Barn conversion plans designs
33 Inspiring Barn Conversion Ideas
(Image credit: Jeremy Phillips)Searching for barn conversion ideas can be inherently difficult as shapes, sizes and types of agricultural structures varies widely up and down the country, creating a tough job when looking for design and build inspiration.
Plus, while a barn conversion is one of the most coveted types of home in Britain, they can be notoriously hard to get right.
With this in mind, we've selected some amazing completed projects to inspire ideas, design and layouts that can be adapted and applied to an individual property.
Whether you're looking to add a sympathetic extension or update a barn in line with modern tastes and efficiencies, these barn conversion ideas will demonstrate what can be achieved, as well as providing some serious design inspiration.
1. Use Barn Conversion Ideas to Celebrate the Structure
(Image credit: Simon Burt)While thoughts on how to convert a barn can very dramatically, one incredible aspect of each project is that the buildings are given a new lease of life and a new purpose to fulfil. With attention to detail and a celebration of the structure's past, a light touch in the design is sometimes all that is needed for a show-stopping home.
In this conversion, the homeowner repaired and repointed the awkwardly curving granite barn walls to retain the idiosyncratic character of the property.
2. Extend a Small Barn Conversion
(Image credit: Jeremy Phillips)The majority of agricultural and industrial structures were never designed to be lived in so converting can be tricky when trying to cater for modern living. Building an extension to a barn can offer a quick way to increase space while retaining the character of the original building.
This blacksmith's forge converted on a budget of just £90k in Shropshire added not one, but two single-storey extensions, one to the side and a wide rear extension leading onto the garden. Black corrugated cladding was specified to reflect the rural nature of the property, while a brass link demarcates the old and new sections.
3. Use Barn Extension Materials Wisely
(Image credit: Matthew Smith)A delicate palette of materials really makes this barn conversion shine. A shallow V-shaped link is clad in zinc while new windows and conservation grade rooflights (painted in a complementary grey) were added to the old draughty barn as well as the new extension.
(MORE: Take a Look at our Expert Conversion Guide for More Advice)
4. Using Existing Openings for Windows and Doors
(Image credit: Dave Burton)Often a planning condition, using old bay, loft or stable doors as entry points or methods to get natural light into the interiors is an ingenious method of creating something truly unique.
The beauty of this barn conversion in Yorkshire is in the bifold doors and glazed panels added to the old work opening. The original staircase and mezzanine has also been updated to suit modern lifestyle while still staying true to the building's heritage.
5.
Mix An Old Structure with New Technology(Image credit: Paul Ryan-Goff)Bring an old barn into the 21st century by incorporating smart home design. This barn was once a series of dilapidated buildings which have since been dramatically converted (by BBH Architects ) into a contemporary home filled with smart audio-visual technology.
The beauty of the project is the balance between old and new: while the old roof structure has been restored, new additions include a home cinema room and an elegant sunroom.
(Image credit: Main Company)Reclaimed materials are at the forefront of this home — from the engineered wood flooring and wall cladding (below) to the timber kitchen units (provided by The Main Company ) and exposed beams.
The perfect mix of modern essential and country lifestyle, this project ticks all the boxes.
(Image credit: Main Company)7. Make the Most of Barn Conversion Layouts
(Image credit: c/o Liddicoat and Goldhill)Barn conversion layouts can be incredibly tricky to get right due to their large and often vacuous spaces.
While splitting into sections in a necessity to comply with domestic living, try to make the most of vaulted ceilings and dramatic features.
This playful conversion of an 18th-century threshing barn features a sociable open plan kitchen to one end of the barn — complete with custom made steel gantries which act as storage and hanging space.
At the other end a steel and timber mezzanine houses the living spaces.
(Image credit: c/o Zac Monro Architects)A glazed atrium (supplied by IQ Glass ) between the kitchen and living spaces has allowed plentiful natural light into this 18th-century barn conversion.
(MORE: More Great Ways to Introduce Light From Above)
9. Open a Barn Conversion to the Outdoors
(Image credit: EHouse)Barns frequently have limited openings for windows and doors so converters often have to get creative with ways to bring the outside in.
From redundant building to contemporary home, this conversion (by Ke-design and Dukescroft) has utilised the curved overhang to create a veranda to the front, maximising the countryside views and adding a new link to the great outdoors.
10. Mirror Forms for a Graceful Barn Extension
(Image credit: Hopkins Architecture)Hopkins Architecture converted and extended this former shepherd's hut with a contemporary 'twin' addition. The result is a charming home, complete with a traditional bright red roof that joints the two structures as one.
11. Reduce Barn Conversion Costs by Working DIY
(Image credit: Jeremy Phillips)As with all projects, the more time and effort you put into a project by taking on unskilled labour or design, generally the more money saved on build costs.
Everything but the roof, plumbing and electrics was undertaken by the homeowners of this conversion, meaning their total project costs (including plot) came in at under £150,000.
(MORE: DIY: What to Leave to the Professionals)
12. Embracing Quirks in a Barn Conversion
(Image credit: Simon Maxwell)Barns are full of odd nooks, crannies and idiosyncrasies.
The best, and most interesting, projects make the most of them to create unique features that new builds just can't compete with.
In this project, the crumbling old wall of the barn has been repointed and utilised as a support for kitchen units while black corrugated metal completed the rustic look.
13. Converting a Barn with High Energy Efficiency
(Image credit: Alistair Nicholls)Rejecting the notion that barn conversions have to be draughty and cold, the homeowner who converted and jointed together these three barns worked incredibly hard to ensure his new home was an energy efficient as it could be.
Working with a fabric first approach in terns of airtightness and insulation, the barn achieved an EnerPHit certificate.
(MORE: Is this the UK's Most Efficient Barn Conversion?)
14. Working with a Listed Barn Conversion
(Image credit: Jean-Christophe Godet & Soup Architects)Converting a listed barn is absolutely possible, but requires a delicate touch and a good relationship with your local planning department.
This Grade-II listed barn was converted and extended masterfully by SOUP Architects who used a pre-planning application to reveal a preference from the authority on their contemporary addition.
15. Mixing Modern Styles with Traditional Barn Ideas
(Image credit: Jean-Christophe Godet & SOUP Architects)In the same SOUP Architects' project, the interiors have been masterfully designed to combine a triple-height exposed granite wall with strong, contemporary details. The result is a modern family home that celebrates the building's history and personality.
(Image credit: Jeremy Phillips)Many older cottages have outbuildings, sheds and small barns on their land which can be a great opportunity to spread out and create some extra space.
A glass-front on this flat-roof link extension makes the connection from the workman's cottage to the granary barn seem completely natural.
(Image credit: Jodi Stewart)While unassuming from the exterior, the interior design of this barn conversion in Kent makes sure thee house makes an impact.
The layout was determined by the existing structure and the main rooms of the house fall between the five king post trusses while the open plan living, kitchen and mezzanine spaces (below) take advantage of the vaulted ceiling and a single storey 'arm' provides space for the bedrooms.
As much of the original barn's paraphernalia has been reused throughout the house and materials like polished concrete, timber and stone are utilised to stay true to the building's history.
(Image credit: Jodi Stewart)18. From Agricultural Shed to Contemporary Home
(Image credit: Jeremy Phillips)Leanne and George Chandler bought a derelict rabbit breeding shed and battled with many planning permission restraints (due to the property being in a AONB) in their quest to convert it into a home for modern living.
Both fans of contemporary design, the shed has Siberian Larch timber cladding while triple glazing and an air source heat pump improve the building's efficiency.
19. Getting the Layout Right in a Modern Barn Conversion
(Image credit: DeVOL)Like most barn conversions, the interiors of this home was essentially a large, empty space and the homeowners struggled to know how to design the layout to suit modern lifestyles.
The deVOL kitchen is beautifully understated and by embracing the visible structure of the building, the homeowners have created a characterful open-plan living space with magnificent views out to the Kentish countryside.
20. Adding Glazing to a Barn Conversion
(Image credit: IQ Glass)This beautiful barn conversion and extension project features multiple sliding door systems to punctuate the entrance courtyard.
Two sets of over-sized doors replace the barn's original openings and allow natural light to flood into the interiors, while solar control coatings mean the space can combat overheating issues.
(MORE: How to Choose Between Bifolds vs Sliding Doors)
21.
