Barndominium Interior Design Styles & Inspiration - Barndominium.org (2024)

Thinking of building your own modern barn house? Barndos are fast and cost-effective to construct, durable and low-maintenance, and easy to personalize.

In fact, no matter your personal style, you can make the interior of a barndominium a perfect representation of your aesthetics.

If you are looking for inspiration, you are in the right place. In this post, we are going to explore the interiors of half a dozen breathtaking barndominiums.

How Do You Choose the Right Style for Your Barndo Interior?

The sky is the limit as far as interior design styles go for barndominiums: minimalist, contemporary, rustic, mid-century modern, industrial, farmhouse, alpine—so many styles can look great in these open, expansive homes.

To choose the style that is right for you, here are a few quick tips:

  • Consider the structure, shape, and materials of the house itself. If you have gone with a really modern look for the barndominium, it might clash to have a rustic interior—or vice versa. Then again, sometimes a contrast of styles can produce a mesmerizing effect. You will have to decide.
  • Think about where the windows will be, and what kind of connection you want with the outdoors. If you are in an especially scenic area, you are going to want to appreciate the views through your barndo windows to the fullest, and to create a seamless connection between indoors and outdoors. That could mean choosing a rustic interior design style with natural materials—or it might mean going with a minimalist aesthetic that keeps the focus entirely on the structure of your home and the views outside.
  • You might build a style around your existing furnishings and décor. If you have the budget for it, you might be planning on starting over from scratch when it comes to interior design. But maybe you don’t have that kind of money, or you just do not want to part with the items you already have and cherish. If so, you may want to just build from what you have. If you have mid century modern furniture, consider an MCM aesthetic. If you have a lot of homespun décor, consider a rustic look, and so forth.
  • Choose a unified style, or mix and match elements you like. Picking a single style and making sure all of the elements in your home fit that style can provide a really unified look and feel. But a lot of people enjoy mixing together diverse elements these days, so that is always an option as well.
  • Go with a style that uplifts you. Whatever you decide to do, the most important rule is this: just make your barndominium beautiful! Whatever uplifts you and makes you feel at home every day is going to be the perfect look for your interior.

The best way to visualize the possibilities is to take a look inside a barndominium—or rather inside of several! Let’s check out barndominium interior pictures which beautifully showcase different design styles.

6 Barndominium Interior Ideas You Will Love

1. Georgia Style

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Going for a contemporary, open look, that still has some rustic touches? You should feel inspired by the interior shots of this gorgeous Grey barn home located in Martha’s Vineyard by Hutker Architects.

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The home features a simple color scheme dominated by white and wood tones. The open interior with its vaulted ceiling is unbelievably spacious. The wood beams, railings, and window frames provide an elegant contrast with the white walls.

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The stone doorway in the loft, together with the exposed beams, bring textural interest to the main living spaces.

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The bathroom wall of windows offers incredible views, bridging indoors and outdoors from the master bedroom.

Architect: Hutker Architects - Construction: Holmes Hole Builders - Photos: Eric Roth 

2. Modern, Yet Cozy

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For a completely different style, we can turn to this Aspen barndo built by Studio B Architects.

You can tell from the façade alone that this house has a very different look. It is much more modern than the home we looked at in GA.

The interior features a much steeper pitch to the ceiling, drawing the eye upward, while the front end of the home is all windows. Alcoves in the walls house window seats, simple, minimalist cabinets, and a fireplace.

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As this photo shows, one doesn’t need to sacrifice coziness for a modern look. The seating in front of the TV and fireplace looks super comfortable.

Architects: Studio B Architects - Photos: James Florio

3. Scandinavian

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Love the Scandinavian style?

Then you will adore House EFFE-E in Italy by Archiplanstudio.

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The eye-catching exterior shows off huge windows, complete with shutters that can be pulled across them when desired for privacy or protection from the weather.

While the barndo we checked out in Aspen was modern, it wasn’t necessarily minimalist.

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But this interior definitely qualifies.

In the kitchen, we have cabinets that are integrated into the walls, and a counter that is essentially a floating slab. The kitchen table is a thin wedge, making for a clean look with minimal obstructions.

Upstairs, we have an open floor plan that unites the bedroom, bathroom, and study all in one space. There are little “nooks” built in on the left to help separate the functional spaces, but you can look straight across the standalone tub to the bed from the desk. Light spills through the windows on the right, illuminating the entire area and offering beautiful views.

Architects: Archiplanstudio Photos: Davide Galli

4. Modern Minimalist

The next barndo we have to share is Casa Ry, a residence in Denmark by Christoffersen & Weiling Architects.

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The barndo’s exterior definitely shouts “barn.” But the metal roofing and the elegant cladding does a good job drawing attention to simple geometric forms, immediately conveying a minimalist modern aesthetic.

As you will see, that aesthetic continues in the interior.

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Here we have the living room and kitchen, which are combined into one space. This barndo’s main living area isn’t as spacious as some of the others we have looked at, but the feeling is still one of openness.

This is achieved through the minimalist furnishings and sparse décor. Indeed, aside from a rug underneath the coffee table, almost everything we see is entirely functional in its design.

