Barndominium Design Ideas That Blend Rustic Charm with Modern Style
By: Mackenzie
Barndominiums have quickly become a popular home choice for those seeking a stylish yet functional living space with a modern rustic vibe. These versatile homes, originally inspired by barns, combine the raw beauty of exposed beams and open layouts with sleek, contemporary finishes. Whether you’re drawn to the idea of cozy, countryside living or want to incorporate industrial elements into your home, barndominium design offers endless possibilities. Read on for some of our favorite ideas to get you inspired.
Maybe you’re thinking about designing a barndominum or perhaps you’ve got a totally different exterior style in mind. Whatever your design tastes are, our designers will work with you to understand and execute them. Whether you want to make subtle changes or redesign your entire exterior, we’ve got you covered. Learn more about what we do.
Is it cheaper to build a barndominium or a house?
When comparing the costs of building a barndominium versus a traditional house, barndominiums can often come out as the more affordable option. Their simple, rectangular structures and metal frames typically reduce labor and material expenses. Additionally, barndominiums are often quicker to construct, which can cut down on overall building time and associated costs. However, the total price will vary depending on the finishes and customizations you choose.
Wood shutters for a rustic flare
Adding wood shutters to a barndominium is an excellent way to infuse a rustic flare into the overall design. The natural texture and warmth of the shutters on this barndominium create a beautiful contrast against the sleek lines and deep gray vertical siding. We tied in other elements to blend with the shutters, including the brown doors and the wood supports on the door awnings.
While our designers leaned into simplicity for this design, we infused some texture and dimension with the landscaping. We landscaped the driveway with a border of plants, which blends seamlessly into the outline along the perimeter of the exterior. Bringing a bit more contrast, we used different planters to enhance each of the exterior doors.
Dreamy doors
Doors make all the difference on a barndominium exterior. While you might think of them as a simple design element, they certainly aren’t a “whatever” one. Your exterior doors provide the perfect opportunity to make a statement. For this design, we blended the best of both worlds — modern and rustic. We used classic sliding barn doors to envelope the sleek steel-framed glass garage door. Here, the sliding doors evoke that classic, rural feel while the contemporary garage door allows natural light to flow through.
Amplifying the rustic feel of the sliding doors, we capped them with mounted barn lights for a cozy touch. For the entry door, our designers echoed the vibes to the right. We used a combination of a modern black door and rustic wood. The door’s long, sleek handle is accentuated by the sidelight. We welcomed wood to the space by using exposed beams to create a framed portico around the entrance.
Tap into farmhouse vibes
At brick&batten, our designers love a good modern farmhouse exterior, and a barndominium serves as the perfect canvas for this design style. We embraced a classic black-and-white palette for this exterior, using white on the vertical siding on the exterior and black for the dormers. We brought contrast into the mix with black garage doors and trim.
Of course, to infuse some rustic ambiance, we opted for wood double doors at the entrance, complemented by wood porch columns. Our designers brought a bit of an eclectic essence to the traditional farmhouse style throughout the landscaping. We used a combination of pavers, stone, and concrete for the driveway. To make things all the more dynamic, we used a mix of sharp, colorful foliage, planters, and some blooms for a subtle hint of color.
Barndominium business
Barndominiums are an excellent choice for businesses looking for a versatile and cost-effective space. Their open floor plans and flexible design make them ideal for a variety of business types, from event venues and workshops to offices or retail spaces. Plus, the industrial yet stylish look of a barndominium creates a unique atmosphere that can easily be customized to reflect a company’s brand or purpose. Here, we transformed a barndominium into a wellness spa.
While the dark, black siding and black accents give this business a bold look, we added some light-colored natural stone to add a warm and welcoming aura. We transcended the inviting vibe to the patio space, where we implemented a fire pit with lounge seating, hanging chairs, and plenty of plants. We especially love how the plants, fire pit, and fountain near the doors tap into the elements — the perfect touch for a spa.
Multi-level deck for added outdoor relaxation
Multi-level decks are a fantastic addition to a barndominium, enhancing both its functionality and aesthetic appeal. For this design, we created a layered outdoor space with the deck. Our designers infused intentionality into the deck, using elements that blend well with the rest of the exterior. We pulled from the white siding to match the X-style deck railing. We also used exposed beams for the deck frame to complement the wood on the garage doors, awnings, and the wood siding accents.
The rustic appeal of the barndominium is perfectly complemented by the natural wood decks. Plus, the multi-level design introduces a modern architectural element that adds depth and dimension to the exterior. This impactful design move extends the living space and creates a space to take in the scenic surroundings.
Embrace earthtones
If a rustic vibe is what you’re after, the palette matters — and you really can’t go wrong with earthtones. This exterior builds upon the essence of a traditional barndominum, kicking it up a notch with a breathtaking covered porch. We used plenty of modern elements, from the black window trim and roof to the vertical siding and layout. To give this home rustic roots, we went with a dark olive shade for the exterior, complemented by plenty of wood accents.
We tied the wood on the porch together with subtle caps for the window trim throughout the exterior. The combination of the green and wood gives this exterior a natural feel. The landscaping throughout only amplifies the earthy essence, so the aesthetic is warm and inviting.
Layout is everything
Barndominiums work so well because they provide a wide-open layout, inside and out. In this design, each element flows right into the next one, creating a practical space. We kept the design simple, embracing a neutral palette with some natural elements throughout to complement the landscaping. Our designers also used different sized garage doors to amplify the illusion of height and create contrast.
You might not have been born in a barn, but you can live in one!
Remember when you’d leave the door wide open as a kid and your mom would shout, “Were you born in a barn?!” Barndominiums are your chance to reclaim that nostalgia. While we don’t recommend leaving the doors wide open for critters and strangers, we do love this design style and all of its possibilities. If you’re looking to blend rustic charm with modern style, a barndominium might be for you. And the best part is, our designers can help you make all the right moves to create a breathtaking exterior.
Ready to create your own Barndominium dream home?
Or maybe you’re inspired to do something totally different to your exterior — no problem! Our designers are ready to work with you to manifest your wildest design goals. Don’t wait any longer — get started today! You can also shop thousands of Barndominium house plans at Barndominium Life HERE. The Barndominium Life Design team will create a house plan for you from scratch our tailor one of their stock house plans to fit your needs.
Subscribe for more content like this!
