While the average new home has gotten 24% larger over the last decade or so, lot sizes have been reduced by 10%. Americans continue to want large, luxurious interior spaces; however, the trade-off seems to be, at least in some instances, a smaller property lot. The answer is that narrow lot house plans are slender home designs built up rather than out to fit a slim lot size. Their width varies, but most narrow lot house plans reach a limit of 50 feet or less in width. Many of our collection's narrow lot floor plans measure no more than 50 feet in width and can be built just about anywhere, given the appropriate lot size.
Home plans for narrow lots are sometimes known as shotgun houses due to their straight path from the front entry to the back door, thus theoretically allowing a bullet to pass straight through without hitting any rooms. Though slim, narrow home plans maximize all the living spaces within the home without compromising desirable home features. Many of our shotgun house plans include the primary bedroom on the main floor, an open floor plan, and an additional dedicated space such as a loft or a study.
Building up and not out is the most obvious solution when constructing a home on a narrow property lot. These slim, narrow plans maximize space in creative and imaginative ways with varying height and width dimensions. Whether a one, two, or even a three-story house design, these quality homes feature modern amenities without sacrificing space or lifestyle choices. Typically, porches, balconies, and other outdoor spaces can be incorporated into the plans along with a garage, whether a rear-loading design, courtyard entry, or even a front-entry garage. An adequately designed narrow lot house plan functions as any other home, perhaps, even more so as a purposeful solution to challenging living spaces and modest property lots.
Although smaller in width, these beautiful home designs pack a big punch in terms of living space, storage space, and room design with great style and functionality.
There is no compromising or sacrifice regarding modern amenities, interior living space, or everyday conveniences homeowners have come to expect. The square foot range in our narrow house plans begins at 414 square feet and culminates at 5,764 square feet of living space, with the large majority falling into the 1,800 - 2,000 square footage range.
Enjoy browsing our selection of narrow lot house plans, emphasizing high-quality architectural designs drawn in unique and innovative ways.
The definition of what’s considered a “narrow low” differs slightly from region to region, but in general, a narrow home lot ranges between 40-50 feet wide.
As stated above, there’s not 100% agreement on the exact width of a narrow lot, but the acceptable range is between 40-50 feet wide. Check local lot sizes before looking at shotgun house plans to ensure you’re looking at the correct width from the beginning.
Just because you're living on a narrow lot doesn't mean you need to live in a tiny home (although that is an option). If you want to build a luxurious house on a narrow lot, consider these factors. Build vertically. It's time to build up when you can't build out. Narrow lot house plans can have three stories, allowing you to fit numerous bedrooms, bathrooms, and ample living space. You can even set your garage as the ground floor and have a drive-under garage eliminating the daily search for street parking in a busy city. Leverage open-concept layouts. While walls may not be much of a consideration in larger homes, in shotgun-style houses, walls constrict the size of the home. Opening up spaces as possible gives the appearance of a much larger space since all rooms flow into each other. Keep ceilings high. Much like removing walls, high ceilings give the illusion of additional horizontal space and will make a smallthat'sseem much larger than it is. Use natural lighting. Sunshine lights up a room better than any lamp or light fixture ever can. Large windows will let that natural light reach the home, better lighting it and making it feel homier.
It depends. If you’re building small narrow lot house plans, then, yes, it’s typically cheaper to build a smaller narrow lot home. However, suppose you’re planning on building a standard size home or even a luxury narrow lot house plan. In that case, the cost to build a home like this will cost just the same as any other home since the labor and materials will all be the same; you construct up instead of out.
Narrow Lot house plans are available in a variety of styles and layouts. Popular styles like Craftsman, Victorian, Modern, European, and Modern Farmhouses provide a little something for everyone and any neighborhood!
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