How to Design a Small Barndominium That Feels Spacious and Stylish

When I first stumbled across the idea of barndominiums, I thought they were just barns turned into quirky living spaces. 

But the more I looked into them, the more I realized how practical they are—especially for people who want affordability, flexibility, and character in a home. 

The challenge? Small barndominiums can easily feel cramped if they’re not designed with intention.

I learned this while visiting a friend’s barndo. Walking into her open, light-filled home, I couldn’t believe how spacious it felt—yet the footprint was modest. 

That’s when it clicked: it’s not the size of the space, it’s how you design it.

Here are the design secrets I picked up—practical, stylish, and proven to make any small barndominium feel big on both comfort and charm.

Start With a Smart Floor Plan

The very first decision that sets the tone is the floor plan. 

AllDraft explains that open layouts—where the kitchen, dining, and living spaces flow together—make smaller barndominiums live larger by eliminating wasted walls.

I once stayed in a barndo where the kitchen was boxed into a corner, and even though it had granite counters and stylish cabinets, it still felt cramped. 

In another, the same square footage opened into one airy hub, and suddenly the space worked as a family gathering spot and entertaining zone. That’s the power of design—it shapes not just your home, but how you live inside it.

Action step: Sketch your daily routine before finalizing your small barndominium floor plan. If cooking is central to your life, put the kitchen in the heart of the layout. 

If you work from home, carve out a loft or flexible nook. When your layout mirrors your lifestyle, your barndominium stops being just a house and becomes a true reflection of you.

And once the flow is intentional, the next step is filling it with light.

Maximize Natural Light

If there’s one design move that makes a small barndominium feel instantly bigger, it’s natural light. 

My Barndo Plans highlights how skylights, large windows, and sliding glass doors expand interiors visually and bring in an uplifting energy.

I’ll never forget walking into a friend’s barndo just after she added clerestory windows. Sunlight streamed across the polished concrete floor, catching on the wood beams above. The whole space felt like it had doubled in size—and her mood lifted with it.

Action step: When planning small barndominium design ideas, place windows opposite each other for cross-light. Swap a solid door for one with glass panels or add a skylight if you can. 

You’ll rely less on artificial lighting, save energy, and come home to a space that feels like it breathes.

But brightness isn’t enough—you also need to take advantage of what’s above your head.

Use Vertical Space Like a Pro

Small barndominiums often come with soaring ceilings, and experts often note that lofts, mezzanines, and tall built-ins turn that vertical volume into functional living zones.

I once climbed up a ladder into a loft bedroom in a compact barndo, and it felt like stepping into a secret hideaway. Below, the main floor opened up—suddenly uncluttered and more livable. That vertical expansion made the home feel both cozy and grand.

Action step: Install shelving above door frames, add a ladder-access loft for sleeping or storage, or replace swinging doors with sliding barn doors. 

These small barndominium space-saving solutions don’t just clear the floor—they create new living zones without adding square footage.

And when your walls and ceilings work harder, your furniture should too.

Choose Furniture That Works Harder

In a small home, furniture can either crowd you or free you. 

TruLog Siding points out that convertible pieces like Murphy beds, fold-up tables, and storage benches make barndominiums both stylish and livable.

When I added a storage bench to my own entryway, I didn’t just gain a seat—I suddenly had a place to tuck away shoes, bags, and blankets. The clutter disappeared, and the whole room felt calmer. That’s when I realized: furniture isn’t just décor, it’s lifestyle design.

Action step: Swap one bulky piece for a multi-tasker. Replace a guest bed with a sleeper sofa or a standard desk with a wall-mounted fold-down unit. 

These multi-functional furniture choices for small barndominiums stretch square footage and keep your home stylish.

Once furniture is set, it’s time to visually define each space without chopping it up with walls.

Define Spaces With Style (Without Walls)

Walls in small homes can suffocate flow. Fry Design Co. highlights how modern barndominiums thrive on open floor plans where cooking, dining, and living blend together. 

But open doesn’t have to mean undefined.

I once stepped into a barndo where a rich woven rug anchored the living space, pendant lights hovered above the dining table, and exposed beams subtly framed the kitchen zone. There wasn’t a single partition, yet every area felt distinct and purposeful.

Action step: Use a rug, statement lighting, or ceiling beams to zone spaces. This trick keeps your home open-concept but cozy, making it both stylish and functional.

