All About the Barndominium: Inside the Rustic History and Exploding Popularity of the Metal-Clad Megahome

by Isabella Bernabeo

Part rugged workspace, part elegant luxury, the barndominium is redefining what a modern home can be, offering the kind of blank canvas that invites a world of opportunity.

This unique architectural style has skyrocketed in popularity among first-time homebuyers looking for a cost-effective build and customizable floor plans, but the concept has deeper roots than that.

Traditionally built to combine living and working quarters under one roof, the unusual design blends “barn” and “condominium,” combining a barn-style building’s spacious floor plan with the same feeling of modern luxury so often found in high-rise condos.

Typically built from wood and steel, with some made entirely from metal, the spacious multiuse structures can be brought to life in several ways—either by converting an existing barn into a personal home or, as in the case of most barndominiums, by building it using a kit.

A standard barndominium kit will include a floor plan, roof, and steel, metal, or wooden shell. The floor plan is completely customizable for the owner, giving creative freedom to decide the number of rooms and other amenities, though barndominiums commonly include at least one workshop-style space for uses beyond just living.

Barndominiums have become a popular home trend in recent years, particularly for those with a fondness for the great outdoors. Often constructed on large parcels with vast amounts of acreage, the structures enable homeowners to approach the build with true creativity, starting as enormous spaces that can then be customized in whatever way is desired.

As a result, the barndominium has taken on many forms over the years, from quaint farmhouses to larger luxury mansions.

Red Barn home in a field — Barndominium homes have skyrocketed in popularity among first-time homebuyers because of their cost-effective build and customizable floor plans. (Getty Images)

What are the most distinctive elements of the barndominium?

A barndominium’s most distinctive design is likely its metal or steel shell, which gives the home its classic rural barnlike appearance.

Other key elements include its high-vaulted ceilings, tall windows, and open-concept layouts, which give the space a grand and airy ambiance. The open layout allows buyers to customize their barndominium to their specific lifestyle needs, whether that includes a custom workspace, gym, or something else entirely.

Often, barndominiums have gable or gambrel roofs that further the barnlike design in addition to large sliding barn doors. A barndominium's structural framework, such as its steel beams, will frequently be exposed for a rustic appearance.

When was the first barndominium home designed?

The first documented use of the term “barndominium” was in 1989 when the New York Times released an article about horse lovers sharing an equestrian-style complex in Connecticut and titled it “At ‘Barndominiums,’ Home Is Where the Horse Is.”

In the article, Connecticut developer Karl Nilsen is credited with coining the term “barndominium” while working on the equestrian-based project, where stables would be attached or directly below the living quarters.

However, it is commonly believed that the barndominium's history goes back much further, simply without the now-popularized name. Originally, a barndominium was meant to be a mixed live-work space where Northern European families could bring their livestock inside during the winter for survival, while also including their personal living quarters.

The concept of live-work space also applied to bakers and blacksmiths who often lived in their working headquarters.

As time passed, barndominiums began to move away from equestrian-focused communities as homeowners and builders began transforming metal barns into all-out living spaces in the mid-2000s. Barndominiums really took off in 2016 when "Fixer Upper" stars Chip andJoanna Gaines renovated a Waco, TX, home they called a barndominium.

The house went viral, and the Gaineses have been credited with helping to further propel the barndominium to the top of many home style trends lists.

Modern black wooden house in barn style representing contemporary rural architecture that merges minimalist design with traditional Dutch countryside aesthetics. — A barndominium’s most distinctive design is likely its metal or steel shell, which gives the home its classic rural barnlike appearance. (Getty Images)

Aerial photo of cottage with a green roof and a pool in backyard — Connecticut developer Karl Nilsen is credited with coining the term “barndominium” while working on an equestrian-based project. (Getty Images)

Where are the best places to find barndominiums?

Generally, barndominiums will be found in states such as Texas, Oklahoma, Ohio, Montana, Arkansas, Wyoming, and Missouri, where larger parcels of land are more readily available.

Rarely will barndominiums be found in densely populated cities, as acquiring land is customarily the first step to building this style of home.

Zoning laws are another large factor in where barndominiums will be found, as Midwest and Southern states typically have more relaxed laws allowing for barndominiums to take up vast acreage.

How has the barndominium changed over the years?

Barndominiums have changed in many ways over the years, though the most obvious change may be their diversion from frequently being only an equestrian-based living space, evolving into a stylistic residence all on its own.

Additionally, the materials used to build barndominiums have changed from wood to steel or metal over the years to make them more durable in the environment. Lastly, while older barndominiums may have mostly been barn-to-home conversions, nowadays, barndominiums are typically built from a kit.

Red barn home — Barndominiums will be found in states such as Texas, Oklahoma, Ohio, Montana, Arkansas, Wyoming, and Missouri, where larger parcels of land are more readily available. (Getty Images)

How much does a barndominium cost?

Barndominiums generally have a much lower building cost than a traditional house, with barndominium kits costing about $50 to $100 per square foot and traditional homes costing about $100 to $200 per square foot. A complete barndominium kit can cost anywhere between $150,000 and $350,000.

To build an entire barndominium—including the kit, floor plans, labor, and more—it will cost anywhere from $112,800 to $540,000, with the average cost currently at $230,000, according to HomeAdvisor. That is nearly half of the current median listing price in the U.S., which sits at $429,500, Realtor.com® data shows.

However, barndominiums do come with some strings attached.

Before the structure can be built, land needs to be acquired—and that can send costs soaring, depending on the size of the plot and its location. If the land needs to undergo significant work to prepare it for the build, that can also add another large sum to the overall costs.

Why do people buy barndominiums?

People buy barndominium homes because of their open floor plan, which allows for a flexible design that can be customized to specific lifestyle needs.

However, it's important to note that barndominiums do often result in a noisier environment due to their metal or steel shell, which can cause sound to travel more easily—not to mention the racket that occurs when rain crashes down on the roof.

All things considered, barndominium homes are cost-effective, quick to build, energy-efficient, low maintenance, and extremely durable due to their metal or steel shells, which make them resistant to mold and severe weather, causing first-time buyers to run after this style of home and sweep them up while they still can.