Florida
HOUSE PLANS

No longer unique to the state of Florida, our collection of Florida house plans spans a range of sizes and styles. This collection represents all the best of the Spanish and Mediterranean styles of architecture, along with other popular designs featured in warmer waterfront climates, including stilted house plans, coastal house plans, and modern house plans. Florida house plans are designed to stay cool during the day and are - for the most part - built on a slab or stilted foundation. Features of this style of a house plan may include: 

• Open living areas. Florida house plans often include an open living space. Most of these house plans feature an open living space consisting of a large kitchen, dining area, and living space.
• Courtyards, porches, or terraces. Many Florida house plans feature outdoor living spaces, which in warmer climates, may be utilized for entertaining or enjoying the outdoors for a large portion of the year.
• Primary bedroom on the main floor. Mainly, these house plans are designed as one-story houses, with all the rooms on one floor. This provides the convenience of having a main suite on the house's first floor.

Please search through our Florida house plans and discover why these popular plans are feasible to build in any part of the country!

What is a Florida House plan?

Florida house plans are designed specifically for Florida's humid, hot climate. These plans feature a combination of traditional elements found in Mediterranean and Spanish design, such as large porches and balconies, and modern features, such as open floor plans, high ceilings, and many windows.

Florida-style house plans typically include materials like wood, stone, stucco, metal roofing, and other materials that help keep the home cool in the hot summer. With their unique designs and features, Florida house plans provide a beautiful, comfortable, and stylish living space.

What are Florida-style homes called?

Florida-style homes are also called "cracker homes," a style of architecture that originated in the 1800s and is still popular today. These homes feature simple, rectangular designs with large porches and windows that let in plenty of natural light. The low-pitched roofs are designed to withstand the harsh weather conditions of Florida during hurricane season, while the straight central hallways that run from the front to the back of the home provide the best possible airflow throughout the house.

Florida cracker house plans typically include two or three bedrooms and one or two bathrooms. They also often feature a living room, dining room, kitchen, and laundry area. Many Florida cracker homes also have an outdoor space, such as a patio or porch, where you can relax and enjoy the outdoors. Using natural materials like wood and stone gives these homes an authentic look unique to this type of home.

What are the characteristics of Florida house styles?

Florida house styles are a unique blend of traditional and modern design elements. Characterized by open floor plans, high ceilings, and plenty of windows to let in natural light, Florida-style house plans are designed to take advantage of the warm climate and beautiful views. In addition, these homes typically feature large outdoor living spaces like porches and lanais and expansive kitchens with islands for entertaining.

In addition, Florida home plans often include split-bedroom layouts that provide privacy for family members. With their modern amenities and classic charm, Florida house plans offer a perfect combination of style and comfort.

What is Florida's architectural style?

Florida architectural style is a house plan designed to take advantage of the Florida climate and environment. It typically features open floor plans, large windows, and outdoor living areas. Bright colors, comfortable furnishings, and a relaxed atmosphere often characterize Florida-style house plans. They also tend to have low-pitched roofs and wide eaves that protect from the sun's heat during summer. Additionally, they often incorporate traditional Spanish colonial architecture elements, such as arched doorways and balconies.

Why are Florida houses level?

Florida houses are level due to the local geography. The flat terrain of Florida makes it easier to build a level house, unlike other states with more hilly terrain. Additionally, the high humidity and frequent rains in Florida make it difficult for homes built on sloped ground to remain stable over time. With a level house, the risk of structural damage due to water accumulation is minimized.

What is a Florida cracker house?

A Florida cracker house is a type of home traditionally built in Florida during the 19th century. It is characterized by its open and airy design, wide porches, and high ceilings. The house style is trendy in Florida, where it has been preserved as an architectural style.

The traditional Florida cracker house plan typically features a wrap-around porch, wood siding, and a metal roof. It also often includes an open-air sleeping porch on the second floor which could be used when temperatures were too hot inside. Other features include shutters to keep out insects and large windows to allow for natural ventilation. The plans for these houses can still be found today and are often sought after by those looking to build their version of this classic home.

Why do Florida homes have stucco walls and textured ceilings?

Florida homes are known for their stucco walls and textured ceilings because stucco is a durable material that can withstand Florida's humid climate and provides an extra layer of protection from moisture and insects. It also offers a unique texture to the walls, which, in past trends, has been a popular design choice that was thought to make the walls and ceilings look more attractive.