12 Dazzling Barndominium Ideas - Rhythm of the Home (2024)

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  • Post author 12 Dazzling Barndominium Ideas - Rhythm of the Home (1)By Stefan Bucur
  • Post date October 1, 2021
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Last updated on April 5th, 2023

The word “barndominium” refers to a combination of a barn and a condominium. The trend of restoring storage barns to livable homes has made the concept of barndominium quite popular in recent times. It’s no longer a requirement to find an old barn and transform it. People want to build from scratch a home in a barn style. It’s a unique home construction that may not appeal to everyone but if you’re into custom homes, barndominiums are highly recommended.

There are lots of possibilities when it comes to designing a barndominium. The use of traditionally durable materials and flexible floor plans make it more achievable to obtain your dream house featuring an artistic barn style. Whether you have a barn that you plan to renovate or simply wish to build a distinctive home with traditional flair, check out the following barndominium ideas. These designs should hopefully provide a solid dose of inspiration to kickstart your project.

1. Rustic Barndominium

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One of the simplest and easiest barndominium designs, the rustic style is ideal for those who prefer an old-time vibe. Lots of details contribute to a successful rustic design such as the use of an outside porch and wooden furniture. It’s recommended to make the interior of the barndominium brighter by integrating a dormer feature with lots of windows. A dark wooden staircase could be an essential element to consider for a rustic barndominium.

2. Contrasting Textures

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A more modern take for a barndominium’s exterior, blending distinctive textures could have a solid contrasting effect. The metal siding on the frame of this barndominium works particularly well with the cedar-stained pine wood. The utilitarian black paint is elegantly warmed by the natural color of the wood to create a beautiful barndominium. It’s an interesting idea if you want your home to stand out.

3. Large Kitchen

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The interior design of a barndominium is just as important as its exterior. If you’re planning for this kind of home, it’s important to carefully consider the look of the kitchen. Thanks to the flexible possibilities offered by a barndominium, you can try a custom style by expanding the kitchen with a long island featuring matching bar stools. Create a cohesive look by matching the color of the countertops with the wood tones of the exposed beams.

4. Farmhouse Style

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Barns will typically remind you of farms. It makes sense to replicate a similar aesthetic when it comes to transforming them into homes. Take a look at this farmhouse barndominium that gives off a very welcoming feeling through its bright white paint. The interior makes use of raw wood accents for creating an authentic country-style atmosphere. It’s best to match this kind of farmhouse exterior with a large garden outside the barndominium.

5. Covered Balcony

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Barndominiums can give you a lot of freedom when it comes to exterior design. It’s an ideal project for bringing to life some unique ideas that are otherwise not possible for traditional home styles. The covered balcony shown here represents a great example in that sense. It can inspire you to create a similar relaxation area personalized according to your preferences. You can watch the surroundings of the home comfortably from the balcony while staying safely protected from the elements.

6. Silo Barndominium

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Another unique concept that can prove inspirational, this barndominium integrates a renovated silo to create a one-of-a-kind house. It feels like a strange addition at first but the silo can serve a dedicated purpose in the home. In this example, it works nicely as a more intimate dining space. To prevent the look of the barndominium from appearing too utilitarian, you can try focusing on more ornate woodwork and giving a homely feel to the area through a vibrant garden.

7. European Aesthetics

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If you like the appeal of a high-class barndominium, it’s a good idea to check out European aesthetics for inspiration. The outside of this kind of barndominium is typically designed with multiple levels. It maintains a traditional look but the European influence can become more obvious when noticing some luxurious interior details. Inside this barndominium, you will find a spacious area with elegant furniture and many decorative accents to create high-class visual appeal.

8. Charming Family Room

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A well-designed barndominium interior should feel like it has a personality of its own. If you’re into open floor plans, barndominiums are highly recommended for creating charming family rooms. The traditional furnishings and careful zoning of the space contribute to a welcoming atmosphere. This living room takes full advantage of large windows and the tall ceiling for enhancing the sense of openness while the white painted exposed beams brighten up the space.

9. Compact Barndominium

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Not all barndominium designs need to focus on large multi-level buildings. Some budget-friendly ideas work better if you prefer compact barndominiums. This simple and modern look can be a hit among many people who enjoy a custom look with a minimal footprint. There are still plenty of methods to enhance the appearance through bold colors and unique accents while making your barndominium as cozy as possible.

10. Screened-In Porch

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Porches are highly recommended additions for barndominiums, especially if you live in a warmer climate. There’s nothing like the cool breeze experienced on a summer night to create a relaxing atmosphere. Mosquitoes and other annoying insects can ruin the fun quickly so that’s why making a screened-in porch can be a smart idea. You can use some quality materials to give a stylish appearance to the whole barndominium without compromising on functionality.

11. Cozy Bedroom

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The large space available when designing the interior of a barndominium can come in handy for trying out unique ideas. For example, the bedroom can be elegantly separated through a barn door but without sealing it off completely from the rest of the house. It feels like a cozy area because the exposed beams can be more easily noticed while at the same time the bedroom appears to be more connected to the whole structure of the house.

12. Vaulted Ceiling

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Vaulted ceilings are strongly recommended for infusing the barndominium with some modern design appeal. This feature draws attention quite effectively so you can capitalize on this by opting for attractive materials for your vaulted ceilings. Instead of ordinary materials, consider taking an innovative approach by incorporating reclaimed corrugated metal siding. It’s an unexpected visual effect when taking into account the rustic style of the material.

