Best House Plans Books of 2025

Wilson Cook Avatar
Wilson Cook
Last Updated: May 5, 2023

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House plans books are an excellent resource for anyone considering building a new home or renovating an existing one. These books offer a variety of design options and floor plans to suit any taste and budget. They feature detailed drawings and descriptions of each design, allowing homeowners to envision their dream home before committing to a design. Whether you're looking for a cozy cottage or a sprawling mansion, house plans books provide a wealth of inspiration and information for anyone in the market for a new home.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Best-Selling 1-Story Home Plans, 5th Edition: Over 360 Dream-Home Plans in Full Color (Creative Homeowner) Craftsman, Country, Contemporary, and Traditional Designs with More Than 250 Color Photos Cover #TOP 1
Best-Selling 1-Story Home Plans, 5th Edition: Over 360 Dream-Home Plans in Full Color (Creative Homeowner) Craftsman, Country, Contemporary, and Traditional Designs with More Than 250 Color Photos
ftb score rating icon 9.8
The Complete Guide to Contracting Your Home: A Step-by-Step Method for Managing Home Construction Cover #TOP 2
The Complete Guide to Contracting Your Home: A Step-by-Step Method for Managing Home Construction
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Ultimate Book of Home Plans, Completely Updated & Revised 4th Edition: Over 680 Home Plans in Full Color: North America's Premier Designer Network: Sections on Home Design & Outdoor Living Ideas Cover #TOP 3
Ultimate Book of Home Plans, Completely Updated & Revised 4th Edition: Over 680 Home Plans in Full Color: North America's Premier Designer Network: Sections on Home Design & Outdoor Living Ideas
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 House Plans Books

Best-Selling 1-Story Home Plans, 5th Edition: Over 360 Dream-Home Plans in Full Color (Creative Homeowner) Craftsman, Country, Contemporary, and Traditional Designs with More Than 250 Color Photos

Editors of Creative Homeowner
Sep 7, 2021
Best-Selling 1-Story Home Plans, 5th Edition: Over 360 Dream-Home Plans in Full Color (Creative Homeowner) Craftsman, Country, Contemporary, and Traditional Designs with More Than 250 Color Photos Cover
Best-Selling 1-Story Home Plans, 5th Edition: Over 360 Dream-Home Plans in Full Color (Creative Homeowner) Craftsman, Country, Contemporary, and Traditional Designs with More Than 250 Color Photos

Best-Selling 1-Story Home Plans, 5th Edition is the perfect guide for those seeking to build their own one-story dream home. The book features over 360 home plans, including a wide variety of styles and sizes suited for any budget, from Traditional Ranch style to Country Craftsman cottages. With complete construction blueprints and CAD files available for each house plan, readers can customize their homes to fit their needs. The book also includes special sections on outdoor living trends, kitchen design ideas, and maximizing living space. With plans from top architects and designers, this book is a must-have for anyone looking to build their dream one-story home.

The Complete Guide to Contracting Your Home: A Step-by-Step Method for Managing Home Construction

Lester, Kent
McGuerty, Dave
Popular Woodworking Books
Jan 12, 2017
The Complete Guide to Contracting Your Home: A Step-by-Step Method for Managing Home Construction Cover
The Complete Guide to Contracting Your Home: A Step-by-Step Method for Managing Home Construction

The Complete Guide to Contracting Your Home is a comprehensive guide that teaches readers how to manage their home construction project effectively. The book covers every phase of construction, from selecting a lot to landscaping, and includes financial and legal details in easy-to-understand language. The updated edition also includes a new section on sustainable building and a comprehensive building resources section. With schedules, order forms, control logs, contracts, and checklists, readers can keep their project on track and save up to 30% on home construction. This book is a must-read for anyone looking to build their dream home.

