Barndominium Interior Designs For Adventurous Country Living (2024)

By Emily Medlock

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Emily Medlock Contributor

Emily Medlock is a freelance writer, published author, and certified life coach. Her passion is in home improvement, historical fiction, interior design, and helping others.

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Barndominium Interior Ideas

Barndominium Black Architecture

Buying A Barndominium Kit

Metal sidding for barndominium

Concrete floors mudroom

High ceiling interior design

Gambrel Roof

Barndominium with wood beams

Features Of A Barndominium

Why Get A Barndominium

What Is A Barndominium

Barndominium home

White Barndominium

Barndominium Interior Designs For Adventurous Country Living

Barndominium interior layouts offer many benefits. If you want a barn-style home, but you don’t want to spend the money, a barndominium could be the answer. As the tiny home craze continues, people have neglected the barndominium option.

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You can live in an RV, aduplex, or build a house. However, barndominiums offer something unique. We’ll show you everything you need to know about this home design style. And when we’re done, you’ll be inspired to start a new way of living.

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With so many ways to live, it isn’t easy to decide what is best for your lifestyle. After all, it could be a barndominium that is the answer to all of your hopes and dream for your living situation.

What Is A Barndominium?

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The term “barndominium” has been used for a few years to describe a few different things. It has been used to describe a house that resembles or was previously a barn. But the exact definition is zoning in.

Today, a Barndominium home is a pre-built steel building that is a type of modular home. Like other modular homes, the pieces are constructed off-site and they are put together where the home will be lived in.

You may have already guessed this but the word barndominium comes from the two words: “barn” and “condominium.” They are named after these two words primarily for cleverness and appeal rather than being fashioned after a condominium.

Why Get A Barndominium

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Barndominiums are great for a lot of reasons. Not everyone likes barndominiums but everyone can agree that these are great reasons to get this type of home. Or any type of home. Who can argue with these?

Affordability

Although they aren’t the cheapest option as far as homes go, they aren’t expensive either. Because you purchase barndominiums as a shell, you can get one for quite a good deal. Then you can finish them out with cheaper materials.

Durability

Barndominiums are made with strong materials that can usually withstand torrential weather and years of wear and tear. They are a wonderful option for those who want a stronger foundation as the foundation is built on-site.

Versatile

You can make the inside of your barndominium look any way that you like. It doesn’t have to have a farmhouse design barndominium interior, it can be contemporary, shabby chic, or Scandanavian. You can design it your way.

Easy Setup For Barndominium Interior

Setting up a barndominium is really easy. You need to have a team on hand to take care of it for you but the cost of labor is affordable because the setup is so easy. Ever heard of a barn-raising? It’s about like that.

Pest Control

Because it is constructed out of metal and concrete, a barndominium is virtually pest-proof. From skunks to termites, there aren’t many pests that will bed drawn towards nor make it into your barndominium.

Features Of A Barndominium

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Barndominiums have their own set of features that make them unique. Not all of these features are exclusive to a barndominium and not all of these have to be in a barndominium. This is simply what is seen in most barndominiums.

Barndominium Interior Open-Concept Floor Plans

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When you buy a barndominium, it is built without any interior walls. Most of the time, people like to keep the barndominium as open-concept as possible to keep a good flow.

This doesn’t mean you can’t build any walls. It just means that load-bearing walls are naturally kept to a minimum. Open-concept homes are trending and will be because they offer great flow and freshness.

Gambrel Roof

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Gambrel roofs are roofs that have four sides instead of the standard two. They go up at an angle and then angle in more to close at the top. This type of roof is seen in many colonial homes as well and in many homes today.

On the inside, the extra slope can be used for cubbies or for a loft with slanted walls. This adds height to the ceiling and gives a rather barn-like shape to the home, hence the barndominium name attached.

High Ceilings

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Yes, the tall ceilings are a given with gambrel roofs but even without them, it’s important that barndominiums have tall ceilings. This is one of their defining features and what makes them what they are.

This is true for many open concept homes. Because opening the ceiling up also opens the floor up. It isn’t only up to floor space to make the home look bigger. And it’s important that barndominiums look large inside.

Concrete Floors

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Although you can use the concrete floor built in a barndominium as a subfloor, most people choose to leave it and use it as their main floor. The floor can be painted, stained, or simply sealed to leave it natural.

Concrete floors can be some of the best floors you’ll ever have. They are solid, durable, and can look any way that you want them to. Concrete floors should never be left out of your possible flooring options.

Metal Siding

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Metal siding is a must for a barndominium. There are other options available but unless you have metal siding, it may not be considered a barndominium anymore. But there’s nothing wrong with either.

Metal siding is strong and durable. It may rust if you don’t get the right type of siding, but in general, it will last a lifetime. You can get any color and multiple different textures that are made for house siding.

Barndominium Kits

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Barndominium kits can be purchased almost anywhere in the world. It’s better to buy from a local supplier because shipping can be very expensive since the materials are so heavy. After all, you are essentially transporting a house.

Not all barndominium kits are used for houses. Originally, these kits were used for car shops, workshops, churches, dance halls, and other recreational activities. Today, they are often used for homes too.

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Kits are a great way to save money on barndominiums because the plans are in place, the barndominium is partially built, and it will go up quickly. However, even though the plans are set, you can customize them.

In most cases, you’ll spend about 50% less purchasing a kit than having them built on your property from scratch. This is the main reason people choose to go this route. But what more do you need to know about prices?

