For homeowners drawn to the classic form of a barn home but looking for a much smaller footprint, The Croft offers a different way to bring that character to their property.
Part of the Yankee Barn Homes Homestead Cottages Collection, The Croft is a 600-square-foot, one-bedroom, one-bath cottage with a 20′ x 30′ footprint. Its traditional barn-style exterior, cupola, and open interior give this compact design a distinct identity, whether you’re planning space for family, guests, work, or yourself.
Classic Barn Style at a Smaller Scale
The Croft‘s architecture is one of the features that sets it apart within the Homestead Cottages Collection.
Its simple rectangular form is topped by an 8/12-pitch roof and a classic cupola, giving the cottage the proportions and character of a traditional barn. Andersen windows and LP SmartSide siding and trim complete the exterior, with options available to further personalize details such as siding style, window colors, and Douglas Fir timber accents.
At just 20 feet wide and 30 feet long, The Croft adds architectural presence to a footprint that can work for properties where a full-size barn home isn’t what you need.
An Open Floor Plan Designed for Flexibility
Inside, The Croft prioritizes openness and simplicity.
The floor plan includes one bedroom and one bath while maintaining an open main living area that can accommodate cooking, dining, relaxing, or entertaining. That flexibility is particularly valuable in a 600-square-foot home, where rooms often need to support more than one part of daily life.
The Croft‘s attic truss roof design also creates additional space above the main floor structure. How you choose to use and finish the cottage will depend on your project, local requirements, and the work completed by your builder.
Before building, think through how you’ll use the space most often. A cottage intended for a family member may prioritize comfortable everyday living and storage, while a guest house may need more room for gathering. If you’re creating a studio or workspace, your furniture, lighting, electrical, and storage needs could look different again.
How Could You Use a Barn-Style ADU?
The Croft‘s open layout gives homeowners several possibilities for how it could fit into a larger property.
Independent Space for Family
For multigenerational households, The Croft can create a separate place for a parent, adult child, or other family member to live while remaining close to the main home. Its bedroom, bath, and living areas provide the essential spaces for greater privacy and independence.
A Guest Cottage
On a primary residence, vacation home, or family property, The Croft can give overnight guests their own space. Its open living area also provides somewhere to relax beyond the bedroom, which can make longer visits more comfortable for everyone.
A Creative Space or Private Retreat
The Croft can also support uses beyond traditional guest accommodations. Its barn-style architecture and open floor plan lend themselves to a studio, creative workspace, or private retreat with room to work and unwind.
Local zoning and building requirements will determine how The Croft can be classified and used on your property. If you’re considering it as an accessory dwelling unit, review your municipality’s requirements for ADU size, occupancy, setbacks, utilities, and permitting early in the process.
What’s Included With The Croft?
Like the other Homestead Cottage designs, The Croft is offered as a materials shell package.
The Croft materials shell package includes design and construction plans; precut, labeled, and numbered lumber for framing the exterior and interior walls; prefab attic roof trusses and other roof framing materials; Andersen windows; a Therma-Tru exterior door; LP SmartSide siding and trim; and The Croft’s signature cupola. The package also includes delivery coordination and detailed assembly documentation to support assembly on site.
The homeowner and builder are responsible for site work, foundation and first-floor framing, roofing, labor, mechanical systems, electrical, plumbing, interior finishes, and other locally completed elements. Trucking is also quoted separately based on the build location.
For a broader explanation of this approach, read our guide to ADU cottage shell packages and the Homestead Cottages Collection.
Is The Croft Right for Your Property & Plans?
The Croft may be a good fit if you want a compact one-bedroom cottage and are particularly drawn to traditional barn architecture. Its open main living space also makes it worth considering when flexibility is high on your priority list.
If your plans call for two bedrooms, an integrated garage, or a different arrangement of living space, explore the other five Homestead Cottage designs before choosing your starting point.
For homeowners who want the character of a Yankee Barn Home within a smaller, more defined design, The Croft brings together 600 square feet of flexible living space and a distinctly barn-inspired exterior.
