With the huge rise in popularity, barndominiums are being built all across America at an unprecedented rate, especially in the last few years with more barndominiums being built last year than ever before. People are often confused by the terminology as well choosing to believe a barndominium can only be one thing, it’s not just a metal building, it’s not just a pole barn. A barndominium is a custom-built home with a barn style theme or design elements incorporated into it, it’s a common misconception that a barndominium must be made out of steel, this just isn’t the case. Many barndominiums are made traditionally with wood or a hybrid wood and steel-framed structure. How you build it and what you build it with is completely your choice. It’s still a barndominium no matter what you build it out of the styling and design elements make the structure a barndominium. Granted the strongest & most stunning barndominiums have been all-steel construction allowing for grand open floor plans that are difficult to achieve otherwise.
The possibilities are literally endless with the potential that a custom-built barndominium provides. You essentially have full creative control over your build, you have a blank slate to build off of that you’re planning on living in for the foreseeable future so you have great incentive to over-engineer every aspect of the whole build so it will last you a lifetime. That’s a huge task to complete, not to mention the responsibility attached to a job like that. If you’re anything like me that’s an exciting concept, yes I’m sure there will be stressful times and it won’t be easy, the payoff will be hands down worth every minute of work put in. With full creative control, you can design a home around your lifestyle. Imagine you are outdoor-oriented and you live your life in a way that enhances your passion for the outdoors, wouldn’t you design your home in a way that fits into that lifestyle. Maybe build near hiking trails, on a lake with a dock possibly. If fitness is your focus, make it a goal to design a gym somewhere within your barndominium plans. A barndominium can be a lifestyle.
A barndominium can be your studio or your office space, with so many people working from home nowadays having a home office is essential for most people. You may need a bigger office space than you need living space in your home. Maybe your barndominium is primarily your workplace and a home second there’s nothing wrong with a setup like that. What if I told you that Your barndominium can be art, think about it, it can be an expression of anything you like, you can design, build, paint and shape your home into existence. That’s a pretty cool concept for any artist, the opportunity to design and create your own custom home from scratch is an intriguing idea even for someone who isn’t artistically gifted.
A barndominium can be a business. A headquarters, a Homebase. Sometimes it’s good to think outside the box, having a business at home can be awesome, especially if you have a designated space just for your business. I have an aunt who runs a very successful candle business out of her home with a dedicated space just for her workshop. It’s amazing the things you can do if you put your mind to it. You can use your creativeness to make a one-of-a-kind home that people will love. It’s easy to turn your barndominium building into a hobby. I’ve seen many people start out not considering they may enjoy building a home, I’ve personally seen couples continue to add on and do projects, D.I.Y landscaping, and so on, just because they love it so much.
Your Barndominium can be an S-house (shophouse) or a Garage style barndominium with a loft complete with vehicle lifts, toolboxes, workbenches, and anything else you would need in a shop on the ground level, many people plan for extra space down the road in case they decide to buy boats, recreational vehicles, four-wheelers and of course lawn mowers and lawn equipment. I’ve seen barndominiums where the lower level is an actual functioning barn complete with a fenced-in front yard with hay bales and the whole bit. The best part about building a barndominium that you design is that It can be anything you want it to be. With the flexibility of a barndominium coupled with your creativity and the desire to build the options are endless, your barndominium has boundless potential and could accrue some serious equity in the process, the more work and time you put into making your build special and unique making sure to pay special attention to those small details because in the end that will make the difference.
Your barndominium can be a vacation home in the mountains or on the beach that can generate another stream of income as a short term rental such as an AIRBNB property does, you still have the benefit of owning a beautiful barndominium and while your not enjoying it yourself someone else gets to enjoy the space at the same time allowing for the upkeep and maintenance to be paid for easily as well as adding extra revenue to your pocket. As you can see a barndominium doesn’t always have to cost you money it can also be a wise investment if done in the correct styling and taste for the correct area and demographic. Marketing a vacation barndominium is another article for another day but take my word that it’s a definite possibility.
Barndominiums are different things to different people. It really does simply come down to what you’re going to use the space for and how much space you require. You can turn a barndominium into just about anything with enough drive, determination, and money. What do you want out of your barndominium build? Who do you plan on sharing the space with if anyone? What’s its primary function? These questions will get you started on what your barndominium could be.
