Design a Barndominium That Meets Your Storage Needs – Without a Basement
So, you’ve decided to build a barndominium, but suddenly you realize it won’t have a basement. This was something you hadn’t thought about…do you need a basement? You use it mostly for storage and laundry facilities, right? Your builder assures you that you can have a barndominium and still have a basement. That’s true, but what about the money you were planning on saving by building a barndo? Basements can add substantially to the cost. However, there are other options.
What’s In the Basement?
One of the common uses of the basement is as a laundry room. Naturally, there are other places for the washer and dryer to go that may be more convenient than having to run up and down the stairs just to get a clean shirt. We’ve seen them in bathrooms, little rooms off the mudroom, and even in the kitchen! If the idea of no basement makes you uneasy, think about what you store down there. Chances are, you can relocate all of it.
The Power of Clear Span Interiors
One of the strengths of a barndominium is its design flexibility, which comes from its clear-span interior or lack of load-bearing walls. This translates to a floor plan that can be just about anything you want. If you are looking for space for your pasta maker, food processor, and all of your baking paraphernalia, add a pantry off the kitchen. Need more storage in the master suite? Your closet can be the length of the house if you like, or you can decide to push the wall back and create a beautiful walk-in closet. The options are practically endless.
Think Vertically: Mezzanines and Second Stories
Why do you need a basement when you can build up? A 16-foot-tall barndo offers a lot of vertical potential. With mezzanines, you can add lofted areas for storage of off-season clothing, holiday decorations, or a creative studio to contain all those craft supplies. Whatever type of storage you need, you can have it all without expanding your footprint. If you want to maximize space, full second stories are possible as well.
Reimagine the Garage
Another great feature of a barndominium is that it serves dual purposes: as a home and as a space for additional uses, such as a workshop, office, hobby shop, or a shed for large items like RVs, campers, boats, and snowmobiles. A corner in this space can be turned into a storage room, and because it’s part of the more utilitarian space, you can make it simple for cost savings. Or, if you prefer, go with deluxe: an air-conditioned, tiled space to store precious possessions.
So much space to allocate as you see fit. All photos courtesy of Gable Steel
Not sure where to go with exercise equipment? It’s easy to recreate a gym in the garage; move the equipment in and add a partition for privacy, or leave it open for convenience. Hang a TV on the wall, and you won’t miss the basement at all.
Enclosed Lean-Tos = Instant Bonus Space
Another innovative solution is the enclosed lean-to. It can be added seamlessly to the side of your primary structure and used as everything from a home gym to climate-controlled storage for your wine collection, space for storing sporting goods, or whatever else you need. And because it’s under the same roofline, it can feel like part of the home, not an afterthought.
Utilities Require Little Space
Many people wonder where the HVAC system, water heater, and other mechanicals go if there’s no basement. In a barndo, these are typically placed in dedicated mechanical closets, utility rooms, or even in the attic, depending on the home design. This is a common and effective solution in homes of all construction types. Planning early ensures easy access and efficient layout.
The Safe Room: A Port in a Storm
While basements aren’t necessary for storage, it is good to have a safe place to go in a storm. A safe room built to FEMA P-361 and ICC 500 standards can serve that purpose. Alternatively, people often opt for a “garage floor shelter,” which is essentially a storm cellar installed beneath the concrete slab of the garage. It is made of steel or reinforced concrete with a sliding or hinged lid, which, when closed, is flush with the garage floor. Ensure your safe room is well-drained and easily accessible.
Here are a few ideas to help you make the most of your space:
Smart Swaps From Basement To…
• The washer/dryer can be moved to a laundry nook in the mudroom, bathroom, or hallway.
• Deep storage shelves can be replaced with an enclosed lean-to or attic truss space.
• Workshops can easily be created in a partitioned section of the garage.
• Pantry goods and an extra refrigerator or freezer can move to a walk-in pantry or enclosed porch storage.
• Emergency supplies can go in a utility closet or dedicated emergency room, perhaps under a staircase.
• Holiday décor and seasonal gear can be stored in a mezzanine or garage wall rack system.
Make Your Barndo Space Work for You.
With smart design features like open-concept layouts based on clear span interiors, vertical builds, mezzanines, lean-tos, and multipurpose garages, a barndominium gives you more space, flexibility, and value. Whether you dream of a minimalist one-story or a two-level showstopper, skipping the basement doesn’t mean sacrificing functionality. Consult with your designer or builder early to ensure your barndo layout fits your lifestyle.
