Mild Panic: Is 20'x30 1 story too small for 1 person?

Kri · May 25, 2008, 01:10:12 AM

Is the 20'x30'/550sf one story too small for one person? What about adding a half loft? Is that necessary? I like the exterior look of a 20x30, and I'm used to living in small spaces, but I'm worried I'm being too idealistic in thinking this will be enough space for one person (no pets, no kids). I'd go up to a 22'x32', to have the interior security of enough space, but I really don't like the exterior look of a 22'x32' as it just seems to lose the cabin/cottage look and appears more like a regular house. 21'x31' seems perfect to me, but I know that causes challenges with the number calculations. What are your thoughts? Words of reassurance? Caution? Suggestions? Right now, it's an open floorplan, so I've maximized it as much as I can imagine. Thanks!

Madroaster · May 25, 2008, 02:36:31 AM

I think it depends entirely on you. My wife and I live in about 350 square feet in Korea, with a half-height sleeping loft adding about 100 square feet. It's not the best layout for the space, but it's quite efficient. We have had to make some creative adjustments to the way we do things (like storing food and cooking), but with the amount of storage space we have, we've had no problems. For us, this is a comfortable amount of space.

If we were back building in Canada, we'd build the 20x30 plans, but we'd include a loft and maybe even a basement. But that would be for a family. If it were just me, 20x30 without a loft would be more than enough space, and would be for the two of us as well.

But, as I'm sure many here will tell you, it depends on your lifestyle and needs. It's enough for many people, and not enough for many others.

Cheers,
--Derek

May 25, 2008, 02:47:16 AM

Thanks, Derek. I've been traveling/living in 200-300sf for the last handful of years, but with my belongings in storage. I've completely adapted. I need very few things and I'm set. Even my items in storage should fit in 550sf. But I think I'm having those last minute doubts, before the plans are submitted to the county. I'd been thinking of 20'x30' as "600sf" but it's really 550...which I'd neglected to realize. The number just seems so much smaller! I'm trying to remind myself: I can always add on later, should I need to. I'd much rather have that option, than build something larger than I find aesthetically appealing/necessary. But I worry. I guess I really want to be economical, short and long-term, and it makes sense to me to accomplish that by keeping it small. I really appreciate hearing the feedback! Thanks again.

Kri · May 25, 2008, 02:49:59 AM

Another question for y'all: If building a 20x30 with loft, which roof pitch would you use?

Redoverfarm · May 25, 2008, 06:42:02 AM

Kri it is all a personal choice. It depends on what you are confortable with. Have you taken the time to lay out that amont of space in an open area. Sort of a mock-up of the interior space. I find it hard to visualize an area without doing that.

As for the variation I would not increase the size in 1' increments as it will be hard to make the material work out. 2' yes as most of the building industry work on even footage with material.

If you are trying to incorporate a loft area then the steaper the roof the more headroom will be gained. 10/12 or 12/12 are the most common choices. You might consider using one of these and build it to later add the loft area. Finished 4"X8" or 4"X10" ceiling beams/ loft floor joist on say 3' centers would give you that latitude.
Then later if you decided to add a floor in the loft later you could. But keep in mind in doing so I would rough pre-wire the upstairs for lights in the framing process. In addition keep in mind that you will have to access that area and leave room on the ground floor for a loft ladder. Not sure of the deflection that the beams would have on that much span but I am sure someone on the board will ping in on that. I have 4X8 on a 15' span and appears fairly solid for a loft.

May 25, 2008, 10:31:24 AM

Its much easier to go longer than wider, I would consider 32-36 long before going wider than 20.
I myself have been tosing around how much is enough space... is one bathroom enough, etc.
IMO, go with the loft, at least leave that option open... think about all the space up there. Add a dormer and get even more headroom.
You will have to consider the need for stairs or a ladder and if you are building to code.
Anytime you can maximize space (attic/loft or basement) within the same building footprint, is more efficient (cost) than adding to the overall building footprint.

ScottA · May 25, 2008, 11:29:49 AM

550 sf is plenty for one person IMO could even work for two. It depends on your needs and how much stuff you have. My wife and I will be living in 400 sf when our cabin is finnished.

glenn kangiser · May 25, 2008, 01:07:08 PM

I'm sure it is big enough for 1 and accessory buildings or a shed roof addition could take care of extra storage. Going longer is not a problem, but changing width messes up engineering. You increase footings in the same increments as the original plan for more length.

I really like the 12/12 pitch and it is worth the trouble to get help if necessary to do it IMO. It gives an old time pleasing look to the house.

Kri · May 25, 2008, 01:11:31 PM

Great points, everyone. Thanks so much for the reminders.

