Barndominiums Basics | Custom-Built Barndominiums

Barndominiums are growing in popularity among homeowners with their perfect blend of comfort, versatility, and practicality. Explore what makes barndominiums unique, how they differ from traditional homes, and the benefits they offer. We’ll also clear up common misconceptions and showcase design styles to help you envision your perfect space.

Barndominiums: The Best of Barn & Home

Known for their open floor plans, high ceilings, and flexible spaces, barndominiums (or “barndos”) combine the modern amenities of a traditional home with the rustic appearance and storage capacities of a barn.

While the term “barndominium” dates back to 1989, the barndo as we know it today gained popularity in the 21st century. Perhaps most notably, popular HGTV show Fixer Upper, helped with the barndominium’s resurgence when Chip and Joanna Gaines transformed an existing barn into a beautiful home.

These unique homes are both cost-effective and durable alternatives to traditionally constructed homes, with added benefits like pest resistance, rot resistance, and fire resistance. With a steel or post-frame structure, barndominiums are built to handle wide spans and open layouts. Inside, these structures are finished just like any other home — with drywall, trim, wood details, lighting, etc.

Common uses include:

Full-time family homes
Shops with living quarters
Hobby barns and garages
Weekend retreats or hunting cabins

How Barndominiums Differ From Traditional Homes

When it comes to the differences between barndominiums and traditional homes, there are a few notable characteristics that distinguish the two primarily, in the structure and design freedom.

Barndominiums offer:

Wide open floor plans with fewer interior load-bearing walls.
Large gathering spaces and taller ceilings.
Flexible layouts.
Open-concept kitchens, great rooms, and bonus rooms.
A variety of exterior choices, such as board-and-batten, lap siding, brick, or stone.

You’re not locked into any single look when it comes to a barndominium. You have total freedom to design a home that fits your lifestyle, budget, and property.

Barndominium Myths vs. Reality

There are a good number of misconceptions out there when it comes to barndominiums. Here, we address some of the most common ones:

Myth: “It’s just a pole barn with walls.”

Reality: Inside, a barndominium can look and feel like any high-end, custom home.

Myth: “They won’t pass codes or appraise well.”

Reality: A properly built barndominium meets residential building codes and appraisal standards.

Myth: “Metal buildings feel cold or industrial.”

Reality: With insulation, natural light, and finishes like wood beams or stone, they feel warm and inviting.

The Benefits of Building a Barndominium

A barndominium is more than a house with metal siding; it’s a lifestyle that blends practicality with comfort. The versatility of a barndo is unmatched. With the uniqueness of this build, you get a living space designed around how you actually use your property, not the other way around.

Room for Real Life

Space for tractors, hunting gear, or an RV
Large shop bays and high-clearance doors
Mudrooms, oversized pantries, and laundry rooms that actually work for daily life

Low-Maintenance and Durable

Metal exteriors stand up to weather with minimal upkeep
Wide-open spans make it easy to adapt or remodel later
Strong structures designed for decades of use

Everything Under One Roof

Host family in a farmhouse-style great room
Keep hobbies, storage, or a workshop just steps away
No need for multiple outbuildings or wasted space

Barndominium Design Styles to Match Your Lifestyle

The exterior and interior style choices of a barndominium give you the freedom to match your space to your personality, your property, and your lifestyle. With the right design, a barndominium can feel like a cozy farmhouse, a sleek modern home, or a classic ranch — all while keeping the durability and flexibility you want.

Farmhouse Style

White or soft-colored siding with board-and-batten or lap panels
Exposed wood beams, shiplap walls, and farmhouse-inspired trim
Large porches and gabled roofs that invite outdoor living
Farmhouse barndominiums feel warm and approachable, perfect for families or anyone who loves a timeless country aesthetic.

Ranch Style

Single-story layouts with wide, low rooflines
Open-concept interiors that flow naturally from living areas to kitchen and dining
Sliding barn doors, large windows, and simple exterior finishes
Ranch designs emphasize comfort, accessibility, and practicality, making them ideal for sprawling rural properties.

Modern & Contemporary

Clean lines, minimal ornamentation, and large expanses of glass
Mixed materials: metal, wood, and stone for a dynamic exterior
Open interiors with high ceilings, lofts, and plenty of natural light
Modern barndominiums make a bold statement while keeping the functional benefits of open spans and flexible floor plans.

Craftsman-Inspired

Rich wood tones, decorative brackets, and tapered columns
Stone accents around entryways or fireplaces
Built-in cabinetry and attention to fine interior details
Craftsman designs add warmth and sophistication, balancing the industrial look of metal siding with handcrafted details that make your space feel personal and inviting.

See real-world examples in our Project Gallery.

Barndominium Basics