20×50 House Plan Guide: Layout Ideas, 2BHK/3BHK Designs, Elevation & Cost

20×50 House Plan Guide: Layout Ideas, 2BHK/3BHK Designs, Elevation & Cost

Twenty by fifty. That is 20 feet wide and 50 feet deep.

Walk through any Indian city. Any town. Any developing area. You will find this plot size everywhere. It is the Goldilocks of land sizes. Not too big. Not too small. Just right.

Why is 20×50 so common? Because it works. It fits the average family budget. It allows for comfortable living. And it gives you enough space to design something beautiful without wasting land.

Think of it like a canvas. 1000 square feet of canvas. What you paint on it depends on your needs. A compact 2BHK for a small family. A duplex with modern style. Two rental units that pay for themselves. Or a 3BHK spread across two floors.

The possibilities are many. But the space is fixed. Twenty by fifty. How you use it matters.

This guide will walk you through everything. Layouts. Designs. Costs. Vastu. Mistakes to avoid. By the end, you will have a clear picture of what fits on your 20×50 plot.

Let us start with the basics.

Plot Size Details: Understanding Your Space

20 feet width. 50 feet depth.

That is the measurement. But what does it mean in real terms?

Total area: 1000 square feet.
In square yards, that is approximately 111 square yards. In square meters, about 93 square meters.

The width matters.
Twenty feet is decent width. You can park a car and still have space for an entrance. You can design a living room that feels open. You can place windows on both sides for cross ventilation.

The depth matters more.
Fifty feet is deep enough for a good layout. You can have front parking, a living area, bedrooms behind, and still leave space at the back for utility.

Setbacks: The real usable area.
Municipal rules require setbacks. Space left open around the building. Front setback. Back setback. Side setbacks. These reduce your actual buildable area.

Typically, on a 20×50 plot, you can build on 70% to 80% of the land. That means your built-up area per floor is around 700 to 800 square feet.

Keep this in mind. Your 1000 sq ft plot does not mean a 1000 sq ft house per floor. The actual home will be smaller.

Layout Possibilities for 20×50 Plot

What can you build on 20×50? Let us look at the options.

Single floor house.
One level. All rooms on ground floor. Ideal for elderly couples or those who want to avoid stairs. You get 700 to 800 sq ft of living space. Enough for a comfortable 2BHK.

Duplex house.
Two floors. Ground plus first. Total built-up area around 1400 to 1600 sq ft. Enough for a spacious 3BHK with modern amenities.

Rental units.
Two separate units. One on ground floor. One on first floor. Each around 600 to 700 sq ft. Perfect for rental income. Your house pays for itself.

Future expansion.
Build ground floor now. Add first floor later when budget allows. Smart planning for young couples.

Commercial plus residential.
If the plot is on a main road, you can have a shop on ground floor and residence above. Common in many Indian cities.

Your choice depends on your family size, budget, and long-term plans.

20×50 House Plan – Single Floor Layout Ideas

Single floor living has its charm. No stairs. Easy movement. Everything on one level.

2BHK Single Floor Layout (700–800 sq ft built-up)

Room distribution

• Living room: 12×12 feet (144 sq ft)
• Bedroom 1: 11×11 feet (121 sq ft)
• Bedroom 2: 10×11 feet (110 sq ft)
• Kitchen: 8×10 feet (80 sq ft)
• Bathroom 1 (attached): 5×7 feet (35 sq ft)
• Bathroom 2 (common): 4×6 feet (24 sq ft)
• Passage/Lobby: 50–60 sq ft
• Staircase provision (for future first floor): 5×10 feet (50 sq ft)

Car parking
20 feet width allows side parking. Keep a 8×15 feet space on one side. The rest for entrance and small garden.

Advantages of single floor

• Lower construction cost (no staircase or first floor slab)
• Easy maintenance
• Accessible for elderly
• Faster construction

Disadvantages

• Less total area
• No future expansion without structural planning now

If you are building for retirement or small family, single floor 2BHK is perfect.

20×50 Duplex House Plan

Duplex means two floors. Ground plus first. Connected by internal staircase.

Total built-up area: 1400 to 1600 sq ft
This gives you space for a proper 3BHK with all modern features.

