Planning a double story home on a 5 marla plot? You’re not alone. Thousands of families across Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Karachi face the same exciting and sometimes overwhelming challenge every year. The good news? A 5 marla house design double story gives you far more living space than most people expect. Done right, it can comfortably house a full family with a drawing room, master bedroom, attached bathrooms, a proper kitchen, car porch, and even a lounge area all within a modest plot.
This guide walks you through everything. From plot dimensions and floor plans to front elevation ideas, construction costs, and interior design tips consider this your one-stop resource for building smart in Pakistan’s top cities.
What is a 5 Marla Plot? Size, Dimensions & Potential
Before diving into designs, let’s get one thing straight understanding your plot is the foundation of everything. A 5 marla plot size in square feet equals roughly 1,125 square feet, based on the standard measurement of 25 × 45 feet. However, this isn’t uniform across all cities in Pakistan. Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Karachi each follow slightly different standards depending on the housing authority or scheme managing the area.
In DHA Lahore or Bahria Town, a 5 marla plot often measures 25 × 45 ft or sometimes 25 × 50 ft. In Islamabad’s CDA sectors, you might find 30 × 40 ft layouts. Karachi typically measures residential plots in square yards rather than marla, where 5 marla roughly equals 120 square yards. Knowing your exact dimensions before you sit with an architect saves a lot of confusion and wasted time.
Standard 5 Marla Dimensions Across Pakistan
| City | Standard 5 Marla Size | Common Variation |
|---|---|---|
| Lahore | 25 × 45 ft | 25 × 50 ft |
| Islamabad | 25 × 45 ft | 30 × 40 ft |
| Rawalpindi | 25 × 45 ft | 26 × 45 ft |
| Karachi | 120 sq yd | Varies by scheme |
Here’s what excites most homeowners a double story 5 marla house can deliver anywhere between 1,600 and 1,900 square feet of covered living space across both floors. That’s nearly double what a single story offers on the same footprint. Think about that. Same land. Twice the home. Families in Lahore’s Johar Town, Islamabad’s G-sectors, and Rawalpindi’s Satellite Town have been doing exactly this for decades and the trend is only growing stronger.
Why a 5 Marla Plot Has More Potential Than You Think
The common mistake people make is looking at a 5 marla plot and thinking small. Don’t do that. With the right residential plot layout and a smart 5 marla house plan Pakistan, you can fit a 3 to 4 bedroom home, two or three bathrooms, a proper drawing room, a separate TV lounge, a functional kitchen, a car porch, and even a servant quarter all without the house feeling cramped. Vertical building is your best friend here. When land is limited, building upward is simply the logical move.
Single Storey vs Double Storey 5 Marla House Design
Choosing between single and double storey depends on family size, budget, and long-term goals, but for most Pakistani families especially joint families or those with growing children double storey typically wins. A single storey house works best for smaller families, elderly homeowners, or tight budgets, offering simpler construction and easier maintenance, though it limits you to one floor of living space, which can feel tight for a family of five or six.
- Best for: Smaller families, elderly homeowners avoiding stairs, tight budgets
- Construction: Simpler and faster to build, easier to maintain
- Covered area: Roughly 850–950 sq ft on a 25 × 45 ft plot after setbacks
- Trade-off: Only one floor of living space — tight for a family of 5–6
When Single Storey Makes Sense
A single storey 5 marla house is the right call when your family includes elderly parents with mobility issues, when your construction budget stays under 50–55 lacs, or when you’re building as a rental investment and targeting a lower rental bracket. It’s simpler, quicker to build, and requires less structural engineering. Many homeowners in older areas of Rawalpindi and parts of Karachi still prefer single storey homes for these very practical reasons.
Why Double Storey 5 Marla House Design Wins for Most Families
The double storey house map changes everything. Suddenly, you have a ground floor dedicated to common family spaces drawing room, kitchen, lounge, one bedroom and an entire upper floor for private bedrooms. Parents get their master bedroom with an attached bathroom upstairs. Kids get their own rooms. The joint family setup that’s so common in Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Islamabad becomes genuinely comfortable rather than cramped. Plus, the resale value of a well-designed double story house is noticeably higher than its single story counterpart. Buyers in DHA Lahore and Bahria Town know this well.
