2-Story House Plans

Is the lot you own narrow? Then perhaps a 2-story house plan is what you may be interested in. Ranch-style homes are usually single-story. Their two-storied alternatives offer many significant advantages by not requiring a lot the size of Texas.

Some people may be comfortable living on 800 to 1400 square feet. Bigger homes between 1,500 and 3,000 square feet may often need to be built using two or 3 stories.

2-story homes are perhaps the most popular category available on this website. Still, there are a bunch of other features that people ask for as well:

If built right, two-story homes can offer great curb appeal. You can conveniently place the master suite on the upper level to get a bit more privacy. Are you foreseeing your Mother-in-law moving into your home shortly? You may want to consider one of the other options. Make sure there’s a bedroom placed on the ground floor to avoid having to climb stairs.

You’ll find the many different options we have here on this page. Suppose you can’t find exactly the one you were hoping for. You can always contact a support representative to hear what it would take to customize the house plans your need. That way, you can make the master suite a little bigger on the second floor.

Who is it for?

• Investors
• Homeowners that want more space
• Growing families

Lofts

Are you looking for options with lofts? Well, you’ve come to the right place.

A loft apartment is a cool addition to a home’s top floor. You can usually look down at the other floors. It’s a common place to put all the things you may not want to have in your living room.

Many families across the country have kids that love the space. It’s a space they can retreat to without necessarily locking themselves in their rooms. They can feel like they’re entirely secluded from the rest of the family.

While attics are nice, they do not create the same feeling as a loft. You don’t just tell your kids to play in the attic. The attic will take up the entire upper floor and not provide the same feeling as a loft. Having one side open to the floor below makes it seem more accessible.

Suppose you want somewhere to work quietly without finishing an entirely new room. In that case, the loft may be the place to do it.

Either way, we hope you’re going to find what it is you’ve been looking for on this page. Find the peace you’ve been looking for in this house style.

Dutch Colonial (Gambrel Roof Barn)

The Dutch Colonial options are very distinctive with their gambrel roofs. For that reason, they keep being a popular style that suits the needs of many families. The Dutch settlers originally brought over this style in starch contract to those brought over by the Spaniards.

The Dutch Colonial version is most popular around New England and New York. The Cape Cod houses are popular there too. In addition to their gambrel roofs, they also stand out due to their flared eaves. While they have come to exist later in history, there are now two-story versions. The original ones were either single-level or 1.5-storied.

They have their charm with a different sort of humility than modern, mid-century homes do.

You should not be surprised to see a combination of clapboard siding or brick being the most common exterior material. This home has advantages over homes with steeper roofs. The flatter roof means that the top floor becomes significantly more livable. It can have important tax benefits that two-story homes do not.

Cottages

Unlike mansions, cottages have a reputation for being smaller than your normal size home. You may still be able to find ones that aren’t. It isn’t uncommon to find 800 sq feet or upwards of 1,400 square feet designs in this category.

They’re made to have a picturesque charm. You could easily imagine them standing in the middle of the forest. Some people choose to use them mainly as beach abodes. They also make great additions next to the lake if your ambition isn’t to put up a 6 bedroom place. Opposite of the modern-style homes, cottages have a more historic charm. They are more modest and rural feel in the way they feel. They were originally a two-story creation. The term has significantly denoted a classic, rural building. When people refer to either cabins or chalets, they usually mean buildings that could also be called cottages.

These suburban or country dwellings are referred to as summer residences in various dictionaries. They have usually been used as secondary houses for a retreat. They have been less common as primary residences. Browsing this page, you will find cottage-styled ones of various sizes to fit the needs you desire.

Suppose you want something with the same elements while being slightly bigger. In that case, we encourage you to visit our page with Mediterranean homes.

Pole Barns

Pole barn designs come in many different concepts. It is very common to have 2 stories in them. You may also find single-story options.

They’re frequently open-floor, and this concept allows the space to seem very inviting and timeless. Barns are traditionally rectangular. Many may resemble Dutch Colonial homes because of the roofs’ shapes.

Whether you want a loft or a massive garage, you can use the filters to narrow down your search to get specific results. They are also available with beautiful posts & beams to catch that rustic feel you may want.

