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Benefits of Single-Level House Plans under 2,000 Square Feet

By Brian Toolan | Updated June 23, 2025
Plan Collection

 

Time to Retire? Get a Home with No Stairs

 

After decades of loyal service to your firm, running your own business or a household filled with growing children, you’ve finally found yourself at the cusp of retirement. That means it’s time to ease into a new phase of your life, filled with travel, new hobbies, or just spending time with your loved ones. But what does that mean for your home?

 

Many retirees find their former family homes too big for them, now that the kids are grown and off to college or starting their own families. Those large homes can present many issues for aging homeowners, namely, the stairs. Walking up and down dozens of stairs daily can be tricky – or impossible – for many retired homeowners due to joint pain or other injuries, leaving them unable to access certain areas of their homes.

 

Rather than live confined to a single space, you might consider transitioning into a smaller, single-level home to make things easier in the long run. Read on to learn about the many benefits and advantages of one-story house plans under 2,000 square feet and see the difference it could make.

 

 

Stairs in Retirement? No Thanks!

Hands down, the most challenging aspect of living in a two-story home for those at and beyond the retirement age is its strain on the body. Whether it’s because of larger health issues like arthritic joints or the result of a knee replacement or long-ago sports injury, constantly bending the legs to go up and down multiple flights of stairs simply isn’t possible for many people. Rather than continually struggling to gain access to the upper levels of your home – or resigning yourself to living in only a handful of rooms – turning to a single-story house plan that’s less than 2,000 square feet in living space can give aging homeowners freedom and mobility without limiting the scope and style of the home.

Open floor plan in House Plan #141-1259

During retirement, stairs can become a huge issue for anyone with joint or back pain. Living in a home with all the rooms on one floor eliminates the unnecessary strain that comes from walking up stairs to access a bedroom or bathroom. This European home plan with three bedrooms and two bathrooms is a good example of single-floor living (House Plan #141-1259).  

 

Single-level house plans are designed to keep all the rooms of the home within easy access of each other, meaning that a homeowner with bad knees can reasonably access the kitchen, living room, bedroom, and bathroom without putting undue strain on their joints. Styles such as the country ranch home are great for anyone with mobility issues since there is no need to struggle with stairs or other features that would make it hard to move around the space. It’s also a smart move for retirees who anticipate – or are planning for the possibility of – using a walker or cane later on in life.

 

 

Easy-Access Laundry Room

While no one typically enjoys doing the laundry, it can be difficult for many retirees and older homeowners, especially in a home with stairs. That’s why a single-story house plan under 2,000 square feet is an ideal solution, as these homes typically place the laundry room in an easy-to-access location. Carrying a heavy laundry basket up and down stairs is challenging for anyone and can quickly become a safety hazard as you age. With the laundry room on the same floor as the rest of the home, there is no need to risk carrying the clothing up or down the stairs and potentially getting hurt. 

Laundry room in single level House Plan #163-1027

With the laundry room on the main floor of this luxury Craftsman-style home plan with four bedrooms, four full bathrooms, and two half baths, there is no risk of injury or strain from constantly carrying clothing up and down stairs (House Plan #163-1027).  

 

In many single-level homes, such as ranch-style homes, the laundry room is tucked into a space near the kitchen, sometimes on a back porch or in a dedicated room. These styles are ideal for owners who want to keep doing their laundry for as long as possible, as they present the least difficulty to access. Some homes may also place the laundry hookups in the garage, which can be less ideal depending on the garage's access and the owners' physical capabilities. Fortunately, many single-level homes feature an attached garage, which means you can access the space directly from the house without going outside.

 

 

Convenient Bedroom on the Main Level

Most two-story homes place the bedrooms on the upper floors, which can be very helpful for large families or owners who want a bigger entertaining space on the main level. However, during the retirement years, upstairs bedrooms are usually more of a nuisance than a convenience. Walking up and down stairs early in the morning or late at night can increase the chance of injury, due to stiff joints at the start of the day or general tiredness at the end.

Master bathroom in single level House Plan #141-1259

Easy access to the bedroom—and the primary bathroom—is a significant benefit of single-level house plans like this French-style home plan with three bedrooms and two bathrooms because no stairs are getting in the way (House Plan #141-1259).  

 

Also, in case of an emergency, getting down the stairs to leave the home can quickly become a new challenge or source of injury, and anyone responding to an emergency could have a harder time getting up the stairs to offer aid. Focusing on a single-story home with the bedrooms on the same floor is the best way to avoid stress and struggle during retirement. Also, many retirees enjoy having the bedrooms near the main living areas when they have a family visit, as it allows for a greater camaraderie and togetherness.

 

 

Easy Cleaning and Maintenance

Similarly, maintaining and cleaning a single-level house is much easier than a two-story home. Many retirees enjoy caring for their homes, but age and physical limitations can get in the way. Not being able to clean and care for their homes properly can make many older homeowners feel less confident and capable, which is why a single-story home is a wise choice. 

Open floor plan in single level House Plan #117-1092

With the easy and open access offered by single-level house plans, the time and effort needed to clean is significantly reduced. This means more time for hobbies like gardening or restoring a classic car (House Plan #117-1092).   

 

The smaller size means fewer rooms to clean and less overall space that needs to be cared for regularly. No more lugging a heavy vacuum up the stairs or repeatedly cleaning rooms that are going unused. It also ensures owners can monitor the interior ceilings to identify leaky roofs or other issues.

 

 

Special Needs? These Plans are Perfect

It’s hard to foresee health issues that might arise, especially as you are just entering your retirement years. However, a single-level house plan under 2,000 square feet allows owners to plan for unforeseen issues by focusing on a home that provides for any kind of exceptional renovations or modifications that might come up in the future. This could be as simple as installing a wheelchair ramp at the front of the home, or more complex, such as making space for special furniture and medical equipment. Whatever the needs are, a single-level home gives you the most options and flexibility.

Single level House Plan #142-1082

Adding elements such as a wheelchair ramp will be more beneficial in a single-level home plan if the need ever arises, as they don’t require much additional work to keep the home as accessible as possible (House Plan #142-1082). 

 

Planning construction on the second floor of any home is usually costly, time-consuming, and complex, especially when the work involves accommodating someone with mobility or health limitations, rather than being forced to restrict access to a portion of the home or install costly tools like stairway elevators, a single-level home keeps your options open while also giving you a wonderful place to spend your golden years.

 

Single-story house plans are available in various styles and designs, including country, modern, and bungalow plans. Check out these styles or even more choices and options at The Plan Collection.

Footnote: the lead image is of a French style 1,500-sq.-ft. The home plan has three bedrooms and two bathrooms. For more information, click here (House Plan #141-1009)