Vacation House Plans

The daylight basement on this vacation home plan, which is designed for a sloping lot, offers the opportunity for expansion. A covered porch off the living area allows easy indoor-outdoor entertaining. Angled around the family-room with its cathedral ceiling and a fireplace, a stairway leads down to the basement or up to the second floor, where you can view part of the living area below. Downstairs, a four-fixture bath can be accessed from either the hall or through the walk-in closet of the bedroom on this floor. The kitchen is big enough to house a cooktop island with a circular eating bar. The second floor contains a full bath, a bedroom and a loft area that could be used as a study, a sitting area or a guest area. The ceiling is sloped on the second floor. Foundation: daylight basement. Canadian architect; extra postage required.

Built upon piers, this design is perfect for low-lying areas, yet is open and airy. Three decks, one in front and two in back, encourage outdoor living. Vaulted ceilings expand the space in the living and dining rooms, both of which open to the rear decks. The well-equipped kitchen has a pass-through to the screened deck, making it ideal for al fresco meals. The first-floor master suite offers a luxurious bath with a walk-in closet and a dressing area. Upstairs is another full bath, bedroom two and a loft that could serve as the third bedroom. Foundation: pier.

A covered wrap-around porch off the entry hall, plus an expansive deck make for glorious outdoor living at this year-round vacation home. The open kitchen includes a curved island with an eating bar. The living-dining room shares a see-through fireplace with the master bedroom. The master bedroom is handy to the full bath on this floor, which includes a corner tub and separate shower. Upstairs, two more large bedrooms share the second full bath. Ceilings: 8’ standard; bedrooms 2 and 3 slope. Foundation: walkout basement. Canadian architect; extra postage required.

Many features of two-story homes found in Old Florida appear in this charming Tidewater or past “cracker” design. The raised plan allows placement of the carport and storage areas under the main living areas, also protecting from damage in the event of flooding. The covered entry porch leads to a foyer opening to the gracious grand room with a fireplace and vaulted ceiling. Both the great room and the kitchen with a prep island open to the screened veranda in the rear, while the dining room adjoins the sun deck. The second floor serves as the owners’ retreat and includes a well-proportioned master bedroom, a roomy walk-in closet and a compartmented bath with his and her sinks and separate tub and a private shower. Foundation: raised island basement.

Set off by a sturdy stone chimney, stone accents and decorative gables, this striking cottage design could be used as a four-season vacation home. Open to each other, the family room and kitchen-dining room offer a wonderful living area. The fireplaced family room rises for two stories, the kitchen-dining room is enlarged by a box bay, and both rooms open to a deck. The sheltered main entry opens to a hall with a large coat closet, while the main-level bedroom includes a large walk-in closet. Upstairs, a mezzanine overlooks the family room below. Two bedrooms share the second bath. Ceilings: 8' standard. Foundation: daylight basement. Canadian architect; extra postage required.