Extending a Barn with a Contemporary Kitchen (Image credit: Carpenter Oak and BBH Architects)Two gorgeous stone barns have been sensitively linked and extended with an oak frame structure housing a bright and modern kitchen.
Carpenter Oak and BBH Architects worked together to produce a design which looked in keeping with the agricultural nature of the property, while maximising on the views with large amounts of glazing.
22. Listed Barn Converted into a Characterful Home
(Image credit: c/o Beech Architects)Architect Craig Beech worked to transform these grade II-listed timer frame barns in Suffolk into a five-bedroom home with his wife, Ruth.
The complex work involved planning and listed building consent before a total renovation was able to take place. Care was taken to restore the traditional materials (lime render, mortar and paint) while modern renewables and conveniences (air source heat pump and underfloor heating) were added.
Inside, the large space has been divided beautifully using a large double-sided fireplace (below) while the original openings have been used to introduce glazing.
23. Converting Multiple Barns and Outbuildings
(Image credit: Simon Maxwell)The owner of this home took a group of farm buildings – including unsympathetically converted and extended barns, plus structures not touched since their agricultural days — and has turned them into a cohesive dwelling fit for a family. Original features have been embraced in this barn conversion, but the addition of a glazed link brings the separate buildings together to form one home.
Key aspects of this project to apply to your own barn conversion idea include soaring ceilings, a warm family kitchen, a zen-like courtyard garden and a vast, ski lodge-style ‘party room’, complete with indoor pizza oven.
24. Planning a Conversion in a Conservation Area
(Image credit: Jeremy Phillips)Despite being listed and in a Conservation Area, large amounts of contemporary glazing have been added to bring light into the interior of this barn.
Local planners were keen to see the building converted to residential use to save it from ruin, allowing the chance to create a unique home within the historic stone shell.
25. Combine Old and New in Your Barn Conversion Idea
(Image credit: Chris Hill)The decision to knock down one of the three stone barns in Northern Ireland and build a cantilevered replacement was a dramatic yet extremely rewarding one.
Beyond repair, the barn was demolished and a new wing in its footprint attached to the main barn — which had been lovingly restored — creating a wonderfully eccentric duality of old and new on what was once an overgrown plot.
26. Try traditional Exteriors and Contemporary Interiors
(Image credit: Nigel Rigden)This Grade II-listed barn conversion in Somerset has been carefully restored to retain its rural charm, yet has strong contemporary interiors.
The original elm beams were restored and the roof removed for essential maintenance on rotten sections, all the while protecting the clay tiles for re-use.
Polished concrete flooring and repointed exposed stone walls compliment the more modernist stylings of the owners.
(MORE: Get Inspired by our Gallery of Stunning Oak Frame Interiors)
27. Remodelling a Barn Conversion
(Image credit: Jeremy Phillips)Barn conversions have been popular for decades so you might happen up a previously converted barn in need of attention. Remodelling might include knocking down internal walls, renovating the kitchen and giving attention to any structural issues.
This homeowner chose to remodel this previously renovated barn in Nottinghamshire and put right the inappropriate work that had been done before. The condemned roof was repaired and a large glazed section installed to create a light-filled living area.
28. Create a Show-stopping Home with a Barn Conversion
(Image credit: Steve Lancefield)An incredibly ambitious project by David Nossiter Architects to convert a listed timber and brick barn of monumental proportions created a dramatic transition from derelict agricultural site to contemporary and light-filled home for a family.
29. Transforming a Derelict Barn to Eco Friendly Home
(Image credit: Darren Chung)A 14-month search for a self build plot culminated in one family giving this listed barn a complete overhaul. The derelict building was actually the perfect shell with which to improve airtightness — a great alternative to building a brand new oak frame home (which the family had previously planned on creating).
30. Think Big in Small Barn Conversions
(Image credit: Nigel Rigden)This beautiful barn conversion could not be better suited to its stunning lochside location.
Careful attention has been paid to the original structure, with stone left exposed throughout the interiors. Paired with a simple white colour scheme and an abundance of natural finishes, the essence of the barn has been maintained.
31. Converting an Old Barn for Modern Layouts
(Image credit: Jeremy Phillips)The owners of this barn were given the chance to return to the family farm where they grew up by converting a collection of agricultural buildings into a beautiful home.