Barndominium Interior Ideas

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Now comes the fun part. Let’s talk about designs for a barndominium interior. There are many unique designs and features you can have in your barndominium, but here are a few to get you started in the right direction.

Salvaged Wood

Using salvaged wood for beams supports, and accents are ideal. This works for almost any design style but is best for those of a rustic nature. That’s what barndominiums encompass. So it’s a perfect fit.

If you can find salvaged wood from actual barns that you can add to your barndominium kit then that’s perfect. But if you can’t, you can fake the look with bleached wood or something similar to distress the wood.

Vaulted Ceilings

High ceilings are a given, but vaulted ceilings are common in barndominiums. Vaulted ceilings aren’t just high ceilings either. They are ceilings that are self-supporting. They don’t need beams or load-bearing walls.

This makes the room much more open and airy. Most barndominium kits are built with vaulted ceilings that don’t need any extra support. This way, you can build walls the way you like without working on integrity.

Fireplace Or Cookstove

Both fireplaces and wood cookstoves are perfect for any barndominium. Not only does it usually fit the decor style but it also works well with the open space and high ceilings. Open spaces and high ceilings are less likely to be a fire hazard.

Unique Loft

Building lofts can be super fun. You can turn them into just about anything that you want! use them for office space, storage, or even a bedroom. Loft rooms are fun and kids love to set up camp in them.

Barndominiums almost always have a loft. It is above the bathroom, and sometimes bedrooms because the bathroom is the only room that needs to be closed in. The other rooms can be open.

Chandelier

Yes, a chandelier may seem too fancy for a barndominium but you can build or buy a chandelier to fit any design style. Those with more rustic tastes prefer chandeliers made of antlers or of faded wood.

String Lights

String lights aren’t just for patios and Christmastime. They are gorgeous lights that can be used on the vaulted ceilings of a barndominium interior. They can also be strung under the loft for a lower option.

There are many different types of string lights that you can buy. Fairy lights work for a softer look while large bulbed lights work for a more rustic look. Both look amazing across barndominium ceilings and walls.

Repurposed Furniture

Repurposed furniture is great for any barndominium interior. Sure, it works for any type of house at all, but it works especially well for this style of home because it has the natural farmhouse feel to it, to begin with.

There are many markets around that you can shop at. Or, you can visit an online furniture thrift store that has amazing deals on barndominium interior furniture that you will fall in love with.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)FAQ

What Is The Average Total Cost Of A Barndominium?

Barndominiums cost on average $160,000. To put this in perspective, the average US home price is $375,000.

What Are Some Negative Aspects Of A Barndominium?

Some people don’t like their wide, open floor plans. Also, a barndominium relies heavily on load-bearing walls. If you neglect this trait, you will end up with a poorly built structure.

Are Barndominiums Good In Cold Weather?

The homes were made for colder climates. The home style takes its inspiration from the igloo, so that should tell you something about how the home-style can withstand cold weather.

How Long Will A Barndominium Last?

If your barndominium was constructed with high-quality materials, then it could last a long time. Structures made with the best materials can last over 100 years.

How long does it take to build a Barndominium?

It takes three to seven months to build a barndominium.However, and just as it is with all construction projects, the time required to build a barndominium depends on its size.

Barndominium Interior Conclusion

The barndominium life might be the thing you’re looking for. There’s nothing stopping you from building your dream barndominium. If you have a metal shed, you can turn it into a cool barndominium living space.

Install sturdy farm doors to the front, and add some spray foam insulation, and you would be fine.

Barndominium Interior Designs For Adventurous Country Living (2024)

FAQs

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.

Can any house plan be a barndominium? ›

You can easily find a barndominium in all kinds of size categories. You can easily come across 30×20 feet, 40×30 feet, 40×60 feet, 50×75 feet and 80×100 feet floor plans. These options definitely aren't where things stop, either. With Barndos, the sky is the limit.

How thick are barndominium interior walls? ›

--Design tips for laying out your floor plan

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 makes a barndominium cheaper to build? ›

Barndominiums have a quality that often makes them very customizable, which is that typical barndominiums are often constructed from a metal building. Metal structures are usually less expensive to construct than traditional buildings, which is one reason why they are used so much in commercial construction.

What is the downside to a barndominium? ›

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.

What do 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

Is it cheaper to build a barndominium or buy a house? ›

The average cost of a barndominium is $150,700. That's a far cry from the average $295,300 sales price of a home in the United States. Barndominiums — also called “barndos” — are metal or wooden buildings that are fashioned to house living space.

What architectural style is a barndominium? ›

Barndominium house plans are country home designs with a strong influence of barn styling. Differing from the Farmhouse style trend, Barndominium home designs often feature a gambrel roof, open concept floor plan, and a rustic aesthetic reminiscent of repurposed pole barns converted into living spaces.

What is a barndominium interior? ›

The perfect mix of space for living and recreation, the barndominium is a barn home that doubles as a home and workspace. While some people use part of their space as a workshop or garage, others use the space for storage or turn it into a home office.

Can you customize a barndominium? ›

Worldwide Steel barndominiums can be designed however you'd like, with open-concept living room that can be finished to your exact specifications. That means you can truly design the house plans of your dreams and at a reduced average cost compared to traditional home building and construction.

What is the best foundation for a barndominium? ›

Slab Foundation

This type of foundation is suitable for areas with stable soil conditions and is often used for barndominiums in Texas. The slab should be a minimum of 4" thick, with a concrete strength of at least 2500 psi. Fiber mesh reinforcement or #3 rebar on 24" centers should be used to strengthen the slab[3].

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