What do you think truly makes a house a home? Rather than just being a hollow four-walled structure, it should be a place that tells a story—a home that’s been built with the passion of its homeowners and the relationships they’ve built with friends and family.
Now, imagine that home as a barndominium. A barndo is a go-to alternative to the traditional house that combines the rustic appeal of a barn with the modern comforts of a home.
Building a barndominium in Michigan makes perfect sense. With its rich history, stunning natural landscapes, and abundance of skilled local artisans, Michigan is the perfect backdrop to create something special.
A barndominium is also ideal for embracing the state’s four seasons, with wide porches for summer evenings and increased thermal conductivity during the colder months.
So, let’s take a closer look at the Harris’ Michigan barndominium. With its stunning local craftsmanship and reclaimed pieces, it’s a home that feels rooted in its surroundings yet designed for modern living.
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Overview
Greetings from the Great Lakes State! Michigan’s abundance of reclaimed wood, vintage materials, and sustainable resources make it a great place to build a home with heart and history.
If you’ve ever dreamed of a home with character and charm, Amy VanVoorhees Harris and her family’s Michigan barndominium is sure to inspire.
Built by Bryan Peterson Building LLC, this 40×60 barndominium blends practicality with charm. Around 40×30 ft of the space is dedicated to single-level living, complete with a bonus loft, while the rest is a heated garage. Inside, it features two bedrooms and two and a half baths.
Interestingly, the Harris family never planned to build this home. Their Amish neighbors kept making irresistible offers on their previous property, and at one point, they had to consider it. Ultimately, they decided to sell and build on an adjacent piece of land where Amy’s husband had been working on a pond for years.
Exterior
The exterior of the Harris Michigan barndominium reflects its understated country charm. This single-story home immediately grabs your attention with its striking dark metal siding. And when it’s blanketed in snow, the dark exterior creates a dramatic contrast that highlights the home’s bold design.
To add some warmth and character, a rough-sawn post-and-beam porch wraps around two sides of the home. The natural wood beams beautifully balance the modern steel.
This covered porch isn’t just there to look good and add curb appeal, it’s a space to relax, sip coffee, and take in the serene views of the countryside. Overlooking a tranquil pond, the porch lets you enjoy quiet mornings or host gatherings with family and friends.
The build itself was a labor of love with local craftsmanship at its core. Amy’s local Amish builder set the posts last December, enclosing the home in record time despite the winter chill. The family used locally sourced metal for the siding and added faux cedar shakes to the front, which softened the look and provided a welcoming, natural touch.
For added comfort, the home is equipped with in-floor heating powered by an outdoor wood boiler. Three heating zones allow for precise temperature control, while mini splits provide efficient cooling. The absence of ductwork makes the home quieter and easier to maintain.
Interior
Step into the Harris family’s Michigan barndominium, and you’re greeted with a modern farmhouse look that doesn’t lose sight of its roots. The interior showcases a more timeless design, with plenty of exposed wood that infuses the home with an authentic rustic charm.
White walls provide a clean and bright backdrop, letting the natural wood elements shine. Every detail speaks to a thoughtful approach to creating a home that’s inviting and practical.
Living Space
The living room is the heart of this home, and its open-plan layout sets the tone. It seamlessly connects to the kitchen and dining areas, creating a cohesive space perfect for family gatherings and entertaining.
The large vaulted ceiling adds a sense of grandeur, while concrete flooring is sleek and strong, making it one of the best choices for barndominium flooring. Concrete is easy to maintain, highly durable, and works well with radiant heating—an excellent feature in withstanding Michigan winters.
An indoor staircase leads to an upstairs balcony that overlooks the main living area. This small indoor balcony adds a cozy yet open feel, providing a unique vantage point of the home.
Large windows fill the room with natural light, accentuating the white walls and wood accents. The walls are “book shelved,” which makes insulation easier and simplifies the tongue-and-groove wood panel installation.
Their local Amish builders framed and drywalled the interior, while Amy’s husband, who runs an excavating business, handled the groundwork, septic system, and radiant heat tubing.
Fun fact: The home’s concrete floors were poured by a former baseball player Amy’s husband once coached. Another former player handled the electrical work, interior trim, and custom wood features like the pantry, closets, and staircase. It’s a home built not just with skill but with heartfelt connections.
Kitchen & Dining
The kitchen and dining area are rustic yet sophisticated. The cabinets were sourced from Habitat for Humanity ReStore, donated by someone who removed them from their home, and now they’ve found new life in this Michigan barndominium.
We absolutely love the small yet impactful touches in the home. The live-edge wood sills on the windows, for instance, provide a rustic aesthetic, and with a lacquer finish, they’re protected from scratches, stains, and moisture for many years to come.
The kitchen also includes a dedicated pantry room, which the family loves. This feature keeps the kitchen uncluttered and provides plenty of storage for food and appliances.
Bedrooms
The bedrooms in this barndo are designed to be cozy, relaxing spaces. Stylish sliding barn doors accentuate the home while maintaining a consistent farmhouse style throughout. Custom walk-in closets in each bedroom provide ample storage while keeping everything organized and tidy. These personal touches make the bedrooms not only functional but also welcoming spaces to retreat to at the end of the day.
Wrapping Up
The Harris family’s Michigan barndominium is a shining example of how local craftsmanship, along with reclaimed materials, can come together to create a home with heart. It ultimately becomes a space that reflects the family’s values and their connection to the land.
Are you inspired by the Harris family’s homebuilding journey? If you’ve dreamed of building your own home, Barndominium Life is here to help. Whether you need custom house plans, guides, builders, or kits, we’re your one-stop barndominium solution.
Maximize your space, pursue your hobbies, and build a home that’s as unique as you are. Visit us today and start your journey toward the barndominium lifestyle!
If you would like more guides like this one, check out the rest of BarndominiumLife.com. There, you will find more helpful tips and tricks from the pros. You will also find featured barndominiums, barndominium floor plans, and information on financing and insurance. Knowing as much as you can will help you get the best results for your dream home.
Noah Edis is a passionate staff writer at Barndominium Life, a leading online resource for all things barndominium. With years of experience in the writing industry, Noah has made a name for himself as a skilled storyteller and a knowledgeable authority on the topic of barndominiums.
Noah’s interest in barndominiums began when he stumbled upon the concept while researching alternative housing options. Intrigued by the rustic charm and functionality of these converted barns, he soon became obsessed with the idea of living in one himself. He spent countless hours researching the construction, design, and decorating aspects of barndominiums, and soon became an expert on the topic.
As a staff writer at Barndominium Life, Noah enjoys sharing his knowledge and passion for these unique homes with others. He has written numerous articles covering a wide range of topics, from the history of barndominiums to the best ways to decorate them. Noah’s writing is informative, engaging, and always on-trend, making him a valuable asset to the Barndominium Life team.
Noah is a graduate of the University of British Columbia, where he earned a degree in English Language and Literature. When he’s not writing about barndominiums, he can be found exploring the great outdoors, trying new restaurants, or spending time with his family and friends. Noah is dedicated to his craft and is always striving to improve his writing skills and knowledge of the barndominium lifestyle.
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