When you picture a barn house, what comes to mind? It's most likely a red, wooden building with a gambrel roof, the type you'd expect to see in a Norman Rockwell painting. But today's modern barn houses have come a long way from their humble beginnings. Modern barn houses are a contemporary take on traditional barn-style architecture. These homes combine the rustic charm of a classic barn with the sleek and sophisticated design elements of modern architecture. Discover how modern barn homes refresh the idea of rural living and why their soaring ceilings, open floor plans, and natural materials captivate city dwellers and rural residents alike. A gambrel barn is the most traditional barn house type. Grambel barns feature a two-story layout with a distinctive roof shape. The roof type features two slopes on each side, with the lower slope steeper than the upper slope. A farmhouse barndominium is a type of home that combines the look and feel of a traditional farmhouse with the functional design and cost-effective construction of a barndominium. However, unlike a traditional barn, a barndominium is designed to be a comfortable and livable space. With modern features like wraparound porches, gabled roofs, and traditional farmhouse interiors, barndominiums stand out for their versatility, customization, and peculiarity. View this post on Instagram A pole barn is a simple, low-cost barn that is constructed using poles or posts set into the ground. The primary advantage of pole barn construction is that it is cost-effective. Building a pole barn can cost as little as $25 per square foot. This barn type usually features ultra-wide barn doors and is often used for storing and housing livestock. Modern pole barn houses have an ideal design for cost and energy efficiency, sustainability, and durability. Its open, airy design works well for modern mountain homes, cabins, and guest houses. With a few modern amenities, pole barn homes can offer comfortable and functional living spaces. Barn style houses have evolved into a coveted architectural style from their humble beginnings as functional farm buildings. Featuring Scandinavian-level minimalism and contemporary interior design features, modern barn home plans break from rustic barns with post-frame construction and gambrel roofs. Traditional homes and barn houses are usually small and simple. Today's modern barn houses, on the other hand, are large and luxurious. Additionally, contemporary barn-style homes benefit from an open concept. Tall windows, high ceilings, and large open floor plans give modern barn style houses a feeling of wide open space and overall simplicity that's irresistible. Modern barn houses often feature simple, clean lines that create a sense of modernity and sophistication. Accordingly, it achieves this simple and elegant aesthetic through the use of horizontal siding, metal roofing, and minimalistic trim details. Like modern farmhouses, one of the critical features of contemporary barn homes is their use of natural materials such as wood and stone. These materials help create a warm and inviting atmosphere while adding a touch of rural elegance to the design. Accordingly, floor-to-ceiling windows and open floor plans let in plenty of natural light and create a seamless connection between the interior and exterior spaces. Modern barn houses are often designed with the landscape in mind and an overall emphasis on functionality. As a result, many modern barn houses incorporate passive homes or energy-efficient features. For example, solar panels, backup batteries, geothermal heating, and local water sources make modern barn houses more sustainable and environmentally friendly. While modern barn houses tend to feature a neutral color palette, bold pops of color can add interest and personality to the exterior. Accordingly, you might see a modern barn house plan with a bright red front door or bold blue accent walls. Black modern barn houses are part of a contemporary home style with a dark exterior color palette, usually in black or dark gray shades. This trend has become increasingly popular in recent years as homeowners and architects seek to create a striking and dramatic contrast between the home's modern design and its rustic, barn-inspired roots. Black barn exteriors can also help to blend the home into its natural surroundings, creating a seamless and harmonious connection between the house and the landscape. One of the hallmarks of a modern barn house interior is the use of reclaimed or salvaged materials, which can add a unique sense of history and character to the space. In addition, you might see reclaimed wood used for flooring, beams, accent walls, salvaged metal in light fixtures, and other decorative elements. In terms of color palette, modern barn houses interiors typically feature neutral tones like white, gray, and beige, which help to create a clean and open feeling. However, we can also incorporate strategic pops of color through artwork, textiles, or accent pieces. Furniture in modern barn houses is often simple and functional, focusing on comfort and durability. Additionally, you might find beautiful sofas, modern chairs with natural fabrics like leather, linen, or cotton, and sturdy wooden tables and benches. In terms of decor, modern barn houses interiors often feature a mix of vintage and contemporary elements. For example, an antique barn door might be repurposed as a sliding door, while a sleek modern fireplace might be surrounded by rustic stone or reclaimed wood. Overall, modern barn houses offer a warm and inviting country lifestyle that blends the best of traditional and contemporary design. Whether looking for a cozy weekend retreat or a spacious family home, a modern barn house can provide a unique and stylish living space.Rooted in the past, yet chic and contemporary — modern barn house plans take a modern twist.
