These Questions Will Help Bring Your Dream Barn to Life
By building a custom horse barn, you can truly bring your dream barn to life. Customizing everything from the barn layout to the materials used to the barn components gives you control over the whole process and the end result. It also means that you’re looking at a more complicated build, and you’ll have to make more decisions during the planning process. These eight questions can help guide you through the process of planning a custom horse barn, ensuring you’re prepared and you’ve carefully thought out the project.
How will I use the barn today, and how will I use it in 10 or 20 years?
Before you start planning the details of your custom horse barn, think about how you’ll be using the barn not only today, but also in the future. The barn will need to meet your current needs, but to get the most value out of it, it should be able to adapt to your changing future needs.
Maybe you’ve been thinking of breeding your performance horses once they retire. Or maybe you want to venture into horse rescue or start working with horse breeds that are smaller or larger than your current horses. While you can’t necessarily predict the future, consider those goals that you’d like to accomplish one day and think about the type of barn you’d need if you did pursue them.
You can make your custom horse barn more versatile through strategic design. If you might want to expand it later on, then its positioning on the property and its layout can be designed to allow for easy expansion. Other features, like designing Horse Stall Partitions that can be removed, will give you more choices when it comes to the number and size of Horse Stalls, which can be helpful if you decide to breed or get more horses.
Discover how to choose the right stall partitions, covering everything from ideal sizes to design options, in our article "How to Choose the Right Horse Stall Partitions for Your Barn."
How much and what type of storage do I need?
Consider the type and amount of storage you need in your barn. Items such as blankets, tack, feed, and barn cleaning supplies all take up considerable space, so plan for their storage. Look at how other barns handle storing these items, and make a list of must-have features or designs that you want in areas like your tack room and feed room.
It’s also important to plan out how you’ll store hay and bedding. These supplies are highly flammable, and it’s best to avoid keeping them in your barn if at all possible. Consider constructing additional, separate structures to store these materials.
It can be frustrating to build a custom horse barn, only to then discover you didn’t account for enough storage. As you plan the barn, incorporate more storage space than you think you’ll need.
Looking to make your barn more organized and efficient? Don’t miss our article “5 Ways to Maximize Storage in Your Horse Barn.”
What drainage considerations does this site require?
Drainage can be a significant challenge for many equestrian properties, and if you don’t address drainage during barn construction, it can become an ongoing and frustrating issue. Carefully evaluate the property and budget for site preparation that addresses any potential drainage issues. You may need to regrade the property and incorporate elements like French drains and gutter systems to prevent future drainage issues.
Don’t forget to also consider the pasture layout. Low-lying areas or high-traffic areas in the pasture, like the spaces surrounding pasture gates, can be prone to mud. Mud Control Grids are a practical solution that helps keep horses and humans out of mud, stabilizing the earth in these mud-prone locations.
What overall aesthetic do I want the interior and exterior to have?
A barn’s exterior and interior aesthetic can shape your experience of working in the barn, plus they play a key role if you’re operating a professional equestrian facility and are working with boarders or training clients. Spend some time envisioning the type of aesthetic you’re looking for, both inside and outside your barn.
Many factors shape the barn’s aesthetic, from its design and size to the materials and colors you choose. Barn lighting plays a key role. By investing in custom Barn Lighting, you can really tailor the barn’s appearance. Even your choice of horse barn flooring will have an effect; for example, choosing Rubber Aisle Pavers can add a luxurious, highly detailed touch while also prioritizing horse and handler safety.
What types of stalls are ideal for my horse-keeping style?
The Horse Stall Systems you choose for your barn will affect its appearance, but they’ll also impact your horse-keeping style. Many barn owners love the luxurious, open feel of European Stall Fronts, since they allow horses to engage with their surroundings while being highly aesthetically appealing.
At American Stalls, we can custom-build our Horse Stall Systems to your preferences and dimensions, ensuring your horse stalls are both functional and beautiful.
What barns have I seen that work well or don’t work well, and why is that?
While planning your custom horse barn, think about the barns you’ve visited that you’ve enjoyed, as well as those that had challenges. Mistakes with barn layouts, locations, stall size and type selection, and other important details can lead to functionality issues that you’ll want to avoid.
If possible, visit some barns in your area that you’d like to emulate. Create a list of what works well, and discuss the design elements they want with the barn owners, as well as what they would change. These discussions may highlight details that you’d otherwise overlook, and that information can help you plan your own barn more effectively.
For even more inspiration, take a virtual visit through some of our favorite Barn Tours. Each project showcases unique layouts, design ideas, and details that blend beauty and function. Explore them all here and start envisioning what’s possible for your own dream barn. Some of them are:
A Sophisticated Hunter-Jumper Barn in Eustis, Florida
Custom Barn in Leipers Fork, Tennessee
Dressage Barn in the Heart of Wisconsin
Modern Metal Masterpiece in Texas
Who are the equestrian architects or builders I can consult with?
You’ll want to choose an equestrian architect or builder for your project with the same careful attention that you spent on designing the barn. Your architect or builder will be an essential partners in this project, and they’ll play a key role in its success. Carefully research each individual you’re considering, request and speak with references, and make sure you’re comfortable with your choice before proceeding.
Building your dream barn is a special project that depends on choosing the right builder. In this article, we share tips, insights, and best practices to help you make it a success.
Building your dream barn is a special project that depends on choosing the right builder. In this article, we share tips and best practices to help you plan successfully, and don’t miss our Barn Planning Guide for key questions to consider before you begin.
What company offers custom barn components to complete my barn?
Top-quality custom barn components will help bring your vision for your horse barn to life. At American Stalls, we’re proud to custom-design and build everything from horse stall systems to Barn Entry Doors and Horse Barn Windows. We’re happy to work with you to custom-design the components you need for your project. We encourage you to contact us as early in the process as possible. We work closely with barn architects and builders to design and create the custom components that will complete your barn.
Contact us today at (855) 957-8255 or email us at sales@americanstalls.com to schedule a sales and design consultation or with any questions.
