Small opportunities should never be an obstacle to the dream, especially regarding your own home! Comfort, beauty, and warmth are possible even in a tiny area. Fortunately, many Americans are well aware of this since a home of 500 square feet is not uncommon. Let’s find out why even a small house can be so attractive and what space options are available for them today.

500 Square Feet House Features

The regular base shape is common for a 500-square-foot house. However, this does not mean everything else is boring and typical here. Small houses may well imply various roofs, including gable, gambrel, and even mansard. The play of wide, tall, and narrow windows will create a harmonious exterior and a balanced scenario of indoor daylight.

As for the interior, everything is also ergonomic and thoughtful there. As a rule, there is enough space for 1 or 2 bedrooms, 1 or 1.5 bathrooms, as well as open dining and living space with a kitchenette. Some homeowners attach a garage to their house and fit into the footage!

Can a 500-square-foot house have more than one floor? Yes! Studying house plans, you can see the two-story and 1.5-story options as well. The lower floors are usually occupied by a garage and storage, while the upper floors imply sufficient living space.

How Big Is A 500 Square Feet House? 

There shouldn’t be any disagreement because 500 square feet is a small house. And yet, do not think that you will be uncomfortable with this footage as it has its merits.

• You will spend less money on the construction and finishing materials;
• You will have all the conveniences and necessary things at hand, and you will not have to wander around the house in search of anything;
• Cleaning will stop being an exhausting matter;
• You can buy or build it even if constrained by funds.

The area of 500 square feet can refer to the house in which you live permanently. At the same time, this is more than enough for both a beach house and for a guest or vacation cottage. It is no wonder that many prefer this footage for such options.

500 Square Feet House Plans

Some people think a small area is incompatible with diversity, but we will reassure you. A 500-square-foot house opens up enough opportunities, and we will introduce you to some house plans for new ideas and more inspiration.

500 Sq Ft 1-Story Cottage with 2 Bedrooms and a Bathroom

Source: The Plan Collection

That’s what we mean when we say all ingenious things are simple! This concise and balanced plan of the house with a simple gable roof and a covered front porch with some Fachwerk details will come to the taste of those who do not want excesses and seek harmony. The large living space, seamlessly passing into the dining area, is adjacent to a spacious full bathroom, and two identical bedrooms create a whole wing for relaxation.

500 Sq Ft Modern Country House with Wide Wrap Around Porch

Source: Truoba

This simple, smooth, geometric house can’t offer a manageable number of rooms. However, it has everything you need, including a living area with a tiny kitchen, a small bathroom, and a rather spacious bedroom. However, the expansive covered porch embracing the house around the perimeter becomes its highlight. It opens countless opportunities for hanging outdoors and makes this plan a perfect solution for a vacation home.

500 Sq Ft Cabana Craftsman House

Source: DFD House Plan

This excellent solution for vacations somewhere on the shore of the lake clarifies that luxury can be ergonomic! A double gable roof with open wooden beams, stone panels on the columns, and folding doors gives it a modern and comfortable look. Inside, everything is simple and convenient; the kitchen, the full bath, and plenty of open space will let you spend your free time as you have always dreamt.

500 Sq Ft 2-Story Farmhouse with a 2-Car Garage

Source: The Plan Collection

Charming in its simplicity, the house will attract singles or married couples who prefer country life. The main floor includes two garage bays so your cars will be safe and sound, while the upper floor plan offers a harmonious layout, including a bedroom, a full bathroom, and a spacious living area with a tall window. Moreover, designers have even carved out space for a closet and a laundry. 

500 Sq Ft 1-Story Country House with a Cozy Rear Porch

Source: Truoba

This minimalist house looks relatively tiny, but its capacity is far from being small. The spacious living room with dining and kitchen areas, the large bedroom, and a bathroom with a water heater will let you enjoy life all year round. However, if the weather is wonderful, you can leave the living room for the sprawling covered rear porch and arrange a romantic dinner overlooking the evening garden. 

How Much Does It Cost to Build A 500-Square Feet House?

Building a house is an attractive solution, especially if you know and love to work with your hands. Besides, 500-square-foot homes are much cheaper, as they have less excess and luxury but allow you to focus on quality.

Today, experts estimate the cost of one square foot of a built house of $100-200 depending on the complexity of the work and the cost of the materials you use. However, even the location may matter, as prices in the south are lower than in the northeast.

