This thoughtfully designed small duplex house plan offers a total of 896 sq ft of heated living space, divided evenly into two identical 448 sq ft units, making it an excellent solution for rental income, multi-generational living, or compact multi-family development. Each unit includes one bedroom and one full bathroom, delivering privacy, comfort, and efficiency within a compact footprint.
The duplex sits on a slab foundation and measures 40 feet wide by 24 feet deep, with a total structure of 928 sq ft, including a 32 sq ft covered front porch that enhances curb appeal and provides sheltered outdoor entry for both residences. With a 9-foot ceiling height throughout the main floor, the interiors feel open and inviting despite the modest square footage.
Inside each unit, an open floor plan seamlessly connects the kitchen and great room, maximizing usable space and natural flow. The kitchen island provides additional counter space for meal preparation and casual dining, while a wall pantry ensures efficient storage without sacrificing square footage. The open living area is ideal for everyday relaxation, entertaining guests, or flexible furniture arrangements.
Each residence features a private master suite, thoughtfully separated from the main living area for added comfort. The bedroom includes a walk-in closet, offering generous storage rarely found in homes of this size. The adjoining private master bathroom is equipped with a double vanity sink, adding functionality and convenience for daily routines. This smart layout ensures that each unit lives comfortably as a complete, independent home.
A welcoming foyer at the entrance of each unit provides a defined transition from the front porch into the interior living space, adding a sense of arrival and polish to the design. The covered front porch not only improves the home’s exterior character but also offers a practical outdoor space for seating or entry protection from the elements.
Structurally, the duplex utilizes 2x4 wall framing and a 6:12 roof pitch, creating a balanced exterior profile that fits comfortably in a wide range of neighborhoods, from suburban infill lots to rural properties. With a building height of 15 feet 6 inches, the design remains low-profile and cost-effective while still delivering strong architectural presence.
This duplex house plan with two 1-bedroom units is especially well-suited for investors seeking a low-maintenance rental property, homeowners looking to live in one unit while renting the other, or builders developing compact multi-family housing. Its efficient footprint, modern open layout, and desirable features make it highly marketable in today’s housing market.
Combining smart design, affordability, and flexibility, this 896 sq ft duplex plan proves that small-scale multi-family housing can still offer comfort, style, and long-term value. Whether used as a rental duplex, guest housing, or downsized living solution, this plan delivers maximum functionality in a minimal footprint.
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.
