So, yesterday we shared our little plan to convert the attic of the barn into an apartment for us to live.
It’s only about 320 square feet. So, um, it’s small. I think we can safely call it crazy small.
I’m not sure if this was really a bombshell, but this plan is pretty exciting for us for several reasons.
- We’ll be able to sell our current house sooner, allowing us to use the equity toward our new house.
- We’ll be able to be on-site, which means it will be easier to work on the house. This will also allow us to spend more time together as a family when the house is being built. We can eat dinner, manage projects, right on-site. (Ryan plans to do most of the building himself.)
- We’ll also have less driving to and from the property. It’s nearly the same commute for Ryan from our house and from the property. So, by moving there, he won’t have double his drive every day.
- We’ll have a space that can be used as a guest space or extra living space after our new home is built.
The idea of living in the barn just kind of popped up. We had tossed around the idea of buying a mobile home, but for several reasons I won’t get into, I didn’t love that idea. Ryan was planning to build a second story deck on the barn to enjoy the view before we build. And we just started kicking around the idea. Ryan and I walked the space. (Not that that took long.) And the thought just took root and stayed there.
It’s a tiny space, so it will be a huge adjustment for our little family. We won’t be taking much. The majority of our belongings will go into storage. I’m actually insanely excited about the idea of living minimally. And if I’m being honest, excited that this minimalist living has a time frame. (Hey, I am American.)
It may be small, but it packs a punch.
The Β plan is to leave most of the space open. This end will have a door and a large deck, which will give us a little more living space.
On the other end, we’ll have a tiny bathroom and Henry’s bedroom. And Ryan and I will sleep in the main area on a Murphy bed. If you follow me on Pinterest, you’ll see that I’ve become obsessed with the idea of a Murphy bed.
Here’s the very scientific drawing of the space. I know you are probably asking why I’m not an architect. It’s something I wonder every day.
See? This is what we call a practical layout, right?
It’s all very exciting!
Next steps – getting electricity and a well, which are in-process. And which are pretty darn expensive. But, necessary. We plan to keep the renovation of the barn apartment to a slim budget. Ideally, we’d love to reuse and repurpose as much as possible. And obviously, we’ll share as we go.
Before we know it, our little family will finally be in our place in the country. From the moment we walked onto this land (when I was pregnant), I just *knew* it was for us. I could imagine my son playing and exploring. Maybe it was the hormones, but it was meant to be. And getting one step closer to living here is just enough to get me teary-eyed.
We’re going to have to figure out a better way to get to the loft. Because this ladder business is enough to make this momma worry. Henry has no fear.Β
But can you blame him? He’s just plain ready to live in a barn.
So, what do you think of our crazy big little news?
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Kat Angiano says
I think this is great and Im happy I found your site. Im a single mom living in a 100 yr old farm house. Im always thinking of living smaller..smaller house..bigger barn. I have a “few” animals π i just had a barn built last year and I so want to have an apartment above it. Im not sure town will allow that? But i could rent my house and live above the barn. My only problem is I only own 3 acres and they will not allow 2 dwellings due to septic. Thinking of ways around that with water tanks and compost toliet? So Im excited to follow your post and get some ideas while watching yr progress.
Good luck and
God Bless
Shelley says
I love the house and have just read your list of things that are not so great. When I look at the floor plan I am wondering why you don’t make a loft bedroom above the bath and baby’s room. You seem to have the height for it and it would allow you to have your own space in the house which I have to agree is pretty important to my sanity.
Kim Woodward says
Thanks for stopping by! The apartment/home is actually the upstairs of the barn so it’s already in the loft which is a height of about 7.5 ft ceilings. So that doesn’t leave any upstairs space for more living area. That would have been nice but it’s very workable for the short term.
p lark says
Nice
LeAnne & Wayne Schneckloth says
Kim, Ryan , & Henry…
Have enjoyed viewing your renovation’s history, and especially about your “barn raising”. It is heartwarming to realize how our old barn has a new location and been beautifully repurposed into your new/temporary mini-home! No tears were shed by us as it gradually disappeared from our property (just some “female worrying” when Ryan was disassembling on the roof and in high places!) …and I finally have “a view” from my kitchen window!