There is a strong focus on horizontals. Notice how the back wall of the kitchen is a darker color than the wall and ceiling above. It lines up exactly with the windows that span the walls on either side. This pulls the eye down from the ceiling to this flattened “slice” that runs through the center of our vision. In doing so, it also draws the eye through the windows to the great outdoors, making it feel like they are also somehow a part of the living room.

The choice in furnishings adds to this effect. Notice how low the sofa is, and how this adds to this emphasize on horizontal lines.

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The distinctive light fixture you see next to the sofa is from the AJ Collection by Louis Poulsen. While integrating well with a modern minimalist interior, we think this light would also probably be at home in an industrial barndo interior.

Architects: Christoffersen & Weiling Architects Photos: Tina Stephansen

5. Contemporary

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Also on the minimalist side of things, we have The Barn House by BURO II.

This home started out as an “old barn.” That is pretty impressive, considering “old” is about the last thing it looks like. Both inside and out, everything looks contemporary and fresh.

How do you make a barndominium look like a house?

Contemporary décor is one way to do it.

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This beautiful shot of the main living space shows the night sky through the big windows in stark contrast to the white walls and sofa. A single red pillow on the couch adds another pop of vivid contrast.

Decorative touches in this interior are minimal, and as much floor and wall space has bee left wide open as possible.

Architects: Buro 2

6. Rustic

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While we have focused mostly on modern interiors in this list, you might be looking for something that is a bit more rustic for a more farmhouse-inspired look.

This barndominium by Carney Logan Burke Architects is simply and aptly named “The Barn.”

It is one of our go to builds when someone asks us for an example of rustic barndo.

Indeed, the outside of the home looks very much like a classic barn—except of course for the huge section of glass windows at one end, offering a peek inside.

You can see from this shot that this home is surrounded by beautiful fields and trees. So, the occupants are able to enjoy breathtaking views.

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Now you can check out the view through the windows for yourself.

Wow …! It is even more amazing than you might have guessed, right? On the right, we see some rustic kitchen cabinets. Directly in front of the window is an exercise area. What an incredible spot to work out.

You will notice that even in this more rustic barndo, decorative touches are minimal. This makes sense, being as it helps keep attention on the structure of the barndominium itself, as well as the fantastic scenery outside. The gambrel shape of the ceiling combined with the wood panels, beams, and supports, is decorative in its own right.

While the materials used in this interior are rustic, there are still some undeniably modern aspects to the design. We see a lot of clean lines here.

Here is a look at the bedroom. While the furnishings add a modern edge, the overall look and feel is bucolic.

Interior Designer: WRJ Design - Architects: Carney Logan Burke - Photos: Audrey Hall Photography

Now that you’ve had a chance to check out some stunning examples of barndominium interiors, you probably can’t wait to get started decorating your own project.

Barndominium Interior Design Styles & Inspiration - Barndominium.org (2024)

FAQs

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.

How to design the interior of a barndominium? ›

Utilize materials that combine the rustic look of a barn with modern comfort. Examples include reclaimed wood, exposed metal beams, polished concrete floors, and stone accents. These materials will contribute to the overall aesthetic of the space.

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

The most common estimate asserts that a new barndominium with basic amenities will cost about $30 to $40 per square foot to build, compared to the cost of building a traditional home is around $100 to $200 per square foot.

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

Why shouldn't you build a barndominium? ›

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

Why can't you finance a barndominium? ›

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.

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.

How to furnish a barndominium? ›

The wooden beams, a signature element of a Barndominium Interior, play beautifully against the contemporary decor. A large, plush sofa, minimalist light fixtures, and curated antiques strike the perfect balance. A nod to the industrial era, this design capitalizes on raw materials.

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 much does a 30x40 barndominium cost? ›

Barndominium kits with prices
DimensionsSquare footageUnfinished kit costs
30x401,200$35,000 – $59,000
40x401,600$42,000 – $75,000
40x602,400$69,000 – $120,000
40x702,800$74,000 – $135,000
4 more rows
Jan 12, 2024

What is the most expensive part of a barndominium? ›

While the foundation and framing represent the most significant initial expenses in building a barndominium, the cost of customization and interior finishes can also add up, significantly impacting the overall budget.

How much does it cost to build a 2000 square foot barndominium? ›

A 2,000 sq ft living area could cost $200,000 to $260,000 to build. We have found most people end up with higher end finishes in their barndominium thus the higher price per square foot.

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.

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.

Are barndominiums a bad investment? ›

If you are purely looking for a quick resale investment, a Barndominium may not be your best option. But, if you are hoping to build a long-term home for yourself or to invest by renting out your Barndominium, a Barndominium could be an excellent choice and long-term investment.

What is the life expectancy of a barndominium? ›

The average lifespan of a barndominium is between 50 and 150 years. The lifespan difference is based on what it's made of, how well it's maintained, and extreme weather. Wood barns tend to last longer; however, they can also be more susceptible to damage from natural disasters, dampness, insect damage, or rot.

Is it hard to insure a barndominium? ›

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 bad investments? ›

If you are purely looking for a quick resale investment, a Barndominium may not be your best option. But, if you are hoping to build a long-term home for yourself or to invest by renting out your Barndominium, a Barndominium could be an excellent choice and long-term investment.

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.

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