One Story Farmhouse Plans

What is a One Story Farmhouse plan?

In short, one story farmhouse plans are a hybrid of the typical ranch house plans and farmhouse plans. A traditional ranch style home is a single-story. They are generally an open-concept design with a large front porch and a rear patio space. Ranch house plans are recognized by their low-pitch roof lines and simple detailing. Most ranch plans are rectangular in shape, but can also appear as a “U” or “L” shape design. Exterior finishes are normally lap siding, however you may see brick or stone as accent material also.

Farm house plans can be a one story home plan, a one-and-a-half or two story home design. The floor plan is often asymmetrical and the elevation usually have a dominate gable at the front. Farmhouse plans display simple detailing like ranch house designs. They also share an open floor plan concept with large porches that are sometimes designed as a wraparound porch. With the ranch style having similar traits to farm house plans, it’s easy to see how these two styles are merged to create a hybrid design we call one story farmhouse plans.

Benefits of One Story Farmhouse Plans

• No Need For Stairs
  All rooms are on the same floor. You never have to worry about running up and down the stairs every day. This reason alone is why one story farmhouse plans are extremely popular with older homeowners. Getting around can prove difficult for some older residents and having all rooms accessible on one level, like our Ellise Farmhouse plan above, is ideal. In addition, not having stairs also allows for more living space to be utilize in one story farmhouse plans.
• An Open and Free-Flowing Floor Plan
  Having a open floor plan is another advantage for older homeowners. Because older people aren’t as mobile as the younger generation, an open concept plan can eliminate the need to move from room to room just to be in the presence or company of family and friends. The kitchen in one story farmhouse plans are often open to the family room and casual eating areas. These rooms usually see the most traffic throughout a typical day in a home. Open floor plan concepts is one of many reasons to build a farm style home.
• Outdoor Living Space
  One story farmhouse plans with porches add additional living space to the home. The porch designs are generally large enough to accommodate several people along with outdoor furniture. This expands the living area of the home and allows you to enjoy the spring, summer, and fall months under the protection of a roof.
• Easy Maintenance
  One Story Farmhouse plans have only one floor and a relatively low-pitched roof. These two attributes make it easy to maintain and repair the home when necessary. Easy maintenance allows you more time to do the things you would rather do!

Additional Spaces in One story Farmhouse plans

While most ranch farmhouse plans do not have a second floor, in some instances, you will see some with finished basements. Others may have bonus spaces under the roof in what is considered a one-and-one-half story design. Our Park Ridge Farmhouse plan is an example which has both. Each option increases the overall livable space in the home and works great as an area for an entertainment room, a home gym, office, kid’s playroom, or additional bedrooms. Seeing the benefits of living in a farmhouse style 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 1 story house plan, it’s easy to see why this type of home is in high demand among older residents as well as young families.

The Evolution: The Rise of the Modern Farmhouse Aesthetic

While the classic farmhouse is rooted in 19th-century utility, the contemporary “Modern Farmhouse” movement has elevated the one-story plan into a true luxury design. Today’s one-story farmhouse plans often incorporate vaulted ceilings with exposed timber beams, creating a sense of grandeur that rivals any two-story manor. By utilizing a “great room” concept, these homes draw the eye upward, making the footprint feel much larger than its square footage suggests.

Aesthetically, the magic happens in the contrast. Builders are increasingly using vertical board-and-batten siding alongside traditional horizontal lap siding to create visual interest. When you pair these textures with iconic black-framed windows and metal roof accents over the porch, you get a home that feels both rugged and sophisticated. It’s a “best of both worlds” scenario: you get the cozy, grounded feel of a ranch with the high-end, airy drama of a modern gallery.

A Layout for Every Stage of Life

While the lack of stairs is a massive draw for the “active adult” or retiree community, one-story farmhouse plans are secretly a parent’s best friend. For those with toddlers, a single-level home eliminates the constant anxiety of steep staircases and the clutter of baby gates. It allows for “visual connectivity,” meaning a parent can be prepping dinner in the kitchen while keeping a clear line of sight on a child playing in the living area or even on the back patio.

This design philosophy is often referred to as Universal Design. It’s the idea of “future-proofing” your life. By choosing a one-story layout now, you are ensuring that your home remains functional through every season of life—from the chaos of raising young children to the quiet comfort of aging in place. You aren’t just building a house; you’re building a permanent sanctuary that won’t require a move when your knees (or your lifestyle) decide they’ve had enough of climbing stairs.

Efficiency and Climate Control

There is also a very practical, “wallet-friendly” side to the one-story farmhouse. Because heat naturally rises, two-story homes are notorious for having “hot zones” upstairs and “cold zones” downstairs, forcing HVAC systems to work overtime to balance the temperature. In a one-story plan, air circulation is much more uniform. This thermal consistency often leads to lower monthly utility bills and less wear and tear on your heating and cooling equipment.

The “Indoor-Outdoor” Lifestyle

Finally, one-story farmhouse plans are uniquely suited for those who love the outdoors. Because every room is on the ground level, every room has the potential for a direct connection to the yard. Many modern plans now feature oversized sliding glass walls or French doors in the primary bedroom that lead directly to a private porch. This seamless transition between the interior and exterior effectively doubles your “living” space during the warmer months, encouraging a lifestyle that values fresh air as much as interior comfort.