This thoughtfully designed small duplex house plan offers an efficient and practical solution for multi-family living, rental investment, or compact housing needs. With 790 square feet of total heated living space, this plan is divided into two independent units, each featuring one bedroom and one full bathroom, making it ideal for singles, couples, or tenants seeking low-maintenance living.
The exterior showcases a clean, simple form that supports affordability and ease of construction. A 6:12 roof pitch provides classic proportions and long-term durability, while the modest 14-foot building height allows the design to fit comfortably within a wide range of zoning and neighborhood requirements. Built on a slab foundation with 2x4 wall framing, this duplex emphasizes cost efficiency without sacrificing functionality.
Inside, each unit is carefully planned to maximize usable space and comfort. The heart of every residence is a keeping/family room, providing a welcoming area for daily living, relaxing, or casual entertaining. The open layout allows natural light to flow freely, creating an airy feel despite the compact footprint. This efficient arrangement minimizes wasted space and ensures that every square foot serves a purpose.
The kitchen and living areas are positioned for smooth circulation and ease of use, making everyday routines simple and intuitive. Whether used as a long-term rental or personal residence, the design promotes practical living with minimal upkeep. The straightforward layout also helps reduce construction complexity and ongoing maintenance costs.
Each unit includes a private bedroom designed for comfort and privacy. A walk-in closet enhances storage capacity, a valuable feature in a home of this size. The single full bathroom per unit is conveniently located to serve both daily living and overnight guests efficiently, striking a balance between functionality and space-saving design.
With dimensions of 32 feet wide by 26 feet 8 inches deep, this duplex plan fits well on smaller lots, making it suitable for urban infill projects, accessory housing developments, or compact residential neighborhoods. Its size and simplicity also make it an excellent option for first-time builders, investors seeking manageable projects, or communities focused on attainable housing.
From an investment perspective, this duplex house plan offers strong appeal. The one-bedroom, one-bath configuration per unit is highly desirable in rental markets, particularly for young professionals, retirees, or short-term tenants. Lower construction costs, reduced utility expenses, and simplified maintenance contribute to long-term value and reliable returns.
This plan is especially well-suited for those seeking flexibility. It can function as a traditional duplex, a live-in rental with one owner-occupied unit, or a paired housing solution for extended family members who value independence while remaining close.
Overall, this small duplex house plan delivers smart design in a compact package. By combining efficient layouts, private living spaces, and practical amenities, it provides a versatile housing solution that meets modern needs without unnecessary square footage. Ideal for rentals, downsizing, or multi-family living, this plan proves that thoughtful design can make small spaces highly livable and market-ready.
The construction drawings will include detailed, dimensioned floor plans, exterior elevations, roof plan, foundation plan, basic electrical layout, cross-section(s), foundation plan, and other general specifications. Some plans will include interior cabinet layouts.
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All house plans sold by Archival Designs have been designed to comply with the International Residential Code (IRC) and to the local codes in the area where the designer resides or where the house was built.
All house plans are designed to meet or exceed the national building standards required by the International Residential Code (IRC). Due to differences in climate and geography throughout North America, every city, local municipality and county has unique building codes and regulations that must be followed to obtain a building permit. Prior to purchasing a set of house plans, we recommend that you meet with your local building officials in order to determine the building requirements for your area. It is the responsibility of the purchaser(s) and/or builder to ensure that the structure is constructed to meet the codes of their local area.
Important Note:
House plans do not come stamped or signed by an architect or engineer. Additionally, house plans typically will not include structural engineering notes/calculations. Please check with your local building officials to determine if a stamp is required. If required, the building department will only accept a stamp from a licensed professional in the state where the home will be built.
Depending on your city, county, and state building requirements, house plans may need to be reviewed by a local licensed architect or engineer for structural details and code standards before construction begins. This is particularly true in coastal areas and those facing seismic events, extreme winds, and heavy snow. If you are building in any of these areas, a licensed structural engineer will likely be needed to provide the necessary calculations and additional drawings. We authorize the use of our plans conditioned on your obligation and agreement to strictly comply with all local building codes, ordinances, regulations, and requirements, including permits and inspections at the time of and during construction. We recommend checking with your local building department for the most current requirements. The purchaser(s) and/or builder are responsible for additional expenses incurred through meeting municipality requirements or other requirements for construction.
Our foundation plans have been designed for universal conditions and may need to be adjusted to fit your specific site conditions. The foundation should be modified by a local structural engineer to comply with soil testing laboratory findings and local building requirements.
Our house plans will include schematic electrical drawings; however, circuiting or wire sizing will not be included. Your electrical subcontractor will typically provide these drawings.
HVAC and plumbing drawings are not included. Your mechanical and plumbing subcontractors will determine the best layout for your site. Local HVAC codes, climatic requirements and commonly used systems vary throughout the country. The direction of how water flow will enter the home vary from case to case. For this reason, it is impossible to provide universal plans.
