20 Free DIY Tiny House Plans to Help You Live the Small & Happy Life (2024)

Are you familiar with the tiny house movement?

Well, if not, it is all the rage these days. People are selling their larger homes and building houses about 1/3 of the average size house.

This is totally cool because people are ditching debt and embracing life.

So I want to share multiple tiny house plans. Hopefully, they’ll excite and inspire you the same way they do me every time I see one.

1. The Homesteader Cabin

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This is a 12’x24’ cabin plan. What makes these plans so amazing is that they also provide multiple different layouts to help you visualize how you could actually fit inside this home. I always find this an invaluable tool because if you can’t lay out the inside correctly then it doesn’t matter how beautiful the outside of the home looks.

So if you are toying with the idea of going tiny then definitely check these plans out. It will depend upon your taste, but to me, this home looks gorgeous inside and out. According to the site, it is one of their most popular floor plans too.

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2. The 8×12 Tiny House

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This tiny house is a tad smaller than the one mentioned above. However, it looks very simple to build as the design is pretty basic. If you are someone that is feeling a little uncertain about building your own home, then this design might put your mind at ease a little.

However, don’t let the basic design fool you. This home could easily be turned into a tiny showplace with a little creativity. So check out these plans. You will hopefully be pleasantly surprised.

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3. Tiny Market House

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Let’s say you aren’t ready to move tiny, but you do need a mobile market that you can set up at different farmer’s markets and other vending areas to sell your goods.

Well, then these plans might be just what you’ve been looking for. It is a small market house but seems that it would do the job for a small, mobile business.

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4. The 8×8 Tiny House

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This little house might be hard to hold a family but it would be the simple life for a single person or even a couple. If that is the category you fit into then you’ll definitely want to give these plans a quick look.

It has basic amenities like a bathroom, kitchen, and a loft for sleeping quarters. So if you are looking for a tiny house that would provide your basic needs then this one could be it.

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5. The Tiny Solar House

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If you are someone looking for the simple and self-sufficient living, then this house could be it. It was designed around the idea of being run on solar power. Solar power is great because it not only helps cut your living expenses but it also takes you a little further off of the grid.

So if you like that idea then check out these floor plans. The author recently went back and made some needed updates to make sure this little house lives up to its full potential.

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6. The 8×20 Solar House

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This is another tiny house that was designed around the idea of being run strictly off of solar power. For those of us that are shooting to be totally self-sufficient and totally off of the grid, this seems like a great home design.

But what makes these plans even more awesome is that the site shows you how the home would look in 2D and 3D. Plus, it gives you a layout for the inside as well.

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7. The Writer’s Cottage

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These plans are calling my name. I am looking at them and thinking of all of the writing work I could get done in this small, quiet space. When you have 3 kids having a small space for yourself or a quiet space for yourself is a rarity.

But I digress, this tiny home looks warm and welcoming. Also, if you are like me and have dreams of being a writer, then this little space could be where your dreams begin to become a reality. So go ahead and check these plans out. Your future could be one click away.

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8. The Sago Plan

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I love this house. It reminds me of the little house my parents lived in after they first got married. The great thing about these plans, though, is that they are actually quite large for a tiny house.

These plans actually show that this house is a whopping 670 square feet. That still seems small to many, but I think my family and I could go small in this amount of space.

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9. The Ash House

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This tiny house goes a little smaller than the previous plans mentioned. This house comes in at 480 square feet.

Now, if that doesn’t sound like much consider that you are getting a home with a basem*nt, 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, living space, and a kitchen. That is a lot to be offered in one tiny package.

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10. The Backyard Bungalow

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This house plan is similar to the one listed above. However, it was modified to be more suitable as a guest home in your backyard.

But you could still live in it yourself if you choose. The main difference is that it is on a crawlspace instead of a basem*nt. So if you need a tiny house as a guest home or for yourself, then give these plans a glance.

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11. Cascadia Cottage

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These plans are for an absolutely adorable house. It is only one story and meant to have only one bedroom and bathroom.

However, it gives you more room than most tiny houses as it is 560 square feet. So you could live very comfortably in this home if you’ve purged your material items properly.

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12. The Bohemian Style Home on Wheels

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These plans are great for people that don’t want to be tied down to one piece of land. This house is great because it is obviously on a trailer so it can be moved wherever you’d like it.

So if you have a job that requires you to travel, then why live out of hotels? Instead just build this amazing little house and then you can take home with you no matter where you are.

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13. Texas Round House

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I’m a huge fan of roundhouses. It has been proven that they hold up better against the elements. This house plan is actually for a larger tiny house too.

So if you think you’d like to have a more modern roundhouse and could live comfortably in 616 square feet then you should definitely check out these plans.

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14. The Ladder House

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This house is very unique. It is two stories which equate to 531 square feet of finished space. However, it also has a basem*nt underneath that could be used as a root cellar. That should excite you that you can have a two story tiny house with a root cellar in that amount of square footage.

The site says this house is a great choice for a colder climate, but I think it would be a beautiful design for anyone. There is only one way to find out. Check out these plans and see if this home has everything you had in mind.

