When you start a new Survival world in Minecraft, the long list of tasks before the day-night cycle can feel overwhelming. While you could certainly spend your first night in a dirt hut, a great way to increase your chances of survival is to build a small starter base that can meet all your early-game needs until you move into a more permanent home.
Just because these starter houses might not be permanent doesn’t mean you should skimp on the decor, and there are hundreds of different tutorials online to assist you with the building process. If you’re curious which starter houses are best for your needs, check out the list below.
Updated on January 24, 2026, by Zoë J. Osik: Your first house in Minecraft is significant––it’s where you set up shop and work toward establishing roots for the future. It’s a good idea to build one you like because it’ll be your sanctuary for the first few hours of the game. We’ve updated this list with new builds you can try, ensuring you find the perfect starter home no matter which biome you spawn in.
21.Compact Starter House
This modular starter house utilizes the absolute minimum space, meaning you can save time and resources. Specifically, the interior of this house only has one block of standing room, as every other space is occupied by a bed, two large chests, a crafting table, and a furnace.
Built from simple wood blocks and cobblestone, this house is best for players who aren’t too keen on the building aspect of Minecraft.
20.Cottage Starter House
Nothing is cozier than a simple cottage, and Ayvocado’s starter house is a testament to that. Built from dark oak and spruce planks, this quaint cabin provides everything you need when starting your Minecraft adventure.
Additionally, you can add decorations such as leaves or a faux chimney to further enhance the overall aesthetic of this simplistic build.
19 Plains Starter House
If this is your first time entering the fantasy world of Minecraft, then we recommend settling down in a plains biome. These locations offer an abundance of wildlife, plenty of space for farming, and unobstructed building areas.
Specifically, building a plains starter house means you’ll have enough space to rest at night while also maintaining a large plot of crops to replenish your hunger. While it is indeed the smallest house on this list, you can easily build this structure within one in-game day to protect yourself from any mobs that may spawn at night.
18.Lakeside Starter House
If you find yourself spawning next to a large lake or ocean, you can always incorporate these bodies of water into your creation. This house uses spruce trapdoors as the foundation for a small L-shaped dock, upon which the entire two-story house sits.
The house itself is made from simple materials like cobblestone, wood, bricks, and deepslate bricks. Despite being built on complex terrain, the entire foundation is only nine by nine blocks, offering a perfect opportunity for novice builders to practice their skills.
17.Deepslate Starter House
The deepslate starter house is somewhat of an upgrade from the plains starter house, as this deepslate structure adds an extra layer and uses diorite accents to create a very appealing exterior. Specifically, the deepslate starter house uses the aforementioned blocks to outline the roof, allowing spruce planks to seamlessly blend into the overall structure.
Furthermore, unlike the first two entries on this list, this starter house features a second floor. This means you can specialize different parts of the house as you progress through the game, adding features such as extra storage, a smelting area, and an enchanting room.
16.Oak Starter House
The oak starter house might be the most ordinary on this entire list, but don’t mistake that for a bad thing. This multi-story structure mimics the style of old villager houses, is made entirely of wood, and provides everything you need for your entire playthrough within a single compact area.
Specifically, the bottom floor of the build is reserved for farming and enchanting, while the main level of the house contains the work area and your all-important bed. Overall, this is definitely the starter house for you if you’re a player who prioritizes utility and functionality.
15.Blue Starter House
This little blue starter house is perfect for players who love exploring the dangerous Nether dimension. The primary building material for this house is warped wood, which can only be found in the warped forests of the Nether.
This dark blue wood pairs perfectly with dark woods such as spruce logs and planks. This starter house is relatively small and built with a crisscross diagonal roof, creating space for an upstairs bedroom and storage area.
14.Winter Starter House
If you find yourself playing Minecraft on a hot summer night and are craving something cool, then you should build the winter starter house. This house is made entirely of spruce wood and planks, as you’ll find an abundance of this wood in snowy taiga biomes.
Additionally, you can decorate the exterior with dead bushes or sweet berry bushes to add a splash of color to the build. Finally, just wait for the heavy snow to fall, and your roof will be covered in a cozy layer of snow.
13.Japanese Starter House
While most houses on this list focus on creating a fully functional structure, the Japanese starter house aims to combine the utility of a starter home with the aesthetics of Japanese architecture. Specifically, this build utilizes deepslate stairs and slabs to create a pointed roof resembling that of a Japanese temple.
However, while his design is certainly appealing, it can be quite challenging for inexperienced builders to replicate. Nevertheless, we recommend you take on the challenge, as it will teach you the essential building skills needed to create aesthetically pleasing structures in the game.
12.Medieval Starter House
If you prefer a more traditional aesthetic, then consider building Nanaroid’s medieval-themed house. This traditional build features a second floor, a lookout tower, a small stable, and a slanted roof mimicking houses from that era.
Additionally, a good starter house should come with facilities like a farm, which you can easily build to provide a steady food source while maintaining the theme of the build. Unfortunately, the only downside to this build is the slight increase in difficulty, as constructing the roof can be a bit tricky.
