The ranch style house is returning to the forefront as more home owners seek designs that connect indoor and outdoor spaces. Its uncomplicated structure offers a high degree of personalization, and the casual style evokes a relaxing atmosphere. These ground hugging, single story homes provide accessibility and ease of maintenance. You’ll usually find patios and porches that emphasize an outdoor lifestyle. Although the popularity of ranch style homes declined significantly during the 1980’s and 1990’s, their affordability, ease of customization and high degree of compatibility with today’s lifestyles have brought about a resurgence.
The first ranch style homes appeared during the 1920’s and were influenced by the Spanish Colonial architecture found in the Southwest. The design was based on the simple, one story structures constructed by ranchers who lived in the plains and mountains. The architects sought to represent the informal lifestyle of the ranch family with rooms that opened onto a veranda and combined functional living spaces such as an eat-in kitchen. They borrowed from the works of Frank Lloyd Wright, using multiple windows and French doors to make the yard appear to be part of the home’s interior. The original ranch style homes were mostly built for wealthy clients and were expansive, sprawling houses.
Following World War II, residential construction resumed and builders began searching for a way to erect houses quickly. A number of California builders began offering simplified versions of the ranch home. Most were between 1000 and 1500 square feet and provided affordable housing for the millions of buyers desiring to move to the suburbs. The style was copied and ranch style homes became a permanent fixture in suburbs across the United States. It remained the predominant home style from the end of the 1940’s until 1980. Present-day ranch style homes are barely recognizable as the same design as the post-war version, whereas it’s nearly three times larger and consists of two to three times as many rooms. However, you’ll find that they retain the light-filled, open spaces and other essential characteristics that make the ranch style home stand out.
1. Asymmetrical Design
One of the most recognizable characteristics of the ranch style home is its asymmetrical design. The homes are constructed in a “U” or “L” shape with a long, horizontal facade that faces the street. They are most often single-story homes that are built low to the ground and follow the contour of the land. Smaller, post war versions are constructed directly on concrete slabs; therefore, they are void of cellars or basements. Ranch style homes are wood framed structures, and the exteriors are most often constructed of brick, wood or stucco.
2. Hipped or Gabled Roof with Wide Eaves
The classic ranch style home has either a hipped or gabled roof, typically with wide eaves. Gabled roofs are simplistic in design and add to the affordability of the homes. Hipped roofs provide additional support and stability for areas prone to high winds. These roofs provide spacious attics with ample ventilation and may accommodate cathedral ceilings. You’ll frequently see high ceilings with exposed beams in ranch style homes.
3. Open Floor Plan
The open floor plan of the ranch style home is one of its most desirable features. Interiors are light and airy, combining functional spaces such as the living and dining room. Many homeowners favor ranch style architecture, whereas it offers a large amount of customizable space. The absence of interior walls also allows for easy, inexpensive construction. Bedrooms are placed near the front of the home, an unusual design at the time of its debut. Most ranch style homes have three bedrooms.
4. Modest Exterior Decoration
The exterior of ranch style homes is modestly decorated. The original homes were modeled from those of ranch families in the West and relied on natural materials such as brick, wood and stucco to impart the earthy tones and textures common to their predecessors. One reason for the immense popularity of the ranch style home during the 1950’s was the newly developed fascination Americans had with the Old West. As people watched movie stars such as Roy Rogers and John Wayne portray cowboys, they sought to emulate the lifestyle. The exterior of ranch style houses bear many similar characteristics to the old ranch homes you’ll find out West.
5. Sliding Glass Doors
Sliding glass doors are another distinguishing characteristic of ranch style homes. They usually lead out to a porch or patio at the rear of the home, placing emphasis on the outdoors. The large expanses of glass allow natural light to flow into the house and connect the interior of the home to the backyard.
6. Large Picture Windows
Ranch style homes are notable for their large picture windows. While the sliding glass doors open to the back, the picture windows typically offer a generous view of the front yard. Together with the open layout, they present an intermingling of indoor and outdoor spaces. You’ll find that the interior of the ranch style home has a light, airy atmosphere.
7. Attached Garages
The popularity of ranch style homes occurred around the same time as many Americans moved to the suburbs. Relocating away from the city meant an automobile would be needed to get to and from work. As a result, newly constructed homes would require space to accommodate a vehicle. You’ll find that attached garages are common among ranch style homes.
2 Point Highlight
Building a custom home is the dream of many homeowners.
There are many details when building a custom home and you need to realize minor glitches can occur and patience is required.
