Is using small barndo plans to build your dream home a financially savvy decision? As the cost of housing continues to rise, many people are turning to these options for their dream home.
As a popular trend that has emerged in recent years, small barndo plans offer a unique blend of barn aesthetics and living quarters. Notably, it is the perfect solution for those in need of a comfortable space on their land for the family and, often, a workshop, without breaking the bank.
Costs of Building a Home Using Small Barndo Plans
According to Realtor.com, it costs around $85 to $95 per square foot to build a small barndo. Furthermore, the breakdown of costs is as follows:
- Estimated cost of land (2 acres): $8K-$10K* (depends on your location)
- Development of land: $35K*
- Small Barndo Floor Plans: $1K-$2K*
- Small Barndo Kit: $32K – $150K*
- Labor Cost: $62-$190/square foot* (* price estimates at the time of writing).
Of course, prices are subject to change and tend to go up. Most importantly, you can reduce your costs by doing some of the work yourself.
As housing trends always evolve, is the popularity of small barndo a fad or is it here to stay? According to a study by housing professionals, barndominiums established themselves as a popular design option for homeowners. As a result, they have a strong presence in both the new housing and resale markets.
The first step in your building process is to determine the size and layout of your desired space. Thus, consider the needs of your family to ensure the plan has a flow to match your lifestyle. As a result, you would not waste a single inch.
Next, let’s take a look at some cozy and functional small barndo floor plans to inspire you on your journey to build a dream small barndo. Later, we’ll analyze the pros and cons of barn-style houses.
1. A Rustic Single-Story Barndo Plan
Among all small barndo plans in our collection, this plan deserves attention thanks to the simplicity of its layout. Firstly, it checks almost all the boxes for comfortable small family living. Both bedrooms are located on the left side of the home plan, each having its own walk-in closet and bathroom.
As you step into the house, you are welcomed by an open living area. To create a sense of airiness, it spans the whole width of the home, to the sliding doors leading to the back porch.
The kitchen has a peninsula with seating and prep space. Furthermore, a double sink is centered below windows to provide views of the yard.
Overall, it is a perfect size barndo for a small family which only lacks a garage. Of course, you can always build a detached garage and workshop later on.
2. Barndominium-Style RV Garage with Apartment
What is special about this barndominium-style floor plan? If RV traveling fits your lifestyle and you are tired of paying for your RV storage, this plan is your ‘dream come true’ solution. The single garage bay is adjacent to the pass-thru RV garage with front and rear overhead doors.
There is an office space, a laundry room, and a small bathroom on the ground level, which gives the plan options for flexible use as a man cave, home gym, or art studio. Lastly, as you enter an upstairs apartment, you’ll find a living room, a small kitchen, a bathroom, and a bedroom with plenty of closet space.
3. 1152 SqFt Barndo with Carport
The exterior of this small barndominium has a unique modern look popular with a younger hip generation. The sleek black exterior, featuring a mix of metal and wood elements, exudes warmth and sophistication, making it a top pick among future homeowners in love with the barn-style of architecture.
Want a budget-friendly barndo plan that has everything you need and nothing you don’t? This 1152-square-foot space includes 2 bedrooms and an open living area with a cozy fireplace. Plus, step out onto one of two spacious porches – a covered front porch or a screened rear porch. And you won’t worry about pesky bugs and mosquitoes ruining your outdoor experience. That’s why the screened porch is a popular amenity in bug-prone areas.
Plus, we’ve got you covered with an adjacent carport on the side of the house. Enjoy comfortable living in this small barndo without breaking the bank.
4. 3 Bedroom Small Barndominium
Is 1500 square feet of space and 3 bedrooms enough for you to enjoy living in your dream barndo? Just take a look at the massive covered wrap-around porch! Not only does it provide shade during hot hours of the day, but it also allows you to enjoy a cup of coffee in your rocking chair when it rains.
A you step inside, you are welcomed by on openness of a massive living room and kitchen area equipped with a big island for casual dining and meal prep. All three bedrooms are on the right side of the house. The largest primary bedroom has access to a pocket home office – perfect for paying bills or working from home.
5. One-Story 2030 sqft Barndominium
If you are looking for a bigger space, this is one of the largest plans in this collection. With 2030 square feet of space, you will get a great room with a vaulted ceiling, exposed beams, and 3 bedrooms on both sides. Two large covered porches, a must-have for country living, provide plenty of space for entertaining guests.
In back, a vaulted 18′ deep covered porch serves as an outdoor extension of your living room. Also, a smaller porch area outside the kitchen window gives you even more patio space to enjoy.
6. 1700 SqFt Barndominium with Garage
With a mixture of metal, wood, and stone accents, this modern barndominium boasts great curb appeal. Inside, you’ll find a modern interior with a large open-concept living area and three bedrooms. Also, enjoy the convenience of a walk-in pantry, a dedicated large laundry room with a folding counter, and 2 massive covered patios.
