Building a barndominium: Ideas, designs, and layout

​​Editor’s note: This is part four of a series.

You may want to purchase plans or hire an architect and interior designer to lay out your floorplan. However, you can also do it yourself. The beauty of a barndominium is in the eye of the homeowner. You can make your rural home as small and simple or as large and elegant as you want. It is up to you and your budget.

I drew the layout of our barndominium and barn and designed the interior using an online program called Space Designer 3D. This section will give you ideas to consider while working on your plans. 

Exterior

The first choice we made was the exterior metal and colors of our building.

Discuss your options with your contractor, but read about the products and make your own decision based on what works best for you. Colors and metal coatings are important for several reasons. Consider:

• Visual​ appeal — There are a number of colors you can choose for the roof, sides, and trim. Read about the advantages of the color coatings before you make your choices.
• Fading and chalking resilience.
• Corrosion resistance and longevity.
• Energy efficiency.
• 20-year versus 30-year warranty.
• Stone/rock accents — Adding stone around the home can make it stand out, but it also adds to the cost.
• Your budget — Go with what works for you.

• Flooring — Stained concrete, tile, wood floors, carpet? The choice is yours.
• What size and types of rooms do you need?
• How high should the ceilings be — 8’? 9’? 10’?
• How many bathrooms?
• Do you need a utility room or mud​room?
• Sizes of doorways and hallways?
• Fireplace?
• Do you want an upstairs? How would you use it?
• Do you need a carport?
• Do you want the barn attached or separate?
• Kitchen size — small or large?
• Do you want a front and back porch or a wrap-around porch?

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Once you have your initial ideas, sketch them out on paper and prepare a blueprint or have a professional blueprint drawn up. The blueprint is the foundation of your home on paper. It determines how your contractors build your home. A well-thought-out and structurally sound home will add value to your investment.​

Next week: What about the details?