Barn Style

A modern take on America’s most classic structure.

A symbol of hard work and long-lasting traditions, the barn has long been a steady staple in the great American landscape. But take a look around online or on popular TV shows (think hit programs like Fixer Upper and Barn Hunters), and you’ll quickly notice that what was once a style used only for housing livestock is now the inspiration behind homes, recreational retreats and even “barndominiums.” (Yes, that’s a barn-style condominium.) “The shape of a barn is so classic and familiar that it’s only natural we are drawn to them,” says Paul Baker, General Manager at Country Carpenters, Inc. in Hebron, Connecticut. “Plus, inside, the wide open spaces paired with the rough-sawn timbers is really warm and inviting.”

Barn structures can blend in with any geographical region, and, in size, they range from miniscule to monstrous. So, what ties them all together? Start with these five essential elements:

1 A Barn-Style Aesthetic.

The exterior of a building instantly makes you recognize the style, and barn structures are no different.