Traditional pole barns do not have foundations. A lot of homes featured on our site do. Their gambrel roofs and barn doors can get you back to those simpler times. They’ll remind you what it was like growing up in a rural setting.

Modern farmhouses do have a lot of functionalities that were probably not available in the home you grew up in.

Some of these plans have stalls available to have animals in. A lot of the homes get inspiration from the pole barn style. The homes have nothing in common with French country ones, even if they’re associated with the countryside.

Benefits of Two Stories

There are many benefits you can get from choosing a 2-story design. You can achieve this by building several stories tall by getting square footage. If you only have a plot of a limited size, your choices are often limited. The solution is sometimes building towards the sky.

If you have guests, the style can be good to have the master suite away from the entertainment area. Still, it can also be beneficial for kids. Having their bedrooms on the upstairs floor will allow them to play when they no longer wish to be part of the party. It will also be easier to put them to sleep while ensuring that they’re not disturbed by the sound on the ground floor. Noise coming from the living room can disturb kids trying to sleep.

It is often a consideration whether families should build one or 2-story homes. They are very popular in areas where the price of land is sky-high.

The style is not especially convenient for people who dislike stairs or people with limited mobility. Many families love this option as they’re cheaper to build per square foot. Roof installation and the installation of a foundation are elements that will quickly drive up the price. Relative to its square footage, you will need less of each material for this design.

If you live in an area with severe changes in weather, you’ll also like this option and its improved fuel efficiency. With a structure closer to a rectangular one, there will be less surface area through which heat escapes. A smaller amount of exposed wall will mean a lower HVAC bill.

Benefits:

• Privacy with upstairs bedrooms
• Maximizes views
• Allows for additional square footage on a small lot
• Opportunity for a second-floor master suite

Cons:

• Requires more energy to heat and cool
• More expensive to build than a 1-story
• Not great for people with mobility issues

Do you want 3, 4 or 5 bedrooms?

Our most common options on this platform include homes with either 3 or 4 bedrooms. You can also find a lot of 5 bedroom designs that are two stories tall. These designs suit the most average families. They’re also the ones we go above and beyond to source from architects. If you have a specific feature you want for a two-story home, reach out to use it.

You can get homes with several floors in them that have more or fewer bedrooms than that. Families usually like to take advantage of the additional floors to have enough rooms. It will ensure they can get all the storage space they need.

When getting a 2-story home, the advantage you have is that you can place bedrooms upstairs. It gives you a lot more privacy by ensuring that no one can peek in through the windows. If you are building to retire in it, it may even by that you want to place the bedrooms on the ground floor. House plans with ground-floor master suites could be the most appealing to you!

Features to include:

• Adequate storage
• Spacious second-floor master with private bathroom
• Functional kitchen

Getting an L-shaped style

L-shaped homes are popular. It is one of our fastest-growing categories on Passion Plans. It is also important to show off the specific options covering that individual style. Two-story homes are great since you can have a big driveway in front of a massive garage. If you have kids or like to play basketball, it is easiest to place a basketball hoop. Enjoy some outdoor activity without leaving the comfort of your home!

Do you want specific features for the master suite?

You may have kids that will also be living with you. Chances are you have very specific wishes regarding the master suite that is attached to the home. No matter what house style you’re going for, the master suite is your place to retreat to. Do you want to make sure the bathroom has a certain size or that your bedroom does? Are you more specific in its placement? Now is the time to think about these things to ensure you don’t make the wrong decision.

Do you want something small or something big?

You will also have to consider the sheer size of the place that you are building. Bigger places will naturally require more maintenance. They may also provide you the space that you don’t currently have.

The biggest dream in your current apartment may be to have more space. When you are building towards the sky, you add a lot of sizes unless you find a design with a narrow base. Suppose you don’t choose a small home.

You will quickly find yourself adding a lot of square footage as you build up. Some of our smallest options in the single-story category range from 800 to 1,000 square feet. In contrast, our more common designs start around 1,500 square feet for two-story houses.