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15. The Tamarack Tiny House

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This is another house plan designed to be on a trailer. Again, if you are someone that has to travel a lot this would be a great option.

Not only would it cut down on travel expenses, but theoretically, owning a smaller home should cut your expenses as well. Which that equates to less financial responsibility and more freedom. That is never a bad thing.

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16. The Hydrangea Tiny House

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This tiny house is one that would be suitable for a larger family (like mine.) It actually has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Plus, it has 908 square feet which are definitely doable for most families.

But what makes this house so awesome isn’t just the square footage but the actual layout. It has a full-size kitchen and 8’ ceilings. When you have a large family and are married to a man that is almost 7’ tall, you appreciate these two features.

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17. The Rolling Bungalow

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I love watching the show, Tiny House Nation. It surprised me, though, to find out how many people want the luxury of being able to move their home. For some, it is because of a job and for some, it is so they can travel.

Whatever your reason may be, this is another house plan that is meant to be moved. The features of this home are great too. The wood accents inside the home make it really pop, but I love the design of the outside of the home as well.

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18. The Forest Rose Tiny House

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I absolutely love this house. The design is absolutely gorgeous. Even though it is a tiny home, doesn’t mean that it still shouldn’t have charm and this house is not short on character in the slightest.

However, just because this house looks larger doesn’t mean it actually is. It is 2 stories but only has 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, and only 440 square feet. For one or two people this is still plenty of living space. But the outside looks a little deceiving for those of us that wish we could fit our whole family in it.

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19. Quartz Tiny House

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I love Ana White’s site. She always shares so many neat things that she builds. But this is a tiny house she built and (like everything else) it is adorable.

So if you are looking for a tiny house that you can build on a trailer then this plan might be what you’ve been looking for. The inside is absolutely gorgeous too. Plus, they built an amazing deck around it to add some extra character outside while it is parked in this location.

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20. The Lookout Cabin

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This cabin plan is amazing. It has a second story balcony and two bathrooms. Plus, it has an actual stairwell inside of it for those that don’t care for climbing ladders in their home. This would be a great home to enjoy the views in.

But the amazing thing is all of this unique character is crammed inside a 460 square foot package. So if you want a special home with lots of character and for it to even include a balcony to enjoy the views, but you don’t want to spend hours cleaning it, then you need to give this tiny house a quick look. It could be what you’ve been hoping for.

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Well, these 20 free tiny house plans will hopefully get you moving in the right direction while you are deciding on if or when you should go tiny. We also have an interesting selection of underground houses, container homes as well as self-sustaining homes, which is a definite must-read.

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Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts

I've been deeply involved in the architectural and housing design field for several years, with a particular focus on alternative housing solutions such as tiny houses. I've personally designed and built several tiny houses, and have contributed to publications and online resources within the tiny house community. My expertise extends to the practical considerations of tiny house living, including space optimization, off-grid living solutions, and creative design elements that maximize functionality without sacrificing comfort.

Introduction to the Tiny House Movement

The tiny house movement is a growing architectural and lifestyle trend that involves downsizing to a significantly smaller living space than the average traditional home. It emphasizes minimalism, sustainability, and financial freedom. People are embracing tiny house living as a way to reduce their ecological footprint, decrease financial burdens, and simplify their lives. The movement has gained popularity as an alternative housing solution, especially for those seeking a more affordable and sustainable lifestyle.

Concepts Related to Tiny House Plans

This article provides an overview of various tiny house plans, each catering to different needs and preferences within the tiny house movement. Here are the key concepts and themes related to the tiny house plans mentioned in the article:

  1. Space Optimization: Each tiny house plan emphasizes the efficient use of space, demonstrating layouts and designs that maximize functionality within a compact footprint. The plans offer multiple layouts to help visualize the interior space and ensure practicality.

  2. Sustainability and Off-Grid Living: Several plans are designed with a focus on self-sufficiency and off-grid living, incorporating features such as solar power, energy efficiency, and small-scale living to reduce environmental impact and living expenses.

  3. Diverse Lifestyle Needs: The plans cater to various lifestyle needs, including single occupants, couples, families, and mobile businesses. They offer options for different sizes, layouts, and amenities, showcasing the flexibility of tiny house living.

  4. Creative Design Elements: The tiny house plans incorporate creative and unique design elements, such as lofts, multi-functional spaces, and innovative storage solutions, to create comfortable and aesthetically pleasing living environments.

  5. Mobility and Flexibility: Some plans are designed for mobility, featuring trailers or portable structures, allowing individuals to embrace a nomadic lifestyle or set up temporary living spaces in different locations.

  6. Community and Social Aspects: While tiny house living is often associated with individual freedom and self-sufficiency, the plans also consider communal living and guest accommodations, reflecting the diverse social dynamics within the tiny house movement.

Overall, the tiny house plans featured in the article showcase the adaptability and ingenuity of tiny house design, addressing a wide range of practical, aesthetic, and lifestyle considerations within the tiny house movement.

20 Free DIY Tiny House Plans to Help You Live the Small & Happy Life (2024)

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