Additionally, the plan comes with a four-car garage, which gives you options for a workshop close to home or storage possibilities.
7. 2-Bedroom Barndominium with Large Garage
Are you ready for your dream barndo? This 2-bedroom floor plan gives you 1350 square feet of space in addition to an 800 sqft garage/workshop connected to the main house through a breezeway with convenient access to a mudroom.
Inside, you are greeted by a vaulted open-concept living space, where the kitchen flows seemingly into the great room with a cozy fireplace. Take a look at how much counter space you get with a long kitchen island.
Also, the layout allows privacy with split bedrooms. The primary suite has a walk-in closet and direct access to a spacious ensuite bath. On the other side, the secondary bedroom is near its full bathroom and laundry room.
This small barndominium truly offers the best of both worlds – a cozy living environment with the added benefit of a covered front porch and a screened patio. Furthermore, the breezeway keeps foot traffic between the house and garage well-protected from the rain.
8. Rustic 1677 SqFt House Plan
The rustic, barndominium-style exterior of this home is full of modern farmhouse charm. The house is designed for conventional wood construction with 2×4 exterior walls.
The well-designed plan features 3 bedrooms and a 2-car carport with 1677 square feet of heated space. You’ll enjoy high vaulted ceilings in the living area and the coziness of a well-equipped kitchen with a center island.
A spacious front porch provides plenty of space for Southern living must-haves: rocking chairs, a swing, and patio flowers. It is a perfect outdoor space to watch kids play and ride their bikes.
9. 3-Bed Barndominium with Wrap-Around Porch
This barndominium house plan features 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, and an oversized 2-car garage with a side entry. A covered 10-foot deep porch wraps around three sides of the house with a vaulted section in the front. Thus, you have 1170 sqft of covered outdoor space to enjoy.
Additionally, the house has a central island in the kitchen, a walk-in pantry, and a dedicated laundry room.
10. 2-Bedroom Rustic Barndo under 1000 sqft
If creating a budget-friendly small barndo is high on your list, take a look at this floor plan. With 986 square feet of heated living space, it has a footprint of a 27′ wide by 22′ deep rectangle.
Furthermore, an open living area on the ground floor welcomes you as you enter through the sliding glass doors or a side door near the kitchen. An open kitchen has a center island for meal prep and an easy flow, while offering a spot for quick meals. Also, you have a laundry closet and a small powder bath on this level.
As you walk upstairs, you’ll find both bedrooms, which share a bath, and a linen closet in the hall.
This small barndo plan was designed with a Pre-Engineered Metal Building (PEMB) in mind. A PEMB is the most commonly used structure when building a barndominium. A PEMB can be engineered, fabricated, and shipped to any location.
Also, it can be installed in a much shorter time than a traditionally framed home. Pre-Engineered Metal Buildings get a project done in the dry very quickly and allow for interior build-outs to be convenient, not having to support roof loads.
11. Small Barndo Studio over Garage
GET STUDIO PLAN 280135JWD HERE
As the smallest barndo plan in this collection, the design features a simple 23’x21′ studio above a garage with a kitchenette and a full bathroom equipped with a shower. The stairs to the upper level are accessible through a side door. As dormers on both sides of the plan allow you to fully use the space. As a result, it can serve as a workshop, home gym, remote office, or an occasional guest house.
Pros of Small Barndo Plans
There are several advantages to choosing a barndominium as your new home and using one of the small barndo plans to build it, including:
- low building costs;
- fast construction;
- durability of construction;
- flexibility of floor plans;
- safety;
- energy efficiency;
- low maintenance cost over the years.
Cons of Small Barndominiums
While there are many benefits of building and owning a small barndo, you should do your homework and consider certain limitations and drawbacks of this type of residential dwelling. So, before making your final decision, explore the local zoning regulations, financing options, and try staying in a barndominium overnight to have a full experience.
Here is a list of some cons of the barndo dwellings:
- zoning regulations;
- limited financing options;
- elevated noise inside during storms (due to metal roof and siding);
- limited resale market.
One of the unexpected drawbacks that barndo owners have been reporting is the noise that they experience, especially during rain and hail storms or when it is windy. Because metal is a preferred material for roofs and siding of barndominiums, it can be noisy inside as metal transfers sound more easily.
So, if you have a chance, visit your neighbors who live in a small barndo during the rainstorm and check noise levels for yourself. As a result, for those sensitive to loud noises, it may be a dealbreaker.
In Conclusion
In choosing a small barndominium as your home, you are not only opting for a cost-effective living space but also embracing a cozy yet modern lifestyle. Also, with ample customization options and low maintenance requirements, this unique housing option offers a simpler way of life that prioritizes quality and comfort.
So, if you’re ready to make the switch and experience the small barndo lifestyle, browse our collection of barndominium ideas and floor plans to pick your dream home. After all, small barndo plans truly offer the best of both worlds: simple construction and ample space, making it an attractive option for those seeking a comfortable yet affordable living.
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