They worked closely with the North York Moors Park Authority to ensure their planned scheme was befitting of its place in a National Park (and suited to a historic structure). However, they have been able to create a modern and refreshing space which complements the original building.
32. Repairing and Extending a Barn
(Image credit: Jeremy Phillips)When the owners of this barn took it on, planning permission was in place for its demolition and replacement. It would have been tempting to follow through on the original plans, with the barn being so dilapidated, but instead they chose to repair the structure and build around it with sympathetic oak frame extensions. The result is a stunning home.
33. Giving a Old Barn a Modern Makeover
(Image credit: Jeremy Phillips)Creating a working layout in a barn, without dissecting large windows or blocking light from deeper rooms can be tricky. So architect Carl Turner created a semi-open plan layout in his converted barn using inexpensive OSB pods.
Some of the furniture acts as room dividers — built on castors, they can be moved around.
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Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsAssistant Editor Amy began working for Homebuilding & Renovating in 2018. She has an interest in sustainable building methods and always has her eye on the latest design ideas. Amy has interviewed countless self builders, renovators and extenders about their experiences for Homebuilding & Renovating magazine. She is currently renovating a mid-century home, together with her partner, on a DIY basis, and has recently fitted her own kitchen.
Barn conversion ideas – ways to transform old farm buildings into stunning homes |
Photography/Sarah Blee
(Image credit: Blee Halligan Architects)
You’re in for an exciting ride if you have these barn conversion ideas in your life.
Steeped in history, these buildings are fizzing with character and a sensitive conversion will highlight all their charms, from rustic beams to dramatic open-plan spaces.
A barn conversion is one of the best ways to enjoy all the delights of a country living, in a building that’s tailored to meet your every need.
With expert help from a specialist architect and plenty of attention to detail, all the features and attributes of modern living can be incorporated and a barn will become a much-loved family home, ready for whatever the future has in store.
Let's start with a list of inspirational approaches to the transformation...
1. Open up to the experience
(Image credit: deVOL)
With spectacular views over the Kent countryside, an open-plan arrangement was a must for this barn.
The working part of the kitchen was carefully planned to divide it from the main living space. A functional island sits at the junction, one side providing access to abundant deep drawer space and the other revealing a decorative panel.
See: Barn conversion kitchen ideas for more ways to lay out your cooking and dining space
2. Find room for sleeping quarters
Photography/Mark Bolton
(Image credit: Charlie Luxton)
What could be more romantic than a bedroom in a barn, with all the charms of a picturesque cottage? This listed barn conversion by Charlie Luxton Design was defined by the trusses, which were also listed and had to be retained.
‘The trusses dictated the height of the upper level for the bedrooms,’ says Charlie. ‘The external window was added as there is traditionally a window at high level on a barn.’
White bedrooms are perfect in a barn conversion, letting original features like beams take the fore.
3. Take a far-reaching approach
Photography/Sarah Blee
(Image credit: Blee Halligan)
Transforming a barn brings the potential to achieve much more, both practically and architecturally, especially if it has former additions.
‘When converting a brick barn we demolished the attached 1970s annexe at the same time, replacing it with a cedar-clad building containing five en-suite bedrooms,’ says Greg Blee of Blee Halligan Architects .
Set in five acres of woodland near Aldeburgh in Suffolk the new building has a dynamic roof shape and is entirely clad in cedar shingles.
4. Make practical use of space
Photography/Tony West
(Image credit: Haigh Architects)
When coming in from long country walks, it’s good to have a place to shrug off wet-weather gear.
In this project, a boot room, bathroom and shower room were neatly fitted into a small barn adjacent to the main building.
‘The boot room/lobby is a welcome bonus, considering the Cumbrian weather,’ says James Errington, Director, Haigh Architects .
See: Our utility room ideas will feed your imagination further
5. Reach for the stars
Photography/Taran Wilkhu for The Modern House
(Image credit: Tye Architects)
Turn a barn's soaring height to your advantage.
At the Long Barn in Bedfordshire, by Tye Architects , cutouts to the upper level allow for triple-height living and entertaining areas.
These are enhanced by a triple-glazed gable end which provides outstanding views from the dining table out across the countryside.