Types of barn houses
Gambrel Barn
Barndominium
Pole barn homes
From rustic roots and humble beginnings to contemporary barn house design for the modern era
Open concepts
Clean lines
Natural materials
Black modern barn houses: A bold and sophisticated aesthetic
Modern barn house interiors: A blend of rustic charm and contemporary design
Materials
Color palette
Furniture and living room decor
Conclusion
FAQs
What are houses shaped like barns called? ›
A barndominium is typically a barn a builder has converted into an all-purpose living and workspace. The name combines barn and condominium; people often shorten it to “barndo.” Some barndominiums are new structures built from a kit and made of metal.
What is modern barn style? ›Modern barn houses include careful restorations of 19th-century buildings and renovations of old agricultural structures. These projects celebrate the past but also modernize interiors for comfortable living. Other projects reference vernacular architecture in a contemporary form.
What is barn style architecture? ›Barn homes, also known as barndominiums or barn-style houses, are residential structures that either originated as barns or are designed to resemble traditional barns. These homes capture the essence of rural living, evoking images of wide-open spaces and a simpler way of life.
Why build barn house? ›Needing less material to build a home does more than save you money. It also decreases the amount of maintenance you need to do on your home.
Is it cheaper to build a house or a barndominium? ›The most common estimate asserts that a new barndominium with basic amenities will cost about $30 to $40 per square foot to build, compared to the cost of building a traditional home is around $100 to $200 per square foot.
What is a Dutch style barn? ›The Dutch Barn has a square profile, unlike the more rectangular English or German barns. In the United Kingdom a structure called a Dutch barn is a relatively recent agricultural development meant specifically for hay and straw storage; most examples were built from the 19th century.
What is a French farmhouse style architecture? ›French Country architecture uses stucco with stone and timber accents, steep pitched roof forms with curved eaves, tall, arched doors and windows, and ornate finishes. The use of a neutral color palette and materials gives a charming impression without being ostentatious.
What are farm style houses called? ›The design of the farmhouse -- also called “folk” houses -- was initially influenced by geography.
What architectural style is a barndominium? ›Barndominium house plans are country home designs with a strong influence of barn styling. Differing from the Farmhouse style trend, Barndominium home designs often feature a gambrel roof, open concept floor plan, and a rustic aesthetic reminiscent of repurposed pole barns converted into living spaces.
Why are pole barn houses cheaper? ›When you build a barndominium, there is no foundation needed, so you can eliminate this portion of the cost. The trusses are spaced further apart, which reduces the materials needed for construction and the overall cost. Because none of the walls are load bearing, you don't have to spend as much on framing.
Are barn houses sturdy? ›
Barndominiums have the strength and durability that comes with being made from metal, making them just as safe or even more secure than a traditional home. The structural integrity of a barndominium also makes them last longer with less maintenance.
What is a Shouse house? ›A shouse (shop house) is an innovative architectural concept that blends the utility of a workspace, such as a workshop, garage, or studio, with the comfort and functionality of a traditional home. With their increasing popularity, more and more people are opting for shouses as their preferred living arrangement.
What is a house barn combination called? ›A barndominium, also known as a barndo, is a metal pole barn, post-frame or barn-like structure with sheet metal siding that has been partially or fully converted into a furnished home or living area.
What is the name of the a shaped house? ›An A-frame building is an architectural style of building that features steeply-angled sides (roofline) that usually begin at or near the foundation line, and meet at the top in the shape of the letter A. An A-frame ceiling can be open to the top rafters.