If you purchase an item through affiliate links within our content, we will earn a commission at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. See our disclosure policy.

Tiny House Designs with Front Porches

Tiny house designs and plans have become very popular in recent years due to their afford-ability and desire from many to down size. Designs range from the very simple to those with a few amenities and extra storage. We especially like the ones with front porches.

When choosing a tiny home design, please realize that outdoor space is important too.

When indoor space is limited, porches become more important as they not only give you outdoor living area but also provide a visual extension of your small home.


tiny house collage
Who knew you could order a tiny house kit online?
If you are old enough to remember - or have parents who told you - you used to be able to order a home kit from the Sears and Roebuck catalog. Well, that was long ago. Now you can order tiny house kits right here (affiliate link).


beautiful tiny house with front porch in woods
Beautiful small house with inviting front porch
Mary and I like DIY tiny house kits. They come with almost everything you need at an affordable cost.

All you need is a foundation, roofing materials, and some good all elbow grease (if you have the skills) to make your dream come true. Local contractors can also assemble your home if you so desire. Many pre-fabricated tiny homes come with plumbing, electrical, appliances, etc., already installed.

Yet, another option is to purchase a tiny house design plan from which you or a contractor can build your dream tiny house.

Mary and I have selected a few tiny home designs, kits, and pre-fabricated homes below as examples of what may be available.


Although we've added links to help you find additional information for the tiny homes we discovered, we can not guarantee product availability or the quality of materials, customer service, etc.

Your home is an investment, and whether you purchase a kit or a pre-fabricated tiny home, we highly recommend you do your due diligence to ensure you are getting the best quality, materials, warranties, and customer service available.




Tiny House Design Kits and Ideas

Let's start with tiny home kits that you can assemble and possibly turn into a primary residence.


438 square foot Allwood Timberline Tiny House Kit with front porch - (Amazon affiliate link for which we may receive a commission)
Assembly of this solid wood cabin takes about 16 hours for two adults. Do it yourself simple step-by-step directions come with the kit. Only minimal tools are needed.

324 square foot Bella Tiny House Design and Kit - (Amazon affiliate link for which we may receive a commission)





Mary and I really like this design as it will fit into most urban neighborhoods where a cabin-style design may not. Spacious at over 1000 square feet, this kit can be customized to make it a primary residence.

General Tiny House Design Kit Contents

Generally, tiny home kits usually come with multiple options and can easily be modified to be primary residences. You'll find many kits that have 2-3/4" thick walls with dual T&G wind block and optional insulation kits.

The ones we found use durable, dense grain Nordic Spruce for wall planks, roofs, and floor boards along with pre-hung glazed doors and windows and pre-assembled gables. Nails, screws, fixings, handles and door locks are usually included along with easy to follow instructions.

What is not normally included are roofing materials, foundation materials and if modifying to become a primary residence, plumbing and electrical.

Like any construction project, it is wise to do your due diligence to make sure your tiny home kit contains the essential materials needed for your specific purposes.


Pre-Fabricated Tiny House Designs

Here's an idea that might fit your needs perfectly - a fully finished tiny house constructed within a new shipping container. You can also add extra units to expand your living space.

According to Amazon.com, the example featured below is constructed to the International Building Code (IBC) and meets building code requirements except California.


Fully finished pre-fabricated tiny house - (Amazon affiliate link for which we may receive a commission)
At 320 square feet, this tiny house includes a bedroom, shower, toilet, sink, kitchenette with appliances, and living area. It also comes with sewer, water, and electrical connections along with heating and air conditioning.

Again, always perform due diligence to ensure you are getting your money's worth. We recommend you visit the manufacturing/distribution facilities to actually see the product if feasible.


quaint tiny house with charming front porch
How charming is this tiny house?



Tiny Home Design Plans



family home plans logo Would you like to get more details of these plans? Great!

Simply go here and jot down the plan numbers you see with some of our pictures.



Instead of a kit, another option is to build your tiny home from a plan. It's a perfect solution if you want to ensure the design is perfect for your needs as they can almost always be modified.

At only 794 square feet, this charming home boasts a large porch and a pergola. The home has a nice kitchen, a combined living and dining area, bathroom, and two bedrooms, and master with French doors.


small home design plan 49492 from Family Home Plans
Compact small home with fantastic porch - Plan #49492


schematic of small house plan design from Family Home Plans
Schematic of interior - Plan #49492



550 square feet of total charm designed for tiny house living. The front porch has Craftsman-style columns and a gable roof. It even has sliding barn doors leading to the back yard.


small home design plan 68571 from Family Home Plans
Compact small home with fantastic porch - Plan #68571


schematic of small house plan design from Family Home Plans
Schematic of interior - Plan #68571



This tiny house design has a nice size loft bedroom and at 597 square feet, will make a cozy and comfy home for its lucky occupants.


small home design plan 68573 from Family Home Plans
Compact small home with fantastic porch - Plan #68573


schematic of small house plan design from Family Home Plans
Schematic of interior - Plan #68573



A Major Tiny House Design Planning Factor

We believe one of the most important tiny home design factor is to analyze your actual physical needs and your lifestyle. Optimally, you should have about 100 square feet per person. Also consider space for pets if applicable.

Do you enjoy a little privacy? Like watching TV or movies but perhaps your significant other doesn't? Have older children who might want to have friends over? Like to entertain?

