A 1,500-square-foot house is just another step towards the perfect family nest. While 1,000 square feet may seem insufficient and 2,000 feet is not always affordable, you get the best possible space with broader design possibilities. So, let’s find out why this footage has become so profitable in many ways.

1500 Square Foot House Features

Your 1,500 square foot home will be your fortress if you live alone or with up to three kids. This footage accommodates three spacious bedrooms and two full bathrooms and has an excellent resource for a kitchen, a living room, and hobby and home office spaces just as you imagine them.

Besides, we have already mentioned the reasonable prices for these houses compared to residential real estate of a larger size. The cottage of 1,500 square feet can become a good offer if you are rational about mortgage payments, utility payments, and home maintenance. Indeed, saving money with this house capacity becomes a perfect balance for those looking for family coziness and livability of a higher level.

The frame house of 1500 square feet also allows realization of various facade designs. It is up to you whether it will be a farmhouse, a country house, a ranch, a chalet, a beach house, or something contemporary and classy.

How Big Is A 1500 Square Foot House? 

Forget the word “small” when it comes to a 1,500 square foot house. Architects and owners consider them a strong average size, so you can safely navigate this footage for your family. You won’t need much furniture and finishing materials to build and decorate your home and won’t plug away paying the mortgage. So, you will have every opportunity to devote your time to your life and family rather than making home the center of the universe.

1500 Square Foot House Plans

Today, designers offer a variety of home plans for 1,500 square feet, so you’ll have a lot to choose from. You may see your future housing; then, you can use these plans for ideas and inspiration. We suggest you consider the examples below, as each can be your starting point.

1500 Sq Ft Rustic Cottage with 3 Bedrooms and a Wraparound Porch

With its compact and unusual architecture and complex roof, this rustic cottage can be seen through its perimeter porch and panoramic glazed terrace. The layout includes a spacious living room with a kitchenette, a dining area, a large primary bedroom on the main floor, and two bedrooms for children or guests on the upper floor.

1500 Sq Ft One-story Traditional House with 3 Bedrooms and a Rear Porch

The exterior of this house embodies the tradition of cozy and respectable residential buildings that provide comfort to their owners. Once inside, you immediately enter a beautifully furnished open space with a fireplace and vaulted ceilings. The great room overlooks the large dining room, which is adjacent to the kitchen hidden behind the partition, as well as the deck for barbecue and other outdoor joys. Two small bedrooms with a shared bathroom can be used as kids’ rooms, while the primary bedroom with a private bath and a huge dressing room provides privacy and serenity. The upper part of the 2-car garage is a bonus room that you can use at your discretion.

1500 Sq Ft Country with 2 Main Living Areas and a Breezeway

Source: MaxHousePlans

Designers called this unusual house a dogtrot cabin, as it has a division into two main living areas. One of them is put under a huge vaulted living room with a fireplace, a kitchen, and a small dining area, a large bedroom with a private bathroom and laundry room, while two bedrooms with a shared bathroom are on the upper floor. They are joined by an expansive screened porch, which can also be used for a home office or a winter garden. The space on the upper floor is open, so you can adapt it to another bedroom, a game room, or a storage.

1500 Sq Ft 2-Story Modern Farmhouse with 3 Bedrooms and 2-Car Garage

Source: ABHP

This house has some apparent features of farm style. However, the elegant glazing, cozy front porch under the pointed visor, and complex roof refer to a respectable traditional style. The layout also presents the conventional version of an interior, with an open space for a kitchen, a dining room, and a living room on the main floor and all three bedrooms on the upper floor. The 2-car garage is harmoniously integrated into the exterior, making it more complex and impressive.

1500 Sq Ft Cottage House with 2 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms, and an Enormous Living Space

Source: The Plan Collection

This charming cottage looks cozy and settled if you want to spend a summer or a weekend in nature or are inspired by rustic interiors. The vast living space in the center of the house with high vaulted ceilings can be zoned into a living room, a kitchen, and a dining room, leading to a rectangular deck for barbecue and lazy open-air hours. Besides, you get two large bedrooms, two closets, a utility room, and a relatively spacious pantry at your disposal.

