House Plan Blog

As more and more companies make the shift to remote work permanent; homeowners are looking for solutions to move their impromptu kitchen or dining room office spaces to private or more out of the way areas of their home. To accommodate the additional use, home design trends have shifted to designs with four bedrooms to provide this added functionality as a short-term change. With the shift to long term remote working, homeowners are looking for their office space to feel more specific to supporting their new work environment. The House Plan Company has a diverse collection of homes with flex space that would make the perfect home office. Showing the diversity of the floor plans – here are five trending designs for those no longer making the drive into the office.

Carter – HPC 46331

Just steps away from the front door, the Carter offers homeowners’ a delightful pocket office. With soaring 11-foot ceilings and space for a built-in desk and cabinets on either side of the window. This well-appointed workspace may be small but feels spacious.

Armith – HPC 93868

If separation of work and personal spaces is crucial, then stop and take a look at the Armith. First and foremost a detached three car garage, the Armith boasts a richly windowed office on one side which is framed by a wrap around front porch.

Brewster 2 – HPC 32525

Wrapped in a modern farmhouse exterior the Brewster 2 offers a trending open floor plan with three bedrooms and two and a half bathrooms Plus, a separate home office space eliminates the debate about how to set up a dual-purpose room. Ideal for those working fully remote, the home office is located off a traversing hallway off the dining room.

Lydia – HPC 18981

At first glance the Lydia appears to be a small single-family home, but this backyard cottage offers a detached two car garage and spacious 421 square foot office. By detaching the workspace from the home, even just a few feet, helps keep the work/life balance in check.

Glen Eden – HPC 85952

The Glen Eden is a small house plan with a naturally bright interior and open floor plan. French doors abound and open the home to the outdoors. This two-bedroom floor plan boasts a separate home office with vaulted ceilings and a French door entrance that mirrors the homes main entry. With windows along two walls the home office is bright and roomy, and the small closet helps to organize supplies.

These trending house plans, and backyard cottages make working from home less stressful and more comfortable. A dedicated space for taking care of business allows for balance of work and life even when those occur under the same roof. The House Plan Company is here to help you with their best-in-class customer service find your next home or accessory structure with that perfect work from home space.

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Simple yet eye-catching, the cottage-style exterior of the Woods Creek blends singles and horizontal lap siding together. A railed porch wraps around two sides of the home. The front covered porch extends out, providing space for a porch swing or set of chairs.

Through the front door, the entry brings you immediately into the vaulted great room. In the corner of the living room is a woodstove, keeping the home warm and cozy on chilly winter evenings. The glow of the woodstove can be enjoyed in the dining room which is completely open to the living room. An eating bar extends from the wall, providing some separation between the kitchen and the dining while boosting the available seating. The kitchen is efficient and has a wall pantry just a few steps away. Through the kitchen a door opens to the utility room. With its passthrough design, the utility room can double as a mud hall keeping dirty clothes and shoes from entering the main living area.

The three bedrooms in the Woods Creek are bunched on the right side of the floor plan but have separate access halls allowing for some separation. The owner's suite is accessed off the kitchen and features a walk-in closet and private bathroom complete with separate shower and soaking tub. The secondary bedroom hall is off the entry and the rooms are separated by a full bathroom.

This small house plan, at 1395 square feet, is comfortable enough to serve as a year-round residence or would make a great vacation getaway.

The Woods Creek 31-299 is created by Associated Designs, Inc.’s talented team of residential home designers. 

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A shed roof, panel siding, and cedar accents work together to give the Palisade a distinct modern looker. Rich window displays along the front make this an ideal design for building lots with a view along the front.

Designed for a lot that slopes up hill, the first floor for each unit is a two-car garage. Also on the lower level is the laundry room. The split-level entry is a half flight of stairs up from the garage level and continues pass the front door. Another half flight of stairs leads to the main floor. The entry landing overlooks the staircase and immediately opens to the great room with 12-foot ceilings. A double sliding glass door opens to the balcony that overlooks the front yard.

A ceiling transition helps to visually separate the living room from the dining room. An eating bar along the kitchen adds to the available seat while providing some separation of the kitchen. A pantry is just steps away along with access to the BBQ patio.

