One Story vs Two Story House: Which Is Better for Your Family?

When you’re building a new home, deciding between a one story vs two story house can have a big impact on how your home feels and functions every day. Both layouts offer advantages, so the right choice usually comes down to your family, your lifestyle, your lot, and how you see yourself using your home in the years ahead.

If you’re planning to build a home in East Tennessee, here’s what to consider before choosing between a one-story and two-story floor plan.

The biggest difference between a one story vs two story house is pretty straightforward. A one-story house places the primary living areas, bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, and other rooms on one level. Depending on the floor plan, there may also be an optional bonus room above the garage or another portion of the home.

A two-story house divides living space between two levels. You might find the kitchen and family room downstairs with the bedrooms upstairs, although layouts can vary significantly.

One-story homes remain popular for a reason. Having everything on the same level can make everyday life feel simple and comfortable. Here are just a few of the benefits of this type of home.

Without stairs separating your main living spaces, it can be easier to move throughout the house.

That may be especially appealing for:

You also don’t have to carry laundry, groceries, furniture, or other items up and down a staircase.

If you’re building a home you hope to stay in for many years, a one-story layout can make sense. Your needs today might look very different from your needs 10, 20, or 30 years from now. Eliminating a full set of stairs can make the home easier to navigate as those needs change.

Single-story floor plans often create a natural flow between the kitchen, dining area, and family room.

That can work well if you enjoy:

Many one-story plans also make it easier to connect living areas with patios, porches, or backyards.

There are a few things to consider before deciding that one level is right for you.

A one-story home typically needs a larger foundation and roof footprint to provide the same amount of living space as a two-story home. That means your lot size, shape, and buildable area can become especially important.

You may also have less separation between different areas of the home. If you want kids’ bedrooms upstairs while the main living spaces stay downstairs, for example, a two-story layout might fit your family better.

Privacy can also depend heavily on the floor plan. Choosing a layout with the primary suite separated from secondary bedrooms can help create more distinction within a single-story home.

For growing families or homeowners who want more separation between spaces, a two-story house can offer plenty of flexibility.

One of the biggest advantages of building upward is that you can fit more living space onto a smaller portion of your lot.

That may leave additional outdoor space for things like:

This can be particularly helpful when you have a narrower or smaller buildable area.

Many two-story floor plans place the bedrooms upstairs and common areas downstairs. That can create a clear division between places where your family gathers and quieter spaces where people sleep or relax. For families with children, this setup can also provide a little more privacy as kids get older.

Two-story homes can offer room for families whose needs may evolve. Depending on the floor plan, that could mean space for:

When comparing a one story vs two story house, thinking about your future needs can be just as important as thinking about what works today.

Stairs are the most obvious consideration. Having bedrooms or other important spaces upstairs means climbing stairs every day. That might not bother you now, but it’s worth considering how you expect to use the home over the long term.

Two-story homes can also make certain everyday tasks a little less convenient. Laundry, cleaning supplies , furniture, and other items may regularly travel between floors.

For some families, though, the added separation and additional space make the tradeoff worthwhile.

There isn’t one answer that works for every family.

Parents of younger children may appreciate a one-story home because everyone can be on the same level. It can make checking on kids easier and removes concerns about little ones navigating stairs. Other families prefer a two-story home because it gives children their own space upstairs while keeping the kitchen and main gathering areas downstairs.

Think about your family's daily routine. Where do you spend most of your time? Do you want bedrooms close together or more separated? Would stairs make everyday life easier or more complicated? Those questions can be more helpful than simply choosing whichever style is more popular.

A one-story house is often easier to adapt for long-term living because essential rooms can all remain accessible without stairs.

If you're hoping to build your “forever home,” consider features such as:

That doesn't mean you have to rule out a two-story home. Some two-story plans include a primary suite and other essential spaces downstairs, allowing the upper level to serve as additional space for children, guests, or hobbies.

Your land can play a surprisingly important role in choosing your floor plan. Because a one-story house spreads more of the living area across the ground level, it generally requires a wider building footprint. A two-story plan can provide similar square footage while using less ground space.

Before falling in love with a particular plan, consider:

This is why evaluating how a floor plan works on your specific property is such an important part of building on your own land.

This depends more on the specific floor plan than the number of stories. In a two-story house, bedrooms located upstairs naturally create some distance from the kitchen, living room, and entertaining spaces.

But a well-designed one-story floor plan can offer plenty of privacy too. For example, a split-bedroom design might place the primary suite on one side of the house and secondary bedrooms on another.

When looking at plans, pay attention to where bedrooms sit in relation to:

The placement of individual rooms can matter just as much as whether the house has one level or two.

Both can be excellent for entertaining.

A one-story home can create an easy flow between the kitchen, dining room, family room, porch, and backyard. Guests can move throughout the main areas without needing to navigate different floors.

A two-story layout can make entertaining appealing in another way. Bedrooms and private spaces can stay upstairs while guests gather downstairs.

If entertaining is important to you, focus on features such as:

Start with the way you actually live rather than choosing based only on appearance. Ask yourself:

Your answers can quickly make certain floor plans stand out.

The best home isn't necessarily the biggest one or the one with the most features. It's the home that works for the way your family lives.

Red Door Homes offers more than 30 customizable floor plans, including both one-story and two-story options, so you don't have to force your lifestyle into a layout that doesn't feel right.

Whether you're picturing an easy-to-navigate ranch-style home, a spacious two-story design, or something in between, our team can help you explore your options and determine which plans can work on your East Tennessee property.

Ready to start planning your home? Browse Red Door Homes floor plans or schedule a conversation with our team to find a layout that feels like yours.

Whether a one story vs two story house is better for your family depends on your lifestyle. One-story homes provide easy access to every room, while two-story homes can provide more separation between sleeping and living areas.

A one-story house can be convenient for families with young children because bedrooms and living areas are all on the same level. Parents may also prefer not having stairs to worry about while children are little.

A two-story house can work well for growing families because building upward can create more bedrooms and flexible living space without requiring as large a footprint. The separation between floors may also provide additional privacy as children get older.

A one-story home may require a wider building footprint than a two-story home with similar square footage . However, whether a particular house will fit depends on your property's dimensions, setbacks, slope, utilities, and other site conditions.

Yes, you can have a bonus room in a one-story home. Some one-story floor plans include an optional bonus room above the garage or another portion of the house. This can give you extra space for an office, playroom, guest room, hobby area, or whatever your family needs.

Either can come first, but the two decisions need to work together. If you already own land, your builder can help identify floor plans that fit the property, while buyers who haven't purchased land yet can keep their preferred home size and footprint in mind while searching for a lot.