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1170 sq/ft 
2 Bed 
2 Bath
Some Common Southern Living House Plans and Designs
In this article, we will discuss some common Southern house plans and designs that originated from the South or can be seen only in this region.
Without further ado, let’s get the show on the road…
1. Shotgun Home – Southern Style House Plans
Shotgun homes are one of the common southern style house plans that you will find in the region. New Orleans is the city where these homes are commonly found.
The design style of this building is usually very simple with a long and narrow structure. The sides of the building are in most cases without windows while both ends have doors to either enter or exit the house.
Due to its rectangular shape, if you walk from one end of the house to the other end, you’ll end up going through all the rooms in the home. Hence, the style caters to those that don’t mind sharing a common space.
The house has the living room which is always at the front, the bedrooms come next as they trail one another (the number of rooms depends on the builder’s preference), and at the back, you’ll find the kitchen and then the bathroom.
For a double shotgun, this variation as the name implies is designed with two shotgun homes attached at the sides. The buildings in most cases are identical but a mirrored version of the other. Another variation is the humpback or the camelback that has an incomplete second floor on the building’s back.
With all the building’s doors open, you are bound to get a steady airflow through the building thanks to the cross ventilation. This is very helpful during the summer when central air is in short supply.
While there are different legends and myths regarding the origin of the name of this type of residence (“shotgun”), there is one that many tend to believe. It is said that you could shoot a rooster in your backyard with a shotgun while standing on the house’s front porch without hitting the wall. If you ask us, we believe this is possible given the style and design of the home.
2. Deep Overhangs/Wrap-around Porches – Southern Cottage House Plans
Deep overhangs and wrap-around porches are some of the most famous Southern living house plans with porches. This style adds additional seating that can be used during summer parties.
Prior to the invention of electricity and the widespread usage of air conditioning units, Southern folks had to deal with immensely hot summers. They made do with the infrequent breeze, hand fans, and the occasional water splash to the face.
It was practically suicide to stay in the house during those hot summer days. Thankfully, these folks had porches that allowed them to lounge outside the house. The wrap-around porches further provided families and friends the opportunity to bond and socialize. This was one of the reasons Southern folks have a deep feeling of belonging to a community.
Apart from the porches, the deep overhangs played a vital role as they shielded homeowners from the sun while they were on the porches. Also, the overhangs prevented the inner parts of the house from being exposed to direct sunlight for a long time. Therefore, it helped to keep the home cool.
Furthermore, items in the house such as curtains, furniture, etc. were equally protected from the sun. Hence, they didn’t fade quickly or get damaged by the sun.