And when zones are flowing, it’s time to bring in the heart of barndominium living—blending rustic with modern.

Blend Rustic Charm With Modern Touches

Barndominiums shine brightest when they mix old-world charm with sleek modern design. 

Oak N Steel Barndos recommends pairing wood, steel, and stone for that rustic-chic balance.

I saw this in one remodel where reclaimed wood beams stretched overhead, while matte black fixtures and quartz countertops grounded the space in modern elegance. Walking in felt like stepping into a designer farmhouse—warm yet elevated.

Action step: Bring in one rustic element (shiplap, reclaimed wood, barn-style doors) and balance it with something modern (sleek hardware, contemporary lighting). These rustic-modern barndominium interiors prevent your home from feeling like a shed and instead make it aspirational.

Of course, style falls flat if clutter steals the spotlight—which is why storage is everything.

Keep Clutter at Bay With Smart Storage

Even the prettiest home loses its magic under piles of clutter. Experts stress using hidden storage like under-stair drawers, built-in benches, and hooks to maximize every inch.

In one barndo I toured, a simple row of woven baskets under a bench transformed chaos into calm. Shoes disappeared, bags found a home, and the entryway finally looked like part of the design instead of an afterthought.

Action step: Start with one upgrade. Install wall-mounted hooks by the door, slide baskets under tables, or add built-in drawers to staircases. These barndominium storage solutions don’t just hide mess—they make your home feel serene and intentional.

And when storage maxes out indoors, the outdoors becomes your next room.

Maintain Flow With Outdoor Extensions

Sometimes the easiest way to make a small barndominium feel bigger is to step outside. 

One of our editors notes that porches and patios extend living areas naturally, boost curb appeal, and even increase resale value.

I loved visiting a couple who transformed their porch into a second living room. String lights twinkled above cozy chairs, and guests flowed seamlessly from the kitchen to the outdoors. It felt like their barndo doubled in size without a single renovation.

Action step: Design an outdoor extension that matches your lifestyle. A covered porch for lounging, a deck with a grill, or a patio dining area instantly adds functional barndominium square footage without expanding walls.

FAQs About Designing a Small Barndominium

What floor plan works best for a small barndominium?

The most common design is often the best since it removes empty space and the rooms open into one another. Integrating kitchen, dining and living areas creates a feeling of volume and makes even a tiny space to seem very big.

How can I make a small barndominium look bigger?

Take advantage of the natural light by use of skylights, tall windows, and glass doors. Take up vertical space through lofts or inbuilt shelving. Create spaces that are defined by rugs or lights rather than walls. These housing tricks enlarge the space but do not add any square feet.

What kind of furniture is best for a barndominium?

Multi-tasking items are the most effective such as Murphy beds, sleeper sofas, storage benches, and fold up dining tables. These products help you have your barndo fulfill two or more purposes without making it cluttered and untidy.

How do I blend rustic and modern styles?

The key is balance. Also decorate with old wood or shiplap or barn doors, and balance it out with smooth surfaces such as quartz surfaces, black satin fixtures, or contemporary lighting. This combination provides your barndominium with character and at the same time makes it modern.

What are smart storage ideas for a small barndominium?

In-built benches complete with drawers, storage under the stairs, wall hooks and woven baskets are game changers. They store clutters in the closet and are well-organised with a purposeful look.

Do outdoor spaces really make a difference in small barndominiums?

Absolutely. A deck, patio or a porch is a kind of an extension of your living space. It not only makes your house look larger but also provides natural place to entertain or relax.

Conclusion

A small barndominium does not have to look small. The design options can make a home the size you want, the style you like, and the place that is personal and close.

Whether it is smart floor plans, or natural light, vertical storage or multi-functional furniture, each choice is what builds not only your square footage, but also your lifestyle.

What I have come to understand is that barndominiums are not about saving money or being fond of the rustic appearance but it is about living purposefully. They demonstrate how design can convert a small space into unending comfort. They demonstrate that style and function do not need to be in rivalry to each other; they can be mutually reinforcing.

And whether you draw out your sketch of your first floor plan or you are putting down finishing touches, keep this in mind: your barndominium is not only a house. It belongs to you, it is your place, and it is your word. Turn it into one that is open, warm and distinctly yours.

Today I would like to hear from you–what is the design element, in your opinion, that contributes the most to a small barndominium? Share it below and let’s inspire each other.