Once you have that nailed down, you can then focus on the size of tiny home that would be ideal for your situation.




Important Tiny House Permit, Zoning, and Code Requirement Considerations

Although quite popular, not all states, cities, or municipalities are not conducive to allowing for tiny house residences. Zoning laws and building codes normally require a minimum square footage for new homes.

This is what typically, forces people to build tiny houses on wheels instead of a foundation, although it is not a perfect solution. A mobile home must usually meet the requirements of the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association if it will be towed or reside in an RV park facillty.

Construction codes dictate how a structure is built and is driven by safety, environmental, and other issues. Any home construction must comply with construction codes to withstand hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, etc., as with traditional foundation homes.

Zoning dictates where and what you can build. Zoning regulations are usually based local factors and also determine the size requirements of your home. Many jurisdictions have a minimum size requirement of 1,000 square feet or more for new homes along with egress requirements (i.e., the number and size of windows and doors).

Contact your local zoning or planning department to find the specific requirements for your area. You can usually apply for a variance with your municipality for construction outside the existing codes.

A great resource if considering a tiny house is the American Tiny House Association.


family home plans logo

Search House Plans

If you see a house plan you like on our site, jot down the plan # and have it handy for when you visit Family Home Plans. They have a wonderful collection of plans and many can be modified to fit your needs. Search to your heart's content.

Are you looking specifically for a PORCH PLAN? Great, then please take a look at these porch plans they offer (very popular with our readers!)


Looking for GARAGE PLANS? Great, then please take a look at these garage plans they offer We may receive a commission if you purchase a plan through our link. The price is the same to you. See our full affiliate disclosure policy.


See How This Family Lives in a 320 Square Feet Tiny House

Kitchen of small house
Check out the story of the innovative family living here




Our Sponsors
Use the PCA Visualizer to design your screen door


The Porch Store


Shop for Porch Parts at Vintage Woodworks.

End Sponsors



Helpful Links

Enjoy shopping Amazon (affiliate link)

Popular Pages

What's New

Join Our Newsletter Family

Porch Designs

Porch Ideas for Mobile Homes

Find a Local Contractor

Build a Porch | Small Porches

Porch Columns | Porch Railings

Screened Porches

Porch Curtains | Porch Enclosures

Porch Landscaping | Vinyl Lattice

Porch Decorating | Porch Ideas

Shop

Navigation Aids

Home | Top of Page

Site Search | Site Map

Contact Us

Policies

Disclosure Policy | Privacy Policy

Legal Info


Please Join Us Here Also

Join us on Facebook for porch talk Join us on Pinterest Subscribe to get our updates. Thank you!


Get in touch with pre-screened local professionals for work you need done
Find a Trusted Local Pro




Copyright© 2008-2024
Front-Porch-Ideas-and-More.com All rights reserved.
No content or photos may be reused or reproduced in any way without our express written permission.

At no extra cost to you, we earn a commission by referring you to some products on merchant sites. See our disclosure policy.
We, Front Porch Ideas and More, confirm, as stated on our privacy policy, that we do not sell personal information.

All content here is solely for presenting ideas. We recommend consulting with a licensed, experienced contractor before you begin your project.
We make no guarantees of accuracy or completeness of information on our site or any links to other websites contained here.


small rocking chair


Thank you for taking your time to stop by. See what's popular and new here.
Enjoy shopping Amazon (affiliate link)

Our Sponsors
Use the PCA Visualizer to design your screen door


The Porch Store


Shop for Porch Parts at Vintage Woodworks.


End Sponsors

Get in touch with pre-screened local professionals for work you need done
Find Top-Rated Service Pros (our referral link)




Get Our Newsletter,
Front Porch Appeal
and a bonus!
Learn more!


Subscribe and also receive our eBook
Free eBook - Maximize Your Homes Curb Appeal We will use your email address only to send our newsletter and this helpful ebook on curb appeal!
Enjoy our back issues.



What's New
What is new or updated on our site
See Our Latest Updates




Get Our Porch Ideas Generator eBook
Front Porch Ideas Generator eBook
Ten Before & After Case Studies
Showing the Difference a Porch Makes!
Only $9.97




See Our Porch Illustrator eBook
Porch Illustrator Vol 1 & Vol 2 eBook
Over 300 Pages of Porch Illustrations
to Absolutely Inspire!
Just $9.97


Porch Ideas Network
Porch Ideas Network
Listen to Our Podcasts
Plus Featured Builders and Landscapers


Thank you for taking your time to stop by. See what's popular and new here.


small rocking chair
At no extra cost to you, we earn a commission by referring you to some products on merchant sites. See our disclosure policy.
We, Front Porch Ideas and More, confirm, as stated on our privacy policy, that we do not sell personal information.

All content here is solely for presenting ideas. We recommend consulting with a licensed, experienced contractor before you begin your project.
We make no guarantees of accuracy or completeness of information on our site or any links to other websites contained here.


Front Porch Home | Return to Top
Contact Us | About Us | Advertise with Us | Search | Site Map
Media | Privacy Policy | Disclosure | Legal Notice | What's New

XML RSS   Add to My Yahoo!  
By Mary and Dave Morris, Copyright © 2008-2024 Front-Porch-Ideas-and-More.com. All rights reserved.
No content or photos may be reproduced or copied in any way without our express written permission.


Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape