With the property market being so crazy at the moment, many people are thinking outside the box a little more when it comes to finding their perfect property. One of the things that have become popular in recent years are barn conversions. Changing an old farm building into your dream home is something that when done correctly can provide you with a great place to live, and you will have the opportunity to create a home that is suitable for you.
Since the middle of the 20th Century, the need for barns as farm buildings decreased and many barns were simply not needed for that purpose anymore. In the decades that followed, more and more people realised that converting them into homes could earn them more money than having a disused barn lying about, and so more and more people started to look at these old buildings differently.
Because many barns are older buildings, and some are listed, they are usually subject to planning laws – keeping the design and materials in keeping with the building and the area is something that is generally necessary in order to obtain planning permission – for example, using things like these Timberpride oak roof trusses rather than modern materials which may look out of place in a barn.
Things like windows need to be considered too, as usually the planning rules state that windows can only be fitted where there is an opening already – so many modern barn conversions need to have a good architect behind them, who knows how to make the most of the light available to stop it from being too dark and gloomy inside.
One of the reasons for the increasing popularity of barn conversions is the fact that they accommodate the more modern trend for open plan living. The large interiors can be designed to allow for this much more easily than a traditional home, creating a large open space that fits in well with this modern style of home. The interior of a barn conversion is usually designed this way giving a spacious feel to the home.
This spacious feeling is also due to the fact that the heights of the rooms are so much greater than a typical home – something else that gives that feeling of space and open-ness. If it is something that appeals to you, have a look around your area for barns that are for sale, and even ask around locals.
