Regional Influences


House Design - Canadian country style house elevation covered porch

Canadian House Plans

Whether you’re building a relaxing vacation home in Ontario’s cottage country, a farmhouse in Alberta, or a Craftsman in British Columbia, our collection of Canadian home plans has you covered.* Many of the homes here were created by Canadian designers. Look for 2 x 6 framing options to hold more insulation, along with basements that can be finished now or later. Our modification department can also help you convert measurements on floor plans into metric. From Quebec to Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador to Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia and beyond, your source for plans to build in Canada is here.
House Design - Traditional Exterior - Front Elevation Plan #23-179

Cape Cod House Plans

Seeking a Cape Cod house plan?* Cape Cod homes are the epitome of post-war American housing and were built prolifically throughout suburban neighborhoods to accommodate growing families. Beginning in the 1940s and continuing to today, modest Cape Cod homes have been built with simplicity and function in mind to evoke Colonial style. These homes are usually one story with a side-gable roof and little embellishment. Sometimes a small front stoop with a gable roof extends from the home to welcome guests and provide shelter from the elements. Although modern Cape Cods are very popular today, this style of home took shape in the early 18th century to suit the long New England winters. Their association with the New England coast also makes them perfect as vacation cottages, sitting nicely on a lakefront lot or by the sea. The floor plans are flexible, as the simple rectangular shape can accommodate a number of interior configurations, both traditional and more modern open layouts.
House Design - Farmhouse Exterior - Front Elevation Plan #938-82

Coastal House Plans

Whether your dream home is a lakefront cottage or a beach bungalow, the coastal floor plans collection has you covered.* You’ll find terrific outdoor living features in these homes, from wrapping decks to cool porches and more. Coastal floor plans with two stories, three stories, or walkout basements work especially well to capture a view (consider an elevator to make it easier to age in place). Large windows are perfect for letting in cool sea breezes. Looking for more plans like these? Discover our collections of mountain floor plans, lakeside houses, and vacation homes.
House Design - Cottage Exterior - Front Elevation Plan #23-847

Lakeside House Plans

Picture relaxing outside on the deck of your very own lakeside home....can’t you hear the waves gently lapping? This collection features house plans designed to maximize a beautiful location.* That means walls of windows, wraparound porches, and cozy fireplaces. Many of these homes include walkout basements to give you more space for fun and another level of outdoor living. To see more cabins, cottages, and other getaway homes, explore our collections of vacation floor plans, mountain floor plans, and coastal floor plans.
House Design - Southern Exterior - Front Elevation Plan #930-18

Low Country House Plans

Low Country house plans speak of relaxation and warmth.* This vernacular style arose in the coastal Carolinas, displaying unique features adapted for the hot, humid climate. Wide porches that shade the interior from the sun and other features that enhance natural ventilation make it an eco-friendly choice for Southern regions. Low Country, or Tidewater house plans as they are sometimes called, are always built over a crawlspace or even a pier foundation to protect the home from coastal flooding. Low Country house plans share many features with Country and Farmhouse style plans, such as expansive porches and patios. Exterior details of Low Country homes are simple and restrained. Plain columns support the porch, shutters may shield the windows, and dormers may indicate a half-story under the roof or just a way to ventilate the main level. Exterior cladding is most often clapboard siding. A hipped or side-gable roof may be constructed from standing-seam metal for a traditional, rustic look. Often built as vacation homes, Low Country floor plans are casual and open, offering plenty of bedrooms and spaces to gather as well as retreat. Within this category you will also find southern house plans. Southern style floor plans are typically two stories and feature grand elements like tall windows and full-width porches at both the front and rear, supported by two story columns. Southern home plans, like Low Country or Tidewater house plans, have a unique bond to the land, as they too are usually built in low-lying coastal regions and are surrounded by open land.
House Design - Storybook craftsman cottage - 1400sft

Mountain House Plans

A beautiful mountain location deserves an equally gorgeous home. The house plans in this collection feature the kind of rustic details that fit the scenery – decorative trusses, log siding, plenty of porches, and more.* Inside, the emphasis is on contemporary comfort—from simple open floor plans to house plans with big kitchens. In fact, many house plans now feature large kitchens with islands, perfect for the whole family to prepare meals together. Cabins and other vacation homes also feature prominently, though many of these beautiful house designs would work equally well for everyday living. Building on a hillside? Discover our collections of floor plans for a sloped lot and floor plans with walkout basement.
House Design - Farmhouse Exterior - Front Elevation Plan #51-1170

Southern House Plans

Southern architecture stands out with large porches, columned entries, extensive gardens and classical details being a mark of the region's architecture. From the French traditions of Louisiana to the African heritage of the Atlantic barrier islands, Southern plans cover a myriad of house styles. The common link in the stylistic details of every Southern home is their connection to the land, stemming from a long history of agriculture. Southern floor plans draw from Greek Revival, French Country, Farmhouse and Coastal stylings. These homes are always welcoming, due to the prevalence of spacious front porches and natural building materials. Southern homes have a unique bond to the land, whether it is coastal islands thick with live oaks and Spanish moss or mountainous terrain rich with waterfalls and lush forests. History always plays a large part in Southern Floor Plans. They draw on the rich culture of the region and feature stylistic details from a bygone era such as thick columns supporting the grand entry of a Greek Revival home or the wide front porch and low-pitched roof of a Tidewater treasure. Symmetry often plays a large role in Southern floor plans, which is a key element in the simple grace these homes depict. Floor to ceiling sash windows may flank a formal front door topped with a fanlight. Step inside to a central hall flanked by rooms on either side. They may be a study, formal living room or dining room. Southern floor plans are often two stories, with living space on the first floor and bedrooms above. Outdoor living space will be a key element of your Southern home, so take advantage of warm summer nights, relaxing on the rear veranda.