Want Something Different? Get Southern Living Home Plans

It has become common to see neighborhoods that are stocked with three or four variations of the same house plan. While rows of neatly placed homes in matching colors and exteriors may be aesthetically pleasing, it can be boring. When you want something different, Southern Living home plans offer a classic alternative to the ordinary that both you -- and your neighbors -- will love!

Southern living plans cover a very wide spectrum of the house plan market. They are difficult to categorize; rather, you will find the Southern Living influence in a wide variety of house plan categories. These may include Farmhouse plans, Cottage house plans, Plantation house plans, and others, but you can often find designer collections compiled exclusively of Southern Living plans.

What makes a Southern Living plan different? It’s all in the feel of the design. It can be hard to articulate, but it’s something that just makes you feel like you’re home. Here’s just a taste of what makes Southern Living plans stand out from the crowd.

Gracious hospitality.

Whether it’s a modest cottage-style home or a grand estate, Southern Living house plans welcome visitors with inviting entrances. The front door is usually flanked by traditional living spaces, such as the formal living room and dining room. There are often powder rooms near the entry for the comfort of guests.

Outdoor living spaces.

To many, southern living means a wide front porch that wraps right around to the rear of the house, complete with wooden rocking chairs, a porch swing, and a screened-in porch. These outdoor living spaces are a throwback to a time when a languid breeze and a shady spot were the only air conditioning from a sultry summer day, and still they remain nostalgic favorites of homeowners.

Warm, open kitchens.

Southern Living plans often feature kitchens that double as family gathering spots. Far from a cold, sterile environment, the southern kitchen is a spacious hub of activity with eat-in spaces, kitchen islands, counter-top dining spots, and plenty of natural light from expansive windows. Bay windows are common features of a southern breakfast nook, while French doors open wide to inviting porches and other outdoor living spots.

Classic symmetry.

Many new floor plans have moved away from traditional rectangular designs for broken up floor plans and complicated roof lines. Southern Living plans have avoided this trend for the most part. Instead, you’ll find sturdy, straight-line designs with centered doors, evenly spaced windows, and wide porches that wrap around the exterior or evenly straddle doorways. Not only is it naturally appealing, but the style is often less expensive to construct.

Traditional materials.

While you can’t always tell it from a floor plan, Southern Living homes are usually finished with sturdy brick exteriors or maintenance-free vinyl siding, which retains the traditional look of wood without the upkeep.

These features are not exclusive to Southern Living house plans, but the culmination of all of these exciting components into one gracious home is what Southern Living is all about.