Real Cost Difference — Single vs Double Story
| House Type | Built-Up Area | Approx. Cost (PKR) |
|---|---|---|
| Single Storey | ~900 sq ft | 45–60 Lacs |
| Double Storey | ~1,700 sq ft | 80–120 Lacs |
Yes, double story costs more upfront. But when you calculate the cost per square foot of living space, double story consistently delivers better value. You’re essentially getting twice the home for roughly 1.5x the price. That’s a deal worth considering seriously.
5 Marla House Floor Plans – 2D Layouts & Room Arrangements
A 2D floor plan drawing is where your dream home first takes shape on paper. Before a single brick gets laid, your architect maps out every room, every wall, every door and window position. Getting this right is everything. A poor floor plan creates awkward spaces, wasted square footage, and a home that never quite feels comfortable no matter how beautiful the finishes are.
For a 5 marla house plan with 3 bedrooms in a double story layout, the ground floor typically handles all the social and service spaces. Think of your ground floor as the “public” zone of your home where guests arrive, where daily cooking happens, and where the family gathers in the evening. The upper floor becomes your “private” zone bedrooms, bathrooms, and personal spaces away from the front door.
Ground Floor Plan – 5 Marla Double Story Layout
A well-planned ground floor for a double storey house map in Pakistan generally includes a car porch at the front (essential — don’t skip this), a drawing room that greets your guests right at the entrance, one bedroom with an attached bathroom for elderly parents or guests, a kitchen that connects smoothly to the dining or lounge area, and a small staircase tucked efficiently to one side. Some homeowners also add a servant quarter at the back of the ground floor, which adds huge practical value, especially in Lahore and Islamabad where domestic help is common.
The staircase design for a small house on a 5 marla plot needs special attention. A straight staircase consumes less space than an L-shaped or spiral one but can feel steep. An L-shaped staircase is the sweet spot it fits neatly into a corner, uses space efficiently, and feels safe and comfortable to climb every day. Avoid placing the staircase at the front of the house. Tuck it toward the middle or rear to preserve your drawing room and car porch space.
First Floor Plan – Maximizing Space Above
The upper floor of your 5 marla double story house design is where you gain the most. With the full footprint of the ground floor available, your first floor can comfortably house a master bedroom with an attached bathroom, two additional bedrooms, a family TV lounge, and a small balcony or terrace design overlooking the street or garden. Many families in Lahore’s Gulberg and Islamabad’s F-sectors choose to make the TV lounge the heart of the upper floor a shared family space surrounded by all the bedrooms.
The terrace design on a 5 marla double story house is something many people underestimate. A well-designed terrace adds outdoor living space, improves air circulation through the upper floor, and gives you a perfect evening sitting area. In Lahore especially, where summer evenings can be social affairs, a covered or partially open terrace on the first floor is a genuine lifestyle upgrade.
Popular 5 Marla Double Story Floor Plan Variations in Pakistan
| Plan Type | Bedrooms | Special Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Standard 3-Bed | 3 | Separate drawing & TV lounge |
| 4-Bed Compact | 4 | Open kitchen + dining combo |
| Corner Plot Layout | 3–4 | Dual facade, extra windows |
| Basement + Double Story | 3–4 | Basement for office or gym |
5 Marla House 3D Designs & Exterior Maps
A 3D house rendering does something a flat 2D plan simply cannot it shows you what your home will actually look like standing in real life. Colors, textures, window proportions, roof lines, the gate, the boundary wall all of it comes together in a three-dimensional visual that you can rotate, zoom, and present to your contractor. For anyone serious about getting their 5 marla house design double story right, investing in a 3D render is money very well spent.
