Barndominiums are popular in Oklahoma for one simple reason: they can be built around real life. Open living space, massive storage potential, attached shops, RV bays, and layouts that don’t force you into a cookie-cutter floor plan, barndos give property owners flexibility that traditional builds don’t always offer.
But that flexibility comes with a tradeoff: if you don’t make the right decisions early, you can design yourself into expensive changes later.
At Liberty Barndos & Custom Homes, we build custom barndominiums across Oklahoma City, Edmond, Norman, Moore, Yukon, Mustang, Midwest City, Texoma, and Eufaula. We’re veteran owned and operated, and our co-owners, Nick Gather and John Stroud, stay hands-on throughout the process. This checklist is the exact kind of clarity we want clients to have before design begins, because the best barndos are the ones that are planned with intention from day one.
Below is a practical planning checklist you can use before you start drafting layouts, collecting Pinterest boards, or requesting pricing.
1) Define the “Why” Behind the Build
Start with the big question: What problem is this barndominium solving for you?
Examples:
- You want a home plus a shop under one roof
- You need serious storage for equipment, tools, and vehicles
- You want a low-maintenance property build for lake weekends (Texoma or Eufaula)
- You’re building on acreage and want more flexibility than a traditional home
- You want a long-term “forever home” with room to expand
When your “why” is clear, decisions get easier. If it isn’t, you’ll chase ideas that don’t fit your land, your budget, or your daily routines.
2) Decide: Home-First Barndo or Shop-First Barndo
This is one of the most important early decisions because it impacts layout, structure, and budget.
Home-first barndo:
- Designed primarily like a custom home
- Shop/garage is secondary or smaller
- Best for families who want a traditional home feel with added space
Shop-first barndo:
- Built around a workshop, equipment bay, or storage
- Living space is still comfortable but may be more efficient
- Best for acreage owners, hobbyists, or business owners who need function
Neither is “better.” But choosing one direction early prevents conflicting priorities later.
3) Confirm Your Land Plan (Even If You Haven’t Bought Yet)
Barndominiums are often built on land, and land creates real constraints that affect design. Before layout decisions get too specific, think through:
- Access: Where will the driveway enter? Can trailers/RVs turn easily?
- Building placement: Where should the home sit for privacy, views, and function?
- Drainage: Where does water move during heavy rains?
- Utilities: Power, water, septic, and internet availability
- Orientation: Sunlight and wind matter more than people expect (porches, windows, heat load)
If you’re shopping for land, this checklist still applies. It’s easier to choose the right property than to force a perfect design onto a difficult site.
4) Choose Your Footprint and Ceiling Strategy
Barndos can feel enormous or feel perfectly warm and livable, often based on ceiling height choices.
Decide early:
- Do you want vaulted ceilings in the great room?
- Do you want a loft or second level, or prefer single-story living?
- How much “open volume” is worth it for your lifestyle (and utility costs)?
A common mistake is designing “big” without designing “smart.” Big can be amazing, but it needs intention: zoning, sound control, lighting design, and efficient traffic flow.
5) List Must-Have Spaces (Not Just Rooms)
A barndominium isn’t just bedrooms and bathrooms. The spaces that make barndos work are the functional zones that support daily routines.
Must-have examples:
- Mudroom or drop zone (boots, tools, bags)
- Oversized pantry or storage closet
- Laundry placement that makes sense (not an afterthought)
- Mechanical room access and serviceability
- Entry points that don’t drag dirt straight into living space
If you want a barndo that feels clean and calm, these functional spaces matter as much as the kitchen.
6) Shop, Garage, and Bay Planning (Get Specific)
If your barndo includes shop/garage space, you need real measurements, not guesses.
Plan for:
- Door sizes: Standard garage doors won’t fit everything
- Clear height: RVs, tall trailers, and lifted trucks change the requirements
- Bay count: What needs to fit today, and what might be added later?
- Power needs: Welding, tools, lifts, compressors
- Noise separation: Shop sound travels fast if the layout isn’t planned well
- Floor load and finish: Concrete needs to match how you’ll use it
A good barndo shop feels effortless. A poorly planned one feels cramped forever.
