sq. ft.) sets the stage for alfresco dinners or quiet morning coffee. Trim the home in crisp white, soft grays, or warm taupe; add standing-seam accents or composite shingles—this envelope is a flexible canvas for your style and climate.
A Bright, Vaulted Core
Step inside to the star of the plan: a vaulted living/dining/kitchen zone that instantly feels open and airy. The vaulted ceiling pulls your eye up; light pours in from multiple directions; and traffic flows naturally from seating to dining to prep. The kitchen uses a smart, efficient footprint—room for full-size appliances, a sensible run of base/upper cabinets, and either a peninsula or compact island for prep, serving, and casual seating. The 9′ wall height keeps cabinetry full-height, and the vault adds drama without adding square footage.
Primary Suite with Everyday Convenience
The master suite sits on the main level for true one-story living. It’s sized for a queen or king bed with space for nightstands and a dresser, and the closet can be configured with a standard rod-and-shelf system or modular organizers for maximum capacity. A standout functional detail: direct laundry access from the master suite (and on the main level), so linens, daily wear, and wash-day routines stay convenient. The bathroom offers a full-size vanity, tub/shower, and linen storage—organized, bright, and easy to keep.
Attached Garage + Workshop Potential
Unlike many small cottages, this plan includes an attached 1-car garage (approx. 418 sq. ft.) with front entry. It’s wide enough to park and still carve out a workbench or hobby corner—think bike tuning, woodworking, potting bench, or seasonal storage. With tools and totes living in the garage, the house stays uncluttered and serene. If you don’t need a car bay, the garage converts nicely into a fitness studio, art space, or climate-controlled storage with minimal changes.
Indoor-Outdoor Living That Expands the Footprint
Small homes become spectacular when the porches become rooms. The front porch creates a gracious arrival and a social edge to the street; the rear porch functions as a second living room—shade in summer, shelter in shoulder seasons, and the perfect site for a grill station or café table. Add screening on the back porch in buggy climates or a fireplace/heater for chilly evenings; your 716-sq-ft cottage will live like a much larger home.
Buildability, Performance & Options
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Foundations: A slab is often the most economical and pairs well with radiant heat; a crawl simplifies mechanical runs and future access; a basement (where soil/elevation allow) adds storage or flexible space but raises cost.
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Walls & Insulation: The base plan’s 2×4 exterior walls meet code in many regions; upgrading to 2×6 boosts R-value, helps with blower-door results, and increases comfort in extreme climates.
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Roof & Structure: Straightforward stick framing keeps labor predictable and supports value engineering. The 6:12 primary pitch balances weather performance and material efficiency.
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Energy Upgrades: Consider a high-SEER heat pump, low-U windows, air-sealing, and a small PV array; on a compact home, these steps can dramatically shrink operating costs.
Who This Plan Fits
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Couples, singles, or retirees wanting single-level living without stairs.
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Downsizers who prefer a curated lifestyle over square footage.
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Guest-house or ADU builders seeking rental appeal: vaulted living, porches, and a garage check all the boxes.
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Weekend/vacation homeowners who want lock-and-leave simplicity and low maintenance.
Estimated U.S. Construction Costs (2025)
Costs vary by region, labor market, site conditions, and finish level. To give you a reliable budgeting window, the totals below separate the heated area, garage, and porches, then combine them for full-project ranges.
1) Heated Living Area – 716 sq. ft.
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Basic finishes ($150–$170/sq. ft.) → $107,400 – $121,720
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Mid-range finishes ($180–$220/sq. ft.) → $128,880 – $157,520
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High-end finishes ($230–$270/sq. ft.) → $164,680 – $193,320
2) Attached Garage – 418 sq. ft. (unheated)
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Typical range ($60–$90/sq. ft.) → $25,080 – $37,620
3) Porches – 381 sq. ft. total (front 176 + rear 205)
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Covered porch range ($50–$80/sq. ft.) → $19,050 – $30,480
👉 Total Estimated Build Cost (USA)
(Heated area + Garage + Porches)
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Low (basic throughout): ≈ $151,530
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Mid (mix of standard & some upgrades): ≈ $173,010 – $225,620
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High (premium finishes/upgrades): ≈ $208,810 – $261,420
Notes that affect budget:
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Region: Coastal CA/NY and mountain resort markets can be 20–40% higher; much of the South/Midwest comes in lower.
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Foundation: Upgrading from slab/crawl to a basement commonly adds $25K–$60K, depending on excavation, soils, and egress.
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Envelope upgrades: Moving from 2×4 to 2×6 walls, triple-pane windows, or designer cladding adds upfront cost but lowers operating expenses and boosts comfort/value.
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Porch enhancements: Screening, outdoor fireplaces/heaters, and composite decking increase the porch line item but meaningfully extend usable seasons.
Why This Cottage Works
This plan is a masterclass in right-sizing: a vaulted heart, everyday convenience (main-level laundry with master access), space-smart kitchen, and porches that act like bonus rooms. The attached garage/workshop keeps life organized and hobbies close by, while the simple rooflines and stick framing help control build complexity. You get character, comfort, and flexibility—without the overhead of a large home.