Modern 3D Double Story 5 Marla Designs Trending in Pakistan
The most popular exterior styles in Pakistan’s major cities right now lean toward contemporary and transitional designs. Clean horizontal lines, large windows with dark frames, flat or slightly pitched roofs with parapet walls, and textured plaster or face brick combinations dominate new construction in DHA Lahore, Bahria Town Rawalpindi, and Islamabad’s newer sectors. This clean modern aesthetic photographs beautifully, ages gracefully, and works wonderfully on a 5 marla double story house where you want to maximize the visual impact of a relatively narrow 25-foot facade.
How 3D Maps Help You Plan Better
Think of a 3D map as a test drive before you buy the car. It lets you catch design problems a window that blocks natural light, a car porch column that feels too bulky, a roofline that clashes with neighboring houses before any construction begins. Fixing a design mistake on screen costs nothing. Fixing it mid-construction costs lakhs and causes delays. Every serious homeowner building a double storey 5 marla house design in Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, or Karachi should insist on seeing a full 3D render before approving the final plan.
Front Elevation Designs for 5 Marla Houses in Pakistan
Your house front elevation Pakistan is your home’s face to the world. It’s the first thing guests see, the first thing buyers evaluate, and honestly the thing your neighbors will talk about. On a 5 marla double story house, the front facade is typically 25 feet wide and rises two stories high. That’s a canvas of roughly 25 × 25 feet. What you do with it defines your entire home’s character.
Modern front elevation ideas Pakistan for double story 5 marla homes fall into three broad categories. Contemporary designs use clean plaster finishes, dark-framed aluminum windows, cantilevered canopies over the entrance, and minimal ornamentation. Classical designs lean on arch details, brick columns, decorative cornices, and symmetrical window arrangements. Transitional designs the most popular category across Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Islamabad blend both. A clean plaster base with a band of exposed brick, modern windows, and a traditional arched entrance strikes the perfect balance between timeless and fresh.
Front Elevation Design Tips Specific to Pakistani Cities
Lahore homes in areas like Johar Town and Gulberg tend to favor bolder, more expressive elevations with strong gate designs and decorative boundary walls. Islamabad’s CDA sectors favor cleaner, more restrained aesthetics that blend with the city’s overall planned character. Karachi’s coastal climate pushes homeowners toward lighter colors and heat-resistant cladding materials that don’t fade or crack under intense sun. Rawalpindi sits between the two extremes a mix of traditional and modern styles coexists comfortably in most neighborhoods.
Interior Design Tips – Kitchen & Bedrooms
A 5 marla double story house’s interior design is about making every square foot work hard avoiding wasted corners, poor storage, and oversized furniture while balancing function and aesthetics. The key principle is separating public and private zones: a welcoming drawing room that doesn’t expose family living areas, and an upstairs lounge that feels like a private retreat. Getting this zoning right early makes every design decision after it easier.
Kitchen Design for 5 Marla Double Story – Compact but Functional
For a 5 marla plot in Pakistan, kitchen space typically runs 100–140 square feet tight, but workable with the right layout. Whether you go open or closed depends on your family’s cooking habits and how often you entertain, while L-shaped or parallel layouts make the most of the elongated spaces common in these homes.
- Space: 100–140 sq ft is standard for a 5 marla kitchen
- Open kitchen: Flows into dining/lounge, feels spacious, keeps the cook connected to family activity
- Closed kitchen: Hides mess, preferred by families who entertain often
- L-shaped layout: Maximizes corner storage, leaves good central work space
- Parallel/galley layout: Best for long, narrow kitchens
- Modular kitchens: Widely available in Lahore, Islamabad, and Karachi; range from 3–8 lacs depending on material
- Storage essentials: Overhead cabinets, pull-out drawers, under-counter appliance housing
Bedroom Layouts That Feel Spacious (Even When They’re Not)
A master bedroom in a 5 marla double story house should ideally measure at least 12 × 14 feet with an attached bathroom, giving enough room for a queen or king bed, side tables, a wardrobe, and comfortable movement. Built-in wardrobes and smart use of lighting and color can make even a modest space feel larger and more luxurious.