7) Outdoor Living: Porch Placement Is a Lifestyle Decision
Porches aren’t just aesthetic. In Oklahoma, they’re functional living space when planned correctly.
Decide:
- Do you want a front porch, a back porch, or both?
- Do you want a covered patio for grilling and gatherings?
- Do you want a protected entry area for storms and wind?
- Do you want outdoor living to connect directly to the kitchen/great room?
Lake-area builds (Texoma and Eufaula especially) often benefit from bigger covered outdoor areas because gatherings and weekend traffic are part of the lifestyle.
8) Interior Style and Finish Level (Be Honest Early)
This is where barndo budgets can swing wildly.
Two barndominiums can look similar on the outside but have very different costs inside based on:
- Flooring type and quality
- Cabinet level and kitchen complexity
- Bathroom tile scope and plumbing upgrades
- Lighting packages and fixture choices
- Trim detail, doors, and finish carpentry
- Built-ins, fireplaces, and feature walls
Decide early where you want the interior to land:
- Simple and durable
- Mid-grade comfort
- High-end custom finishes
There’s no wrong answer. The mistake is designing luxury on a mid-grade budget and hoping it works out later.
9) Energy Comfort Planning (Before Walls Go Up)
Comfort is not luck. It’s planning.
Think through:
- Insulation strategy (especially if you want open volume ceilings)
- Window placement and performance goals
- HVAC layout that makes sense for open spaces
- Air sealing and ventilation so the home feels consistent season to season
Open layouts are amazing, but they can create comfort issues if the mechanical plan isn’t designed intentionally.
10) Storage: Plan It Like You’ll Actually Use It
Barndominiums attract people who want space, and then many people forget to design storage the way a busy household needs it.
Plan storage for:
- Seasonal items
- Tools and hobby equipment
- Sports and lake gear
- Pantry overflow
- Linen and utility storage
If storage isn’t planned, clutter will “invent” storage in the worst places.
11) Decide Your Future-Proofing Features
A barndominium can be a long-term investment if you plan for changes.
Future-proofing ideas:
- A flex room that can become an office, nursery, or guest space
- Layout options for aging in place (single-level living, wider doorways)
- Extra conduits for future electrical needs
- Space planning for expansions (extra bay, lean-to, additional rooms)
You don’t need to build everything now, but you should plan for it while it’s easy.
12) Pick Your Communication Style and Your Builder
This matters more than most people realize.
Ask yourself:
- Do you want a builder who is hands-on or one who delegates everything?
- Do you want clarity and direct answers, or “we’ll see” responses?
- Do you want detailed planning up front or constant changes during the build?
At Liberty, our process is owner-led and communication-driven. Nick Gather and John Stroud stay personally involved because the simplest way to protect a project is leadership involvement and clear expectations.
Quick Summary Checklist
Before design starts, you should know:
- Your “why” for the barndo
- Home-first vs shop-first priorities
- Land basics: access, drainage, utilities, orientation
- Footprint + ceiling strategy (single story, loft, vaulted)
- Must-have functional spaces (mudroom, pantry, storage)
- Shop/garage specifics (door sizes, bays, power, noise separation)
- Outdoor living plan (porches, patio placement)
- Interior finish target (durable, mid-grade, high-end)
- Comfort plan (insulation/HVAC strategy)
- Storage plan for real life
- Future-proofing priorities
- The builder process you want (communication + ownership involvement)
Ready to Plan Your Oklahoma Barndominium?
If you’re building in Oklahoma City, Edmond, Norman, Moore, Yukon, Mustang, Midwest City, Texoma, or Eufaula, Liberty Barndos & Custom Homes can help you turn ideas into a plan that actually works, then build it with discipline and craftsmanship.
Email nick@libertybarndos.com or john@libertybarndos.com to start the conversation. Share your build area, whether you want a home-first or shop-first barndo, and the must-have features you’re designing around.