Ultimate Book of Home Plans, Completely Updated & Revised 4th Edition: Over 680 Home Plans in Full Color: North America's Premier Designer Network: Sections on Home Design & Outdoor Living Ideas

Editors of Creative Homeowner
Feb 14, 2022
Ultimate Book of Home Plans, Completely Updated & Revised 4th Edition: Over 680 Home Plans in Full Color: North America's Premier Designer Network: Sections on Home Design & Outdoor Living Ideas Cover
Ultimate Book of Home Plans, Completely Updated & Revised 4th Edition: Over 680 Home Plans in Full Color: North America's Premier Designer Network: Sections on Home Design & Outdoor Living Ideas

The Ultimate Book of Home Plans, Completely Updated & Revised 4th Edition offers over 680 home plans from the top residential architects and designers in North America. With more than 1,600 photos, renderings, and drawings, readers can explore a wide range of home styles, from farmhouses and country cottages to luxury estates and vacation retreats. The book also provides practical tips and advice on selecting a site, hiring a contractor, and landscaping. The new updated edition features 282 new plans and 9 new articles on home design trends and smart home tech ideas. The 3D plan section allows readers to visualize and manipulate the house on their lot before building. This book is an excellent resource for those looking to build their dream home.

Ultimate Book of Modern Farmhouse Plans: 350 Illustrated Designs (Creative Homeowner) Catalog of Home Plans, plus Guidance on Modern Decorating, Functional Rooms, Outdoor Living, Kitchens, and More

Design America Inc.
Creative Homeowner
Sep 27, 2022
Ultimate Book of Modern Farmhouse Plans: 350 Illustrated Designs (Creative Homeowner) Catalog of Home Plans, plus Guidance on Modern Decorating, Functional Rooms, Outdoor Living, Kitchens, and More Cover
Ultimate Book of Modern Farmhouse Plans: 350 Illustrated Designs (Creative Homeowner) Catalog of Home Plans, plus Guidance on Modern Decorating, Functional Rooms, Outdoor Living, Kitchens, and More

The Ultimate Book of Modern Farmhouse Plans is a comprehensive guide for finding the perfect modern farmhouse design. With a collection of 350 popular designs and expert articles on design and decorating, this book provides everything needed to build the ideal farmhouse. The book offers ready-to-purchase plans, so builders can save time and start building right away. The construction blueprints are available in both print and digital formats, making it easy to find the perfect plan. The Ultimate Book of Modern Farmhouse Plans is a must-have for anyone looking to build a modern farmhouse.

Learn to Timber Frame: Craftsmanship, Simplicity, Timeless Beauty

Beemer, Will
Sobon, Jack A.
Storey Publishing, LLC
May 3, 2016
Learn to Timber Frame: Craftsmanship, Simplicity, Timeless Beauty Cover
Learn to Timber Frame: Craftsmanship, Simplicity, Timeless Beauty

The book "Learn to Timber Frame: Craftsmanship, Simplicity, Timeless Beauty" is a beginner-friendly guide to timber framing, from sourcing the timber to a finished building. With detailed drawings, full-color photos, and step-by-step instructions, Will Beemer takes readers through the process of building a simple 12' x 16' timber-frame structure that can be modified to suit individual needs. The author also teaches the proper handling of chisels, saws, and other essential tools. This book is an excellent introduction to the historic craft of timber framing and a valuable resource for those interested in home design and construction.

Cozy Cottage & Cabin Designs, Updated 2nd Edition: 200+ Cottages, Cabins, A-Frames, Vacation Homes, Apartment Garages, Sheds & More (Creative Homeowner) Catalog of Plans to Find the Perfect Small Home

Design America Inc.
Jan 18, 2022
Cozy Cottage & Cabin Designs, Updated 2nd Edition: 200+ Cottages, Cabins, A-Frames, Vacation Homes, Apartment Garages, Sheds & More (Creative Homeowner) Catalog of Plans to Find the Perfect Small Home Cover
Cozy Cottage & Cabin Designs, Updated 2nd Edition: 200+ Cottages, Cabins, A-Frames, Vacation Homes, Apartment Garages, Sheds & More (Creative Homeowner) Catalog of Plans to Find the Perfect Small Home

Cozy Cottage & Cabin Designs, Updated 2nd Edition is a comprehensive catalog of over 200 functional floor plans for cabins, cottages, A-frames, vacation homes, sheds, and apartment garages. It includes construction blueprints and CAD packages to bring your future home to life. The book also features 35 new house plans and insightful articles on downsizing, decor ideas, and more. This essential guide is perfect for anyone looking to customize and plan their ideal small home. Overall, Cozy Cottage & Cabin Designs, Updated 2nd Edition is a must-have for those seeking to make their dream of owning a tranquil cabin or sunny cottage a reality.

