Couple builds their dream ‘barndominium’ from scratch —and reveals why it’s better than a ‘traditional’ home

A20-something couple left the internet in a state of awe and jealousy after revealing how they built their “dream” barndominium from scratch—while detailing why they opted for the unique structure instead of a “traditional house.”

Morgan, 26, and her fiancé, Cole, 29, who keep their last names hidden to protect their privacy, are Canadian content creators who have a strong passion for outdoor activities like hunting and fishing, and they wanted to build a home that would enable them to pursue these activities in as comfortable a way as possible.

The duo, who post on TikTok under the username @cmbarndominium, began building their dream home in early 2022. They previously lived in a mobile home that sat on the same plot where their barndominium was brought to life.

Morgan documented their homebuilding journey, quickly earning a legion of fans online who were fascinated by the process—and massively bowled over by the result.

“A couple of years ago we started the design work for our barndominium. We got our mobile [home] towed away and we started to build,” Morgan explained in a recent video.

“We love hunting, fishing, lots of outdoor things, camping,” Morgan said. “We wanted to have a big shop attached to our house, and access to everything was right there.”

They chose a barndominium over a more “normal house,” she explained, because it affords them more space—as well as the opportunity to include a workshop where they can store their tools and vehicles and prepare the meat that they regularly hunt.

“No. 1, it’s more cost-effective. No. 2, half of our house is going to be a shop. No. 3, we love the style and the open concept. No. 4, we get 20-foot ceilings in our living room,” Morgain said in her clip.

Their barn-style property measures 65 feet by 92 feet and took them 11 months to build from the ground up.

“It was built similarly to a traditional home,” the couple noted.

Their home features a dramatic floor-to-ceiling fireplace, 20-foot ceilings, and walls of windows.

There are “three bedrooms but we left our loft open so that it’s easy to just frame in down the road if we need a fourth bedroom,” Morgan explained.

Their primary bath is nothing short of deluxe, with a steam shower, soaking tub, dual sinks, and pristine white tile.

The kitchen includes a 9-foot-wide island, cabinet storage, and floating shelves.

While it might seem like a tall order to build your own home, these two were well-equipped to take on such a project.

Morgan, who grew up in the city, had only baking skills before meeting Cole, who was raised in a “small lakeside community” and is a carpenter.

“I knew nothing about hunting before I met Cole and never imagined I’d be harvesting my first buck a year after we started dating,” Morgan joked on the couple’s website.

“Cole is a carpenter and runs a contracting company with his dad, and I own/operate a local bakery that specializes in gluten-free goodies,” she said.

The couple have a giant dog named Tupac, a newly acquired puppy, and a barn cat. They described themselves as “homebodies” who aren’t big on traveling.

“We believe that we have some of the most beautiful and amazing places to explore in our own backyard,” Morgan noted.

Although you would think their schedules aren’t as packed now that they aren’t building, the couple have a barndominium business.

Plans for their home design are for sale on their website for $628. They also offer plenty of free advice.

One TikTok video outlines the steps to building your own. First, find “land/location.” Then, “check the bylaws and building codes in your area.” After that, “secure a construction mortgage/loan.”

Then you’re ready to “choose a floor plan and design.” They then recommend taking the floor plans to a “draftsman and have it customized to your needs.” Finally, “locate a reputable contractor in your area for your build.”

Must-haves for their barndominium include a drive-through shop bay, a “meat processing room” for the avid hunters, a coffee bar, a large closet in the primary bedroom, a patio, a walk-in pantry, and a man cave.

A mashup of “barn” and “condominium,” the rustic-style country home that incorporates spaces for living along with a workshop or barn for animals has become a hot home trend.

The buildings are constructed with a steel framed exterior to resemble a traditional barn on the outside but with a finished and refined living space inside.

While the living plans can vary for the needs of the owner, they often feature elements such as high ceilings, open floor plans, modern amenities, and comfortable living spaces.

In addition, they’re often a more cost-effective option to build than a traditional home. They’re also durable and can be energy-efficient, too.