Planning a Barndominium Studio Apartment - Barndo design ideas / Barndominium floor plan

Jennifer Bell
Nov 4
6 min read

Planning a Barndominium (barn + condo) Studio Apartment can be an exciting venture, combining the charm of rustic living with modern sensibilities. Here are some essential aspects to consider in your planning process, including layout, materials, and aesthetics:

Understanding the Barndo Aesthetic

Barndominiums often showcase the beauty of metal and wood, emphasizing openness and natural light. Understanding this aesthetic is crucial as you plan your studio apartment. So what makes a Barndo unique?

Four book listings on barndominium designs, each with ratings, prices, and delivery info. "Best Seller" tags on two. Various colorful cover designs. — *Amazon has a multitude of books for ideas and education!*

Materials: Utilize steel frames, wooden beams, and metal siding for a contemporary yet rustic feel. Our property had a steel building in place, and was one of the things we liked about the land when we made the decision to purchase our home.
Open Floor Plan: Emphasize spaciousness with an open layout that merges living, dining, and kitchen areas seamlessly. Our barn is 30x50, and is currently being used as a barn and shop. Tom has built four barn stalls in this space, with loft storage above. We have two 10x20 foaling stalls, which we use for the sheep, really, and two 10x10 stalls for emergency winter weather.

Open barn with stacked hay bales, tools, and plywood. Metal roof beams and wall panels are visible, creating a rustic and organized atmosphere. — *Before: When we moved in there was nothing but a bit of scrap lumber in the barn… not even electric service!*

Man in blue shirt holds shovel in a barn with stacked hay, tools, and wood beams. Bags of insulation are stacked on a shelf. Mood is industrious. — All of the hay has been moved to the lofted space, and the closest stall has been outfitted as a feed room to keep the aisle clear. The space on the left of the tractor will be the apartment. My husband works hard for this little fantasy of mine. We may have to remove the feed room walls, but haven’t decided yet.

(Barndominium design ideas / Barndominium floor plan)

Layout Considerations - Back to Chief Architect!

Efficient use of space is key in any studio apartment but even more-so when the apartment is inside a working barn.

Floor plan with gridlines showing a room layout. Includes furniture, appliances, and a labeled "King Size Murphy Bed." Dimensions noted. — *Floor Plan Time! Note the Stacked, apartment size washer/dryer unit in the bathroom. I love this because my son can use the washer as his hamper, and hopefully keep his dirty laundry under control!*

Zoned Areas: Create distinct areas for sleeping, cooking, and relaxing through strategic furniture placement or low partitions. Though we plan to use just under 400SF, we need to make good use of every square foot. Pony walls, or low walls are not an option for me as I prefer the openness. Room dividers may block air flow from the single HVAC unit, so consider these issues as you make plans.
Foldable or Multipurpose Furniture: Consider options like a Murphy bed or a convertible sofa to save space and provide flexibility. We'll be using both, a king size Murphy bed and a full size sleeper sofa for the rare occasion we need extra sleeping space.
Storage Solutions: Use vertical space for storage with shelves, cabinets, and built-in units to keep the floor area open.

Cozy living room with blue couch, red chairs, and wooden table on a white rug. American flag art on the wall. Modern kitchen in view. — Murphy Bed: The far wall will hold a king-size Murphy bed and two 15" side cabinets for storage. Initially I planned for wider storage cabinets, but the desk/table is a needed surface for eating and working.

Living room with a blue sofa, red chairs, a desk, and a framed American flag. A clock is on the wall. Bright, cozy atmosphere. — Sleeping & Sitting: The loveseat is a full-size sofa bed, and will hold a foam mattress so it’s a less despised option. (Haha! Just noticed that I never finished centering the clock over the wall baskets in the entry!)

Modern kitchen with white cabinets, black fridge, and dark wood floor. Open closet on left, red stool near the counter. Bright and clean. — The only closet is in the entry. There are hooks opposite the closet for jackets, but this closet will hold the bulk of the occupants’ clothes. The entry door will open out, rather than into the room because the door swing will not interfere with room flow or function.

