Tiny footage houses are in demand more than you might think, and 800 square feet often become a favorite among them. Architects describe them as “compact but functional” as this size allows you to keep everything you need close at hand. So, let’s look at the pros of an 800-square-foot house and learn how to correctly arrange their inner and outer space.

800 Square Foot House Features

A house of this size will not give you the feeling of the owner of a luxury estate, but you can enjoy the comfort of your home. Many consider this area perfect for a rural cottage or a cabin, but permanent living on 800 square feet can be pretty enjoyable.

A typical house of this size is about 30 by 36 square feet. Here, you can arrange one or two bedrooms and one or two bathrooms. You can expect a relatively spacious living room, especially if combined with kitchen and dining areas. However, you can choose a plan for an 800 square foot house depending on your needs. For example, two bedrooms and two bathrooms may be excessive, while one spacious bedroom and a luxury bathroom will become just what you need.

It is quite evident that these small houses are usually one-story, although you can find two-story plans with quite a rational layout. Here, the upper or basement floor is open or unfinished and may imply a space for another bathroom, kitchen, or storage.

Front and rear porches highlight these homes, as they allow their owners to expand the living area in warm weather, and you can enjoy the outdoors and conversations with friends, decorating this space to your liking.

Can you expect an attached garage if you are building or buying a house of 800 square feet? Absolutely! You will not find them in many plans for this footage, but talented architects may find a place for a car even here. A separate garage can be a good option as well.

How Big Is A 800 Square Foot House? 

Indeed, a house of 800 square feet is not significant, and we can definitely call it small. However, who says that everyone needs a lot of space for life? You may well find this footage inspiring for living alone as well as for the elderly empty nester couple or a young couple with no kids. It is they who see the benefits of these tiny houses.

The first advantage of 800 square feet is that you don’t need to take care of excess space. You don’t have to think about how to arrange another couple of square feet or how to find time to clean the extra rooms. Everything you need is at your disposal, and you enjoy the amenities available while spending a minimum of time cleaning and maintenance.

Besides, the affordability of 800 square foot homes is also worth mentioning. You can take a cheap mortgage, and smaller monthly payments will not be an intolerable burden. The small cost of insurance and utilities will satisfy even those whose financial situation leaves much to be desired so far.

Owners of large plots often consider this footage for stand-alone guest houses. Think about it if you are in the club and like to meet overnight guests.

800 Square Foot House Plans

You may think this small footage leaves no space for imagination, but the number of house plans will be a revelation for you and a trove of ideas for construction or purchase. So, let’s look at some of them.

800 Sq Ft Modern Mid-Century One-Bedroom House with 2 Bathrooms and a Garage

Source: Drummond House Plans

This tiny mid-century house looks harmonious and attractive even despite its small size. The designers achieved a perfect internal balance by combining an open floor kitchen, living room, primary suite with a bath, and 1-car garage. The plan even implies enough space for a cozy indoor porch, while an unfinished daylight basement gives space for another bathroom and extra bedrooms.

800 Sq Ft Vacation House with 2 Bedrooms and Several Porches

Source: Truoba

This cabin with the skillion roof and plenty of outdoor spaces combines the features of contemporary and minimalism. The extended layout provides ample space for two bedrooms, a shared bathroom, and the common dining and great room area. The house has a loft with high ceilings, leaving space for storage and another small room.

800 Sq Ft Modern 2-Story House with a Double Garage

Source: ABHP

You may be overwhelmed by how much this small but nice house holds, but it is a matter of superb design vision. The first floor of the building is given for a two-car garage, while the upper one accommodates a relatively large bedroom, a spacious bathroom, and an impressive open floor great room with a kitchen. It even has a storage space, so you can call it an ergonomic masterpiece.

800 Sq Ft 2-Story Cottage with Loft and 2 Bedrooms

Source: MaxHousePlans 

This little craftsman cottage is designed for solitude somewhere in a picturesque place to enjoy the leisurely flow of life. It provides absolutely everything and even more, with its spacious great room, a kitchen corner, and a vast bedroom with a large and cozy bathroom. The open deck contributes to the rustic look of the house. Upstairs is a loft for another bedroom and a lot of storage.

