Acres of land to build a luxurious ancestral home is a pipedream for many of us, so a small house of 1,000 square feet is a typical option for Americans. Despite the compactness, they can offer everything you need for a comfortable stay, especially if you have a small family. So, looking at all the features of planning and purchasing a house of 1,000 square feet – maybe this is your gold mine!

1000 Square Feet House Features

Typically, a house of one thousand square feet is a rectangle with 25 and 40 feet sides, respectively. Realtors often relate this to the garage area for two cars, but we are talking about housing, so focus on the option with a kitchen, two baths, a dining room, and two or a maximum of three bedrooms.

How Big Is A 1000 Square Feet House? 

Objectively, this is quite a lot for an apartment and somewhat to the extent of a house. The area of a thousand square feet may seem small, but it all depends on your perception and lifestyle. This is an excellent environment for one person, a couple, or a family with two children. However, a large family can be cramped in this space if you have over three kids and other relatives living with you, and you need a separate room for work or hobbies.

1000 Square Foot House Plans

One look is worth a thousand words, so we recommend you study the house plans. Viewing them will give you a better understanding of what you can afford for 1000 square feet. So, we offer you some ideas below.

1000 Sq Ft Country House with 2 bedrooms

A charming two-bedroom house features an ergonomic and thoughtful layout. Here you can see two identical bedrooms, each with an entrance to a full bathroom and another full bathroom next to the kitchen and one of the bedrooms. The spacious kitchen with the breakfast area facing the patio makes it convenient for the whole family to gather. Two raised zoning bars will please visitors and owners. The large living room with a gas fireplace, built-ins, and a small laundry near the kitchen contribute to the perfect arrangement.

1000 Sq Ft One-Story Traditional House with 3 bedrooms

The 1000-square feet one-story house looks inspiring because of the pastoral charm of the welcoming front porch. The family room of 280 square feet with a semicircular bay window becomes the heart of the house, while the small galley kitchen with two windows and a small breakfast area can be expanded with an optional bay window. Two identical bedrooms with a shared bathroom and a huge primary bedroom with a separate bathroom and dressing room are concentrated in the left wing of the house, while the garage bay is on the right.

1000 Sq Ft Bungalow with 2 bedrooms

Source: The Plan Collection

An elegant house with a complex gable roof has a two-story construction, which allowed the designer to arrange a huge master bedroom upstairs and add a spacious master bathroom to it. The main floor is given over to a spacious living room where you can access the dining room, kitchen, and bathroom around the perimeter. You get inside through a charming courtyard, which is so attractive to spend time outdoors. This layout becomes the right solution for a single resident or a couple with no children.

1000 Sq Ft Rectangular Traditional House with 3 bedrooms

The 1000 square feet single-story house with one bathroom and three bedrooms is an example of traditional architecture. The bedrooms are slightly different, allowing for furnishing the space for parents and kids in a proper way. The combination of the kitchen and living room provides unlimited zoning options. There is also a space for a small pantry, which contributes to the comfortable layout.

1000 Sq Ft Modern Farmhouse with 1 bedroom

Source: The Plan Collection

The complex exterior of this 1000 square feet Modern house hides stunning volumes of light and air inside. The expansive covered porch surrounds the house like a ribbon and leads to a large open room, kitchen island, and pantry at the far end. The only bathroom is located between the kitchen and the living space. The second floor is under the loft and has a large bedroom. The layout will inspire those who prefer living alone in a luminous, unfettered interior.

How Much Does It Cost to Build A 1000 Square Feet House?

Building your own house can be a great idea, given that you have a free lot and enough finance and aspire to live where everything is designed just like you want. Let’s look at the costs of building a house from scratch.

Today, experts keep construction costs at $100-155 per square foot, so you can imagine how much you will have to spend on essential works. The range above also varies by region; expect $100 per square foot if you plan to live in the south of the US, and note that you will have to pay more and more as you move west and north. The price tag is related to materials and average labor costs. For example, $135 per square foot is okay for North Dakota residents, but homeowners in Texas calculate their costs at $175 per square foot.

The complexity of the layout and the finishes (cheap, medium-priced, or premium) also have a crucial impact. So, a lower-end 1000 square feet house will cost about $100,000. Keep about $155,000 ready if you expect an average modern house. Those who prefer expensive finishes will have to accumulate around $400,000, although the ultimate cost may be slightly higher or lower. Consider that materials and finishes are 40-50% of the price of the house, so plan your budget with significant support for this aspect.

Other factors affecting the cost of building a house are:

• Construction with a developer or a custom home builder. The first option will save up to 15% of the total cost of the house.
• Land works. Preparation of the plot for the house includes cleaning and grading. Get ready to fork out a little more if you haven’t done it in advance.
• The number of floors. You can afford one or two floors for a 1,000-square-foot house. However, remember that two stories increase the final price by about 20%.
• Territory accomplishments. Include a substantial amount to the cost of the house if you need landscaping, a swimming pool, a terrace, or fencing. The latter’s price varies from 10 to 30 dollars per foot, depending on the material.
• Roof type. Add about $7,000 if you need something average and handy, and include more if you need advanced technology like solar panels.
• Household appliances. High-tech built-in units can increase the cost of a house by 5% or even more.
• Labor costs. The average for paying specialists is $34 per square foot, but you should consider their average earnings in your metro area. You can spend over $24,000 on labor costs. Lay down more serious expenses if you plan to hire an architect or decorator to work with exclusive finishes and interior items.

Also, do not forget the fee for the designer who will work on the plan of your home. The project cost may be up to $2,500 or more, while some architects may charge hourly or square foot rates. Overall, the average cost of a house plan of 1000 square feet varies around $2,100.

How Much Does It Cost to Buy A 1000 Square Feet House?

You need patience, willingness, and, once again, patience to build a house, even if it is small and takes just 1000 square feet. Perhaps buying is your best option. Offers on the home market for sale have grown in recent years, and you can try to find a dream house at a reasonable price. The cost of housing also depends on the metro area where you plan to buy. Focus on the average price of 1000 square feet in each state. We offer some examples based on houses sold recently, according to Zillow:

• Florida – $170,000-180,000;
• South Carolina – $160,000-220,000;
• Arizona – $71,000-110,000;
• California – $255,000-1,000,000;
• Illinois – $55,000-250,000.

The house price also varies depending on finishes, layout, options, interior, and location. You will pay more for the same property located in prestigious areas or with a better commute.

Conclusions

Some of us belittle the capacity of a 1000 square feet home, but it is a bit unfair. A talented and thoughtful plan will provide everything necessary for a comfortable and happy life as one, two, or a small family. It can also be a good start for those who need a cozy nest now but plan something more for their housing in the future.