Ground floor layout (700–800 sq ft)

• Living room: 13×13 feet (169 sq ft)
• Dining area: 8×10 feet (80 sq ft)
• Kitchen: 8×12 feet (96 sq ft)
• Bedroom 1 (guest/parents): 11×12 feet (132 sq ft)
• Bathroom attached: 5×7 feet (35 sq ft)
• Common bathroom: 4×6 feet (24 sq ft)
• Staircase: 5×10 feet (50 sq ft)
• Parking and entrance porch

First floor layout (700–800 sq ft)

• Bedroom 2 (master): 12×13 feet (156 sq ft)
• Attached bathroom with dressing: 6×8 feet (48 sq ft)
• Bedroom 3: 11×12 feet (132 sq ft)
• Common bathroom: 5×7 feet (35 sq ft)
• Family lounge: 10×12 feet (120 sq ft)
• Balcony: 5×15 feet (75 sq ft)
• Staircase lobby

Advantages of duplex

• Separate private zone on first floor
• Better ventilation and light on upper floor
• Higher resale value
• Modern lifestyle appeal

Disadvantages

• Higher construction cost
• Stairs required (issue for elderly)
• Longer construction time

Duplex is the most popular choice for 20×50 plots today. Families love the separation of spaces.

2BHK Plan Options for 20×50

20×50 house plan 2BHK is the most searched term. Here is why. A 2BHK fits perfectly on this plot. You get comfortable rooms without feeling cramped.

Option A: Compact 2BHK Single Floor

• Living: 11×12
• Bedroom 1: 10×11
• Bedroom 2: 10×10
• Kitchen: 7×9
• Bathrooms: 2
• Total built-up: 650 sq ft
• Ideal for: Couple with one child, budget conscious

Option B: Spacious 2BHK Single Floor

• Living: 13×13
• Bedroom 1: 11×12
• Bedroom 2: 11×11
• Kitchen: 8×11
• Bathrooms: 2 (one attached)
• Utility area: 4×6
• Total built-up: 750 sq ft
• Ideal for: Small family wanting comfort

Option C: 2BHK with Future Expansion

• Build ground floor 2BHK now
• Keep staircase provision
• Add first floor later as 1BHK or office space
• Ideal for: Young couples planning family growth

Option D: 2BHK Duplex

• Ground floor: Living, kitchen, common bath
• First floor: Two bedrooms, one bath, balcony
• Total built-up: 1400 sq ft
• Ideal for: Families wanting separate sleeping areas

The beauty of 2BHK is flexibility. You can design it many ways.

3BHK House Design for 20×50 Plot

Can a 3BHK fit on 20×50? Yes. But only as a duplex. Single floor cannot accommodate three bedrooms comfortably on 1000 sq ft plot.

3BHK Duplex Layout

Ground floor

• Living room: 13×14 (182 sq ft)
• Kitchen: 9×12 (108 sq ft)
• Dining area: 8×10 (80 sq ft) integrated with living
• Bedroom 1 (parents): 11×12 (132 sq ft)
• Attached bathroom: 5×7 (35 sq ft)
• Common bathroom: 4×7 (28 sq ft)
• Staircase: 5×10 (50 sq ft)
• Parking: 8×15 (120 sq ft)

First floor

• Bedroom 2 (master): 12×14 (168 sq ft)
• Attached bathroom with dressing: 6×9 (54 sq ft)
• Bedroom 3: 11×13 (143 sq ft)
• Common bathroom: 5×7 (35 sq ft)
• Family lounge: 10×12 (120 sq ft)
• Balcony: 5×16 (80 sq ft)
• Staircase lobby

Total built-up area: Approximately 1550 sq ft

Is 3BHK comfortable?
Yes. Each bedroom is over 110 sq ft. Living is spacious. Kitchen is functional. Bathrooms are decent sized. This is a proper family home.

What about ventilation?
With 20 feet width, you have two sides for windows. Front and back. Keep bedrooms on sides for cross ventilation. Use internal light wells if needed.

Cost implication
3BHK duplex costs more than 2BHK. But it adds long-term value. If you have a growing family, invest in 3BHK now.

Rental House Plan Ideas for 20×50

Many people buy 20×50 plots for investment. Build and rent. Earn monthly income. Smart move.

