Top 10: Unique Uses for Reclaimed Barn Wood

Incorporating rustic into your home, one project at a time.

If there is one thing we know to be true, reclaimed barn wood is a stunning addition to just about anything. Not all of us are as inspired or creatively-minded as the folks on Instagram or Pinterest! So here are our top 10 uses for reclaimed barn wood:

1. Sliding Door(s). Honestly, this is one of the most popular ways to incorporate reclaimed barn wood in to your home. There are so many different styles and it adds a beautiful “rustic” element without changing the entire aesthetic of the room. They make for great doors in front of pantries or closest, home office doors, and even for bedrooms. Anywhere you need a door, a barn wood slider is the way to go.

2. Hardwood Flooring. We are starting to see people pulling up their carpeting and laminate flooring to replace it with hardwood floors. The actual look and feel of the room is determined by the state of the wood you choose, as well as the final stain. Looking for a rustic country cottage feel? Let the “bumps” and “bruises” on the wood shine through with a clear seal or finish. For a more modern look, a darker stain lends to a sleeker look.

3. Mantel. Hand-hewn beams are a thing of beauty. Double that beauty when you salvage one from a 150-year-old barn. These beams lend the perfect accent to any fireplace or room. Antique barn wood has what we like to call “character.” Each individual piece of wood has a story. And that story, front and center in your living room, can be shared with everyone who walks in to your home.

4. Headboard. Minimalist headboards (or no headboards) is out. Rustic, reclaimed barn wood headboards are in. Reclaimed wood accents instead of an actual headboard are also in. The options are honestly endless.

5. Ceiling & Exposed Beams. Our favorite type of ceilings is reclaimed barn wood ceilings or, at the very least, one with gorgeous exposed beams. It gives a room the “farmhouse” feel without being completely overwhelming. Don’t believe us? Check it out!

6. Paneling or Siding. Any house can look like a farmhouse with reclaimed barn wood siding! But actually, using reclaimed wood as siding or paneling can completely change the look and feel of your home (or a room) almost instantly.

7. Shelving & Display Shelves. If you are looking for a way to incorporate just a small amount of reclaimed wood into your home, shelving may be the way to go. From floating shelves to actual bookcases, reclaimed barn wood is the perfect base for books, plants, pottery… Or anything else you want on display. Shelves are a fantastic way to ease yourself into the world of reclaimed barn wood, without taking the plunge into a fully rustic look.

8. Custom Furniture. Where do we begin? Custom furniture made from reclaimed barn wood is perfection. Our favorites (in no particular order) are tables (dinner and coffee), benches, countertops, and doors. And, yes, we have all of these things in our home so we fully recommend custom furniture in yours! You can view more of the custom work we do here.

9. Countertops & Kitchen Islands. One way to make a statement in your kitchen is with your countertops. Picture this: beautiful, custom, hardwood countertops. In addition, the sides of a kitchen island can be paneled with reclaimed barn wood. You can use a darker wood to contrast a lighter countertop (or vice versa). Truthfully, the possibilities are endless.

10. Accent Wall. A bold paint color as an “accent” wall is one option. Another is a full wall of reclaimed barn wood. You can pick a color scheme, depending on the type of wood you want to use, and even create a unique pattern. These accent walls look fantastic on the TV or fireplace wall, in the kitchen, or in an office space. Reclaimed barn wood accent walls are a beautiful way to add a splash of rustic in any room of your house.