A two story country craftsman home combines the warmth of craftsman detailing with the practicality of a two story layout. These homes typically range from 2,800 to 3,200 square feet with four bedrooms and three or more bathrooms. The angled garage is a defining feature of homes designed for wide lots, where the garage sits at a slight angle to the main house rather than parallel to the street or fully recessed. A two story country home design with angled garage and loft spaces demonstrates how this layout accommodates both a spacious driveway approach and additional storage or parking for recreational vehicles. The country craftsman style emphasizes horizontal lines, deep overhanging eaves, exposed rafters, and a mix of siding materials that give the home a grounded, farmhouse inspired character.
Angled Garage Design for Wide Lots
The angled garage is a practical solution for properties where the lot is wider than it is deep. Instead of pushing the garage forward or attaching it flush with the main facade, the garage wing rotates several degrees relative to the house. This creates a dynamic street presence and allows the driveway to sweep in from the side rather than occupying the entire front yard. A French country craftsman home design for corner lots uses a similar strategy, where the garage angle responds to the lot boundaries and street orientation.
Several advantages of an angled garage configuration include:
- Improved curb appeal: The angled orientation reduces the garage door’s visual presence from the street, shifting attention to the front door and porch instead. The three car garage with a separate golf cart bay creates a varied roofline that adds architectural interest.
- Circular or sweeping driveway: A wide lot accommodates a curved driveway that loops past the front entry and into the garage. This eliminates the need to back out into the street and creates a grand arrival sequence.
- Additional storage space: The angled garage footprint often creates space behind the garage for a golf cart garage, boat storage, or a workshop. These additions can share the same roofline as the main garage for a cohesive look.
| Garage Configuration | Minimum Lot Width | Driveway Type | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front entry, straight | 50 to 60 feet | Straight or T-shaped | Standard suburban lots |
| Angled, attached | 70 to 85 feet | Sweeping curve | Wide lots, corner parcels |
| Side entry, recessed | 80 to 100 feet | Long side drive | Deep lots, privacy focused |
| Angled with RV bay | 90+ feet | Circular or Y-shaped | Rural or large estate lots |
Main Level Open Floor Plan Organization
The main level of a two story country craftsman home centers on an open great room, dining area, and kitchen that flow into one another. This arrangement suits the way modern families live, with cooking, eating, and gathering happening in one continuous space. A defining characteristic of these plans is the master bedroom on the main level, which eliminates the need for the primary homeowners to climb stairs daily.
Master Suite on the Main Level
Placing the master bedroom on the first floor while the secondary bedrooms are upstairs is a common arrangement in two story craftsman homes. The main level master suite should include:
- Direct access to a covered porch or patio for morning coffee or evening relaxation without going through the main living area.
- A walk-in closet large enough for two people, ideally 8 by 10 feet minimum, with access to the laundry room or mudroom for convenient drop off of clothes.
- A master bath with dual vanities, a separate water closet, and a curbless shower for aging in place accessibility. Adding a soaking tub is optional but adds resale value in homes over 3,000 square feet.
Mudroom and Laundry Placement
The mudroom in a wide lot craftsman home should sit between the garage entry and the kitchen. This transition zone catches shoes, bags, coats, and pet supplies before they enter the main living area. A 7 by 10 foot mudroom with built in cubbies, a bench, and a drop zone counter works well for a family of four. Locating the laundry room adjacent to the mudroom rather than on the upper level is preferred when the master suite is on the main floor, because it keeps laundry near where the most laundry is generated.
Upper Level Bedrooms and Unfinished Bonus Space
The upper level of a two story craftsman home typically contains two or three secondary bedrooms, a shared bathroom, and an unfinished bonus or storage area. As homes approach 3,000 square feet, the upstairs becomes more than just a bedroom level. A prairie craftsman two story 4 bedroom floor plan with garage loft shows how bonus spaces on the upper level can be positioned over the garage rather than over the main house, keeping the main roof line clean while adding square footage where it is less visible from the street.
Upper level design considerations include:
- Bedroom sizes: Each secondary bedroom should be at least 11 by 12 feet to accommodate a queen bed, a desk, and a dresser. Closet depths should be at least 2 feet for standard hanging rods, ideally 4 feet for walk-in configurations.
- Shared bathroom: A 5 by 8 foot bathroom with a double sink vanity and a tub-shower combination serves two bedrooms. If three bedrooms are upstairs, consider a Jack and Jill layout for two bedrooms and a separate hall bathroom for the third.
- Mechanical room: The upper level should include a dedicated mechanical room for the HVAC air handler, water heater, and any ductwork transitions. A 6 by 6 foot space is adequate for standard equipment.
Craftsman Exterior Details and Material Selection
The country craftsman style draws from the American arts and crafts movement, emphasizing handcrafted details, natural materials, and a grounded relationship with the site. Exposed rafter tails, tapered porch columns on stone bases, and a mix of siding materials distinguish craftsman homes from other traditional styles. A design approach for two story craftsman homes with angled garages and open floor plans emphasizes keeping the exterior massing low and horizontal, even on a two story structure, by using wide overhangs, banding between floors, and deep covered porches.
Key craftsman exterior elements include:
- Exposed rafter tails: The roof rafters extend beyond the exterior wall and are visible from below, typically trimmed square or with a slight decorative taper. This detail signals craftsmanship and is a signature of the style.
- Mixed siding: A combination of board and batten, horizontal lap siding, and stone or brick veneer creates visual texture. The heaviest material (stone) should be at the base, with lighter materials above.
- Front facing gables: Large gables on the front elevation, often with decorative brackets or trusses, give the facade vertical accents that balance the horizontal roof lines. The gable ends can feature half timbering or shake siding for added texture.
Porch Design and Outdoor Living
The front porch in a country craftsman home is not an afterthought. It should be deep enough to function as an outdoor room, with a minimum depth of 8 feet. Tapered square columns set on stone or brick piers support the porch roof. A stained or painted ceiling in a lighter color, often light blue or pale gray, is a traditional craftsman touch that visually lifts the ceiling plane. The porch floor should be covered with a durable material such as stamped concrete, stone, or composite decking that resists moisture and temperature changes.
Southern Ranch Influence on Country Craftsman Design
The country craftsman style for wide lots often borrows elements from Southern ranch architecture. A low, spread out profile, a sweeping circular driveway, and a symmetrical facade with prominent front facing gables are hallmarks of this blended approach. The horizontal emphasis suits wide lots well because it fills the lot visually without creating a boxy, top heavy appearance. A two story craftsman home floor plan with balconies and angled garages illustrates how adding an upper level balcony above the porch or a covered balcony off the master suite brings Southern porch living to the second floor as well.
The Southern craftsman approach emphasizes indoor outdoor connections. The great room should have multiple doors opening to a covered porch or patio, and the dining area should be within a few steps of an outdoor eating space. On the upper level, a balcony above the front porch or off the hallway creates a secondary outdoor space that captures tree top views and breezes. This is especially valuable on lots where the rear yard is shaded or wooded.
When planning a wide lot country craftsman home, study the relationship between the garage approach, the front entry, and the rear outdoor spaces. The angled garage should create a courtyard like feel in the front yard, with landscaping that softens the hardscape of the driveway and garage apron. A circular driveway lined with trees or low hedges guides visitors to the front door and reinforces the estate like character of the home. For homeowners looking at similar scale options, a country craftsman home floor plan with two story four bedroom design and bonus room provides an alternative layout where the bonus room replaces the golf cart garage, offering additional flex space for a home gym, media room, or guest suite instead of vehicle storage.