20' X 20' Tiny House Plans (with Drawings)

Many people in recent years shifted toward a significant lifestyle change when they drastically downsized to 400 sqft or less. Undoubtedly, living tiny has its pros and cons, but is it for you?

If you decide to live in a 20’ x 20’, single-story home, you get a whopping 400 square feet of living space. You’ll certainly need to overcome some challenges, even if you double your square footage and get a two-story home. But, either way, living in a small space requires some thoughtful and creative planning.

The layout of a small home is critical; you need to ensure you maximize every nook and cranny of space. Of course, you want to have all the essentials, but squeezing in enough adequate storage is also paramount.

As fun as adding lots of bells and whistles is, if you only have 400 sqft, start with your essentials. For example, you need a sleeping area, a place to eat and make food, a bathroom, and storage. Ideally, you’ll also likely want a shared space for entertaining or lounging.

If you stick with a single story, you probably won’t have room for many extras, like a guest room or library. However, you could double-up in some areas or utilize multi-purpose furniture to sneak in some fun twists. Also, if you opt for a two-story or adding a loft space, you can incorporate some bonus spaces.

While the majority of houses in the US have three bedrooms, in 400 sqft, you’ll likely have one. In fact, you might only have a loft space or sleeping area. But, if you have a two-story home, you could squeeze in two small bedrooms.

In some instances, you might have two stories with an extra sleeping loft or attic space. Albeit, this additional space might not be full ceiling height. If you live in a pleasant climate, you could also screen in a porch and create a sleeping porch.

A tiny-house kitchen doesn’t have to be bland. While you need to maximize your space, you can opt for high-end finishes for a more luxe feel. Consider how many people live in the home and how often you actually cook.

For example, if it’s just one or two people in the house, and you aren’t a gourmet chef, you can get creative. You could consider a two-burner stove and a smaller fridge, along with a studio dishwasher.

Plus, instead of a dedicated dining room, opt for a flip-up table that mounts to the wall. This table set-up can even double as a workspace or a place to play games.

Another room you’re sure to want in your home is a bathroom. But, in a 20’ x 20’ house, it likely won’t be an overly large space. The typical formula for bathrooms is two for every three bedrooms.

With 400 sqft, you’re apt to have a small bathroom with a sink, toilet, and shower. However, if you have two stories or multiple levels, you might opt for a larger bathroom or two small ones.

Storage space is also crucial, even if you have very few belongings. After all, you don’t want all of your things out in the open all of the time. Be creative with incorporating your storage; think hidden space between wall studs and even cubbies under your floor. You also can include a laundry area, either a stackable unit or an all-in-one unit to save space.

If your house has a high ceiling, don’t forget about your vertical space. Add a loft, lots of shelving, and suspend items you don’t need to access often. Finally, multifunctional furniture is a must when you live in a small home. Try to find furniture that includes some kind of storage or double function. For example, use a murphy bed with a desk underneath or a coffee table that doubles as a desk.

When you plan your layout for a small home, it’s different from your average-size home. For one thing, you simply can’t have as many rooms.

For example, builders typically allocate a certain percentage of a home’s overall square footage to each room. They factor in bedrooms, bathrooms, a kitchen, living room, dining room, and more. Plus, they usually include things like a laundry room, walk-in pantry, foyer, and office.

According to the National Association of Home Builders, these percentages vary based on whether your home is small (under 2,000 sqft) or large (over 3,500 sqft). However, in a home that’s only 400 to 800 sqft, you might need to eradicate some rooms. Therefore, focus on the essential rooms first when planning your 20′ x 20′ house layout.

Based on the recommended percentages, your room spacing might look something like this.

The current guideline is that each person living in a home needs between 200 and 400 square feet to be comfortable. Therefore, if you have a single-story, 20’ x 20’ home, one or two people would be the limit. If you’re single and looking for a small starter home, it could be perfect for you.

If you go with two stories and double your space, 800 sqft could be just right for a young couple. It could even work for a small family that plans to upsize one day. Another possibility would be retirees ready to downsize and have little maintenance and upkeep to handle.

Whatever your scenario, carefully weigh the pros and cons before deciding if living in a smaller home works for you.

Related Questions

Roughly how much does a 20′ x 20′ home cost to build?

How much it costs to build a house depends on a few different things. The most significant factors are the size of the home and the location. For example, in Philadelphia, you could build a house for roughly $154 per square foot. However, in Brooklyn, NY, you would spend closer to $180 per square foot. Then, the numbers could drop to around $109 per square foot in Omaha, NE. Of course, the numbers vary based on the cost of available materials, accessibility, labor availability, and supply and demand. Therefore, if you’re building a single-story, 20’ x 20’ home in Philadelphia, you’d pay about $61,600. However, the same house in Omaha would only cost about $43,600. Keep in mind; these figures don’t include the cost of the land, just the home.

Are there special restrictions to consider if you build a small house?

It all depends on where you’re building. In some states, the building code states a home must be a specific minimum size, which can vary greatly. For example, some states require new homes to be at least 1,000 square feet. In other cases, there may be stipulations on room sizes and so forth. If you’re planning to build a new house, it’s vital to know the local building codes no matter the size. Ensure you work with a reliable and professional contractor that will stay on top of all code restrictions and permits.