With high ceilings and wide open spaces, barns have become the perfect dwellings for homeowners looking to repurpose architecture or simply live expansively. Increasingly, architects are being asked to convert barns into homes, with some homeowners even purchasing historic barn frames and relocating them to their land for a rustic, yet contemporary feel.
A barn converted to a house isn’t only a perfect way to use abandoned architecture once the animals have long moved away, it also allows a perfect blank canvas. Some prefer to break the space up, while others show off the expansive lines and rustic charm of the barn. Interestingly, it’s a phenomenon that’s global, with size and materials differing according to the climate and culture. From smaller stone storage sheds to wooden barns tucked into the mountains, architects and designers have found clever ways to make the best use of the space.
But not all barn homes are historic conversion projects. Barndominiums are the newest trend for those looking for inexpensive, yet spacious modular options. Especially popular in Texas, these metal framed farm buildings are transformed into elaborate homes or vacation residences.
To demonstrate just how much is possible in a barn conversion, we’ve pulled together our favorite barn homes from around the world.
Hupomone Ranch – Petaluma, California
Turnbull Griffin Haesloop (Photo: David Wakely) READ MORE: Eco-Friendly Barn House Beautifully Reinvents the Classic Farm Dwelling
Turnbull Griffin Haesloop (Photo: David Wakely)
Turnbull Griffin Haesloop (Photo: David Wakely)
Ancient Party Barn – Folkestone, England
Liddicoat & Goldhill (Photo: Will Scott)
Liddicoat & Goldhill (Photo: Will Scott)
Liddicoat & Goldhill (Photo: Keith Collie)
Modern Barn – Wilton, Connecticut
Jolly Barn Conversion – England
Goodman House – Pine Plains, New York
Church Hill Barn – Suffolk, England
David Nossiter Architects (Photo: Steve Lancefield)
David Nossiter Architects (Photo: Steve Lancefield)
David Nossiter Architects (Photo: Steve Lancefield)
Barn House – Lake Ranco, Chile
Estudio Valdés Arquitectos (Photo: Felipe Díaz Contardo)
Estudio Valdés Arquitectos (Photo: Felipe Díaz Contardo)
Estudio Valdés Arquitectos (Photo: Felipe Díaz Contardo)
West Yard Farm – Devon, England
van Ellen + Sheryn (Photo: Richard Downer Photography)
van Ellen + Sheryn (Photo: Richard Downer Photography)
van Ellen + Sheryn (Photo: Richard Downer Photography)