- Minimum size: 12 × 14 feet with attached bathroom
- Furniture fit: Queen/king bed, side tables, wardrobe, walking space
- Built-in wardrobes: Save floor space, look cleaner than freestanding almirahs
- Sliding doors: Same color as walls for a near-invisible, space-expanding look
- False ceilings: Add height and drama with no extra construction cost
- Cove lighting: Perimeter lighting on false ceilings adds a luxurious feel
- Light paint colors: Soft whites, warm creams, pale greys expand the space visually
- Accent walls: Dark tones work well on a single feature wall behind the bed
5 Marla House Construction Cost & Budget Planning in Pakistan
Let’s talk numbers because ultimately, this is what makes or breaks a project. House construction cost Pakistan has risen significantly over the past three years due to material inflation, rupee depreciation, and increased labor rates. As of 2026, building a quality 5 marla double story house in a major Pakistani city will cost you between 80 and 120 lacs for a standard to mid-range finish. Premium finishes push that number to 130–150 lacs and beyond.
Understanding where your money goes is the first step to budgeting intelligently. The grey structure foundation, columns, beams, walls, roof slab typically consumes 40–50% of your total construction budget. Finishing costs tiles, paint, woodwork, ceiling work, kitchen, and bathrooms take another 30–40%. Electrical, plumbing, and HVAC (air conditioning provision) take the remainder. Never make the mistake of budgeting only for grey structure and underestimating finishing. This is the single most common budget trap Pakistani homeowners fall into.
Complete Construction Cost Breakdown for Double Story 5 Marla (2026)
| Item | Estimated Cost (PKR) |
|---|---|
| Grey Structure | 35–50 Lacs |
| Finishing (tiles, paint, woodwork) | 20–30 Lacs |
| Electrical & Plumbing | 8–12 Lacs |
| Kitchen & Bathrooms | 8–15 Lacs |
| Gate & Boundary Wall | 5–10 Lacs |
| Architect/Design Fee | 1.5–3 Lacs |
| Total Estimate | 80–120 Lacs |
City-by-City Cost Variation
Construction material rate varies meaningfully across Pakistan’s major cities. Lahore’s DHA and Bahria Town command a premium due to higher labor expectations and stricter finishing standards. Islamabad construction costs are elevated by CDA approved map requirements and often higher architect fees. Rawalpindi offers slightly lower costs than both, making it attractive for budget-conscious homeowners. Karachi’s construction costs fluctuate based on material supply chains from the port some materials are cheaper, others carry transportation premiums to inland cities.
| City | Avg. Cost per Sq Ft (Standard Finish) | Avg. Cost per Sq Ft (Premium Finish) |
|---|---|---|
| Lahore (DHA/Bahria) | 3,500–4,500 PKR | 5,000–7,000 PKR |
| Islamabad | 3,800–5,000 PKR | 5,500–8,000 PKR |
| Rawalpindi | 3,000–4,000 PKR | 4,500–6,500 PKR |
| Karachi | 3,200–4,200 PKR | 4,800–6,500 PKR |
How to Choose the Right Contractor for Your 5 Marla Project
Choosing the right contractor is one of the most important decisions in the construction process. A turn-key contractor handles materials, labor, and supervision for a fixed price, protecting you from cost fluctuations and reducing your management burden making it the safer choice for first-time builders, especially those living abroad or working full-time. The labor-only model gives you more control over material quality but demands far more of your time. Whichever route you choose, always ask for a portfolio of completed projects, verifiable client references, and a detailed itemized quote before signing anything, and stay alert to red flags like large upfront advance demands, no visible completed work, or prices that seem too good to be true.
“The most expensive house you can build is one built by the wrong contractor at a cheap price“ A truth every experienced homeowner in Pakistan will confirm.
Getting LDA approval in Lahore or CDA approval in Islamabad for your building plan is not optional it’s legally required and practically essential. An approved map protects you from demolition notices, legal disputes, and complications when you eventually sell. A good architect will handle the approval process for you. Budget 6–10 weeks for the approval process in Lahore and 8–14 weeks in Islamabad and start this process before you’re ready to break ground, not after.
