2024 Excellence Awards: Our Top 10 House Plans of the Year
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Our Top Ten House Plans of the Year
As we look to 2024, we anticipate lower interest rates, lower inflation, and – hopefully – a more robust home construction market. Last year, in addition to a spike in interest rates, brought many changes to the housing industry, including higher costs for labor and building supplies. This made building your dream home a little more challenging. To compensate, aspiring homeowners have been opting for smaller homes with more functionality or floor plans with larger, open spaces that were less costly to build because of their shape and design. Based on sales and social media activity, our 2024 list of top ten house plans from last year showcases a diverse range of styles and functionalities.
Our designers have answered the call for smart, stunning, affordable designs that inspire you whether you want to build your first house or a retirement home. These home plans offer smart design, efficiency, and purpose.
We could go on and on about how much we love these plans, so let’s dive right into our top 10 house plans!!
Our 2024 Winners of Top Ten House Plans at The Plan Collection
#10. — Modern Vibes in Garage Apartment — 1-Bedroom, 650 Sq Ft
Coming in at number 10 is this fabulous 1-bedroom, 2-car garage house plan. The beautiful architecture of this contemporary home allows for multiple points of surprise and efficiency. The large windows provide abundant natural light, the 2x6 framing provides greater insulation, and the sloped roof is dramatic and ideal for solar panels.
Not only is the wonderful one-bedroom home efficient, but it is also surprisingly spacious, even though only 650 square feet of living space. The open floor plan with a vaulted ceiling plus the wide deck has much to do with it. This home would be perfect as a starter house, vacation getaway, empty nester home, or guest house.
#9. — Farmhouse Ranch with Swimming Pool — 3-Bedroom, 1742 Sq Ft
This stunning modern farmhouse boasts three bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and over 1700 square feet. The charming front porch welcomes you. When you enter the home, you will be greeted by an open floor plan that includes a family room with a fireplace, a dining room, and a kitchen featuring a spacious island and pantry, simplifying meal prep. Enjoy abundant natural light and fresh air through the double French doors leading to a picturesque lanai with a grilling station. A flex space at the front of the home can be used as a study, media room, or whatever your family would like.
The primary suite features a generous walk-in closet, a stand-alone shower, and a double vanity, ensuring a luxurious retreat. The two additional bedrooms share a well-appointed hall bath. A 2-car garage adds practicality, offering ample space for parking and storage as well as a workbench. For those craving even more space, the upper level offers a bonus room, providing flexibility to tailor the home to your unique needs.
#8. — Chalet-Inspired Contemporary Small Retreat — 2-Bedroom, 1176 Sq Ft
Coming in at number 8 is this wonderful small house plan. It captures your attention with its A-shaped roof and three-sided wraparound porch. This 2-bedroom, 2-bath country home with 1176 living square feet enjoys a great room with vaulted ceilings, a center fireplace, and an eat-in bar facing the kitchen. The efficiently-designed kitchen has quick access to the pantry. To keep things tidy, a friend’s entry opens up to the mudroom The primary suite offers privacy and direct access to a bath with double sinks and an over-sized shower. Need more storage? This home also offers a spacious 14 x 17 attic.
#7. — Ranch Plan with Southern Charm — 3-Bedroom, 1817 Sq Ft
With a welcoming front porch and timeless curb appeal, you’ll be thrilled to come home every day – or never leave! When stepping into this gorgeous home, you’ll notice the expansive great room with a fireplace and a wall of windows looking out to the rear yard. The open floor plan design invites you into the large kitchen with a center island for casual meals and a more formal dining area for family dinners. What do so many love about this floor plan? The primary suite. Looking out to the backyard, the spacious primary bedroom boasts vaulted ceilings. Its spa-like bath has separate his-and-hers sink vanities, a large shower, and a soaking tub. The impressive walk-in closet means you shouldn’t run out of space any time soon.
With over 1800 square feet of living space, there is room for all in this ranch house plan. Other extras? A dedicated study/home office. A true walk-in pantry. Extra garage storage. Best of all, after a long day, unwind on your rear porch.
#6. — Luxury Home with Optional Walkout Basement — 2-4 Bedroom, 2605-5205 Sq Ft
This stunning luxury house plan makes its way to our number six spot on the list. The main level offers 2605 square feet of living space with two bedrooms, two baths, and a gorgeous open floor plan complete with a great room, an extraordinary kitchen with two islands, a dining area, a separate mudroom, and a well-sized laundry room. However, the showstopper in this home is the covered upper deck with plenty of room for an outdoor kitchen — a great place to entertain or relax and enjoy the view.
Still need more space? If the 3-car garage isn’t enough, you can finish this floor plan with a walkout basement, giving you an additional 2600 square feet of living space. That extra space includes two additional bedrooms, two additional baths, a recreation room with a wet bar, a flex space (think exercise room or home theater), a lower-level patio, and more storage. With its many windows, this would be a wonderful home for a view lot.
