Barn style houses are a popular style of self-build offering the rustic and rural charm of traditional barns combined with modern open plan living. The simplistic design of oak barn style homes, with their rectangular forms and uncomplicated roofs mean they can be adapted to fit the surrounding environment and reflect the local vernacular of the area. An exposed oak frame will create a rustic and natural aesthetic and vaulted ceilings paired with oak roof trusses will not only enhance the sense of height and spaciousness, they will also add a wealth of character and grandeur to the space. Building a new barn home can combine the best of both worlds: A home full of character, built to modern standards of thermal performance and energy efficiency.
3 ideas to inspire your barn style home
1. Glazing – in abundance!
Many barn style homes feature an abundance of glazing. Striking glazed gables will capture the views of the surrounding landscapes and flood the home with plentiful natural light. Incorporating roof lights in the design will further boost the natural light entering the property. Bifold doors will improve your connection with the garden and can be opened during the summer for a beautiful inside-outside living experience.
2. Interconnected spaces
Open plan layouts are popular with barn style homes creating a sense of spaciousness, enhancing the flow between rooms and allowing the natural light to travel throughout the home. The oak frame can serve as a way of creating simple divisions between the spaces as well as adding character and warmth to the property.
3. Integrate your barn style home within the landscape
Self-builders must stay true to the local surroundings and architectural trends in the area. It’s worth looking around the local area to pick up on any interesting and distinctive features specific to the area. Incorporating these into the exterior design will really help the property blend with its surroundings. There are many exterior finishes available such as stone, brick, timber and render however this is often dictated by the local planning rules.
Barn style case studies
Dawn and Kevin Truscott were keen to build a home that was in keeping with their village. The couple adapted one of Welsh Oak Frame’s previous designs, a barn style oak frame home that would offer the space and light that the family needed.
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8 ways to perfect a barn style home
The beauty of building a barn-style home from scratch is living in a house built with traditional barn materials while experiencing the conveniences of modern living. Here’s what you need to get the design exactly right