The average cost of building a house (without extras) in some states is shown in the table below.

State	Cost to Build a House
Alabama	$67,000-70,000
Arizona	$75,000-77,000
Arkansas	$64,000-66,000
California	$100,00-110,000
Colorado	$75,000-77,000
Florida	$72,000-74,000
Georgia	$69,000-72,000
Idaho	$78,000-80,000
Iowa	$60,000-62,000
Kansas	$54,000-56,000
Kentucky	$70,000-72,000
Maine	$71,000-73,000
Massachusetts	$87,000-89,000
Michigan	$61,000-63,000
Mississippi	$64,000-66,000
Nevada	$84,000-87,000
New Jersey	$94,000-96,000
New York	$90,000-100,000
North Carolina	$76,000-78,000
North Dakota	$59,000-61,000
Pennsylvania	$76,000-78,000
South Carolina	$76,000-79,000
South Dakota	$54,000-57,000
Utah	$70,000-73,000
Virginia	$77,000-79,000
Washington	$85,000-88,000
Wyoming	$72,000-74,000

The construction costs will include several aspects which you cannot do without. Be ready to invest in the following items (with the shares of total expenses for a 500-square-foot house if we take $80,000-90,000 as an average):

• Site work (3,7-4%). Depending on the initial state of your land plot, it can be excavation, preparing utilities, and septic system installation. These works may be few, but on average, you will spend about $3,000.
• Foundations (7,2-8%). We will be corny, but this is one of the most important stages of house construction, so it entails the costs. 500-square-foot houses usually rarely have basements, but with materials and retaining walls, it will cost you about $5,000-6,000.
• Home framing (10,7-11%). The frame, roof, and sheathing will take a sizeable share of your construction budget, even if you make do with lumber. Using metal elements adds to reliability but increases costs.
• Exterior finishes (8,6-10%). This item includes painting, plastering, ornaments, roofing, doors, and windows. All this may cost you between $7,000 and $10,000, but it is not worth saving.
• Major systems installation (9-10%). You’ll need plumbing, electricity, and HVAC for a comfortable life, so get ready to put at least $7,000 into it. Please note that this stage does not include fixtures like toilets, baths, sinks, and lamps.
• Interior finishes (15,5-20%). You’ll have to fork out the maximum budget here, but there’s nothing to do. Focus on your ideas about a beautiful and cozy home, but do not lose your mind and be reasonable.
• Landscaping and miscellaneous (4,1-4,5%). A driveway? A covered porch? A patio? Why not if your budget can handle it? This type of work will cost you $3,000-4,000, but the harmonious look of your home will be the best acquisition.

The estimate for the construction of a 500-square-foot house should also include a designer’s fee for the plan, all the necessary permits, and the builders’ earnings. As you can see, any careless budget planning is a bad idea, so think it through or consult the developer.

How Much Does It Cost to Buy A 500-Square Feet House?

Building 500 square feet seems like a minor deal, but only some have the time or the skills to do it. Purchasing a house is a convenient and even more profitable alternative in some cases, and you will get valuable experience by studying the offers on the real estate market.

As for small house prices, they still vary by metro area. We present some pricing for the states recognized as particularly favorable in the USA. All offers are presented on Zillow. 

• New Hampshire – $155,000
• Arkansas – $155,000
• Colorado – $190,000
• Utah – $139,000
• California – $250,000
• Florida – $190,000   
• Massachusetts – $90,000
• Vermont – $135,000  
• Washington – $120,000    
• South Carolina – $130,000

These prices are average for each metro area. You can buy an old hut on a beautiful plot cheaply and reconstruct everything according to your plan or, on the contrary, purchase a cute finished house in 500 square feet in a prestigious area. Anyway, follow your wishes and calculate the budget reasonably.

Conclusions

Tiny 500-square-foot houses are famous as holiday cottages but may be preferred for the permanent residence alone or together somewhere amid nature. Despite the small size, they offer all the living facilities, making your home chores easier and keeping everything at hand.

Think it all over if the idea of owning such a house captures you. Choose the style you have always dreamed of. Order the best house plan. Make a detailed and reasonable estimate. Enjoy the choice of materials. So, you will see that comfort, aesthetics, and the joy of life do live on 500 square feet!