Idea 1: Two 1BHK Units (Ground + First)

Ground floor 1BHK (650 sq ft):

• Living cum bedroom: 13×14 (182 sq ft)
• Kitchen: 8×10 (80 sq ft)
• Bathroom: 5×7 (35 sq ft)
• Small dining space

First floor 1BHK (similar layout)

Total construction cost: ₹25–30 lakh for standard finish
Rental income potential:

• Ground floor: ₹8,000–12,000 per month
• First floor: ₹7,000–10,000 per month
• Total monthly: ₹15,000–22,000

Idea 2: Commercial + Residential
If plot is on main road:

• Ground floor: Shop (400–500 sq ft) + small 1BHK at back
• First floor: Separate 2BHK residence

Rental income potential higher.
Shop rent: ₹15,000–25,000 depending on location
Residence rent: ₹8,000–12,000
Total: ₹23,000–37,000 per month

Idea 3: Paying Guest Accommodation
Near colleges or offices:

• Design with 4–5 small rooms with common kitchen
• Each room rented to students or working professionals

Income potential high but management needed.

Important: Check local regulations for rental units. Some areas have restrictions.

Vastu Considerations for 20×50 Plot

Many home buyers care about Vastu. Even if you are not strict, following basic Vastu principles helps with resale.

Plot facing direction matters most.

East facing 20×50 plot

• Main entrance in east zone
• Living room in northeast
• Kitchen in southeast
• Bedrooms in southwest
• Bathrooms in northwest or southeast
• Staircase in south or west

North facing

• Entrance in north zone
• Living in northeast
• Kitchen in southeast
• Bedrooms in southwest
• Overhead tank in northeast
• Septic tank in northwest

West facing

• Entrance in west zone
• Living in northwest or southwest
• Kitchen in southeast
• Bedrooms in southwest
• Avoid toilet in northeast

South facing

• Traditionally considered less auspicious but modern layouts work
• Keep entrance in south zone
• Ensure north and east open spaces
• Kitchen in southeast
• Bedrooms in southwest

General Vastu tips for 20×50

• Keep center of house (brahmasthan) open, no walls or toilets
• Slope towards north or east
• More openings on north and east sides
• Avoid staircase in northeast corner
• Kitchen never in northeast

Consult a Vastu expert if this matters to you. Small adjustments in planning save trouble later.

Front Elevation Design Ideas

The outside of your house matters. It is the first thing people see. It sets the tone.

Modern Elevation (Popular now)

• Straight lines
• Horizontal bands
• Large windows
• Grey and white color scheme
• Wooden accents
• Minimal projections

Contemporary Indian

• Jali work
• Local stone cladding
• Sloping roofs (Mangalore tiles style)
• Warm earth tones
• Courtyard feel

Minimalist

• All white or off-white
• Simple geometric shapes
• No excessive ornamentation
• Focus on lighting
• Clean look, lower cost

Duplex Elevation

• Two distinct levels
• Balcony as design element
• Vertical lines to emphasize height
• Contrast colors for ground and first floor
• Staircase window as feature

Budget Elevation

• Good quality paint
• Simple grills
• Main door design focus
• Small flower beds
• Proper lighting

Tips for 20×50 elevation
Since width is only 20 feet, use vertical elements to make house look taller. Avoid heavy projections that eat into setback space. Keep entrance prominent. Use texture for visual interest.

3D House Plan Concepts

Before you build, see your house in 3D. It changes everything.

Why 3D matters

• You see actual proportions
• You realize if rooms feel small
• You check window placements
• You visualize furniture arrangement
• You avoid costly mistakes

What a good 3D plan shows

• Exterior view with colors
• Interior layouts room by room
• Furniture placement
• Lighting effects
• Landscape ideas

Where to get 3D plans

• Architects provide them
• Freelance designers online
• Plan shops
• Some contractors offer basic 3D

Cost of 3D rendering

• Basic: ₹5,000–15,000
• Detailed with interiors: ₹20,000–50,000
• Worth every rupee for visualization

My experience
I once designed a house on paper. Looked perfect. Then saw the 3D. The living room felt like a tunnel. Too long and narrow. Changed the layout immediately. Saved lakhs in construction and demolition later.

Construction Cost for 20×50 House

This is the number everyone wants. How much money do I need?

