Building a new custom home in an urban area with smaller property sizes can present some challenges, especially when the lot is narrow. Local regulations may require setbacks that make the possible footprint even smaller, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a home with everything you want and need. You just have to work with a floor plan that was designed for narrow lots.
In fact, building on a narrow lot offers some advantages that prompt many families to seek out this type of property. It typically requires less maintenance because there is less yard space to care for. Homes on narrow lots also tend to feel more private because there are fewer windows at the front and the living spaces are deeper in the home.
However, these advantages are sometimes double-edged swords. Some of the challenges that exist include deciding where to place the garage, ensuring privacy with close property lines on the sides of the home, and maximizing outdoor living space. Many homeowners also struggle with making the interior spaces feel open and large with a narrow footprint.
The professionals at Adair Homes have thought of all these challenges and created 12 narrow lot floor plans that you can customize for your lifestyle.
The Cottonwood
Size: 1,094 square feet
Floors: 2
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2
The smallest of the narrow lot floor plans, the Cottonwood is a charming, cottage-style home with the master bedroom on the main floor. An optional garage can be added on to the side of the home if the lot dimensions allow, or a detached garage can be built behind the home for maximum curb appeal. The footprint might be small, but all of the features you need are thoughtfully arranged in the design, including a walk-in closet for the master bedroom, a washer and dryer on the main floor, and a private bathroom for the second bedroom upstairs.
The Douglas
Size: 1,192 square feet
Floors: 1
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2
If you want single-level living in a small footprint, the open concept of the Douglas makes 1,192 square feet feel both cozy and spacious. The entire family can gather in the great room, which is open to the kitchen so everybody can stay connected. Add the optional oversized island for built-in dining and entertaining space. The included two-car garage conveniently opens directly into the foyer to keep you protected from the elements as you go in and out.
The Ainsworth
Size: 1,232 square feet
Floors: 1
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2
With a larger common area that includes a dedicated dining space adjacent to the kitchen and the great room, the Ainsworth is perfect for all types of families. Available with a side-entry option for narrow lots, this plan is ideal if you need a footprint with a width of less than 30 feet. For couples and individuals who want single-level living with plenty of space for family visits, this compact home is easy to maintain while offering two guest rooms and a second bathroom.
The Rhododendron
Size: 1,291 square feet
Floors: 2
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2.5
Similar to the Cottonwood, but with a larger master bedroom, kitchen, and great room, the Rhododendron is packed with charm in a small footprint. In addition to the larger rooms on the main level, if the second bedroom upstairs will be used for more than just a guest room, the Rhododendron is a better choice than the Cottonwood because it includes a full bath with a tub, a larger closet, and more space. Whether you’re starting a family or starting your retirement, this floor plan has everything you need at an affordable price.
The Beverly
Size: 1,340 square feet
Floors: 1
Bedrooms: 2 or 3
Bathrooms: 2
At just 40 feet wide, the Beverly has everything a family needs on a single floor. The open-concept common spaces, including ample room for a dining table, make it easy for the family to gather, especially if you add the optional kitchen island. If you need only two bedrooms, this flexible floor plan can be adapted to provide a large walk-in closet in the master suite and a spacious second bedroom instead. A mudroom off the garage allows you to keep the foyer clean and tidy, especially if young children are coming in and out of the house.
The Arcadia East
Size: 1,405 square feet
Floors: 1
Bedrooms: 2 or 3
Bathrooms: 2
With the great room at the heart of the Arcadia East, this open-concept floor plan has the master bedroom tucked away at the back for maximum privacy. The third bedroom, which could also be a den, is secluded at the front of the house, making it ideal for guests or teens who want a space all their own. The kitchen offers ample counter space, especially if you add the optional island, and there is a perfect spot off the dining room to add a patio for outdoor dining just outside the sliding glass doors.
The Arcadia West
Size: 1,485 square feet
Floors: 1
Bedrooms: 3 or 4
Bathrooms: 2
Similar to the Arcadia East but with a slightly different configuration and two extra feet of depth, the Arcadia West can have up to four bedrooms. The utility room off the garage provides extra storage for sports equipment, tools, or whatever hobbies the family enjoys. It also serves as a mudroom to discard boots and shoes before putting jackets in the coat closet just around the corner. As you come in through the front door under the covered porch, the great room feels open and spacious, but the bedrooms that branch off the back hallway allow privacy for the whole family.
The Whidbey
Size: 1,634 square feet
Floors: 1
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2
At only 38 feet wide, the Whidbey feels anything but cramped. A separate dining room located at the entry gives the home a touch of class as soon as you walk in the door. The kitchen is just around the corner for easy entertaining, whether you are hosting a formal dinner or chatting with friends and family in the great room. The master suite, with an optional exterior door in the back, offers total privacy from the other two bedrooms, which are entered from a separate hallway.
The Ruby
Size: 1,843 square feet
Floors: 2
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2.5
The floor plan may be only 28 feet wide, but with an entry that is open to the second floor above, the Ruby immediately feels grand. All of the common spaces, including a convenient half-bath, are located on the main floor, and the three bedrooms are upstairs. This home also offers extra storage space in the linen closet in the master bath, a closet in the common area upstairs, a large coat closet in the entry, and a utility room on the main floor.
The Columbia
Size: 2,160 square feet
Floors: 2
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 2.5
Another home with all of the bedrooms on the second floor, the Columbia also includes a secluded den with double doors at the entry on the main floor. The kitchen is practically bursting with cabinets, providing ample storage space in addition to the pantry. The laundry room is conveniently located on the second floor near the bedrooms, and the bathroom in the master suite is large enough to upgrade to a separate shower and tub. Keeping the garage tucked under the second floor allows this home to maintain a compact footprint while also having elegant curb appeal.
The Jefferson
Size: 2,222 square feet
Floors: 2
Bedrooms: 3-5
Bathrooms: 2.5
The Jefferson is a regal two-story home nestled into a footprint that is just 25 feet wide. The main floor is dedicated to the common spaces with a private den at the back, which could be converted into a bedroom suite for guests, in-laws, or single-level living. The upstairs bedrooms are connected by an open loft space, which is perfect as a playroom, media room, or studio. It can also be converted to a bedroom for larger families or vacation homes. The master suite has two walk-in closets for ample storage and convenience.
The Vaughn
Size: 2,226 square feet
Floors: 2
Bedrooms: 3-5
Bathrooms: 2.5
The largest of the narrow lot floor plans, the Vaughn has a modern exterior and a flexible design that allows up to five bedrooms. Similar to the Jefferson, the main floor is primarily for common spaces with a den that can be designed as a bedroom. The kitchen has a large walk-in pantry and an island with a sink, making it perfect for the home chef. A spacious dining area connected to both the kitchen and the great room makes entertaining a breeze, especially when you add a covered patio off the dining room.
The best way to determine which narrow lot floor plan is right for your property is to talk to one of our Home Ownership Counselors. We can help you identify which floor plans are feasible for the lot, your budget, and your wish list. Contact us today to learn more.
