If you are looking to build a compact and fully functional 80 sq Meters House Design​ in the Philippines, an 80 square meter house design is a size that comfortably accommodates three bedrooms, two restrooms, a spacious living dining area, and a covered car porch.

Whether in subdivisions around Manila or in growing residential areas like Cebu, Davao, Cavite, and Laguna, an 80 square meter plot is in high demand among young Filipino families because it's neither too small nor burdensome to maintain.

In this article I share a 80 sq Meters House Design in detail, from the ground floor to the first floor, with exact measurements for each room, and also provide a 2D floor plan so you can easily explain the idea to your contractor or architect.

Most new subdivisions in the Philippines are built on a gated community concept, where amenities like 24 hour security guards, CCTV coverage, street lighting, and paved concrete roads are already in place.

Water supply in most areas is either provided by the local water district, or a combination of a deep well and overhead water tank is used in each home to ensure storage even if the supply is interrupted. We adopted the same approach in this design.

Plot and building size 80 sq Meters House Design

The plot size for this design is 8.0 meters wide and 10.0 meters long, or 80 square meters. In feet, this translates to a plot approximately 26 feet 3 inches wide and 32 feet 10 inches long.

The enclosed building footprint of the house is not built across the entire plot, but rather, excluding front and side setbacks to meet the minimum setback requirements of the National Building Code of the Philippines and to allow for ample ventilation space around the house.

The house is designed in a two story duplex style, with the ground floor having an enclosed area of ​​44 square meters (8.0 meters by 5.5 meters) and a separate 10 square meter covered car porch.

The first floor is 8.0 meters by 4.5 meters (36 square meters) and has a 3.75 square meter open balcony at the front, which extends above the car porch roof.

The total built up area of ​​both floors combined is approximately 80 square meters, which serves as the base design for this entire article. The house faces east to allow morning sunlight to directly enter the living area and master bedroom.

Following traditional feng shui principles, the main door is positioned so that the bedroom door is not directly visible upon entry, and the staircase is placed to the side rather than in the center of the house to maintain a natural energy flow.

ROAD / STREET FRONTAGE Car Porch 2.5m x 4.0m (8'2" x 13'1") Living and Dining 4.5m x 3.2m (14.4 sqm) 14'9" x 10'6" Sofa Dining Kitchen 2.5m x 3.2m (8.0 sqm) 8'2" x 10'6" Counter and Sink Stair Lobby Guest Bedroom 3.5m x 2.3m (8.05 sqm) 11'6" x 7'6" Bed Common Toilet 1.5x2.3m Utility and Backyard 3.0m x 2.3m (6.9 sqm) 9'10" x 7'6" Tank Main Door 8.0 m (26'3") total width 5.5 m (18'0") depth GROUND FLOOR PLAN, 80 SQ METERS PHILIPPINE HOUSE DESIGN Enclosed area 44 sqm plus 10 sqm covered carport

Ground Floor layout

Upon entering the ground floor, the first thing you encounter is a covered car porch measuring 2.5 meters by 4.0 meters, or 8'2" by 13'1". It's large enough to comfortably park a sedan, with some space left for a motorcycle.

A short walkway leads from the car porch to the main door, which features light landscaping and outdoor lighting. As soon as you enter through the main door, you find the living and dining area, measuring 4.5 meters by 3.2 meters, or 14'9" by 10'6" with a total area of ​​14.4 square meters. This space has been kept completely open plan so that even on a small plot, the house feels large and spacious.

There is space for a three seater sofa and a side chair on one side, a center table in the middle, and a six seater dining table on the other side. An entire wall has been reserved for the TV wall unit.

Adjacent to the living area is a kitchen measuring 2.5 meters by 3.2 meters, or 8'2" by 10'6", a total of 8.0 square meters. Full details of the kitchen design are provided in the next section.

Next to the kitchen is a compact staircase lobby measuring 1.0 meters by 3.2 meters, which leads to the first floor. A guest bedroom measuring 3.5 meters by 2.3 meters (11'6" by 7'6" 8.05 square meters) is placed at the back of the ground floor.

This room is very useful for homes where elderly parents live or guests frequently visit, as it eliminates the need to climb stairs. Next to the guest bedroom is a common toilet measuring 1.5 meters by 2.3 meters, which is used for the entire ground floor.

At the back is a utility and backyard area measuring 3.0 meters by 2.3 meters (9'10" by 7'6" 6.9 square meters), which houses a washing machine, clothes dryer, and water tank.

Kitchen Design

In most Filipino homes, the kitchen is designed not just as a cooking space but as the functional core of the home. Therefore, this design provides a full 8.0 square meters of spacious kitchen space.