We look forward to crossing the river and seeing it, and all of you, some day soon.
Can’t believe how big and cute Henry is from the last we saw you!
Blessings as your “country-living ” dreams and projects continue π
Fondly,
The Schneckloth’s
Katja @ Shift Ctrl Art says
I didn’t know that was the plan with the barn. I am so excited for you guys. What a terrific plan. Actually I could see myself in that barn long term if the lower part of it could be a studio-hang out space during the day. I can’t wait to follow along on this exciting journey of yours!!!
Justine says
After recently tripling my living space, I would find it very hard to cut my old apartment into a third and still stay married π But good for you guys having a dream and doing what you have to for it. I’m excited to follow along your journey!
K says
This sounds kind of nuts…and kind of awesome! I’m excited to see how it turns out, and how you survive!
Amy says
I think you guys are crazy cool! This will be a time for memories you will never, ever forget. Then you’ll have your dream house on your dream land AND and extra apartment for your bloggy buddies to come visit. π
Chelsea @ two twenty one says
I’m so excited for you guys! And I’m totally with you on the living minimally thing (for a short period of time). I love the idea of the deck– you don’t see many decks on barns these days. You guys are so hip and trendy. Living in a barn loft is totally going to catch on.
Amber @ Wills Casa says
I think it’s genius! You will get sick of living minimally, but it’s so much easier to manage when you start to see the house go up!
Leigh Powell Hines @Hinessightblog says
This will be so interesting. Refresh my memory……..are you renovating a property there?
Sarah says
Oh man, I can’t imagine living in 320 square feet! We lived in a 600 square foot apartment for 2 years, and that was challenging (mostly because they squeezed 2 bedrooms in there). I think it’s a great reason to purge and live with less for a while! Plus you’ll be able to live on your land! I will be avidly following your murphy-bed making process as I’m in love with the idea of one day having one in our future home.
Stephanie says
cool! what a fun experience for yall π
Kelly @ View Along the Way says
This is SO exciting. I can totally get the draw to live minimally (for a while!) and I’m sooo pumped about the idea of building your own house on your own land and letting me live vicariously. π We’ve always dreamed of doing the same thing so I’m excited to follow along!
Erin @ His & Hers says
I think this is so exciting for you guys! Living minimally will be a great experience, not to mention the super financial sense it makes.
Lyndsey says
I grew up on a farm and honestly someday I would love to move back to the middle of no where and live in a barn while building a house, glad I’m not the only one that thinks this is the coolest thing ever. I worked on a horse farm and while they built their house they had a small apartment in their barn (now they had a barn that accommodate 10 horses plus trailer and truck).
Rosemary says
That sounds like it’s going to be so much fun! It’s great that you will still have your space, on your land, without all the hassle of traveling a whole bunch.
We’re in the process of downgrading as well to save up for a nicer home but we won’t have our own rad space to live in.
Erin says
How cool!! Congrats! π
Kelly @ Corner of Main says
Holy cow. I am so excited for you guys!! This is really going to be amazing, and I can’t wait to see it all come to life. What a true dream come true!
Breanne says
OMG when Henry is older and being difficult with you I can totally see this happening:
Kim: Henry stop it! Were you raised in a barn?
Henry: Actually, yes I was!
Hehe, I’m far too amused by this. And I also love your plan, what an adventure!
deb says
Perfect!
Jordan says
You’re crazy. But this sounds crazy awesome. Living on site will be so nice, as just the two weeks between when we bought our house and moved in it drove me crazy with all the driving back and forth. Can’t wait to follow along on this adventure!
Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication says
Definitely sounds awesome! And a great way to save money to get you guys to your ultimate goal! π
Sarah says
I LOVE IT! I LOVE IT! I LOVE IT!!!!! This is going to be such a crazy (and fun) adventure for you guys!!!! :):):)
Leah says
HOW. FUN!!!!! Sounds awesome!
