Equine Building Project:
Horse Barn with Living Quarters | Custom Post-Frame Building
Shelbyville, Kentucky
Project Overview:
Located in Shelbyville, Kentucky, this custom post-frame horse barn with living quarters was designed to bring the working and living sides of an equestrian property together in one cohesive building. The facility combines a fully equipped four-stall horse barn with dedicated wash, tack, equipment and hay-storage areas, while an attached finished space provides a kitchen, bathroom, office, utility room and comfortable lounge and meeting area.
Completed in 2022, the project pairs that highly functional floor plan with an exterior designed to complement Kentucky horse country, including stone accents, large sliding doors, porches, dormers, cupolas and a prominent gabled entrance. The finished project earned 1st Place in Horse Barns Under 5,000 Square Feet at the National Frame Building Association Awards.
The Horse Barn:
The working portion of the barn was organized around the daily needs of both horses and their owners. Four stalls open into a central barn area with direct access to a dedicated wash bay, tack room and equipment-storage space. A hay loft above provides additional storage without sacrificing valuable floor area, while multiple exterior access points make it easy to move horses, feed and equipment between the barn and surrounding property.
The design also gives the barn considerable architectural character. Large sliding doors, stone-clad end walls, dormers, cupolas and covered porch areas transform a highly practical equestrian building into a centerpiece of the property.
The Living Quarters:
The attached finished space allows the building to serve as more than a traditional horse barn. The floor plan includes a full kitchen, bathroom, utility room, private office and a large lounge/meeting area, giving the owners a comfortable place to work, relax or gather without leaving the barn. A screened porch extends that space outdoors and overlooks the surrounding property.
By integrating these finished rooms directly with the equestrian portion of the building, the design keeps the people, horses and day-to-day operation of the property closely connected while still giving each area a clearly defined purpose.
Custom Features:
- Award-Winning Design: 1st Place in Horse Barns (Under 5,000 sq. ft.) at the 2022 NFBA Awards
- Equestrian Facilities: Four stalls, wash bay, tack room, hay loft, and equipment storage
- Exterior Features: Durable post-frame construction with 28-gauge steel panels, G-90 galvanizing and a lean-to porch for additional space and pasture access
- Living Quarters: Full kitchen, living room, bedroom, bathroom with walk-in shower, and utility room with washer/dryer
- Outdoor Living: Back porch with seating overlooking scenic pastures
- Walters Craftsmanship: Engineered durability using American-made materials, built by Walters’ crews in Kentucky
Make it Your Own
This project demonstrates how a horse barn can be more than a stable, it can be a true home. Walters’ design-build approach allows full customization to meet both equestrian and residential needs, from stall layouts and tack rooms to finished living spaces for convenience and comfort.
Ideal Applications:
- Horse barn with living quarters
- Boarding barns with wash bays, tack rooms, and hay lofts
- Rural properties blending equestrian and residential use
- Hobby farms with multipurpose storage and living space
Why Walters Buildings:
- Equestrian Expertise: Decades of experience building barns tailored to horses and their owners
- Award-Winning Craftsmanship: Recognized nationally for quality and design
- Customization: Flexible stall layouts, tack rooms, lofts, and full residential interiors
- Built to Last: Walters Column System, engineered trusses, and durable steel materials
- Lifestyle Focused: Designs that combine animal care with everyday comfort
Ready To Build Your Own House Barn With Living Quarters?
Contact our project management team today for a personalized quote and start planning your equestrian project with Walters.