The counter is built in a straight line along the wall, with a granite top, storage cabinets below, and overhead cabinets above. The sink is placed in front of a window to provide both natural light and ventilation while washing dishes.

A dedicated countertop space is provided for the stove, with space for an exhaust hood directly above it. A separate nook for the refrigerator has been created near the entry to minimize the distance between the working triangle sink, stove, and refrigerator making cooking easier.

The flooring is made of water resistant ceramic tiles, which are easy to clean even if spilled with oil or water. A large window in the kitchen provides cross ventilation, reducing the heat in the tropical climate.

Granite Counter with Overhead Cabinets Sink Stove Fridge Window for Ventilation Door to Dining 2.5 m (8'2") 3.2 m (10'6") KITCHEN LAYOUT, 8.0 SQM L shaped counter with sink, stove, fridge nook and overhead cabinets

First Floor Layout

As you climb the stairs, the first floor begins with a family lounge and landing area measuring 6.2 meters by 1.3 meters, or 20'4" by 4'3", a total of 8.06 square meters.

This small space can be used to place a study table or spend family time, and also acts as a buffer zone between the two bedrooms, maintaining privacy.

On the first floor, the master bedroom and second bedroom are placed together, with a common toilet in between, measuring 1.8 meters by 1.3 meters.

A balcony adjoining the master bedroom at the front measures 2.5 meters by 1.5 meters, or 8'2" by 4'11". This balcony is built over the car porch roof and features mild steel work with tempered glass railings, ensuring both safety and a modern look.

Balcony 2.5m x 1.5m (8'2" x 4'11") Master Bedroom 3.5m x 3.2m (11.2 sqm) 11'6" x 10'6" Bed Wardrobe Attached Toilet and Dressing 1.5x3.2m Bedroom 2 3.0m x 3.2m (9.6 sqm) 9'10" x 10'6" Bed Common Toilet 1.8x1.3m Family Lounge and Landing 6.2m x 1.3m (8.06 sqm), 20'4" x 4'3" 8.0 m (26'3") total width 4.5 m (14'9") depth FIRST FLOOR PLAN, 80 SQ METERS PHILIPPINE HOUSE DESIGN Enclosed area 36 sqm plus 3.75 sqm open balcony

Master Bedroom and Attached Washroom

The master bedroom measures 3.5 meters by 3.2 meters, or 11'6" by 10'6", a total of 11.2 square meters, which comfortably accommodates a queen size bed, a built in wardrobe, and a small study table.

The room features a large front window, providing both a balcony view and natural light. Attached to the bedroom is a 1.5 meter by 3.2 meter strip that houses both a dressing area and an attached toilet.

The toilet has a separate partitioned shower area, and a mirrored cabinet above the washbasin ensures storage space, even in a small space.

Queen Bed Built in Wardrobe Study Table Window with Natural Light Dressing Area Attached Toilet Entry 3.5 m (11'6") bedroom width 1.5 m (4'11") 3.2 m (10'6") MASTER BEDROOM LAYOUT, 11.2 SQM PLUS ATTACHED TOILET Queen bed, built in wardrobe, dressing area and attached toilet

Second bedroom and common toilet

The second bedroom measures 3.0 meters by 3.2 meters, or 9'10" by 10'6", totaling 9.6 square meters. This room can be used as a children's room or study room.

It comfortably accommodates a double bed and a small wardrobe. The common toilet is positioned between the second bedroom and the family lounge for easy access from both spaces. The common toilet also uses water saving flush fittings and ceramic tile flooring, making maintenance easy.

Main Door 3 Seater Sofa Chair Table TV Wall Unit Dining Table 6 Seater Window 4.5 m (14'9") 3.2 m (10'6") LIVING AND DINING LAYOUT, 14.4 SQM Open plan sofa area, TV wall, and six seater dining table

False ceiling Lighting and interior

80 sq Meters House Design​

The ceilings in the living and dining areas feature false ceilings made of gypsum board, with cove lighting and a stylish shade chandelier in the center.

This design gives the home a premium feel, making the space feel larger despite the small plot size. Both bedrooms also feature light false ceilings in the corners, with concealed LED strip lighting.

The main door features heavy wooden paneling, and the glass and grill work in the front enhance the home's front elevation. Flooring is done using ceramic vitrified tiles throughout the home, with anti skid tiles installed in the restrooms and utility areas to reduce the risk of slipping on wet floors.

The walls are finished with a combination of waterproof exterior paint and smooth finish interior paint, which is long lasting in tropical humidity.

Ventilation, Natural Light and Roofing

Keeping in mind the hot and humid climate of the Philippines, each room has at least two openings for cross ventilation a window and a door or a second window.