Mistakes to avoid:

• Not thinking about light
• Underestimating the cost
• Overlooking the need for outdoor space
• Not considering accessibility

Do you want a modern option with a flat roof?

Even if you want to have several floors, you still have to choose the style you are going with. We have many options that include very modern homes. Some of them have flat roofs installed on them. However, we also have many designs that use the typical designs of your average country house.

The extent to which you choose a more contemporary style instead of a classic look is entirely up to you.

2-story designs allow your family a lot of flexibility. It also allows you to grow your family if you have enough room. Are you building for a specific purpose? An in-law suite is maybe something to consider. Here are some additional factors to consider.

Do you also want a basement or a garage?

Suppose you are building a small 24 by 30 feet blueprint. In that case, you may find yourself in a situation where you could use additional storage space. It is often the case if you’re building a smaller design. There are also people with bigger designs who love having a massive basement. A double garage is a great feature in your new house! The choice is really up to you.

We hope to assist in making your dream come true, whether you are building something small or large.

Suppose you are an architect who has already made a bunch of options that would fit this category. We invite you to reach out to feature your two-story house plans here.

What are some of the other options that you guys offer on here?

The 2-story options you are currently considering are very popular. It’s no wonder given their many benefits! Still, you may also be interested in browsing other options. The good news is that we have anything from small homes to massive mansions. We make sure there is something that fits anyone’s budget. We don’t simply want to become a platform that caters to one market segment. We want to offer something that can benefit many different families no matter what your needs are.

You can browse the 2-story options on this page. We have pages specific to many other categories that you might want to look at.

What should you be looking for?

It’s not a small decision that you’re standing in front of.

You’re currently in the process of choosing where you may be living for many years to come. It may seem incomprehensible for some people. It may even be the house you choose to retire in. You must sit down and ensure you build the home you want to build.

What will you need in a place you’ll be living in for many years to come? What are your requirements for the bathrooms and the bedroom? Families believe that certain needs may be enough for them.

Before they know it, they wish they had chosen a design that includes an additional bedroom. It will mean it’s an easier time having guests over. It could also be that an additional bedroom is needed because the family is growing. Sometimes babies show up unannounced! Having an additional bedroom might still come in extremely handy.

We encourage you to understand the needs you have with your lifestyle thoroughly. Your lifestyle is important to consider before you choose a house design.

Suppose you live far away from anything else, but you like having guests over frequently. Your house must accommodate guests by having the necessary amount of rooms. Suppose you already know that you are only planning on staying in for a couple of years. The chances of your needs changing are a lot smaller. A design may be perfect for you for the next 5 years. It may not necessarily be the home you want to retire in.

Various considerations need to be considered if you build your 2-story retirement home. It can be a good idea to think about accessibility.

Suppose you are rather trying to live a bachelor’s life. You might want other amenities for that. If you have the property to do so, you might include aspects such as your private bar. An extensive entertainment area is also appealing! Do you want to go above and beyond? There are designs on our platform that include their very own bowling alley.

Suppose you haven’t already bought the plot you are planning on building on. Your design choice may influence the piece of land you are getting. The most common scenario is that homeowners come to our website when they already have a lot. At this point, you will need to make sure the home you’re choosing can work with the plot you bought. It is possible to have the plans altered. Some plots will not work with some of the houses plans available here, caused by their limitations. A big, expansive option won’t work if you build on a relatively narrow lot. We can help you by making certain changes to the homes. Still, we aren’t capable of magically making your plot of land bigger.

2-story designs have so many options. Whether you have a growing family or not. It’s so important you find the style that fits your family’s needs!

Other considerations

Are the 2-story houses on this site right for you and your family? These are some things that we will be talking about in this section. There is a very short answer to this question. The reality is that it is a more complicated question to answer.

Are you living in an area with very strict building limitations? You must reach out to your local building department to ensure the plans you want to live up to local requirements.

There aren’t usually limitations for simple structures like a 2-story option. Some of the more unique designs may have reasons you would have difficulty getting a building permit. These considerations are usually more relevant when building in very exclusive communities.

We previously heard examples of communities with requirements for the size of the houses built. The community had a requirement only to allow the construction of homes above a certain size.