Barndominium plans with basements blend rustic vibes with clever, practical living. You get that signature open feel and steel toughness people love in barndos, plus the bonus of real underground space.
Basement barndominiums are especially handy on sloped lots, where walkout designs blur the line between inside and out. Downstairs, you can tuck away a home office, trick out a game room, or just stash all the stuff you don’t want cluttering up your main floor. Think separate entrances, real bathrooms, and big windows that keep the basement from feeling, well, like a basement.
Expect to pay about 15-20% more for a barndominium with a basement than a basic design—but you get a lot more room and versatility for your money. That extra cash up front usually pays off with more storage, space for guests, and a potential bump in property value. Most folks who take the plunge say the added square footage is totally worth it.
Why Choose a Basement in Your Barndominium Design?
Adding a basement to your barndominium? That’s a pretty solid move if you want more space without giving up the open, breezy feel upstairs. The basement just fits right in with the typical barndo layout, boosting what you can do with the place without messing up the vibe.
Standard Layouts and Open Floor Plans
Basements are basically made for the open floor plan style that defines most barndominiums. You keep that big, uninterrupted main level, but now you’ve got a whole extra floor for whatever you want—no need to cram everything in one space.
Some common basement ideas:
- Rec rooms or a spot for movie nights
- Guest bedrooms with their own bathrooms
- Home office or a workshop
- Storage for all the random stuff you only use once a year
Depending on your layout, a basement can boost your total living area by up to 50%. That’s a huge jump, and you don’t even have to make the house itself bigger.
Why it’s flexible:
- Dedicated zones for different activities
- Less noise bleeding between floors
- Climate-controlled storage (no more melting Christmas candles)
- Room for a rental suite if you’re into that
You can go with a full, partial, or walkout basement. Each has its perks, depending on your lot and what you want to do down there.
Our Best Barndominium Floor Plans With Basements
Lots of people pick barndominium floor plans with basements for the sheer flexibility. You get that country look with all the modern perks (and way more space than you’d expect).
The most popular plans seem to be 3-bedroom layouts with roomy kitchens that flow right into the dining and living spaces. Walkout basements are a fan favorite. You get sunlight and direct access to the backyard—honestly, it just feels less like a basement that way.
Here are our 4 best selling basement plans.
The Lakeview Barndominium Plan
The PL-2813 Lakeview Barndominium comes in at 3,405 heated square feet over two stories. It’s a 34×36-foot barn-style home with three bedrooms and 2.1 bathrooms.
This plan’s got a walkout basement that really opens up the possibilities. Downstairs, you’ll find a sitting area, laundry, and a bar that’s just begging for happy hour.
Highlights:
- Open-concept main floor
- Two stories plus loft storage
- Three-car garage (920 SF)
- Covered porch (725 SF)
- Built-in patio
The first floor covers 1,240 square feet of heated space; the second floor adds 1,165 square feet (ignore the 5,735 SF number you might see elsewhere—it’s off).
Walkout basements shine on sloped lots. You’ll have direct outdoor access and maximize your footprint at the same time.
This plan uses stick-frame construction, not post-and-beam. That means it’s easier to tweak room layouts or work with standard building crews.
The Gillian Barndominium Plan
The PL-64002 Gillian plan is a roomy barndominium that makes the most of every level. It’s a single-story design with almost 4,000 square feet of heated space, which is honestly pretty impressive.
Three bedrooms, 2.1 baths, and an open layout keep things comfortable. The main floor is 2,348 square feet, and there’s a loft that adds another 504 square feet of heated space.
The basement gives you 1,132 square feet of unheated space, perfect for storage or whatever future project you dream up. It’s a walkout, so you’ve got options for finishing or expanding later.
There’s a breezeway connecting the garage and main house, so you’re not getting soaked hauling groceries inside. Little details like a mudroom and front porch make everyday life easier. The patio’s a nice touch for outdoor hangs, too.
Other highlights:
- Loft—storage or flex space, up to you
- Three-car garage with 1,620 square feet
- Covered porch adds 581 square feet
The Paxton Barn House Plan
The Paxton Barndominium House Plan is a solid pick for families after three-bedroom barndominium basement floor plans. You get a single-story setup with 1,758 square feet of heated space, all tucked into a practical 34×50 footprint.
Inside, there are three bedrooms and two full baths. The master suite gets its own bathroom—walk-in shower, roomy closet, the works.
Key Features:
- Open concept living area
- Kitchen with island and corner pantry
- Utility room right by the garage
- 1,079 square foot attached garage
- Front porch and back patio spaces
Downstairs, the unfinished basement adds another 1,703 square feet to play with. You could use it for storage, a workshop, or finish it out later for even more living space.
The Franklin Barndo Plan
The AP-20003-FB Franklin barndominium gives you 2,000 square feet of heated living space spread across three stories. There are two bedrooms, 2.1 baths, and a wide-open layout that feels pretty modern.
Key Features:
- 40×50 foot living space dimensions
- Metal shell exterior framing
- 24¾ feet from first floor to roof ridge
- Three-car garage with 1,200 square feet
- Storage loft for extra space
This one also comes with an unfinished basement—so you can make it a workshop, gym, or whatever else you dream up.