Off the dining room is a hallway that leads to the Palisades three bedrooms. Two secondary bedrooms fill the back of the floor plan and share a full bathroom. On the opposite side of the hall is the owners’ suite. The front wall is filled with windows allowing the enjoyment of views from the quiet retreat. Besides sweeping views, the owners’ suite boasts a comfortable sized walk-in closet and a private bathroom with twin sinks.

Each unit of the Palisade duplex plan is the same so the luxury floor plan can be enjoyed by both tenants making this a great option for those looking to live in one unit and rent out the other for additional income.

The Palisade 60-064 is created by Associated Designs, Inc.’s talented team of residential home designers. 

While the peak of summer has slipped into the past, fall’s cooler temperatures can make spending time outside more enjoyable. The scorching sun no longer driving activities into the air-conditioned spaces, friends and family gather to enjoy the last rays of sun and what better way than to spend time outside. Over the last few years, the desired to incorporate more of the outdoors into living spaces has been a leading design trend. To help inspire others to extending their living outside The House Plan Company has highlighted five plans from there collection – large and small homes – that incorporate the outdoors.

Olympe 86940

At 1212 square feet, the Olympe design is a small house plan that fully embraces the outdoors. A trendy farmhouse exterior catches the eye of passersby. Slender posts frame the front door which is sheltered from the elements by a small, covered porch. Inside the floor plan is open – the transitions from the living room to the dining room to the kitchen are seamless. Drawing you further into the great room is the back wall which is filled with glass – but not just any glass the back wall is a garage door. Allowing the separation between the inside and outside to roll away and extend the great room to the covered porch and beyond. A wet bar frames the boundary of the covered porch.

Plan 98147

Wrapped in an old world European exterior, Plan 98147 offers a modern open floor plan that features four bedrooms. The L-shaped great room provides some separation between the living room and dining room without the use of walls or doors. This layout creates and opportunity for an additional gathering space – the back covered porch. Windows along the living room look out while the access is from the dining room. 11 foot ceilings lend to the airy and spacious feel of the otherwise sheltered porch. A wet bar with grill station extends along the left side and a corner fireplace marks the boundary and extends the seasons this space can be enjoyed.

Heritage 10019

The Heritage is a luxury, two-story house plan that offers a blend of formal and informal spaces. Designed for areas where the ideal times to be outside are also the times where the air is filled with bugs, a screened porch can be accessed from three rooms. The informal morning and family rooms plus the main floor master suite. Screened porches are a delightful way to enjoy the outdoors in comfort. The ability to live outside continues beyond the screened porch to the large vaulted covered porch. A full outdoor kitchen is on the left and boasts a grill, sink, fridge, and eating bar allowing hosts to sling drinks and prepare snacks while still enjoying the company and fresh air.

Wesson 97194

Graced with Craftsman accents the Wesson offers an open floor plan with dog friendly features and a delightful outdoor living room. Off the vaulted great room, double sliding glass doors open to extend the room to the vaulted covered deck. A cozy corner fireplace allows this space to be enjoyed year round. To the right is a full outdoor kitchen with space for a grill center, sink, and cooler. The window from the indoor kitchen can be pushed open to server as a pass through window if the meal prep is moved to the patio.

Callahan 15818

It’s easy to enjoy the outdoors from this modern farmhouse design. A grand great room opens to a covered patio through double sliding doors, extending the room to the outdoors. Additional access to the patio can be found along the hallway to the main floor master bedroom along with direct access from the master suite. The L-shaped covered patio is spacious and boasts an outdoor fireplace and an outdoor wet bar with space for a grill station. Entertaining friends and family is a breeze and everyone can enjoy the outdoors.

Inspired by these five incredible designs that embrace the outdoors? Check out more great house plans with extended outdoor living at The House Plan Company.

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Classic and modern, Juneberry exudes sophistication. This traditional, two-story house plan is a picturesque property, perfect for families. Rustic details, such as lap siding and composition shingles, give added charm to the home. Juneberry’s covered porch provides an inviting point of entrance.

The cozy entry leads to the great room. This lofty area consists of the kitchen, dining room, and living room. Juneberry’s open floor plan allows for easy socialization. Those in the dining room or living room can freely interact with those in the kitchen. The fluidity of this wall free concept makes this already spacious area feel and look larger.

