4 Ideas to Transform Your Barn
Home improvement spending is tipped to fall by over $30 billion this year, but that still leaves around $450 billion in renovations on the table. If you are part of this fairly large pool, and your barn is your focus, you’ve come to the right place.
Barn conversions, once the beacon of rural chic, are now undergoing a renaissance of sorts. Back in the 1980s, when the trend first sprouted wings, many hopeful homeowners saw these spacious structures as a canvas for conventional living spaces. Oh, how times have changed!
What was once deemed avant-garde now feels stiflingly passé. Dark, cramped rooms reminiscent of a bygone era haunt these early conversions, begging for a touch of modern magic.
Enter the renovators like you, the visionaries of today, armed with blueprints and dreams of reviving these relics of architectural misfortune. And we’re here to help you with the below tips.
1. Adding a Metal Roof Cupola to Your Barn
This strategic upgrade helps with ventilation. Barns, especially those with metal roofs, can quickly become stuffy and humid, creating an uncomfortable environment. You’re installing a natural ventilation system by strategically placing a metal roof cupola on your barn. As hot air rises, the cupola acts as a vent, allowing it to escape and draw in cooler air from below. This constant airflow keeps your barn feeling fresh and helps regulate temperature, keeping it cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.
A well-ventilated barn is also a healthier barn. Proper airflow helps reduce moisture buildup, which can lead to mold and mildew, which is not exactly ideal for a functional or aesthetically pleasing space. Plus, the visual appeal of a beautifully crafted cupola also adds character and charm!
2. Adding New Materials to Your Barn’s Interior
Preserving your barn’s rustic charm can do wonders for its interior decoration. The key here is a good mix of old and new. Think lightweight historical materials like timber or corrugated iron paired with sleek, modern ones like zinc or aluminum. It’s all about creating that perfect balance between the past and the present.
The power of reclaimed materials comes into play here. Weathered stone tiles and aged timber floors add a touch of character you just can’t fake. Just because your barn is used for storage or a workspace, that doesn’t mean it can’t have stylish interior elements to ensure your time inside of it is more enjoyable.
3. Shedding Some Light on Your Barn Conversion
Barns aren’t exactly known for their abundance of windows. And while that’s part of their charm, the key to a successful upgrade is finding that delicate balance between letting in natural light and preserving the barn’s original character.
Don’t try to plaster windows everywhere like they’re going out of style. Let the barn be the barn. If it’s got a minimal number of window openings, embrace it. When adding new windows, keep it classy and respect the barn’s geometry. You might end up with some unconventional window placements – long and narrow, set high up in the wall or snug under the eaves – but it’s all about finding what works best for your space while still paying homage to the original structure.
Remember: Barns weren’t built with precision-engineered skylights in mind, so opt for something a bit more organic instead of going for that modern office building vibe. Aim for random placements that mimic how the light would naturally filter through the space.
4. Replace the Dirt Floors
Dirt floors have their perks. They’re cheap, easy to install, and excellent at soaking up spills like sponges. But they’re not exactly the cleanest option, especially when keeping your furry friends happy and healthy.
If you keep animals in your barn, you know they do their business right on the floor, and over time, all that stuff gets buried deep in the dirt. Not exactly a recipe for a fresh-smelling barn! Plus, too much moisture can turn that dirt floor into a muddy mess, which nobody wants to deal with.
There are plenty of flooring alternatives to consider to rectify this. From stone and gravel to good ol’ concrete, there’s a flooring option to suit every barn and every critter. Different animals have different preferences when it comes to flooring, so make sure you’re picking the right one for your furry pals.
Ready to escape the city?
Barn life can also mean a more relaxed way of life. This is the ethos at A House in the Hills, which is why your time is well spent if you are browsing our collection of homes. Start planning your next adventure in a beautiful and peaceful environment, surrounded by the comforts of modern living.
