House & Timber Plan Co.

Collection

Courtyard House Plans

Homes built around central courtyards for private outdoor living. U-shaped, L-shaped, and fully enclosed courtyard designs bring light, air, and nature into the heart of your home.

Plans

143 plans available

About This Collection

Courtyard House Plans

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Courtyard house plans organize the home around a central outdoor space, creating a private oasis at the heart of your property. House & Timber Plan Co.'s courtyard collection includes U-shaped, L-shaped, and fully enclosed courtyard designs that bring natural light, fresh air, and garden living into everyday life without sacrificing privacy from neighbors or the street.

Our courtyard floor plans range from 1,800 to 4,000+ square feet with 3 to 5 bedrooms and 2 to 4 bathrooms. The courtyard itself becomes an extension of the living space, visible from multiple rooms through walls of glass, and accessible through sliding or folding door systems. Many plans feature outdoor kitchens, fire pits, water features, or plunge pools within the courtyard.

Courtyard homes are ideal for warm climates, zero-lot-line properties, and homeowners who value outdoor living and privacy. The inward-facing design means you can have large windows and open layouts without being overlooked by neighbors. U-shaped plans create the most enclosed courtyard, while L-shaped designs offer a more open feel.

Courtyard house plans from House & Timber Plan Co. start at $99 with instant PDF download. Each plan includes detailed floor plans, exterior and courtyard elevations, roof framing, and construction specifications.

Common Questions

FAQ

What is a courtyard house plan?

A courtyard house plan arranges living spaces around a central outdoor courtyard. The home wraps around this space in a U-shape, L-shape, or fully enclosed configuration, creating a private outdoor room at the heart of the home. Large windows and glass doors connect interior rooms to the courtyard for seamless indoor-outdoor living.

Do courtyard houses work in cold climates?

Yes, though they are most popular in warm climates. The courtyard can be partially enclosed or covered for cold-climate use. South-facing courtyards capture winter sun for passive solar heating. In snowy climates, enclosed courtyards with heated floors can extend outdoor living through much of the year.

How much lot space does a courtyard house need?

Courtyard homes have wider footprints than comparable conventional homes because of the courtyard space. Plan for lots at least 80-100 feet wide and 100+ feet deep for most courtyard designs. L-shaped plans need less width than U-shaped or fully enclosed courtyard configurations.

Are courtyard house plans more expensive to build?

Courtyard homes cost 10-20% more than comparable conventional plans due to additional exterior wall area and more complex rooflines. However, the courtyard replaces yard space you would landscape anyway, and the additional walls create opportunities for natural light that reduce the need for artificial lighting.