6. Focus on the light
(Image credit: IQ Glass)
Spectacular glazing is the crowning glory of this project. The minimally framed double height sliding doors by IQ Glass set on opposite sides of the dining area flood the internal spaces with light.
For any project that includes large amounts of glazing it’s important to bear in mind how this can affect the internal temperature of the building.
Low emissivity glass helps keep rooms warm in winter and consider including solar control coating to deflect the sun’s heat in summer.
(Image credit: Roundhouse)
The owner of this barn converted it and moved in, making way for her daughter and young family to take over the old farmhouse next door.
The building’s old beams and some period features lend a traditional flavour but the kitchen leans decidedly towards the contemporary.
The Urbo matt lacquer kitchen in Farrow and Ball Strong White and Moles Breath with Corian worktop is by Roundhouse .
‘We wanted something sleek in the space; the picture window on the corner of the space brings the outside in and the Urbo style kept the look unfussy,’ says Roundhouse designer Paul Welburn.
Take a look at our modern kitchen ideas if contemporary is your thing.
8 Keep the sun in check
Photography/Adam Scott
(Image credit: A-Zero Architects)
Shading a building can be as much aesthetic as practical.
When A-Zero Architects transformed a chicken shed, retaining the height and shape of the roof and replacing the roof trusses with a scissor truss, they opted for slatted screens at the windows and cladding in British Larch by Vastern Timber .
‘The screens help to reduce solar gain, which was a consideration for this west facing site,’ says Giles Bruce, director, A-Zero.
9. Give walkways a new lease of life
Photography/Noel Bennett
(Image credit: John Norfolk/Carpenter Oak)
When considering barn conversion ideas, devote care and attention to walkways and landings to raise their status from a mere corridor.
Timber beams and framing by Carpenter Oak provide the character and a glazed balustrade allows light to flood through to the upper level in this project, designed by architect John Norfolk .
10. Celebrate natural materials
Photography/Martin Gardner
(Image credit: RD Architects)
When converting a redundant agricultural building on an exposed hillside with panoramic views over the Chew Valley in Somerset, RD Architects opted for natural stone and a restricted material palette in order to complement the building’s heritage and its rural setting.
A lower ground floor was added, housing three additional bedrooms. The horizontal form of the house integrates beautifully into the surrounding landscape.
11. Divide and conquer
Photography/Anna Prideaux
(Image credit: Studio 4 Architects)
Could your project include two or more living spaces? Studio Four Architects converted three connected barns on a family farm in Hampshire into holiday accommodation; creating a four-bedroom and a six-bedroom unit.
‘The length of the barns did help, but there was a series of issues to overcome when designing layouts for the spaces which included head heights, trusses and changes in floor level,’ says Claire Lingham, Associate and Architect, Studio Four.
‘Some openings had to be formed internally, but most of the external openings existed and our design worked around these.’
Love the outdoor seating area? Check out these garden patio ideas.
12. Make use of awkward spots
Photography/Anna Prideaux
(Image credit: Studio 4 Architects)
A barn conversion often involves inserting a new level for bedrooms and bathrooms.
At Gambledown Farm in Hampshire there were no upper levels, so Studio Four Architects had to build them, dovetailing in this neat ensuite shower room idea.
‘One of the levels involved working around awkward truss positions, which we solved using split-level staircases to prevent people hitting their heads,’ says Claire Lingham, Associate and Architect, Studio Four Architects.
13. Respect the structure
Photography/Tony West
(Image credit: Haigh Architects)
An old building needs careful handling. The roof for this project needed to be replaced for structural reasons.
‘The original was recorded in detail for replacement using local oak timbers and traditional carpentry techniques,’ says James Errington, Director, Haigh Architects .
The external walls were repaired and partly rebuilt in places using lime mortar. New openings were kept to a minimum.
14. Find space for home working
Photography/Ed RS Aves
(Image credit: Charlie Luxton Design)
Bespoke internal features such as this bookcase with library ladder and built-in desk bring a special element to this Oxfordshire barn, converted by Charlie Luxton Design .
‘If you’re open to the potential of the building’s character, unique things come out of that,’ says Charlie. ‘Many barns are idiosyncratic, built and adapted by farmers over generations. I see our designs as the latest adaptive phase of this development.’
