Ranch Style Homes

Ranch style homes are a fusion of the Mid Century Modern style with an informal, casual western sensibility. They are typically long and low profile.

First built in the 1920’s, ranch homes were originally modeled after rural Western ranches, but with modern style, open floor plans and easy connections to the outdoors. Focused mainly on practicality, most ranch homes were originally quite simple, allowing for variations and personalization. Ranch style exploded in popularity and by the 1950’s , becoming tract builders style of choice for the booming suburbs.

Ranch Style the newest architectural style to become eligible for preservation (a building 50 years or older).  They are gaining popularity with Millennials, many of whom did not grow up in a Ranch. This renewed interest in the style has been compared to that which other house styles such as the bungalow and Queen Anne experienced in the 20th century, initial dominance of the market, replacement as the desired housing style, decay and lack of interest coupled with many tear downs, then renewed interest and modernization of the surviving houses.
Looking for Mid Century Modern Homes? Click here

Exterior Features

  • Single story
  • Long, low-pitch roofline
  • Off Center Entry
  • Asymmetrical rectangular, L-shaped, or U-shaped design
  • Simple, open floor plans
  • Attached garage
  • Windows with a large glass area, sometimes decorated with non-functional shutters
  • Mixed material exteriors of stucco and brick, wood or stone
  • Deep overhanging eaves
  • Cross-gabled, side-gabled or hip roof

Interior Features

  • Living areas separate from the bedroom(s) area
  • Sliding glass doors opening onto a patio
  • Vaulted ceilings
  • exposed beams
  • Simple and/or rustic interior and exterior trim
  • Thin profile, metal frame windows (steel casement or sliding aluminum type)
  • Semi-Open floor plans
  • Sunken Living Rooms
  • Wet Bars

By the 1970’s and 80’s Ranch Style Homes had taken over suburbia.  Homeowners began to tire of the plain Ranch Style, and the homes became Styled Ranches.  Styled Ranch houses have a more complete and unified set of stylistic details that create a distinct style.

  • Spanish
  • Colonial Revival
  • Neoclassical
  • French
  • Tudor
  • Eclectic