The Hearth
A small, grounded home centered on warmth, routine, and everyday life.
House Plan
About the Plan
The Hearth is an intentionally designed single-story home for people who want comfort without excess and togetherness without overwhelm.
At just under 1,500 square feet, this plan proves that a home doesn’t need to be large to feel complete. The Hearth is centered around the kitchen and dining spaces — the true heart of daily life — creating a home that feels settled, cozy, and quietly supportive.
This is a house designed for mornings that start slowly, evenings that wind down easily, and routines that feel natural rather than forced.
1,464 sq ft of heated living space
2 bedrooms | 2 bathrooms
Single-story living
Primary suite on the main level
No attached garage (works well with detached or no garage)
Simple rectangular footprint — efficient, adaptable, and builder-friendly
At a Glance
Why it's called Hearth
Traditionally, the hearth was the place where daily life gathered — where meals were prepared, conversations lingered, and warmth came from use rather than display.
In this home, the kitchen is the hearth.
It’s where people naturally collect, where hosting feels easy, and where everyday routines anchor the rest of the house. The Hearth isn’t about a single feature — it’s about a feeling of warmth, containment, and steadiness that comes from thoughtful scale and layout.
This home is designed to feel lived-in, not impressive. And that’s exactly the point.
Who this Plan is Best for...
The Hearth works especially well for:
- Individuals or couples starting a new chapter
- Small families with one child or planning for one
- Empty nesters who want a comfortable home with room for guests
- People who love intimate gatherings but don’t want to maintain a large house
- Anyone who values a strong kitchen and calm daily rhythm
This plan tends to resonate with people who want a home that feels complete and manageable — not something they need to grow into or scale back from.
Who this Plan is not Ideal for...
The Hearth may not be the right fit if you:
- Have multiple children or host large gatherings regularly
- Need a large mudroom or attached garage
- Prefer very open, expansive living spaces
- Want separate zones for work-from-home or frequent overnight guests
This home is intentionally minimal and works best for people with predictable, simple routines.
How Daily Life Flows
Mornings
The day begins in the kitchen — the true center of the home. The large island provides space for breakfast, coffee, and quiet starts, while the separate beverage or baking bar allows multiple tasks to happen without crowding.
Coming and Going
The home flows linearly from front to back: living room at the front, dining in the center, and kitchen toward the rear. This creates visual connection without everything happening in one space, allowing the house to feel open yet contained.
Evenings
Evenings are calm and grounded. Cooking, dining, and relaxing unfold naturally around the kitchen and dining areas, while the bedrooms remain tucked away for rest and privacy.
This home supports weekday life, not just hosting or special occasions.
Kitchen, Dining, and Main living Spaces
- A generous island that naturally becomes the gathering point
- A separate beverage or baking bar so guests can help themselves without disrupting cooking
- A dining room positioned between the kitchen and living room for intentional flow
- Clear sightlines between spaces without being on top of each other
This layout is ideal for people who believe the kitchen truly is the heart of the home — where life happens most often.
Laundry, Storage & Invisible Function
- A centrally located laundry room sized to handle the full laundry cycle
- A large walk-in pantry that keeps food storage out of sight and the kitchen visually calm
- Minimal drop zone by design — best suited for simpler lifestyles
The Hearth is intentionally efficient, not overloaded with systems.
Private Spaces & Zoning
- Both bedrooms are located near each other but separated by a bathroom, offering closeness without shared walls
- Ideal for a nursery, guest room, or flexible second bedroom
- The primary suite is tucked away while remaining close to the heart of the home
This zoning supports togetherness while still providing privacy where it matters.
Outdoor Living
- A small front porch provides weather protection and a quiet threshold when coming and going
- A large covered back porch sits directly off the kitchen, creating easy indoor–outdoor connection
- Perfect for intimate backyard dinners, casual gatherings, or simply opening the house to fresh air
These spaces extend daily life outward without adding maintenance or complexity.
Natural Light & Overall Feel
The overall feeling of the home is:
- Cozy
- Grounded
- Intimate
- Complete
This is a house that feels easy to live in — and easy to keep up with.
Builder & Modification Notes
- The simple rectangular footprint makes this plan straightforward and cost-effective to build
- While minimal in form, the layout avoids feeling boxy or generic
- Well-suited to small or narrow suburban and urban lots
Modifications are best kept light and intentional to preserve the plan’s balance
From the Architect
I tend to recommend the Hearth to families or individuals who want a home that feels settled from the start.
It’s ideal for people beginning a new chapter — whether that’s starting a family or downsizing — and who want something smaller and more affordable without sacrificing comfort or function.
The second bedroom works beautifully as a nursery when children are young, and just as well as a guest room or flex space later on. This home isn’t meant to stretch endlessly — it’s meant to fit.
The Hearth is about warmth through use, not size.
And for the right person, that’s exactly what makes it feel like home.
Pricing & What is Included
- area plans
- floor plans
- roof plans
- building elevations
- building sections
- interior elevations
- reflected ceiling plans
- electrical diagrams
- window & door schedules
- renderings
- foundation plans
- structural drawings
- mechanical drawings
Most Flexible
Most Affordable
$687
2 payments of
$1,197
1 payment of
A Final Note
The Hearth is for people who value calm, routine, and intentional living.
If you’re drawn to this plan, it’s likely because you’re looking for a home that feels steady — not something you need to manage or grow into.
Clarity always comes before commitment.
Need Help Deciding?
Choosing a floor plan is about more than square footage and the number of bedrooms. The Build Clarity Framework helps you decide what is important for your family so you can confidently choose a plan that will work for you family's needs.
Learn More
Get design insights, behind-the-scenes ideas, and building wisdom delivered with warmth and practicality from an architect and fellow mom.