Dream 2 Story House Plans, Floor Plans, Layouts & Blueprints

2 story house plans give you many advantages. Building up instead of out presents a more cost-efficient way to build, since land is expensive (especially near a popular metro area). When you’re dealing with a tight lot, it can get tricky to fit all your living spaces within narrow dimensions if you’re limited to one story. But when you build up, the sky is (literally!) the limit. 2 story house plans often fit nicely on a narrow lot, thus maximizing your costly land purchase.

Looking to build a home on a scenic or waterfront lot? Home with two or more stories make excellent use of your location with a higher vantage point. Choose a homeplan with the master suite located upstairs if you like to wake up to great views, or if you want to be near young children’s bedrooms, which are usually also located upstairs.

Worried about climbing stairs? Some two story house plans feature elevators, which make it easy for an elderly relative to get around or to ensure the ability to age in place without costly renovations. The Dream Home Source modification service can also work with you to fit in an elevator if that’s a concern. Keep in mind that you don’t necessarily have to install the actual elevator car yet; if you simply make sure there’s room for a shaft (this can often be achieved by stacking closets), it’ll be much easier to add the elevator later. Or just choose a layout with the master suite located on the main level, an arrangement that’s becoming quite popular.

Some house plan styles, like farmhouses or Colonial designs, traditionally sport two levels. Victorian homes especially take advantage of a tall silhouette. Other styles, like Craftsman, work nicely at any height.
If you love the grandeur of a two-story home, choose a layout that includes living spaces with soaring ceilings to really show off the home’s height. Two-story family rooms and foyers can make the home look bigger by contributing a sense of volume to the space.

Many two story home plans also includes bonus spaces upstairs, usually located above the garage. These versatile rooms can be finished now or later (as your budget allows) and provide plenty of space for storage, an art studio, a home office, a guest suite, or just about anything else you can imagine.

Related categories include: Narrow Lot House Plans, House Plans with Great Views, Colonial House Plans, Farmhouse Home Plans, and Victorian House Plans.