Single-storey house plans - comfortable living on one level without stairs

Single-storey houses keep a steady following among private builders — not as a trend, but for daily comfort: all the living space on one level, with no stairs and no thresholds. This category gathers ready-made plans of different sizes and shapes that you can build as they are or adapt to your plot.

Who single-storey houses suit

One level means safety and ease for anyone who finds stairs a problem: families with young children, older people and residents with limited mobility. These plans make it simple to add wider bathrooms, level thresholds and a ramp instead of steps. The day and private zones are clearly separated, so the bedrooms stay quiet while the kitchen-living area is busy.

The economics of going single-storey

Here is an honest figure that often goes unmentioned. A one-level house of the same area costs roughly 20% more than a two-storey one. The reason is structural: the same floor space sits on a larger foundation and under a larger roof — the two most expensive parts of any house. Add a bigger building footprint: a single-storey home needs more room on the plot.

Advantages of a single-storey house

• Safety and accessibility: no stairs means less risk for children and older people.
• Engineering economy: services run under the floor or in the attic, with no vertical risers between floors.
• Cheaper repairs later: the façade and roof are reachable without heavy lifting equipment.
• Faster construction: the build takes a few months less than a two-storey house.
• Easier to build yourself — fewer complex works at height.
• Room to grow: the attic can later be turned into habitable space.

When a two-storey house is the better choice

Single-storey does not always win. If the plot is small or hemmed in by neighbours, there may simply not be room for a large footprint — then it is wiser to add a second floor and save land. A single-storey house with a garage also takes up a noticeable part of the plot. The size and shape of your plot will settle the question.

Where to next

Full house plans catalogue · two-storey house plans · compact plans up to 100 m² · expandable houses · houses with a garage

Choose a single-storey plan

Plans in this category are designed by Alexei Biryukovich, architect at AkvilonPro with over 45 years of experience. If you need everything on one level, pick a plan from the catalogue or order an adaptation to your plot. Get in touch and the architect will suggest the best solution.