Small Barndominiums: Why 1,500 Sq Ft on One Level Is the Sweet Spot
TL;DR: A small barndominium can be a great home, but going too small often costs you later in resale, financing and comfort. For most people planning to stay for decades, about 1,500 to 1,700 square feet on one level is the sweet spot: small enough to keep costs and upkeep down, big enough for a guest room, wide halls and a home that still works as you age. Our Landon (1,553 sq ft) and Taylor (1,680 sq ft) are built for exactly that.
Why people want a small barndominium
- Lower building cost and lower energy bills
- Less to clean and maintain
- Downsizing after the kids are grown
- A simpler life on land they love
All good reasons. The question is how small.
The problem with going too small
- Resale and appraisals. Very small homes on rural land can be hard to appraise, because there are few comparable sales. That can make financing harder too.
- Cost per square foot goes up. The kitchen, bathrooms, well, septic and utilities cost about the same whether the house is 900 or 1,500 square feet, so small homes cost more per square foot.
- No room to age in place. Wide halls, 36-inch doors, a curbless shower and space to turn a walker or wheelchair all take room. Squeeze too hard and they're the first things cut.
- Nowhere for family or a caregiver to stay. A second bedroom matters more at 75 than at 55.
That's why every home in our lineup starts at 1,500 square feet.
Two small single-level designs
The Landon
- 1,553 sq ft, all on one level
- 3 bedrooms, 2 baths
- A separate main suite and an open kitchen and dining room
See the Landon →
The Taylor
- 1,680 sq ft, all on one level
- 1 bedroom plus a half bath for guests
- A large main bedroom with a walk-in closet and an eat-in breakfast nook; made for empty nesters
See the Taylor →
Both sit on a slab with a zero-step entry and no stairs.
Ways to keep a small home affordable
- Keep it simple: a rectangle with one roofline costs less than an L or a T.
- Stay on one level and on a slab: no stairs, no basement.
- Do some of the finish work yourself or with family: paint, flooring and trim are where sweat equity counts.
- Choose a SIP shell: factory-cut panels go up in days and keep heating and cooling bills low for decades.
Curious what a really tight budget gets you? See Can you build a barndominium for $50K? and How big a barndominium can you build for $100K?
How to start
- Get your free estimate for a small single-level home.
- Book a free 30-minute planning call.
- Reserve your design. Your $9,000 design package adapts the Landon, Taylor or another design to your land, with a Walk Your Plans visit to walk your full-size floor plan and make final changes. The plans are yours to keep, no matter what. We're only taking on 10 new design clients through December.