800 Sq Ft Traditional House with 2 Bedrooms and a Bathroom

Source: The Plan Collection

This house can be called a true classic of small residential property, as it completely misses extra space. You get everything you need, including a large family room with an open-floor dining area, two bedrooms, and a rather large bathroom. The traditional and harmonious exterior of the house makes it a perfect choice for childless couples of middle age or retirees.

How Much Does It Cost to Build A 800 Square Foot House?

You don’t have to go out of your way to build a house of 800 square feet. This footage is compact, so you save time and money. The cheapest construction will cost you $80,000-90,000 in the base at a total cost of $100-200 per square foot in the US. The average respectable house will take $120,000-135,000 or $160,000 or more if you want a maximum. You can also find out about the approximate average price of building a small house in popular states.

State	Cost to Build a House
Alabama	$107,000
Arizona	$118,000
Arkansas	$105,000
California	$162,000
Colorado	$120,000
Florida	$105-106,000
Georgia	$110,000
Idaho	$126,000
Iowa	$85-90,000
Kansas	$82,000
Kentucky	$112,000
Maine	$112,000
Massachusetts	$140,000
Michigan	$87,000
Mississippi	$103,000
Nevada	$137,000
New Jersey	$149,000
New York	$144,000
North Carolina	$121,000
North Dakota	$86,000
Pennsylvania	$121,000
South Carolina	$123,000
South Dakota	$82,000
Utah	$115,000
Virginia	$124,000
Washington	$137,000
Wyoming	$116,000

However, do not think the construction will cost you a few cents, even if it is 800 square feet only. An excellent small house implies all the same expenses as a more spacious property, so consider the following aspects:

• Land works. You may have a pretty space-saving plot for the construction of a house, but it requires preparation if necessary, so get ready to invest 10-15% of the total cost of the house as usual.
• Roofing. The roof can be cheaper for you, as the house size does not imply a place for architectural delights. Sometimes, $3,000-4,500 for a typical roof may be enough.
• Finishes and fixtures. Despite the modest size of the house, you may also want a high-end environment. Be sure to include all this in the estimate to assess your budget.
• Home plan. Proper small space arrangement requires talent and experience, so hiring a designer or architect can be intelligent. You can meet $1,500 or more if you have no exquisite requirements.
• Labor costs. Many prefer to build tiny houses with their own hands, which is entirely possible. However, the help of professional builders will not be too expensive, as it will cost you up to $30,000 or even less.

You may also want to build a two-story house, even though one is enough for all amenities. Well, this option can also be rational if you want to keep more open space for a flower bed, gazebo, or garden on your site. However, in this case, the construction will cost you 15-20% more, so check all future expenses carefully.

How Much Does It Cost to Buy A 800 Square Foot House?

Buying a house of 800 square feet attracts singles and couples with neither will nor skills to build, and they prefer to come and live rather than spend months and nerves on the construction. You can consider the average price of a house of this size in the most favorable states of the United States or other metro areas with different resources. So, Zillow gives the following figures:

• Arizona – $130,000-145,000
• California – $200,000-210,000
• Colorado – $130,000-145,000
• Florida – $160,000-180,000
• Illinois – $130,000-145,000
• Massachusetts – $180,000-210,000
• New Hampshire – $130,000-140,000
• Utah – $180,000-200,000
• Vermont – $170,000-190,000
• Washington – $180,000-190,000
• South Carolina – $125,000-140,000

Here, we tried to consider houses for permanent residence. Summer cottages at 800 square feet will be cheaper, as they have fewer amenities and are often located somewhere in rural areas.

Conclusions

You can consider 800 square feet if you live alone or with your partner or if you need a beach house, a forest cabin, or a guest house. This small space promises ultimate comfort without unnecessary details, unwanted charges, and constant cleaning. Pure harmony for life!