Notable kitchen features includes abundant counter and cabinet space, built-in appliances, and a wide work island rimmed on one side with a flush eating bar. The eating bar is ideal for casual dining or enjoying a morning cup of coffee. For families with children, this space can be utilized for homework help.

The window bright dining room opens out to the covered patio. The patio is large enough to be furnished with outdoor seating. This wonderful space is great for social gatherings or simply lounging during the warmer months. That being said, the patio protects from any kind of weather and can be used all year around.

The first floor also includes a powder room for guest use.

This three bedroom home plan has all of the sleeping areas conveniently located on the second floor. Two of the bedrooms share a bathroom, with a combination tub and shower. The vaulted owners’ suite contains a deep walk-in closet and an impressive private bathroom. The owners’ bath has dual vanities and a sleek, sustainable shower.

The utility room, also found on the second floor, has a built-in washer and dryer set.

The attached garage is large enough to fit two cars. The area can also be used for added storage.

The Juneberry 31-107 is created by Associated Designs, Inc.’s talented team of residential home designers. 

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A handsome brick exterior wraps around all four sides of the Summerhill design. From the street the attached two car garage reaches out. The front door is framed by stout brick columns which mark the boundary of the front covered porch.

Inside the entry ceiling soars to a vault, giving a sense of grandeur. Coat closets are on both sides of the entry door. Providing ample privacy to the living space, three hallways lead from the entry.

To the right a long hallway leads to the Summerhill’s two secondary bedrooms. Each has direct access to the back deck. At the end of the hall is the utility room which also has direct access to the outside allowing this space to double as a mud hall.

Offering good separation between the bedrooms, the owners’ suite fills the left wing of the home. With vaulted ceilings and direct access to the patio, the master bedroom is a luxurious retreat from the bustle of the main living area. Additional features include a large walk-in closet and private bathroom with twin sinks, soaking tub, and separate shower.

The heart of the Summerhill is what makes the floor plan unique. The hexagonal shaped great room boasts soaring vaulted ceilings and a space that easily opens to the outdoors from three different sliding glass doors.

From the dining room, the staircase leads down to the daylight basement. A recreation room fills half the basement level and provides access to the storage and mechanical closets. Off the recreation room is a large suite, the fourth bedroom, with a private full bathroom and sliding glass doors that open to the covered patio.

The easy access to the outdoors makes the Summerhill a great house design for those who love outdoor living.

The Summerhill 11-152 is created by Associated Designs, Inc.’s talented team of residential home 

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Designed for a building lot that slopes uphill, the luxurious Stratton house plan draws influence from the American Southwest with its smooth stucco finish and tile roof. The front elevation is filled with windows ensuring the inside is naturally bright.

The front door is framed by sidelights, filling the large foyer with light. Inside there is plenty of space for a bench and coat rack. There is direct access to the two-car garage off the foyer to the left. To the right a hallway leads by the main floor laundry room with a wine cellar tucked away in the back. There are two bedrooms on the main floor, each with a walk-in closet. The larger of the two bedrooms has direct access to the shared, compartmentalized bathroom with dual vanities. Accessed from the outside, the main floor is rounded out with a large storage room.

Back at the foyer, a grand arched staircase climbs to the second floor. The reverse living floor plan allows the views out the front of the home to be enjoyed by the main gathering areas. The stairs top out on a balcony that overlooks the foyer below and is decorated with a barrel ceiling.

The left side of the second floor is filled with an informal family room. Centered along the back wall is a fireplace which can be enjoyed from the kitchen. French doors to the left of the fireplace open the family room to the covered porch. The open-concept floor plan is ideal for those who prefer a blend of formal and informal spaces. The kitchen is open to the family room and is separated by an eating bar. The spacious kitchen features a center island with prep sink and plenty of counter space. A pocket door separates the dining room, shielding diners from the chaos of meal prep and assembly.

A formal living room is on the right side of the grand staircase and features a richly windowed bay. A short hallway off the living room leads to a powder bath and at the end double doors open to the second-floor master bedroom. This well-appointed suite boasts a private balcony that overlooks the front of the home, a fireplace, and luxurious private bathroom with walk-in shower, soaking tub, and large walk-in closet with laundry chute access to the utility room on the lower floor.

The Stratton 31-184 is created by Associated Designs, Inc.’s talented team of residential home designers.