Long span galvanized iron roofing sheets are used for the roof, which remain reliable during both heavy rainfall and typhoon season. A waterproofing membrane is installed on the roof deck to prevent leakage.

The roof overhang is extended far enough from the wall to prevent rainwater from directly hitting the wall. An overhead water tank is installed in the ground floor backyard, serving as backup storage in addition to the local water district connection.

This ensures the home has at least a day's worth of water even if the supply is cut off. A separate nook in the backyard is designed to store gas cylinders and utility supplies. Electrical wiring is completely concealed conduit, and separate circuit breaker boxes are located on each floor, enhancing safety.

Construction Materials and Estimate Cost

The table below details the estimated construction materials, quantities, and costs in Philippine pesos for this 80 square meter two story house design.

This estimate may vary depending on local market rates, project location, and supplier, so be sure to obtain an updated quote from a local contractor before beginning actual construction.

Material Amount Unit Price Total Cost
Portland cement, 40 kg bag 450 bags ₱260 ₱117,000
CHB Hollow Blocks, 4 Inch 3200 pieces ₱14 ₱44,800
Deformed Steel Bar, 10mm x 6m 600 pieces ₱280 ₱168,000
river sand 40 cubic meters ₱1,200 ₱48,000
gravel i.e. crushed stone 35 cubic meters ₱1,350 ₱47,250
Marine Plywood, 4x8 feet, 3/4 inch 60 sheets ₱1,450 ₱87,000
Long Span GI Roofing Sheet 90 linear meters ₱650 ₱58,500
ceramic floor tiles 85 square meters ₱480 ₱40,800
PVC plumbing pipes and fittings 1 Lot ₱65,000 ₱65,000
Electrical wiring and fixtures 1 Lot ₱95,000 ₱95,000
aluminum frame window 12 units ₱8,500 ₱102,000
Wooden Panel Door 8 units ₱6,200 ₱49,600
Interior and Exterior Paint, 20 Liter Pail 15 pails ₱3,800 ₱57,000
Waterproofing Membrane, Roof Deck 44 square meters ₱650 ₱28,600

The estimated total for this entire list is approximately ₱1,008,550 Philippine pesos, which covers only core materials and does not include labor costs, permit fees, design fees, and finishing work.

The total turnkey project cost can be much higher depending on the location and finish quality, so always prepare a detailed bill of quantities before finalizing your budget.

Important Tips for 80 sq meters house design

Before constructing a home, it's necessary to obtain a building permit, locational clearance, and barangay clearance from the local government unit, and if the property is in a subdivision, an NOC from the homeowners' association is also required.

The foundation's depth should be determined based on soil tests, as many areas in the Philippines fall into seismic zones, and a structural engineer is required to verify the reinforcement design.

When finalizing a contractor, always review their previous projects and spread payments out according to milestones, rather than paying the entire advance all at once.

Home financing options include a Pag IBIG housing loan or a local bank home loan, and most lenders will approve up to 70 to 80 percent of the loan amount, leaving you to arrange the remaining down payment yourself. The safest approach is to sign a complete contract in writing, complete with detailed drawings, before construction begins.

Conclusion

An 80 sq meters house design in the Philippines is a perfect fit for families looking for a fully functional home with three bedrooms, two toilets, and a covered car porch on a budget. Proper planning, proper material selection, and adherence to local building codes make this design not only budget friendly but also durable and comfortable over the long term. You can easily customize it to your needs by sharing the above floor plan and room wise drawings with your architect.

FAQs

How many bedrooms can an 80 square meter plot comfortably accommodate?
An 80 square meter plot can comfortably accommodate three bedrooms in a two story design, as shown in this article a guest bedroom on the ground floor and a master bedroom and second bedroom on the first floor.
How much does it cost to build an 80 square meter house in the Philippines?
Core material costs alone typically run around one million pesos, but adding in labor, permit fees, and finishing work can significantly increase the total turnkey project cost depending on location and finish quality, so it's important to get a detailed quote from a local contractor.
Can a single story version of this design be built?
Yes, if a larger plot is available, it is possible to spread all three bedrooms on one floor and create a bungalow style design, although this would require a lot area larger than 80 square meters.
What permits are required to build a house?
Obtaining a building permit, locational clearance, and barangay clearance from the local government unit is mandatory, and if the house is in a gated subdivision, a NOC from the homeowners' association is also required.
How is a home built on such a small plot financed?
Most buyers finance their home through a Pag IBIG housing loan or a local bank home loan, where typically 70 to 80 percent of the loan amount is approved, leaving the remaining amount to be arranged as a down payment.
Andi Pratama
About the author Andi Pratama

Andi Pratama is a real estate construction architect in the Philippines, specializing in modern, budget-friendly, and practical building designs. She shares expert insights on home construction, architecture, and real...

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