Emily says
I don’t know if they sell them here but we stayed in a tiny apartment in Paris last Christmas and my favorite feature was the Smurphy bed. When it was up it was a sofa and then you removed the back cushions and pulled the bed down for the bed. Coolest thing ever! Here’s the link to pictures of the place. http://www.vrbo.com/366986
casacaudill says
It’s going to be so fun to follow along with this project. There are several small spaces about this size at our local Ikea and one thing I’ve always thought was that it only worked because the space was designed specifically for that living option. You get an opportunity to do this so with smart decisions it’ll work out, I just know it. I can’t find it right now but there’s a family that lives in a tiny space that has a home tour that could give you a lot of inspiration. It’s a cottage with a lot of white interior.
Brit [House Updated] says
Oh Kim, I think that is just so exciting! I agree the minimalist living sounds fun (for a short while). Yay you guys!
Megan says
I think this is an awesome plan and it makes perfect sense! You’ll have fond memories of living in the barn for the rest of your life. So excited for you!
Katrina says
My heart dropped with I saw the ladder OMG – I’m not good with ladders! lol
I’m so excited for you Kim!! This will be an amazing experience for you and your family and so glad its able to workout better with you all sharing in this journey of building your home daily – vs. Ryan working late nights and never see that much of him – so excited for you!!
daisy says
I, for one, love it. I’ve dreamed for a long time to live in a converted barn. Henry will have an amazing array of memories! Can’t wait to see what y’all do with this!
Trina @ Let's Just Build a House says
like i said yesterday, lots of people do this around here so obviously it’s a GREAT idea! I bet you will make the space functional yet adorable too. cant wait to watch the progress!
Oona says
I am so excited for you guys. I know moving to the country has been your plan from the beginning and I am so happy that the reality is finally happening. The property is so beautiful and I just know that the house and the loft will be wonderful as well.
Jenny @ Words On Wendhurst says
This sounds like so much fun. I’m sure it will be a challenge too, but what a cool experience. Great idea and I hope it all goes smoothly for you guys! π
Kristen says
I think this is pretty darn cool. An added bonus is you’ll have a fun guest house option after the house is built!
Denise in PA says
This is so exciting! And I am so excited to go on this journey with you in pictures!
Rachel says
I think this is an awesome plan! It’ll be exciting to figure out how to maximize such a little space, and it’ll be so awesome to get the money out of the house and be there to see your new house going up. I’m excited to see it come together! (And Henry? Too cute. As always.)
Suzanne says
I think you’re crazy…but I’m insanely jealous. What an exciting adventure! Once you get the big house built you’re going to be over-run with people wanting to come stay in your barn loft to visit.
Ashley says
Sounds fun, exciting… and exactly what we are about to do until our house is done. Living minimally scares me a little though I have to admit.
Heather says
I cannot wait to see how you convert 320 sqft into living space. Do they even have a room THAT small at IKEA? Im sure yours would look WAY better than what they can dream up.
Have you all designed your new house yet?
Mandi McClure says
I can’t wait to see how you transform this space. You both are so talented. I know it going to be great.
Melanie says
This is so awesome. I think as long as you guys plan really well on the organizational side of building the apartment – that you’ll be fine! I’ve been trying to be live more minimalist in our new house, so I see a huge yard sale in our future!
I’m so excited to see how this all plays out for you guys!
Cindy @ The Flipping Couple says
I absolutely love this. All of it. Especially the being together more and driving less and DUDE. LIVING ON YOUR PROPERTY sooner. It’s perfect. I think these will be some amazing memory-making days when you look back on them.
cassie says
i think this is a super fun idea!!! i am looking forward to this adventure, too!
Emily L. says
I love this! I can’t wait to see what adventures you guys have with this :]
PJ says
Awesome! I missed yesterdays post, but this sounds awesome. As for a way to get up there, get yourself a spiral staircase. I love spiral staircases!
Kim Woodward says
You were right on on the spiral staircase rec. We just built one. And by we, I mean Ryan.