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By Stefan Bucur

Stefan is the founder and owner of Rhythm of the Home. He has 6 years of experience in home improvement, interior design, cleaning and organizing.

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12 Dazzling Barndominium Ideas - Rhythm of the Home (2024)

FAQs

What I wish I knew before building a barndominium? ›

Here are the most important things to know about building a barndominium.
  • Obtain a permit for your project. Photo by Bridger Steel, Inc. ...
  • Test the paint. Photo by Justin Doyle Homes. ...
  • Prepare for surprise costs. ...
  • Plan for electrical work. ...
  • Choose your windows and doors wisely. ...
  • Add insulation—it's important.
Mar 14, 2022

How to make a barndominium look more like a house? ›

A Barndominium can be made to look like a house by adding exterior features, like a porch or deck. You can also add siding and trim to give it a more traditional appearance. Another way to make your Barndominium look like a house is by interior finishes, like tile or carpeting.

How to design the interior of a barndominium? ›

Decorate with items that reflect the barn-inspired theme, such as antique farm tools, repurposed barn doors as wall art, vintage signs, and large-scale artworks that match the style of the space. Add personal touches that make the space feel like home.

What makes a Barndominium unique? ›

Basically, they're converted barns or newly constructed barn-shaped buildings, usually made of metal. By combining some of the structural components of agrarian buildings with the upscale touches of modern design, these structures bring together rural and urban architecture to create an innovative mix of both worlds.

What are the negatives of barndominiums? ›

If you're considering building or buying a barndominium, consider this list of downsides before you sign your name on a dotted line:
  • Location Limitations. ...
  • Financing. ...
  • Corrosion. ...
  • Noise. ...
  • UV Exposure. ...
  • Wiring Challenges. ...
  • Reselling.
Oct 19, 2022

How long does it take to build a 3,000 sq ft barndominium? ›

Building Timeline Overview

For a DIY-inclined owner with sufficient time and adequate skillset, constructing a basic 3000 sq ft barndominium yourself using pre-fabricated steel building components could conceivably only require around 5 months from breaking ground to securing an occupancy permit.

What is the most expensive part of a barndominium? ›

Steel framing, popular in barndominium construction for its durability and resistance to pests, can be more expensive than traditional wood framing. Framing costs can range from $20 to $50 per square foot, making it one of the most significant portions of the construction budget.

Is it cheaper to build a 1 or 2 story barndominium? ›

Obviously, a single Story home is Going to Cost Less to build, it has a smaller overall footprint and uses fewer materials. This choice significantly impacts the overall design, functionality, and, most crucially, the cost of the project.

Do barndominiums hold their value? ›

Barndominiums normally retain their resale value and may even increase in value gradually, although more slowly than a standard home. However, these homes are still rare in some parts of the country, and it may be challenging to get an accurate appraisal in an area where there are few.

Do you frame exterior walls on barndominium? ›

A supposed downside of post frame (pole barn) buildings for barndominiums is having to frame a wall inside of an exterior wall in order to create an insulation cavity and a way to support interior finishes.

Are there load bearing walls in a barndominium? ›

A barndominium floor plan is very different from traditional homes, which must be designed with load bearing walls that limit creativity and possibilities. A barndo's steel framing eliminates the need for load bearing walls, making it easy to split a home into flexible living quarters and working spaces.

How thick are barndominium interior walls? ›

To be on the safe side, assume 5 inches for interior walls. Exterior walls for a barndominium can range from 5 inches to 20 inches depending on building style. If you have a 40×40 living area and 12-inch thick walls, your interior space is 38×38.

What is a shouse? ›

A shouse (shop house) is an innovative architectural concept that blends the utility of a workspace, such as a workshop, garage, or studio, with the comfort and functionality of a traditional home. With their increasing popularity, more and more people are opting for shouses as their preferred living arrangement.

Why are barndominiums hard to finance? ›

Many USDA lenders are unfamiliar with these structures and may be reluctant to finance their purchase. Borrowers may also experience added difficulty when seeking a USDA construction loan to build a new barndominium, as some USDA lenders, including Neighbors Bank, do not offer this loan type.

Do barndominiums depreciate in value? ›

That being said, barndominiums can still be great investments. In fact, barndos appreciate at about the same rate as commercial properties (about two to three percent per year in a regular market), and they generally do not depreciate in value.

Are barndominiums hard to insure? ›

Insurance can be complicated for barndominium homes. According to Barndominium.org, not all insurers cover barndos, especially if they're mixed-use instead of residential only, and those that do might have barndo-specific policies.

Are barndominiums worth the money? ›

Pros of barndominiums include a cheaper cost, fully customizable space, and lower maintenance. They're also highly durable with lots of extra room and are a more eco-friendly housing option. Meanwhile, cons include higher upfront costs, difficulties finding financing, and not all cities allow them.

Are barndominiums bad investments? ›

As such, it is more difficult to assess the resale value of a Barndominium. Unlike modular homes and trailers, Barndominiums maintain their value and are likely to increase over time. If you are purely looking for a quick resale investment, a Barndominium may not be your best option.

How to save money while building a barndominium? ›

5 Ways to Save Money on Your Barndominium Build.
  1. Be strategic about where you put your framed openings: ...
  2. Use concrete floors. ...
  3. DIY finish work (Stairs, Barn Doors, Light Fixture Installation) ...
  4. Ask for “builder grade”/“build program” or scour the remnant yard for countertops.

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