So many of our home office ideas can work within a barn conversion.
15. Choose authentic replacements
(Image credit: Apex Architecture/DPT)
If you can’t preserve beams, replacing from scratch with identical ones is the way forward.
At this barn in the Wye Valley, Herefordshire, converted by Apex Architecture , and DPT the internal beams are all new since the barn when purchased had only a partial first floor. Two steel beams at first floor level required for structural reasons were covered in one-piece oak beams, hollowed out to look as authentic as possible.
‘This helped to retain as much character and soul of the barn as possible,’ says Jon White of Apex Architecture.
16.
Create a welcoming entrancePhotography/Noel Bennett
(Image credit: John Norfolk)
A curved, stepped path makes an entrancing approach to this barn, converted by architect John Norfolk.
‘Building and landscape design go hand in hand,’ he says. ‘The ideal is to follow the existing natural progression routes and pathways, rather than trying to force the landscape into a preconceived plan or desired style. The plan is both functional and aesthetic.’
17. Follow the utility look
Photography/Noel Bennett
(Image credit: John Norfolk)
A good barn conversion takes into account the original nature of the building.
In this case the barn was a more modern structure with large open spans and agricultural timber trusses, which were in poor condition, aesthetically unsuitable and would not support the weight of the new tiled roof.
‘Most people would expect oak trusses as the replacements, but these would have jarred with the utilitarian nature of the building,’ says architect John Norfolk.
Steel was chosen, which matches in with the contemporary internal design of the barn.
18. Embrace a slice of history
Photography/Taran Wilkhu for The Modern House
(Image credit: Tye Architecture)
Tye Architects trod a careful line in converting a derelict barn, sliding in a new building while respecting the frame and roof of the original barn, which dates to 1860 and had been used for 150 years as a grain store.
It is now an elegant four-bedroom family house and work studio. Natural and organic materials were used wherever possible.
How do you convert a barn into a house?
There are plenty of hoops to jump through when undertaking a conversion of this type, but the results can be extremely rewarding.
First, you’ll need permission from the local council to convert the building to residential use. Although some projects can be done under Permitted Development, others will require full planning and may be subject to restrictions.
A full survey is needed to check out everything from the foundations to the roof and sometimes the environmental consequences.
The walls are likely to need insulation, new openings for doors and windows may be required and internally the space has to be divided to provide a kitchen, bedrooms and living areas, while still preserving the building’s character.
Will a barn conversion hold its value?
There’s never a guarantee as all property prices are subject to the demands of the market but a well-converted barn has something special to offer.
‘Every building is unique but some barns in locations such as the edge of towns and villages or open countryside are incredibly desirable at the moment,’ says architectural designer Charlie Luxton.
How do you decorate a barn conversion?
A barn is a great canvas to work with. Where beams and timbers are exposed, you have instant character – the task is simply to enhance it. Both country and contemporary approaches will work but a mix of the two will do justice to the building.
Our country living room ideas might be a good place to start.
This type of decorating is not for the faint-hearted. A bold approach is required; small fussy patterns will be out of place so go with your gut feeling for large-scale designs or plains and stick to simple colour schemes.
The large, open plan spaces of a barn lend themselves to the way we live today but they need to be divided with care. Zoning is key. By using furniture, rugs, lighting and colour to mark out areas for living, dining and cooking it’s possible to create a coherent design without detracting from the open-plan feel.
Sarah is a freelance journalist and editor. Previously executive editor of Ideal Home, she’s specialized in interiors, property and gardens for over 20 years, and covers interior design, house design, gardens, and cleaning and organizing a home for H&G. She’s written for websites, including Houzz, Channel 4’s flagship website, 4Homes, and Future’s T3; national newspapers, including The Guardian; and magazines including Future’s Country Homes & Interiors, Homebuilding & Renovating, Period Living, and Style at Home, as well as House Beautiful, Good Homes, Grand Designs, Homes & Antiques, LandLove and The English Home among others.
It’s no big surprise that she likes to put what she writes about into practice, and is a serial house renovator.
Real Home: Green Barn Conversion
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Fact file
Owned by: Carol Spencer, stylist, writer, broadcaster and creative director of Style Directions (styledirections.com), and her husband David, market research consultant.