Modern kitchen with white cabinets, stainless appliances, a red chair, and blue curtains. Wood floor, shelves with dishes, cozy ambiance. — *For a studio apartment, the kitchen is pretty amazing. I have included stainless appliances, but that may change depending on how difficult it is to find an efficiency range.*

Lighting and Ventilation

Natural light is one of the main attractions of a barndo. Let’s explore how to enhance it in your apartment:

Large Windows: Incorporate big windows or sliding glass doors to flood the space with light and connect the interior with the outdoors. We don't have the luxury of adding a large window to our studio apartment. Rather, I've added a front door with a glass panel and utilizing the existing 30x30 window. We have planned add a small window in the shower for ventilation, but code does not require that, as we are installing an exhaust fan.
Skylights: For even more illumination, consider installing skylights or Solatubes. Skylights provide excellent ventilation and a unique aesthetic element. In California, many people had skylights in homes built before 2000. Homes built after 2000, tend toward Solatube-type lights, as skylights can increase a home's heat in the summer and have greater potential for leaks. And NOBODY wants that. Solatubes have reflective metal tubes kind of like your dryer's vent tube, and that link the lens on the ceiling to a lens on the roof. The interior lens looks like an LED light that magically comes on at sunrise and goes off at sunset. Heaven help you if you put one in your bedroom and want to sleep late. We will not be installing a skylight in this apartment, but it's a great option for larger spaces... and homes with children. Think hallways and bathrooms - rooms where my kids ALWAYS left the lights on.

Choosing Interior Design Elements Planning a Barndominium Studio Apartment - Barndo design ideas / Barndominium floor plan

While working on the interior design, I had to balance a little rustic charm with contemporary touches:

Color Palette: Apparently I am expressing my inner turmoil and malcontent in the Big House. I have used a color called New Black on the feature wall in my bedroom, in the stairwell, and on the mantle. This is combined with many shades of blue and a few splashes of terracotta combined with natural wood finishes to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. We are using a color palette that flow with the interior of The Big House, (I really need to name my house now, to distinguish it from the ADU), so the apartment will feel like an extension of our home. I want comfort in the Barndo, but I need durability. So denim fabric on the sofa, and the rugs will be disposable. We aren't into expensive rugs anyway, but if they start to smell like the barn, or show wear from the dogs and cats, they need to go.
Fixtures and Fittings: Incorporate "found" antiques, alongside modern appliances for contrast. A little dirt and rust goes a long way toward creating the right aesthetic.
Decor: Texture, TEXTURE, texture!! Decor items like rugs, natural fabrics, and plants to bring life and coziness into the space. But if you're planning a working barn, like mine, where the sheep and horses will be under the same roof as the ADU occupant, you should consider using very durable elements. For example, our floors will be vinyl or tile and the area rugs will be washable!!

Sustainability Considerations

As you plan, think about how to make your barndo studio more sustainable:

Energy Efficiency: Invest in energy-efficient windows and appliances. Good insulation will help maintain a comfortable temperature. It gets VERY cold and windy in Kansas during the winter months, so we're planning a combination of rolled and spray foam insulation.

Typically, I'm a proponent of spray foam insulation. Not only does it provide excellent R value, but its expanding nature means it also fills every tiny crevasse and leak. No insect or rodent holes, and no gaps for water leaks. However, I recently saw a video comparing the fire-retardance of spray foam, rolled, and blown insulation. The video concluded that spray foam insulation burned more rapidly than rolled insulation, so this is something I want to research a lot more before making a final decision. Perhaps will take foam off the table if it's more flammable. My barn is full of animals and hay, so adding fuel to a potential fire is a bad choice. We're installing a mini-split HVAC system, and will need to learn more about them prior to purchase. We've never owned one before.
Sustainable Materials: Use reclaimed wood, recycled metal, and eco-friendly finishes wherever possible. I have already mentally planned to make many trips to Habitat for Humanity's Wichita ReStore!! I love other people's junk!!
Water Conservation: Incorporate low-flow fixtures in the bathroom and kitchen to reduce water usage. We are tying into our existing

Next Steps:

As soon as my contractor is back from Dallas, we will plan another meeting to discuss each of our goals and go over the floor plan. I'm excited to get his feedback and hear his suggestions, as I'm sure he'll have had experiences that I need to know about. Planning a Barndominium Studio Apartment - Barndo design ideas / Barndominium floor plan A barndominium studio apartment offers a unique blend of style and functionality. By focusing on the layout, materials, lighting, and sustainable practices, you can create a space that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also practical. With thoughtful planning, your barndo can become a cozy retreat that captures the essence of rustic living while meeting modern needs. Embrace the journey and let your creativity shine in your new space! Do you have any suggestions or comments about my floorplan? Leave a note below!