Why Choose Aqsons for Your Dream Home in Pakistan
Most construction companies hand you a quote and disappear until something goes wrong. Aqsons works differently. We sit with you at the very beginning understanding your family’s lifestyle, your budget reality, and your long-term goals before a single line gets drawn on your 2D floor plan. That upfront investment in understanding you is exactly why our clients refer their friends and family to us, again and again.
Here’s what Aqsons brings to your 5 marla double story house project:
| Service | What Aqsons Delivers |
|---|---|
| Architecture & Design | Custom 2D plans, 3D renders, front elevation design |
| Approvals | LDA, DHA, CDA and local authority submission handling |
| Construction | Full grey structure to finishing, turn-key delivery |
| Interior Design | Kitchen, bathrooms, lounge and bedroom design |
| Project Management | Dedicated supervisor, weekly progress updates |
| Post-Handover Support | Defect liability period, maintenance guidance |
No substandard materials. No surprise bills. No excuses. Just a beautifully built home delivered on time and within the agreed budget.
🎁 Free 2D Plans, 3D Design & Front Elevation With Every Construction Project
Here’s something most construction companies will never offer you. Award Aqsons your construction project and we provide your complete 2D floor plans, 3D house rendering, and front elevation design at zero cost. That’s a saving of 50,000 to 150,000 PKR in design fees handed back to you simply for choosing to build with us. You get a fully visualized, architect-approved home design before construction begins. No guesswork. No surprises. Just clarity and confidence from day one.
This offer covers:
| Design Deliverable | Normal Market Cost | With Aqsons |
|---|---|---|
| 2D Floor Plans (Ground + First Floor) | 25,000–50,000 PKR | FREE |
| 3D Exterior Rendering (2 Views) | 20,000–40,000 PKR | FREE |
| Front Elevation Design | 15,000–30,000 PKR | FREE |
| Total Saving | 60,000–120,000 PKR | FREE |
“We don’t just build houses. We build the places where your family’s best memories will happen.”
Final Thought
In conclusion, a well-designed 5 Marla double story house offers an ideal blend of functionality and aesthetics, making it an excellent choice for families seeking a comfortable and stylish living space. With careful planning and attention to detail, such designs can maximize space and enhance the overall quality of life. For those interested in exploring various design options or seeking professional guidance, please contact us for more information. Your dream home awaits.
📞 Call or WhatsApp +92-3243-311-311 us today to claim your free design consultation. Your dream 5 marla double story house starts with one conversation.
Frequently Asked Questions About 5 Marla House Design
Q1: What is the total covered area of a 5 marla double story house?
After mandatory setbacks, each floor covers roughly 800–950 sq ft. Across both floors, your total covered living area comes to approximately 1,600–1,900 square feet nearly double what a single story offers on the same plot.
Q2: How many bedrooms can fit in a 5 marla double story house?
A 5 marla double story house comfortably fits 3 to 4 bedrooms. The ground floor usually holds 1 bedroom while the upper floor accommodates 2 to 3 bedrooms including a master bedroom with an attached bathroom.
Q3: What is the construction cost of a 5 marla double story house in Pakistan 2026?
As of 2026, building a standard to mid-range 5 marla double story house in Pakistan costs between 80 and 120 lacs PKR. Premium finishes push the total to 130–150 lacs. Costs vary by city Islamabad and DHA Lahore sit at the higher end while Rawalpindi offers slightly lower rates.
Q4: Is a double story better than single story on a 5 marla plot?
For most Pakistani families yes. A double story design delivers nearly twice the living space on the same footprint, better privacy between family members, and stronger resale value. Single story only makes more sense for elderly residents or very tight budgets.
Q5: How long does it take to build a 5 marla double story house?
Realistically, plan for 12 to 18 months from breaking ground to moving in. Grey structure takes 4–6 months. Finishing work tiles, woodwork, kitchen, bathrooms, paint takes another 6–8 months. Starting your approved map process early keeps the project on schedule.
Q6: Do I need LDA or CDA approval for a 5 marla double story house?
Yes absolutely. LDA approval is mandatory in Lahore and CDA approval is required in Islamabad. Building without an approved map exposes you to demolition notices, heavy fines, and serious complications when selling your property later.