Cost depends on

• Number of floors
• Quality of materials
• Location (city)
• Contractor rates
• Design complexity

Estimated costs for 20×50 house

House Type	Built-up Area	Basic	Standard	Premium
Single floor 2BHK	750 sq ft	₹12–15 L	₹15–20 L	₹22–28 L
Duplex 3BHK	1500 sq ft	₹24–30 L	₹30–40 L	₹45–60 L+
Two rental units	1400 sq ft	₹22–28 L	₹28–38 L	₹42–55 L

Inclusions in these costs

• Structure (foundation to roof)
• Basic finishing (flooring, plaster, paint)
• Electrical and plumbing
• Sanitaryware
• Doors and windows

Exclusions

• Land cost
• Architect fees (3–8%)
• Government approvals (₹50k–2 L)
• Interiors (wardrobes, modular kitchen)
• Compound wall and gate
• Landscaping
• Solar panels or extra features

Per sq ft rate breakdown:

• Basic: ₹1,600–2,000/sq ft
• Standard: ₹2,100–2,600/sq ft
• Premium: ₹2,700–3,500/sq ft

For a 1500 sq ft duplex with standard finish, budget ₹35 lakh minimum. Add 10% contingency. Keep ₹38–40 lakh ready.

Per Sq Ft Construction Cost Detailed

Let us break down where that per sq ft money goes.

For a standard finish house at ₹2,300/sq ft:

Component	Cost Per Sq Ft	% of Total
Foundation	₹200–250	9–11%
RCC structure	₹450–550	20–24%
Brickwork	₹200–250	9–11%
Plastering	₹120–150	5–7%
Flooring	₹180–220	8–10%
Electrical	₹100–130	4–6%
Plumbing	₹120–150	5–7%
Painting	₹100–130	4–6%
Doors & windows	₹180–220	8–10%
Finishing	₹250–300	11–13%
Contractor margin	₹150–200	7–9%

Total: ₹2,050 to ₹2,550 per sq ft

Why the range?
Material quality varies. Tile cost from ₹30/sq ft to ₹200/sq ft. Paint from ₹15/sq ft to ₹50/sq ft. Sanitaryware from basic to premium. Your choices determine final cost.

Room Size Planning Guide

How big should each room be? Here are practical sizes for 20×50.

Living Room
Minimum: 11×12 (132 sq ft)
Comfortable: 13×13 (169 sq ft)
Spacious: 14×14 (196 sq ft)

Master Bedroom
Minimum: 10×11 (110 sq ft)
Comfortable: 11×12 (132 sq ft)
Spacious: 12×14 (168 sq ft)

Second Bedroom
Minimum: 9×10 (90 sq ft)
Comfortable: 10×11 (110 sq ft)
Spacious: 11×12 (132 sq ft)

Kitchen
Minimum: 6×8 (48 sq ft)
Comfortable: 8×10 (80 sq ft)
Spacious: 9×12 (108 sq ft)

Bathroom
Minimum: 4×5 (20 sq ft)
Comfortable: 5×7 (35 sq ft)
Spacious: 6×8 (48 sq ft)

Balcony
Minimum: 4×8 (32 sq ft)
Comfortable: 5×12 (60 sq ft)

Parking
Car: 8×15 (120 sq ft)
Two-wheeler: 4×8 (32 sq ft)

Rule of thumb
Do not make rooms too small to save space. A cramped room feels useless. Better to have fewer but larger rooms.

Parking & Open Space Planning

On a 20×50 plot, parking needs planning.

Car parking options

Side parking:
Keep car on one side. 8 feet width enough for car. Leaves 12 feet for house width. This is the most common approach.

Front parking
Park car in front of house. But with 20 feet width, front parking eats into entrance space. Works if you have 15 feet front setback.

Stilt parking
Raise ground floor. Keep parking underneath. Common in duplex designs. Adds cost but saves ground space.

Open space requirements

Front setback
Usually 3 to 5 feet minimum. More if road is wider. Use this for small garden or just open area.

Back setback
Usually 3 feet. Enough for utility area. Place kitchen waste outlet here.

Side setbacks
On 20 feet width, side setbacks are minimal. Often zero on one side if plot is row house. On the other side, 3 to 5 feet for ventilation.

Importance of open space

• Light enters house
• Air circulates
• House feels less boxed in
• Maintenance access

Do not build right up to boundary. Leave breathing space.

Interior Planning Tips for 20×50

Small width means smart interiors.