Property: Converted 1800s barn with four bedrooms.
Location: Near Diss, Suffolk
What Spent: The project cost was approximately £595,000.
Years passed between Carol and David Spencer's original plans to refurbish their barn and the day they moved into it as their new home.
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“We fought planners for five years to get a building permit,” says Carol. “Our first application, made in 2008, was denied and after the submission of revised plans, Mid Suffolk Council asked us to conduct various studies testing everything from owls and bats to great crested newts. Someone even had to sleep in a barn for two nights to make sure that there were no bats living there!
Find out how they got over it, then view more real home transformations and learn more about barn, school or church transformation. nine0003
In 2013, having obtained a permit, the Spencers issued a tender for construction work. “We received offers from three companies and reviewed some of their past projects,” says Carol. "We chose the Avoncrown family firm that we felt we could work with, not the cheapest."
In the kitchen, flat-fronted cabinets made by local kitchen firm Ashford & Brooks are complemented by Silestone countertops. The shelving unit on one side of the island is perfect for storing 9 books0037
The council's stipulation that the design should be as close as possible to its early 19th century origins remained one of the biggest problems.
Avoncrown carpenter made a showcase opposite the entrance for maximum effect. Try Charleston Gray from Farrow & Ball for a similar wall tone. Internal windows allow light to penetrate the entire building. The bleached oak dining table was crafted by local craftsmen and the leather chairs are made by Made
Glazing fills one wall of an imposing porch, flooding the space with light. The metal posts support the structure without disturbing the visual lines. The drywall serves as a backdrop to the weathered oak beams from the early 19th century and allows them to stand out.
Carol and David selected engineered vintage oak floorboards - brushed and black oiled to improve knots and cracks - for the main living space and bedrooms. “We wanted something with character to resonate with the features of the barn,” explains Carol. nine0003
A custom staircase made by local carpentry firm Weybread Woodcraft frames one of Multiyork's leather sofas. The lower ceiling in the family space, which is open to the dining area, creates a cozy feeling.
The barn was sheathed with larch, which was then painted black in accordance with the local dialect. Velfac windows can only be used in existing openings and have powder coated aluminum frames on the outside and wood on the inside.
How to convert a barn into a room?
The barn can be converted into a room for various purposes. While some homeowners can do the conversion themselves, many need the help of professionals. When converting a barn to a bedroom, be sure to have a to-do list, budget, deadlines, and contractors. Remodeling a barn will cost less than adding an addition or a new room to your home. Here are some tips to help you create the space you've always dreamed of. nine0003
First decide what items you will be using in the room. Decide how much space and where you want to place them. If you're going to be working in a room, it's a good idea to provide enough space for a desk, sewing machine, or treadmill. If you don't need electrical outlets, you can skip this step.
This will make your shed more adaptable and allow you to repurpose it in the future.
Next, you might consider adding windows or wall organizers. Windows allow natural light and fresh air to enter the room, while the open space allows window air conditioning to be installed during the warmer months. Double-glazed windows can be purchased for an additional fee, which will reduce energy costs. But before you start installing windows and wall organizers, you should first consider the cost of hiring an interior designer. Some interior designers charge $100 an hour or more, while others charge per project. nine0003
Once you have decided on the design, you can plan what you will use in the room. Then decide where the items will be placed. If you will use the room for work, it is better to put a desk, a sewing machine or a treadmill in the center of the room. You can also add a treadmill or any other equipment that requires electricity. While electricity doesn't have to be used for the bathroom in your home, it can make the space more flexible and allow for changes in the future.
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Once you have decided on the purpose of the barn, you can start installing electrical wiring. Most rooms require sockets and lighting. If you're going to be doing electrical wiring, be sure to hire an electrician. This will ensure security and save you money in the long run. In addition, it will allow you to connect various appliances to your home without wires.
If you plan to use the room as a zone, it must have windows. The windows will allow natural light into the new room as well as fresh air during the hot months. During the cooler months, a window air conditioner can be installed if you use the space as a study or office. By installing windows in your shed, you can increase the usefulness of the space. nine0003
It is important to consider how the converted space will be used. You will need to run electrical wiring if you are converting a barn into a business building. Planning how you will use your shed is the best way to turn it into a functional, comfortable and spacious space.