22x32 has been laid out on the ground and the interior seems spacious enough, but to me, the exterior seems way too big for the lot/setting. I just feel "ick" about that larger footprint on this project. I've also laid it out in software, using both dimensions, plus the exact dimensions of my own furniture. Either could work, but the smaller is definitely smaller. I seemed challenged at "knowing for sure" that it's okay to go smaller, but my gut would rather default to smaller. I really like that smaller look (on the exterior).

For the loft, I'm okay with only having headroom down the center peak, so as to keep the profile of the cabin lower/blended in with the natural setting. This is really important to me, because the natural setting is really small and really beautiful. I don't want to overpower it with a structure, as it changes the aesthetics immensely. I'm just not sure I'm being realistic about the roof pitch. Without the loft, it's an open cathedral ceiling. I'm only 5'7" and this truly is a cabin just for myself to use, so I'd like to keep the pitch as low as possible.

May 25, 2008, 01:31:48 PM

A lower pitch on a 20 wide will still have plenty of headroom. In the 14 wide garage with a 12/12 pitch I had enough room to stand up for a couple feet in the center - about 6 feet.

Note that the room will get bigger when it has walls.We are in a 16x28 in the studio apt. area of the underground complex. It is roomy enough.

Kri · May 25, 2008, 01:43:14 PM

Thanks, Glenn.

How low of a roof pitch do you think I could go on a 20 wide?

If I'm understanding correctly, you live full-time in less than 500sf?

glenn kangiser · May 25, 2008, 02:06:07 PM

No - We have a lot more not complete but it is our main living area and we did stay in it exclusively before we had the other bedroom made.
We have a bed in there and when Sassy is working I stay in it exclusively. The rest would be unnecessary except a laundry room. I am a contractor so also have a decent sized shop.

I think it would be fine to live in if that was our lifestyle. I'd still need the shop and extra storage though.

Redoverfarm · May 25, 2008, 07:14:12 PM

Kri IMO the only thing with going to a lesser than 8/12. 10/12 is that you will not have much room along the outside edge of the room. Yes you can walk comfortable through the center but if a bed is placed in the mid section you don't have much room to walk on either side without hitting the ceiling. A lesser pitch would also mean that you are limited to the heigth of dressers or chest against the sloped wall.

Kri · May 26, 2008, 01:19:36 PM

Great points.

With the loft, I'd love to just keep it eight or ten feet wide, going straight down the center line, leaving it open to below on each side. Kind of like a gang-plank walkway, but wider. This is because I'd not actually have bedroom/big furniture up there...but just use it as another work/storage/music/relaxation space. This only adds about 250sf to the project, but that still seems like significant space. But maybe not? I'd just need to have an outlet installed high on the interior wall ends during the build to handle electricity up there in the future. I think?

May 26, 2008, 01:38:15 PM

You'd need some kind of rail system or walls to keep you and stuff from going over the side - possibly a place to attach more plugs to the center area.

Kri · May 26, 2008, 01:52:07 PM

LOL! Gotcha.

CREATIVE1 · May 27, 2008, 07:05:46 PM

Ah, that wonderful process of deciding how much space you need. I'm presently living in 1,700 square feet with 700 sq feet of covered porch and deck, and 1,100 square feet of storage underneath
(it's on 10' stilts). That's for two of us and a home business. We're trying to be economical with our new project, and it is smaller. My husband was thinking it was too small until I put together a walk through using 3D Home Architect. That really helped us visualize what we were getting.

We are building the Victoria, but expanded--two feet deeper overall, kitchen wing expanded, higher kneewalls upstairs and very little space open to the peak. I'll still have a home business, and in a colder climate we need more "inside" to practice yoga and tai chi. Right now the covered 8' x 28' porch is where that's done. And I need guest space for the family--even though the house technically has only one bedroom, we've carved out two private niches for guest beds. And we're getting older, so we needed the ability to convert the wing from a den/guest room to our bedroom down the line in case one of us gets rickety. That's why we expanded the house--for full code stairs.

Everyone who designs houses has wanted to make the house bigger and bigger to accommodate our needs. Not necessary! A small well planned house is as good as it gets. Low maintenance, fewer taxes, and no through the roof utility bills.

ScottA · May 27, 2008, 08:38:15 PM

It's easy to make a house bigger. Keeping it small and still making it work is a little harder but not impossible. The way I did it was to define the minimum for each space I needed to have then looked for ways to overlap those spaces without crowding things too much. I was actually suprised how small you can get away with if you make the areas share space. Also lots of storage can be found in otherwise wasted spaces like attics.

Kri · May 27, 2008, 08:47:54 PM

You all have helped me tremendously. I've spent the last few days completely dedicated to tightening my 20x30 floorplan up, and somehow discovered that just by slightly offcentering two things (the washer/dryer and an opposite display/storage cabinet), the floorplan looks elegant and artsy. I'm not sure why I didn't figure this out before, but now those 550/600sf feel and look spacious...and perfectly cozy. I can't begin to thank you for your thoughts, reminders, support and wisdom. This forum makes all the difference in the world.