“Building Your Dream Small Farmhouse: A 10-Step Guide Based on a 1,065 sq ft Plan”

By: Rural Living News | August 5, 2025

In an age where minimalist living meets rustic charm, small farmhouses are enjoying a renaissance. Craft-Mart’s 1,065 sq ft “Small Farmhouse” plan offers a perfect blend of cozy comfort and efficient design—featuring two bedrooms, two baths, an open living area, and a wrap-around porch that invites you outdoors. Whether you’re a seasoned builder or an ambitious DIYer, this step-by-step guide will walk you through turning that rendered plan into your very own haven.

Step 1: Site Preparation & Foundation Layout

1. Select Your Site
   • Choose level ground with good drainage and a southern exposure for maximum daylight.
   • Clear away brush, rocks, and topsoil to reach firm subgrade.
2. Stake Out the Footprint
   • The plan measures roughly 30 ft by 36 ft (plus porch).
   • Drive stakes at each corner, then snap chalk lines between them.
3. Excavate & Install Footings
   • Dig trenches for continuous footings—12 in deep by 16 in wide.
   • Pour concrete footings below frost line (check local code), embed anchor bolts every 4 ft.

Step 2: Foundation & Floor System

1. Build Stem Walls or Pier Blocks
   • For crawlspace: form and pour stem walls to a 16 in height above grade.
   • For slab-on-grade: compact gravel, install vapor barrier, lay rebar grid, and pour slab.
2. Install Sill Plates
   • Anchor pressure-treated 2×6 sill plates to footings using the embedded bolts.
   • Seal between concrete and wood with insect-resistant sill seal.
3. Lay Floor Joists
   • For a raised floor: set 2×10 joists at 16 in OC across the sill plates.
   • Install rim joists, then secure ¾ in subfloor plywood with ring-shank nails.

Step 3: Framing Walls & Windows

1. Frame Exterior Walls
   • Build 2×6 stud walls on the ground, 16 in OC, with double top plates.
   • Cut out openings for three south-facing windows in the living room and smaller windows in the bedrooms.
2. Erect and Brace
   • Raise walls in sequence, plumb and temporarily brace each.
   • Nail the bottom plate to the floor and the top plate to a ledger or gable end.
3. Rough-In Window Headers
   • Use engineered lumber or double 2×10 headers above each opening, supporting with jack studs.

Step 4: Roof Framing & Porch Structure

1. Install Ridge Beam & Rafters
   • Center a 2×12 ridge beam along the house’s length, supported at gable ends or by a center post.
   • Cut 2×10 common rafters at a 30° pitch (per the rendering), seat into bird’s-mouth cuts on wall plates, and nail to the ridge beam.
2. Frame the Porch Roof
   • Extend rafters 8 ft beyond the living room wall.
   • Support the overhang with 4×4 posts and a ledger attached to the main framing.
3. Install Collar Ties & Bracing
   • Fit 2×6 collar ties between rafters in the attic area to prevent spreading.
   • Add diagonal bracing in each attic wall bay for lateral stability.

Step 5: Sheathing, Roofing & Weather Barrier

1. Sheath Walls & Roof
   • Cover exterior walls with ½ in OSB or plywood, and the roof with ⅝ in plywood decking.
2. Wrap & Flash
   • Install house wrap over wall sheathing, tape all seams.
   • Flash windows and doors with self-adhesive flashing tape.
3. Lay Roofing
   • Secure synthetic underlayment, then install standing-seam metal panels or architectural shingles—your choice for farmhouse style.

Step 6: Porch Decking & Railings

1. Deck Frame
   • On the porch joist extensions, install 2×8 joists at 16 in OC, with rim joists.
2. Decking Material
   • Lay 2×6 cedar or composite decking boards perpendicular to the joists, screwing each board to every joist.
3. Finish Railings
   • Attach 4×4 posts at 6 ft centers, then fit horizontal rails (2×4 top and bottom) and balusters at 4 in spacing.

Step 7: Insulation & Air Sealing

1. Insulate Walls & Ceiling
   • In walls, install R-20 fiberglass batts between studs.
   • In the ceiling/attic floor, add R-49 blown-in cellulose or batts.
2. Seal Gaps
   • Use expanding foam around window frames, sills, and at top plates.
   • Caulk all penetrations: plumbing, electrical, and HVAC boots.

Step 8: Rough Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing

1. Plumbing Layout
   • Run PEX or copper supply lines from the mechanical room to the kitchen (9×11 ft) and two baths.
   • Install 2 in PVC drain-waste-vent piping beneath the subfloor to main stack.
2. HVAC Ductwork
   • For a small home, a mini-split heat pump or high-efficiency electric baseboards could suffice.
   • If central ducted, run rectangular or flex ducts into each main zone: living room, bedrooms, kitchen.
3. Electrical Rough-In
   • Wire for general lighting, outlets every 12 ft, dedicated circuits for kitchen appliances, and GFCI in the porch and bathrooms.
   • Install ceiling-box wiring for overhead lights and fans.

Step 9: Interior Finishes

1. Drywall & Trim
   • Tape, mud, and sand drywall; then prime and paint walls in neutral, farmhouse-friendly hues.
   • Install 5¼ in baseboards, 3¼ in casing around windows and doors, and crown molding where desired.
2. Flooring
   • In living and dining (11×11 ft), lay hardwood or vinyl-plank flooring.
   • In bedrooms, carpet or wood; in wet areas (kitchen and baths), ceramic tile or waterproof vinyl.
3. Cabinets & Fixtures
   • Install shaker-style kitchen cabinets in the 9×11 ft kitchen, with a central peninsula layout.
   • Fit bathroom vanities, toilet, and tub/shower assemblies per plumbing plans.

Step 10: Landscaping & Porch Accents

1. Foundation Plantings
   • Along the porch perimeter, plant low shrubs and perennials; reserve a path to the porch steps.
2. Lighting & Hardware
   • Mount farmhouse-style sconces flanking the front door.
   • Install a ceiling fan or pendant in the porch ceiling for summer comfort.
3. Finishing Touches
   • Stain or paint the porch railings and posts.
   • Hang a porch swing or rocking chairs to enjoy your new farmhouse’s front-porch bliss.

Conclusion

In just 1,065 sq ft, this Small Farmhouse plan delivers efficient living, seamless indoor-outdoor connections, and the timeless warmth of a wrap-around porch. By following these ten methodical steps—from site prep and framing through finishing and landscaping—you can build not only a house but a home where family memories will grow for generations. Ready to break ground on your dream farmhouse? The tools, the plan, and now this guide are all you need.

Happy building!