Barndominiums: Modern converted barns as a new living trend

In recent years we have seen new trends in the world of housing towards sustainability, energy efficiency and practical, cost-effective building and renovation. A lot of interest has focused on tiny houses and prefabricated homes. Since 2017, a new trend has been in the spotlight and is growing in popularity in the United States. Pinterest recently included Barndominiums in its list of top searches for April 2019. But what exactly is a barndominium? Today we'll show you an excellent example of one of these modern barn conversions and give you tips on how you can bring the barn atmosphere into your own four walls.

That's why Barndominiums are trendy

The building concept at Barndominiums is similar to that of barns. However, barndominiums are much more than that. They are affordable, elegant homes with beautiful outdoor spaces that can also be designed in a modern way. In many ways, a barndominium is the perfect combination of different architectural trends and interior designs. It offers the design adaptability and cost benefits of a small home, but also the space you can generally only get with a traditionally large home. Barndominiums has therefore managed to carve out its own niche in the real estate market. They have made modern custom homes more affordable than ever before.

Barndominiums are mostly about thatRenovation of a former storage barn. Instead of being destroyed, the old building can be transformed into a full-fledged residential building with several rooms. It is a kind of sustainable living. This is definitely part of the minimalist movement. Many people see this as a way to use their existing budget smartly and be environmentally friendly. There are many reasons for this type of lifestyle. These homes offer an open, spacious entertaining environment. This country house trend is officially here to stay.

If you're a fan of TV's "Fixer Upper," the photo above may look familiar - the house was renovated by Chip and Joanna Gaines in Season 3, Episode 6. At the time, Joanna said she had dreamed of taking on a barndominium for some time. The Meek family's home is one of their most unique and perhaps even favorite renovations on the TV show.

This house was originally a horse stable. The ground floor had already been converted into a garage and storage room. The upper floor was converted into a small apartment with two bedrooms and a kitchen. The owners wanted to transform the barn into a functional and practical home for their family.

Light-flooded entrance area thanks to glass doors

The furnishings are a combination of country house andLoft Style. White wood paneling combined with dark hardwood floors were installed throughout the home. The duo forms the perfect background for the elegant furniture with a vintage flair.

The space under the new stairs is used sensibly

In the original floor plan, the only staircase leading to the top floor was on the outside of the barn. That's why an internal staircase was built. The black steel stair railings exude a modern barn feel. With shelves for storing books and a wall-mounted desk, the space under the stairs was used sensibly and practically.

Cozy seating area on the ground floor

The ground floor was converted into a continuation of the upstairs apartment. A small seating area was created there. The brown leather furniture contrasts beautifully with the white wood paneling, while the 2 meter high glass and steel doors and windows allow plenty of natural light to flow into the living room.

The dining room can accommodate up to 14 people

The spacious downstairs dining room is truly the heart of this little barn and brings the home to life. The Meek family loves hosting family and friends for dinner parties, so this unique and inspiring space is perfect for their lifestyle. To really highlight the space, this amazing 5 meter long table was custom made.

The children's room motto is dedicated to the little one's favorite hobby

Josh, the homeowners' son, loves Legos. Getting the opportunity to surprise him with an entire Lego wall was so much fun for the designers. The nice thing about it is that the little one can let off steam creatively. In the children's room there is a wall-mounted desk for crafts and games, a single bed, a bedside table and some wall shelves. The windows are stylishly shaded with wooden awnings.

The kitchen is decorated in black and white

According to the original design of this house, the kitchen was located upstairs. Instead of re-planning the room layout, the designers decided to save the budget and keep the kitchen upstairs.

In addition to the new cabinets and concrete countertops, Chip and Joanna installed an eye-catching patterned tile backsplash and a unique hood. This was actually made of wood. A specialist was commissioned to paint the hood in a metal look, which saved costs. The mobile wooden island in the kitchen serves as a visual highlight in the room and creates a nice contrast to the black and white color scheme.

Living room with dining area on the upper floor

A second dining area was created upstairs if family gatherings were to be more intimate. The dining table is smaller and can accommodate up to 6 people. A simple black iron chandelier looks great above the dining table.

The living room looks very cozy with the jute carpet, the white linen sofa and the brown leather armchairs. The perfect mix of new and old gives the room a special charm. The vintage picture frames on the wall and the XXL metal clock with an antique look complete the overall picture perfectly.

7 Ways to Add a Barndominium Flair to Your Home

High ceilings, beamed ceilings, and large, open living spaces are the classic architectural features of a barn-style home. But not all of us are lucky enough to actually live in a converted barn or newly constructed barndominium. Below we give you some tips and tricks on how to give your home a barndominium feel.

Exposed, rustic ceiling beams

These are probably some of the more recognizable features of a barn-style home. These wooden structures are typical of gable roof houses and usually remain visible from below. The rafters are not only intended to support the roof, but can also have a really decorative effect. There is now a large selection of imitation beams on the market that can be easily mounted on the ceiling. Although they are made of polyrethane, they impress with their faithful reproduction of a natural wood look.

Barn doors are practical and space-saving

Sliding barn doors are a very effective way to add rustic charm to your home. Not only do they look good, but they also offer a practical solution for small spaces. Because of the sliding door hardware, you don't have to consider additional pivoting range when open like a typical door. As a result, barn doors are becoming increasingly popular and can be purchased at many hardware stores and door retailers. If you want to get your hands dirty, you can also restore an old door yourself.

A large solid wood dining table is a must in a farmhouse

It doesn't matter how your home is decorated, a farmhouse table is a versatile piece of furniture that will never look out of place. What matters is how you style your table. For example, it could be painted white and combined with modern chairs, or just stained and waxed so that the wood retains a natural look. X-legged tables are great if you want to put more chairs around the table, while round tables are ideal for smaller spaces. If the table is placed in a corner, a bench is a recommended option.

Wood paneling brings a rustic flair with a modern touch to the room

Shiplap is a type of wood paneling commonly used on the exterior of barns and outbuildings in the United States. However, the same rural effect can be achieved by using it in the interior. Fortunately, these days there are also cheap options that are easy to find. The large selection of wallpapers with a wood look that look deceptively real opens up many possibilities for us.

Colors & fabrics that match the barn style

A barndominium interior typically presents itself in a neutral color palette. This maximizes the sense of space of architectural features such as rafters and ceiling beams. It's best to go for beige, cream and gray tones with undertones of blue and green. The same applies to home textiles. Use natural materials such as linen, cotton and jute. Simple patterns such as stripes also fit harmoniously into the overall picture.

Lights made of wood, glass and metal

Lights are a simple, inexpensive and extremely effective way to change the aesthetics and mood of a room. Choose materials such as wood, metal or glass. The lights could appear industrial or shabby chic and should be color coordinated with the furnishings.

Repurpose old finds

Breathe new life into old things by turning them into new furniture for your barndominium. These exude a lot of charm and are unique! For example, you could try turning an old door into a headboard for your bed or a coffee table with hairpin legs. Here you will find a great selectioncreative upcycling ideas!