Space-saving furniture:

• Sofa cum bed in living
• Foldable dining table
• Loft beds in children’s room
• Wall-mounted shelves

Open kitchen concept: Combine kitchen with dining. Feels larger. Better ventilation. Works well for modern families.

Sliding doors: Instead of swing doors that need space, use sliding doors for bathroom and small rooms.

Mirrors: Use large mirrors in living and bedrooms. Creates illusion of space.

Light colors: Walls, floors, ceilings in light shades. White, off-white, light grey. Dark colors shrink space visually.

Built-in storage: Wardrobes built into wall recesses. No extra space wasted. Use height for storage.

Minimum furniture: Do not clutter. In small homes, less is more.

False ceiling: Simple perimeter false ceiling with lights. Makes room look taller.

My tip: Before finalizing layout, draw your furniture on the plan. Will your bed fit with space to walk? Will dining table block passage? Check now, not after construction.

Common Mistakes in 20×50 Planning

Learn from others’ errors.

Mistake 1: No parking space.
You build a beautiful house. Then you have nowhere to park. Car sits on road. Gets damaged. Gets towed. Plan parking from day one.

Mistake 2: Wrong staircase placement.
Staircase in center eats prime space. Staircase in corner blocks window. Staircase too steep is dangerous. Plan carefully.

Mistake 3: Poor ventilation.
With 20 feet width, cross ventilation is possible. But if you place bathrooms on both sides, bedrooms lose windows. Airflow suffers.

Mistake 4: No utility area.
Where will washing machine go? Where will you keep brooms and mops? Where will you dry clothes? Plan these spaces.

Mistake 5: Ignoring future expansion.
You build single floor. Later you want first floor. But you did not provide staircase space or structural provision. Now costly retrofitting needed.

Mistake 6: Overbuilding.
Some people build right up to boundary on all sides. No light. No air. House feels like a box. Leave setbacks.

Mistake 7: Wrong kitchen placement.
Kitchen at back with no window. Dark. Smelly. Unhealthy. Kitchen needs ventilation.

Mistake 8: Too many walls.
Open plan feels larger. Too many partitions make small space feel smaller.

Best Designs for Small Families

Small family means 2 to 4 members. What works best?

Design 1: Ground Floor 2BHK

• Living + Kitchen open plan
• Two bedrooms
• One bathroom attached, one common
• Small pooja space
• Rear utility
• Total area: 750 sq ft
• Cost: ₹18–22 lakh standard finish

Design 2: Duplex 2BHK with Future 3BHK

• Ground: Living, kitchen, common bath, one bedroom
• First: Master bedroom, lounge, bath, balcony
• Later convert lounge to third bedroom
• Smart planning for growing family

Design 3: 2BHK with Home Office

• One bedroom converted to study/office
• Work from home setup
• Separate entrance if possible

Design 4: Elderly Couple Special

• Single floor
• Wide doorways for wheelchair access
• No thresholds
• Grab bars in bathroom
• Easy maintenance finishes

Design 5: Young Couple Modern

• Duplex
• Open kitchen
• Large windows
• Minimalist interiors
• Smart home features

Choose based on your life stage. Plan for next 10 years, not just today.

Expansion Options for 20×50 Plot

Smart planning allows expansion later.

Option 1: Add First Floor Later

• Build ground floor now
• Provide staircase space (even if stairs not installed)
• Design columns for future load
• Keep roof accessible
• Add first floor when budget allows or family grows

Option 2: Convert to Rental

• Build duplex now
• Occupy one floor
• Rent the other
• Later when need arises, occupy both

Option 3: Rear Extension

• If back setback allows, extend ground floor at rear
• Add room or kitchen extension
• Requires structural planning now

Option 4: Split into Two Units

• Convert existing house into two separate units
• Each with own entrance
• For rental income or extended family

Structural considerations:

• Design foundations for future load
• Keep column positions flexible
• Plan plumbing for future additions
• Get advice from structural engineer

Conclusion

Twenty by fifty. It is a plot size. But it is also an opportunity.

Think about it. A thousand square feet of land. In your hands. You get to decide what stands there. A cozy home for your small family. A duplex with modern style. Two rental units that fund your retirement. A shop below and residence above.

The flexibility is what makes 20×50 special.

But flexibility needs planning. You cannot just build and hope it works. You need a layout that flows. Rooms that feel right. Windows that bring light. Space for your car. Room for your future.

Frequently Asked Questions