Barndominium Floor Plans That Maximize Space and Style

When it comes to building a barndominium, few decisions have as much impact as the floor plan. The layout of your barndo isn’t just about square footage—it’s about how that space supports your life, your family, and your goals. At Stimson Contracting, we’ve worked with countless homeowners across Spokane and the Inland Northwest to design barndominium floor plans that deliver both space and style—without sacrificing practicality or budget.

In this article, I’ll walk you through some of our favorite design strategies and layout ideas to help you create a barndo that feels open, functional, and uniquely yours.

Table of Contents

1. Why Floor Plan Design Matters

2. Open-Concept Living Areas

3. Smart Bedroom Placement

4. Integrated Garages and Shops

5. Loft Spaces for Style and Function

6. Mudrooms, Laundry, and Utility Zones

7. Flexible Multi-Use Rooms

8. Outdoor Living Spaces

9. Customization Tips for Spokane Homeowners

10. Conclusion: Designing a Home That Works for You

1. Why Floor Plan Design Matters

Barndominiums are known for their flexibility and openness—but without a smart floor plan, it’s easy to lose efficiency. The right design helps you:

• Use every square foot intentionally

• Improve energy efficiency and natural light flow

• Adapt your home to future changes

• Create a seamless flow between indoor and outdoor spaces

A great layout sets the tone for how you’ll live, work, and relax every day.

2. Open-Concept Living Areas

One of the most popular features in barndominium design is the open-concept living space. By combining the kitchen, dining area, and great room into one large space, you get:

• Easier entertaining

• Natural light throughout the core of your home

• A sense of openness and volume (especially with vaulted ceilings)

We often recommend placing the open living space at the center of the home, with bedrooms and other rooms extending off the perimeter.

3. Smart Bedroom Placement

For families, bedroom layout is key. We suggest:

• Split-bedroom floor plans for privacy (primary suite on one side, kids/guests on the other)

• Jack-and-Jill bathrooms between kids' rooms to save space

• Main-level primary bedrooms for long-term accessibility

• Lofted guest bedrooms or offices for occasional use

This layout helps maximize square footage without losing comfort or flow.

4. Integrated Garages and Shops

One of the biggest perks of building a barndo is the ability to include a garage, workshop, or RV bay right in the footprint of your home. We help clients:

• Design attached garages with interior access

• Add hobby spaces, studios, or equipment bays

• Separate shop and living zones for safety and noise control

Combining work and home under one roof maximizes both budget and land use.

5. Loft Spaces for Style and Function

Lofts are a great way to add usable space without expanding your footprint. Depending on your ceiling height, you can use loft areas for:

• Guest sleeping quarters

• Home offices

• Game rooms or libraries

• Storage with style

Lofts add visual interest and flexibility—two key elements of barndo design.

6. Mudrooms, Laundry, and Utility Zones

Functional homes need practical spaces. We recommend incorporating:

• Mudrooms off the garage or main entrance

• Dedicated laundry rooms with storage and counters

• Mechanical rooms tucked away but accessible

• Walk-in pantries or utility closets to keep clutter down

These areas keep your main living areas clean and organized—especially important in rural Spokane living.

7. Flexible Multi-Use Rooms

We love designing multi-use spaces that can grow and adapt with your family:

• A guest bedroom that doubles as an office

• A playroom that becomes a study or craft room

• Bonus rooms that can be finished later as needs change

This is one of the best ways to make your floor plan both stylish and functional.

8. Outdoor Living Spaces

Your barndominium’s floor plan should extend beyond the walls. We often include:

• Covered patios and porches

• Wrap-around decks

• Outdoor kitchens or firepit zones

• Breezeways between house and shop wings

Outdoor living expands your usable space without driving up square footage costs.

9. Customization Tips for Spokane Homeowners

Living in the Inland Northwest means considering:

• Orientation for sunlight and snow runoff

• Energy efficiency for hot summers and cold winters

• Wind and snow load requirements

• Permitting and zoning for rural properties

At Stimson Contracting, we help you design a plan that works with your property, climate, and lifestyle.

10. Conclusion: Designing a Home That Works for You

Barndominiums offer a level of freedom and flexibility that traditional homes just can’t match. And with the right floor plan, you can maximize both space and style—without sacrificing practicality or budget.

At Stimson Contracting, we work with you to design a floor plan that’s not just beautiful, but built for the way you live. Whether you’re just starting to sketch out ideas or ready to draft final plans, our team is here to help you create a space that’s uniquely yours.