#5. French-Inspired Ranch — 3-Bedroom, 1382 Sq Ft
Welcome to this charming one-story home with French influences has 1382 square feet of living space and features three bedrooms, two baths, and a 2-car garage.
Once you step through the door from the lovely front porch, you’ll be greeted by a stunning open floor plan that seamlessly flows from the great room with a fireplace and a boxed ceiling to the kitchen with a pantry and a dining area.
Enjoy privacy and tranquility in your primary suite with a split bedroom layout. The primary suite boasts a boxed ceiling and a spacious ensuite featuring his and her walk-in closets, separate vanities, and a whirlpool tub/shower. The French-inspired design of the home adds a touch of elegance and sophistication, while the large windows throughout the home let in plenty of natural light, creating a warm and inviting space.
#4. — Barndominium with Oversized Garage — 3-Bedroom, 2000 Sq Ft
This gorgeous home is the first barndominium plan on our list. Coming in at 2000 square feet, this barn-inspired home offers three bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and an oversized 2-car garage, with sufficient additional space for a workshop.
Once you enter the home, you will be greeted by an open floor plan that has a great room with a fireplace, a spacious kitchen with a walk-in pantry, and sixteen-foot ceilings. The mudroom and laundry room are conveniently located between the garage and the primary suite.
The real eye-catcher in this stunning one-story house plan is the wrap-around porch. Entertain family and friends while enjoying a warm summer night, or sit around the fire pit on a cool autumn evening — endless options.
#3. — Modern Farmhouse with Bonus Room — 3-Bedroom, 1817 Sq Ft
With three bedrooms and two baths, this carefully designed modern farmhouse plan has thought of just about everything. The symmetry of this iconic style invites you to stroll up to the front porch. Stepping through the double doors leads you to a wide-open floor plan space focused initially on the great room with its vaulted ceiling, built-ins, and fireplace. The kitchen has an island, and the dining area faces the rear porch for easy outdoor entertaining.
A split-bedroom design offers privacy and a generous layout for the primary suite, with a trayed ceiling in the primary bedroom, a relaxing ensuite bath, and a generous walk-in closet. The side-entry, 2-car attached garage is smartly situated in the floor plan, offering additional privacy to the rear yard. A surprise extra is the bonus room, which can be outfitted as a fourth bedroom with a full bath.
#2. Modern Farmhouse with Split Primary Bedroom — 3-Bedroom, 1398 Sq Ft
This exquisite modern farmhouse with three bedrooms, three baths, and 1,398 square feet of living space perfectly blends contemporary design and country charm.
Once you step into the home from the lovely front porch, you’ll be greeted by a spacious great room that opens to the kitchen with a large island and plenty of seating for entertaining guests. The kitchen also offers a pantry and sliders to the rear porch.
The spacious primary suite offers an ensuite bath with a double vanity, a walk-in shower, and a stunning walk-in closet. The split bedroom layout also provides privacy from the rest of the home when you want to escape.
This home would be perfect for a corner lot with its side entry 2-car garage, which provides convenient access to the utility and mudroom areas. Overall, this modern farmhouse home offers a beautiful and functional space while still being budget-friendly, which is why this home plan tops the list at number two.
#1. — Stunning Barndominium with Wraparound Porch — 3-Bedroom, 1543 Sq Ft
For 2024, we have a new plan coming in first place! With rustic vibes on the exterior, this 3-bedroom, 1543 living square foot home opens up to a very contemporary interior. The open floor plan features a beautiful family room with built-ins and a fireplace for those chilly evenings, a huge kitchen with a center island, and a dining room with French doors to the gorgeous veranda - perfect for entertaining!
The primary suite boasts a walk-in closet plus an additional closet and access to the private patio at the back of the house. A wonderfully appointed ensuite with double vanities and a walk-in shower with a bench complete the primary suite.
Off of the main living area is the mudroom with laundry and extra storage space. This area can also be accessed via the 2-car garage or the friend’s entry.
Overall, this barndominium is a beautiful and functional space while still being budget-friendly, which is why this house plan tops the list at number one.
Browse Other Popular Home Designs & Find One That’s Right for You
Smaller square footage and smart, efficient design were the top features in 2023. With rising interest rates and inflation, many homeowners chose these designs because they are typically more affordable to build with fewer corners and less ornate designs. Additionally, these plans have higher energy efficiency and lower maintenance costs.
Design-wise - Open floor plans and primary suites on the main floor continued to be top features in 2023. Natural light is an essential feature in any home, making large windows and well-placed windows both design elements buyers want.
The style of your future home can be very specific or a blend of multiple aesthetics. Unique features and customizations, such as the addition of technology or eco-friendly enhancements, are options to consider. You may already know the approximate number of bedrooms and the ideal number of bathrooms you want, but looking at house plans can help you further identify your needs and wants – and what best suits your lifestyle. Please continue your search for a home in 2024 using our advanced house plan finder.