How much does it typically cost to build a barndominium with a basement?
Building a barndominium with a basement isn’t cheap—definitely more than just pouring a slab. The average barndo runs $95 to $160 per square foot, but once you throw a basement into the mix, the numbers climb.
Standard Barndominium Costs:
- Shell only: $65-$160 per square foot
- Turnkey finish: $190-$300 per square foot
Just the excavation and foundation for a basement can tack on $15,000 to $30,000.
Design Considerations for Barndominiums With Basements
Building a barndo with a basement isn’t as simple as pouring a slab and calling it a day. You’ve got to think about foundation systems, water management, and how you’re going to get sunlight down there. These places need a little extra muscle in the structure and solid ventilation to stay comfortable for the long haul.
Walkout Basement Layouts
Walkout basement designs really shine on sloped lots—think eight to twelve feet of drop across the home’s width. That way, one basement wall opens right out to the yard with actual windows and doors.
Usually, you’ll need a 36-inch minimum width door at the basement entrance, plus a path to the outside. Most folks aim the walkout to the south or west to catch more sunlight.
There are tons of layout options—maybe a separate apartment, a big rec room, or just storage. Two or three extra bedrooms with bathrooms, game rooms, and storage can easily double your usable space.
The best part? Walkout basements don’t feel like dungeons. There’s a real indoor-outdoor vibe that just makes life nicer down there.
Foundation and Structural Elements
Barndominiums with basements need beefed-up foundations compared to the usual slab-on-grade deal. You’re supporting both the basement walls and whatever’s above—steel or post-frame, usually.
Monolithic concrete slabs often save money over pouring separate footers and pads. The concrete pad acts as both the basement floor and the main support.
For wall framing, you’re looking at pressure-treated lumber, spaced at least half an inch from masonry. Galvanized lag bolts or corrosion-resistant nails are a must for attaching to concrete.
Single-story barndos usually call for 2×6 studs on 12-inch centers in the foundation walls. Go two stories? You might need 2x10s or 2x12s, but check your local codes.
Don’t skimp on headers over doors and windows, either. The typical setup is oriented strand board sandwiched between two 2x12s, stretching six inches past the opening on each side.
Natural Lighting and Egress Solutions
Basements need more than just a couple of tiny windows to feel livable—and you’ve got to meet code for emergency exits too. Window placement really matters down there.
Window wells are the go-to for getting light and air into basement windows. They should reach below the sill and have drainage to keep water out. Nobody wants a swimming pool in their window well.
Egress windows do double duty as escape routes and light sources. Most codes require these in basement bedrooms, with minimum opening sizes and easy access.
If you can’t do traditional windows, clerestory windows or light tubes can help brighten up those interior rooms.
Honestly, spreading out several smaller windows can work better than one big one. It helps light reach more corners and keeps the structure solid.
Ventilation and Moisture Management
Without good ventilation, basements can get musty fast—mold, mildew, and even structural headaches. The design’s got to handle airflow and keep water at bay.
Vapor barriers on concrete walls and floors are your first defense against dampness. They should run from the foundation up above grade.
Make sure your HVAC system can actually handle the basement. Zoning it separately gives you more control over temperature and humidity.
Don’t forget perimeter drains, sump pumps, and proper grading outside. Water needs to go away from the house, not toward it.
Dehumidifiers keep humidity in check—aim for 30-50 percent. Mechanical ventilation helps too, swapping out stale air so things don’t get funky.
Frequently Asked Questions About Basement Plans
What are the design considerations for a barndominium with a walkout basement?
Walkout basements really shine on sloped or hillside lots—makes sense, right? You can walk right out from the basement to the yard. It’s all about working with the natural grade of your property.
Drainage is huge with walkouts. If water isn’t managed properly, you’ll regret it fast. You need systems that steer water away from the entrance and the foundation, or you’re asking for trouble.
Window placement is another detail people sometimes overlook. Sloped landscaping can help soften the look of those concrete walls, and it’s a good way to let in some actual daylight.
Ceiling height? Don’t skimp. At least 8 feet makes it feel like real living space, not a dungeon. Higher is even better if you can swing it.
How can I integrate a garage into my barndominium plans with a basement?
If you want a garage, it’s best to plan for it from the start. The basement can run right under the garage for extra storage or a workshop—super practical if you ask me.
Drive-under garages are a clever use of basement space, especially on a sloped lot. You can park below and walk straight into the house, no stairs needed.
Some designs keep the garage at ground level next to the main building, with the basement only under the living area. It’s a good way to keep things simple if you don’t need a basement under the whole footprint.
Partial basement designs can work well for attached garages, keeping excavation costs lower. Just put the basement under the main living space and skip it under the garage.
Are there any unique challenges to building a 2-story barndominium with a basement compared to a traditional home?
Yeah, there are definitely some curveballs. Two-story barndominiums with basements need special engineering for the pole barn frame. Anchoring posts to basement foundations often means bringing in a pro for some custom tweaks.
The metal frame doesn’t distribute weight the same way as wood. Engineers have to figure out how the basement walls will handle the load from above—no room for guesswork here.