Big Book of Small Home Plans, 2nd Edition: Over 360 Home Plans Under 1200 Square Feet (Creative Homeowner) Cabins, Cottages, Tiny Houses, and How to Maximize Your Space with Organizing and Decorating

Design America Inc.
Sep 7, 2021
Big Book of Small Home Plans, 2nd Edition: Over 360 Home Plans Under 1200 Square Feet (Creative Homeowner) Cabins, Cottages, Tiny Houses, and How to Maximize Your Space with Organizing and Decorating Cover
Big Book of Small Home Plans, 2nd Edition: Over 360 Home Plans Under 1200 Square Feet (Creative Homeowner) Cabins, Cottages, Tiny Houses, and How to Maximize Your Space with Organizing and Decorating

The Big Book of Small Home Plans, 2nd Edition is a comprehensive guide for building small homes, including cabins, cottages, and tiny houses. With over 360 expertly prepared plans, this book provides easy-to-follow construction blueprints and materials lists for each project. The book also includes advice on maximizing living space with organization, decorating, and storage solutions. This practical do-it-yourself guide is ideal for those looking to save money and reduce their ecological impact. Overall, this book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in building a small home.

#TOP 8

Are You Thinking of Buying Land for Your New Construction Dream Home?: Critical Points You Must Know About Selecting Acreage and Vacant Lots For First-time Real Estate Buyers

Keller, Michael
Nov 8, 2022
Are You Thinking of Buying Land for Your New Construction Dream Home?: Critical Points You Must Know About Selecting Acreage and Vacant Lots For First-time Real Estate Buyers Cover
Are You Thinking of Buying Land for Your New Construction Dream Home?: Critical Points You Must Know About Selecting Acreage and Vacant Lots For First-time Real Estate Buyers.

This book is a comprehensive guide for first-time real estate buyers who want to buy land for their dream home. It covers the important considerations when selecting acreage, including land title registration, zoning and deed restrictions, and alternative septic systems. The book also provides tips on how to avoid scammers and pesky neighbors. Overall, the book provides everything one needs to know about purchasing land for a new home. It is an excellent resource for anyone looking to invest in real estate.

How To Build Your Barndominium: The Complete Guide for Those Who Want to Build the Barn-Home of Their Dreams but Do Not Know Where to Start

Steiner, Ronnie
Sep 15, 2022
How To Build Your Barndominium: The Complete Guide for Those Who Want to Build the Barn-Home of Their Dreams but Do Not Know Where to Start Cover
How To Build Your Barndominium: The Complete Guide for Those Who Want to Build the Barn-Home of Their Dreams but Do Not Know Where to Start

This book is an excellent guide for anyone looking to build a barndominium. It covers everything from finding the perfect land to financing and budget allocation. The book's step-by-step approach makes it easy to follow, even for those who have never built anything before. The legal aspects of building are also covered, which is an interesting read. The later sections of the book focus on practical advice and stylish floor plans to maximize space. Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone looking to build their dream barndominium.

#TOP 10

The Martha Manual: How to Do (Almost) Everything

Stewart, Martha
Harvest
Jan 1, 2019
The Martha Manual: How to Do (Almost) Everything Cover
The Martha Manual: How to Do (Almost) Everything

The Martha Manual: How to Do (Almost) Everything by Martha Stewart is a comprehensive guidebook for all things related to housekeeping, gardening, cooking, and pet care. The book covers a wide range of topics, including organizing, cleaning, and maintaining a home, and offers practical tips and strategies. With over 400 pages of valuable information, this hardcover book is a must-have for anyone looking to improve their domestic skills. Overall, The Martha Manual is an excellent resource for anyone who wants to learn how to do almost everything and is highly recommended for its practicality and usefulness.

Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can you draw up your own house plans?

It doesn't take much in the way of resources to draw up your own house plans -- just access to the Internet, a computer and a free architectural software program. If you prefer the old-school method, you'll need a drafting table, drafting tools and large sheets of 24-by-36-inch paper to draft the plans by hand.

Editor's Notes

During our house plans book research, we found 1,200+ house plans book products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 29,170 customer reviews through our big data system to write the house plans books list. We found that most customers choose house plans books with an average price of $14.99.

Written by
Wilson Cook Avatar

Wilson Cook is a talented writer who has an MFA in creative writing from Williams College and has published more than 50 books acquired by hundreds of thousands of people from various countries by now. He is an inveterate reading lover as he has read a vast amount of books since childhood.