How Much Does It Cost to Build A 1500 Square Foot House?

Building a 1,500 square foot house on your property is a good idea if you have time, patience, and experience. We’ve discussed the current estimated cost per square foot many times, so you just need simple mathematics to calculate what you can expect. Here, we consider the significant costs related to the spending on the frame house, finishes, and labor.

The minimum cost of a house of this size could be about $150,000-170,000, while the maximum would be about $300,000 for an average home. Premium housing is everything that comes after that. However, these figures vary depending on the state where you are building a house or buying, so see the prices in the table below.

State	Cost to Build a House
Alabama	$200,000
Arizona	$222,000
Arkansas	$189,000
California	$303,000
Colorado	$225,000
Florida	$198,000
Georgia	$205,000
Idaho	$237,000
Iowa	$160,000
Kansas	$154,000
Kentucky	$210,000
Maine	$211,000
Massachusetts	$262,000
Michigan	$124,000
Mississippi	$192,000
Nevada	$250,000
New Jersey	$282,000
New York	$270,000
North Carolina	$226,000
North Dakota	$160,000
Pennsylvania	$226,000
South Carolina	$228,000
South Dakota	$153,000
Utah	$217,000
Virginia	$232,000
Washington	$259,000
Wyoming	$217,000

Think about other expenses if you decide to build a house. Building materials, fixtures, finishes, and labor works will make up the lion’s share of your costs, but do not discount the following aspects:

• Land works. You can’t just start and build if your land plot is not ready. Sometimes you need to clear the territory or grade the soil. This serious work usually adds 10-15% to the house’s total value after construction.
• The number of floors. 1,500 square feet are pretty enough for building a 2-story house. However, be ready to pay 20% more if you prefer this option.
• Accomplishments. The area around your home also needs beautification, as a delightful house implies a nice entourage! You can dream of a swimming pool, flowerbeds, landscaping, or a gazebo, and you can afford all this. Besides, remember about the fence, the price of which can go up to $30 per foot depending on the height, materials, and the metro area where you build.
• Appliances. You can make do with inexpensive kitchen appliances if you don’t care. However, the latest equipment at home will cost you 2-3 times more, so make sure you are willing to pay for it.

It would be best if you also remembered about the design of the house, as this service is not free either. You can find a ready-made plan or request a private project, but the second option is more expensive. Expect about $2,100-2,500, but the exact figures vary depending on the metro area and the designer’s expertise.

How Much Does It Cost to Buy A 1500 Square Foot House?

The decision to buy a house is quite reasonable today. You see what you need at once, and changes or repairs may require minimal investment. Besides, you can move to the purchased house right after the deal without frightening delays typical for construction periods. However, sometimes you will have to spend more on the purchase itself, and you can see it by the example of the average cost of housing in metro areas, recognized as the best for life in 2022-2023:

• Utah – $240,000-390,000
• New Hampshire – $350,000-450,000
• Colorado – $200,000-370,000
• Florida – $290,000-400,000
• Illinois – $200,000-350,000
• Massachusetts – $190,000-345,000
• Minnesota – $210,000-360,000
• California – $300,000-450,000
• Vermont – $200,000-320,000
• Washington – $340,000-470,000
• South Carolina – $215,000-300,000

You may consider a price outside the range. For example, there are a lot of offers of low-cost houses, but you may lack amenities, the layout may be inconvenient, or the state of utilities may leave much to be desired. You can also understand that you can afford a more expensive home with more spectacular architecture and exquisite finishes. However, stick to the figures above as a golden means to navigate better.

Conclusions

A 1,500 square foot house is an opportunity for a comfortable life for your family without unnecessary space that would require time or money. Here, you will find a place for cozy evenings with loved ones, blissful privacy, and your hobbies, not to mention the opportunity to realize yourself as a designer when furnishing the rooms and decorating the porches of your new home.