Barndominium designs & design ideas

Define Your Needs

Decide on square footage, number of bedrooms, garage, and/or workshop space, and lifestyle features ( mud rooms, safe rooms, etc.) for your new custom home.

Set a Budget

Include land costs, permits, utility connections, foundation, building kit package, interior finishes, and contingency (around 15%-20%).

Select barndominium house plans

Choose a pre-designed layout or create custom barndominium plans that efficiently separate living and shop areas.

See our collection of free barndo floor plans for inspiration.

Pick a Building Kit

Choose from red iron barndom kits or a lighter-weight cold-formed steel (CFS) frame barndo kit that suits your layout, roof style, and exterior design preferences.

Design the Exterior

Select siding colors, roof pitch, windows, porches, and trim. Match regional styles or go modern/rustic.

Plan the Interior

Decide on ceiling height, open-concept layouts, cabinetry, HVAC, insulation, and plumbing placement.

Secure Building Permits

Submit engineered plans and apply for building, septic, and utility permits based on local codes.

Hire Builders (or DIY)

You can hire a general contractor or manage the build yourself with subcontractors for slab, framing, MEP, and finish work.

Start Construction

Begin with the foundation, erect the shell, then complete the interior build-out.

Final Inspection & Move In

Pass all code inspections before occupancy. Enjoy your new custom barndo!

Add-Ons & Customization Options

• Mezzanines
• Lean-tos or porches
• Solar-ready roofing
• Interior framing for drywall or partitioned areas

Pro Tips

• Work with an experienced metal building supplier who provides stamped engineering drawings and one who will guide you through the entire design process.
• Use 3D design tools & floor plan apps to test layouts before committing.
• Always verify local permitting requirements before you finalize the building specifications.

Absolutely! Here is a quick look into the process (following on from the above FAQ....

Designing your own barndominium starts with defining your goals. Decide how you'll use the space: full-time home, vacation getaway, or combined living and workspace.

Then, create a basic layout. Identify how many bedrooms, bathrooms, and garage bays you need. Open-concept living, vaulted ceilings, and large windows are standard features to consider.

Next, sketch out zones, living, utility, garage, shop space, and outdoor spaces like porches or patios.

Make sure the flow between these areas is logical and efficient. To maximize square footage, consider a simple single-level plan or a two-story layout.

Choose a barndominium floor plan as a starting point or draft your own using online design tools.

Customize dimensions, roof style (gable,  single-slope, or monitor), and features like lofts, mudrooms, or pantry space. Account for plumbing and HVAC placement early to save on costs.

Exterior style matters too—metal siding, color schemes, windows, and roof pitch all affect curb appeal. Finally, consult with a metal building supplier or design-build contractor to turn your plans into engineered drawings that meet local codes.

Bring your design ideas to life with our 3D building designer.

Pro Tip: Check local zoning and permitting requirements before finalizing your design. A well-planned barndominium blends function, comfort, and rural charm.

Yes, in most cases, especially within city limits. Some jurisdictions and properties on farmland can be exempt. Be sure to verify the details of your chosen job site.

Some key points to consider:

First, ensure your plans comply with local zoning ordinances, then apply for a building permit. Larger buildings or those with more occupants face stricter regulations.

Submit certified plans. Building officials require third-party certified plans for the structure and foundation, which a reputable manufacturer will provide.

Understand zoning. Determine if your site is zoned commercial or residential and understand specific requirements.

Plan for permit processing. The permit application process can be lengthy. Expect it to take 1-3 months.

Prepare an official site plan. A licensed surveyor or structural engineer should design an official site plan for the permit applications.

Keep building permits on-site. Once you have the necessary permits, keep them ready for any required inspections at the job site.

Adhere to approved plans & designs. Inspectors will reference the certified blueprints throughout construction. If design changes occur, submit new certified plans and apply for new permits to avoid delays and fines.

Maintaining a 2-foot distance for doors and windows from the corners and the eave of a steel building's roofline ensures structural integrity, safety, compliance with building codes, and practical construction considerations.

Support and stability: corners provide critical support, and keeping framed openings away from corners guarantees stability.

Load distribution: A two-foot distance also ensures even load distribution, preventing structural issues.

Foundation stability: This prevents compromising the foundation and framing during high wind or snow loading.
Ease of construction: Simplifies the installation of doors and windows

Insulation and energy efficiency: The corner and eave areas are critical for the building's thermal envelope. Keeping openings away from these areas allows continuous insulation in these high-heat-loss areas. It also prevents thermal bridging at structural connections, improving the building's overall energy performance.

Weather protection: placing openings away from corners helps prevent water from seeping in and allows for sound flashing installation around openings, reducing exposure to wind-driven rain in vulnerable corner/eave areas.

Clearance for framing: A minimum 2-foot clearance allows room to frame and support the door or window opening correctly. This space is needed to fit wall girts between the corner column and the door/window jamb.

Our manufacturers often recommend adding 8-10 inches to the minimum 2-foot distance for buildings with bypass sidewalls to account for the bypass girt depth.

When it comes to erecting your building, you have three options.

Do-it-yourself (DIY). We only advise going this route on smaller buildings (under 2,000 square feet) and if you have previous construction experience.

Self-manage. With a self-managed project, you are responsible for hiring and managing the various sub-trades, including the concrete company for the foundation, the steel erectors to construct the kit, plumbers, electricians, etc.

Hire a General Contractor (GC). For a completely hands-off option, you may want to consider hiring a GC who will manage the entire project on your behalf, from pulling permits and installation to the final inspection. Expect to pay 10-20% for the services of a GC.