Increasing Curb Appeal for a Metal Barn

I have a standard MD metal barn, which I absolutely love and wouldn’t trade for the world, however, I feel like it lacks the character and personality of a wood barn.

I’m hoping to source ideas on how to give the exterior of my barn a little more personality. A few catches - it must be goat-proof (the two floral “balls” pictured in the barrel planters are plastic). My design ideas max out at slapping seasonal appropriate wreaths on the barn doors. Would love to see what others have done!

You could use hanging flower baskets. You could put up a wooden sign with the name of your farm or what have you. You could put a little table and chairs where the pallet is (you could even use the pallet as your table top!). Or a nice bench. I always found little small comforts like that to make a barn look cozy—plus then you have a little table and chairs :grinning:

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How would you feel about installing a couple of windows?

There are window kits made for pre-fab steel buildings. And added light in the interior would be a side benefit.

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What is your discipline?

Many barns add discrete metal cutouts to the side of their barns, some just horses, some horses with their discipline in action, some with the barn’s name, some plain, some spray painted in the color of the trim.

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You could hang plastic or wood (goats permitting) trellises on the walls, to give it alittle more detail, and/or build out a trellised area over the front doors, like a portico. I mean, the ducks would have to approve, but, it’s an idea.

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Would they bother cedar rails? You could do a decorative fence along the building with a couple large boulders beside the planters.

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I have a bench (wrought iron suppports liberated from Chgo Park District - DH’s Mom worked there) & 2 galvanized cans I planted.
They sit to one side if the big front slider & I dispense treats from there every morning. :blush:
Cans originally stored feed & were repurposed after horses “remodeled” them.
Can’t speak for your goats, but last year horses seemed to ignore coleus & lantana planted.
This pic shows mums that did not survive horses :roll_eyes:

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What about some inserts on your doors to make a large X on each door in a contrasting color? Those were metal but I supposed you could use wood or something synthetic.

Paint your existing planters the same color as the X’s on the doors and put a little bigger plant(s) in each. Also get a decorative metal hose reel.

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I love some stone wainscotting, and putting on faux panels would be so easy since it looks like your metal walls are flat. What about a fountain instead of plants, since the goats will eat them?

Here’s my idea:

And when looking for a good window picture to copy into it, I came across this actual barn so, I guess it’s a common way to dress things up!

Of course, you can always do the wainscotting a bit more simple (and affordable), with just paint, vinyl planks, a different color sheet metal, etc.

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Barn quilts, baby!

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Was going to suggest a barn quilt too. Many quilt patterns are geometric with straight lines, so you don’t really need artistic talent to do them.

I feel attacked :laughing:

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omg sorry I didn’t mean THAT.

I’m sure you are very very talented.

In your own cute little way.
:laughing:

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Lol now you made me cackle :wink:

I’m so glad I made this thread. You all are very talented! Will update once I’ve made progress.

Currently sourcing faux outdoor wainscotting and grumbling at the price of faux topiary…

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