The 1 - 1/2 story 20'x 30' Cottage


classic 1 1/2 story cottage plans This plan set has a 20' x 30' footprint with a large open loft upstairs. It uses a balloon framed 10' sidewall to to get more usable space under the steep roof above. There are three different foundation types in the plans: concrete crawlspace, slab on grade (2 versions for different climates) and a post and pier foundation. You choose the one you want to build. If you wish, this plan can be extended in length as the structural frames can be duplicated on 2' increments. It can be built with a full or partial loft.

This plan is easy to modify and has been built by many CountryPlan memebers in different climates. Here are some photos and reports posted to the forums from folks building with this plan.

20x30 cottage floor plan

The floorplan above is for the standard layout. The Great Room (eating, cooking living) has a beam and deck ceiling (with the decking almost 9' high) whereas the bath and main floor bedroom have a standard drywall ceiling at 8'.

Sorry, these aren't the best computer generated images... but, the big advantage is these plans and 3d images can be modified and updated by you the owner/designer using an $8 Windows CAD program. The template file for this (and other house plans) can be downloaded with a membership to our sister site PlanHelp.com. Doing this (in the above program) allows customizations such as the ones the other members above have done.

20' wide cottage with steep stair and open beam ceiling

Here is a view looking at the beamed ceiling and the steep cottage staircase. The pantry is tucked under the stairway. An optional detail allows the Great room to have an open cathedral ceiling if the space is not needed in the loft.

The loft floor space can be divided as desired.

Exterior treatments are shown below.

20 x 30 cottage with porch from outside
Computer model - shingle treatment.



One version of the house without the porch.


The elevation drawing below shows other ways to finish the front of the cottage. These upgrades can be left until later if time or money is an initial constraint.

20 x 30 cottage with hip roofed porch

The plan set (blueprints) include 12 sheets of drawings including all materials needed to apply for most building permits:

  • 3 foundation sheets - one each for post & pier, slab or crawlspace foundations (you will submit one of these).

  • Main floor and porch plan with electrical layouts and door and window call-outs.

  • Cross section drawing showing insulation levels, stairway construction and a header chart for wall openings.

  • Loft floor plan with electrical and a loft framing plan with two ways of constructing the floor.

  • Loft roof details and cross section of site built truss and wall to truss connections.

  • Loft floor to wall details for supporting the joists or exposed beam ceiling.

  • Porch and deck plans for both a hip end porch (shown above) and a wrap around porch or deck. Includes deck and roof framing details & railing details.

  • Four building elevations showing roofing, roof trim details, siding suggestions and porch and roof slopes. Includes total Bldg. height (22'-6").

  • Trim corner details, window & door trim details (inside and outside), corner trim detail, window hood detail, and tips on extra money saving ideas for finishes.

  • Standard window and door sheet for cutting out and replacing doors and windows in the existing plans (cut & paste drafting for simple changes).

  • An extra paste up page for optional details and owner supplied notes.

  • Plan notes include suggestions for for heating and cooling and two different locations for the hot water tank (electric or gas).

This plans set includes additional bonuses in an enclosed booklet:

  • How to Customize Plans for your site and space needs.

  • A Platform Framing Guide and Glossary of terms

  • I-joist update for 20' wide Cottages (Tips on framing with I-joists)

  • 3 alternative cottage stair plans - options for every Building Dept. or use for the loft

  • Timber Style Open Beam Ceiling - an option for a full cathedral ceiling with exposed beam and deck floor at loft. (The exposed beams can be left uncovered where you want a full open cathedral ceiling.)

  • Taking your Plans to the Building Department - tips on working with inspectors.

  • How to read plans - includes symbol guide.

  • A foundation and soil guide to help you choose the best foundation system.

  • Earthquake and Wind Bracing - inexpensive tips for meeting special local requirements (may not be needed).

Your plans come with full reprint rights. You can make as many copies as needed for your builder, building department or subcontractors. All you need is a copy shop with an 11x17 copier. We only ask that you build no more than one house per plans set. Standard shipping goes Priority mail on this plan. There is an optional Materials List (Z010-B) available for this plan.

Order Plan Z010-A



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classic cottage