9 Idaho Barn Conversions With Modern Touches That Stick
Rustic meets contemporary in Idaho’s countryside where old barns are getting spectacular makeovers. These architectural transformations blend weathered wood and original beams with sleek glass, modern kitchens, and smart home technology. I’ve toured some jaw-dropping barn conversions across the Gem State that perfectly balance historical charm with modern living; and I’m spilling all my favorite design secrets!
1. Sun Valley Hay Loft Turned Luxury Retreat
Holy cow, this place makes me weak in the knees! A century-old hay loft near Sun Valley now boasts 30-foot ceilings with the original wooden trusses framing a wall of windows that captures those dreamy mountain views.
The owners cleverly installed radiant heated concrete floors (goodbye freezing toes in winter!) while preserving the barn’s weathered exterior. My favorite touch? The sliding barn doors repurposed as bathroom partitions; such a cheeky nod to the building’s history!
2. Boise’s Urban Barn With Industrial Edge
Smack in the middle of Boise’s trendiest neighborhood sits a former dairy barn that’s now the coolest living space I’ve ever snooped around. The owners kept the rustic exterior completely intact; fooling passersby who have no idea what awaits inside!
Exposed steel beams complement original wood posts, while factory-style windows flood the space with light. The showstopper? A suspended catwalk connecting upstairs bedrooms that lets you appreciate the soaring ceiling height from above. I’m still dreaming about that kitchen with its concrete countertops!
3. Coeur d’Alene Lake View Horse Barn Transformation
Picture this: I’m sipping coffee in a former horse barn where stalls once stood, now gazing through floor-to-ceiling glass at sparkling Coeur d’Alene Lake. The architects brilliantly preserved the massive center aisle, transforming it into a dramatic great room with 25-foot ceilings.
Horse stalls? Now cozy bedrooms with the original wood dividers serving as accent walls. The owners added heated stone floors and a massive stone fireplace that anchors the space. My absolute favorite feature is the hayloft trapdoor, now a skylight that bathes the dining table in natural light.
4. Teton Valley Timber Frame Wonder
Jaw, meet floor! This 1920s barn in Teton Valley had me gasping the moment I stepped inside. The homeowners painstakingly numbered and dismantled every timber, then reassembled the entire frame around a modern home design; talk about dedication!
Massive Douglas fir beams frame contemporary spaces while glass walls showcase those drool-worthy Teton views. The kitchen island? Crafted from a massive fallen tree found on the property. Upstairs, the bedroom features a retractable glass ceiling section for stargazing from bed; absolute genius that had me plotting how to install one in my own home!
5. Sandpoint Waterfront Barn-Inspired New Build
OK, so this isn’t technically a conversion; it’s a brand-new home built to look like a classic barn, but with every modern convenience imaginable! Perched on Lake Pend Oreille’s shore, this red-painted beauty features a classic gambrel roof and cupola that had me fooled from the road.
Inside, reclaimed barnwood covers the walls while sleek concrete floors hide the radiant heating system. The owners installed motorized barn doors that slide open at the touch of a button, revealing a stunning lakefront patio. My designer heart nearly exploded over the barn-style chandelier made from antique farm implements; absolute perfection!
6. McCall’s Ski Barn Weekend Retreat
Forget typical mountain cabins; this converted barn near McCall’s ski slopes redefines winter getaways! Originally built to store hay for cattle ranching, the structure now houses a magnificent three-story retreat with walls of glass framing snow-covered pines.
The homeowners maintained the barn’s massive sliding door track, now supporting a rolling library ladder that accesses floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. Downstairs, the original concrete floor was polished and embedded with heating elements. My favorite quirky touch? The old grain silo attached to the barn was converted into a spiral staircase leading to a private reading nook!
7. Ketchum’s Party Barn Entertainment Complex
Party at my place! That’s what the owners of this spectacular Ketchum barn conversion must say constantly. This former working barn now houses the ultimate entertainment space with a two-lane bowling alley where livestock once roamed!
The hayloft transformed into a home theater with original beams framing the projection screen. My mixologist dreams came true seeing the salvaged wood bar with taps built into an antique tractor part. Most impressive? The climate-controlled wine cellar constructed inside the original root cellar, now storing hundreds of bottles behind a glass wall that makes me positively giddy!
8. Idaho Falls Riverside Barn Studio
Artists, prepare to be jealous! A compact horse barn along the Snake River in Idaho Falls has become the most inspiring studio space I’ve ever toured. The north-facing wall was replaced entirely with glass, providing that perfect indirect light that painters dream about.
Original horse stalls now house different artistic stations; pottery wheel, painting area, and photography setup. The hayloft ladder leads to a cozy writing nook with river views that would cure anyone’s writer’s block. My absolute favorite feature? The sliding exterior walls that open completely in summer, turning the entire studio into an indoor/outdoor creative paradise!
9. Caldwell Wine Country Barn Tasting Room
Wine lovers, I’ve found your heaven! An 1890s dairy barn in Caldwell’s burgeoning wine country has transformed into a spectacular tasting room that honors its agricultural roots while showcasing Idaho’s emerging vintages.
The milking parlor now houses steel fermentation tanks visible through glass floors; I may have spent too long staring down! Upstairs, the hayloft became a tasting room where original wooden hay chutes deliver bottles from the cellar below (pure genius!). My favorite touch? The old barn doors now hang on tracks as movable walls, creating private tasting areas that can open for larger events.
