Ranch Style Homes – The Ultimate Guide

Ranch style homes are known for their minimalist single floor plan with an open flow between rooms and the outdoors. Often rectangle, U-, or L- shaped, ranch homes boast convenient layouts for easy access to all rooms in the house and to the outside property while honoring the rich tradition of sprawling, single-level homes.

First popularized in the 1920s, ranch homes are making a comeback as homeowners seek out simple floor plans for easy maintenance and enjoyable living.

What is a ranch style home?

A ranch style home is a traditional single-story house with an open concept layout, low-pitched roof, large windows and sliding doors, an attached garage, and often a basement space.

Key features of a ranch style home

Many people fall in love with the simplicity and well-designed architecture of ranch homes. Large windows and sliding doors invite in natural light throughout the house. The open concept floor plan allows easy movement between rooms which can be great for entertaining, families with young children, and mobility for all ages and abilities. Patios, decks, and courtyards ensure a simple transition into the outdoors. 

Ranch style features:

• Single story for a simple floor plan
• Sliding glass doors to let in natural sunlight and provide easy access to the outdoors
• Large windows to bring in natural lighting for all rooms
• An attached garage with easy access to the main house
• Open concept floor plan for easy movement between rooms
• Rectangle, U-, or L- shaped for best layouts
• Large patio, deck, or courtyard to enjoy the outdoors from
• A finished basement for additional space to the main living areas
• Low-pitched roof lines with wide eaves for a traditional look and safe movement on the roof

Ranch Style Quick Tip: What is the difference between a ranch- and rambler-style home?

Ranch style and ramblers are often used interchangeably. However, ranch homes often have a basement while ramblers don’t. 

Advantages of a ranch style home

The many advantages of single story ranch homes keep the ranch style relevant and fashionable. 

One of the favored advantages of the ranch style is the greater connection to the outdoors. The large windows and room layout brings in lots of natural light and creates an easy indoor to outdoor transition. Porches and patios at the entryway and in the backyard provide a space to spend outside for entertaining, grilling, eating, and watching rain storms pass by. Homeowners who love to entertain outdoors or feel connected with nature tend to love the access the ranch style gives them.

The single-story and open layout is also great for all ages and abilities. The floor plan is easily accessible by all, and all the main living spaces are on the main floor, even if there is a basement.

Additional ranch home pros:

• Great for warm climates
• Roof maintenance and repair is easier
• Easy movement between kitchen, dining room, and living room
• Safer to evacuate in emergencies
• Fewer load-bearing walls

Disadvantages of a ranch style home

Ranch homes aren’t as suitable for colder climates as other home designs. The traditional low-pitched roofs can form ice dams when the accumulated snow melts on the roof and refreezes on the lower edge. Plus one-story homes may have cold spots furthest away from the furnace because it’s more difficult to heat a wide, flat layout compared to a two-story.

Single-level homes take up more property space. In condensed neighborhoods, this may not leave you with much of a backyard. 

So while there are many benefits from a single-level ranch home, it may not be for every climate or household. NLH can help you determine if the ranch home you’re looking at would still be a good fit for you.

Ranch Style Quick Tip: Not all ranch-style homes have low-pitched roofs. Some Storybook designs break away from this and have higher-pitches more suitable for snow.

Different types of ranch homes

There are five primary types of ranch homes that add different exterior architecture flavor and provide different floor plan layouts to fit different needs.

California

California ranch homes commonly feature L- or U- shaped floor plans and a courtyard at the center of the house. Architecture often hints at the Spanish-influences of the original California ranch houses in the 1920s, featuring subtle or extreme decorative exteriors to impress and stand out.

Suburban

Suburban ranch floor plans are more condensed to make use of smaller properties. The original ranch styles sprawl across the property, which isn’t always feasible due to space so a more compact, efficient layout was designed. Even with the smaller square footage, the Suburban ranch maintains the openness of larger layouts like California and can provide plenty of space for entertaining or a growing family.

Storybook

The Storybook ranch breaks away from ranch-style minimalism and California influences with more ornate and decorative architecture. The windows, trim, and roofs encompass a baroque, straight-out of a fairytale feel. From steep roofs to tall, narrow windows to decorative stone exteriors, Storybook ranch styles aim to bring the magic home. 

Raised

Raised ranch homes turn the single-level into two floors – an upper floor with the main living spaces and a lower floor that tucks the garage and basement beneath the main floor. Raised ranches are not to be confused with split-level ranches.

Split-Level

Split-level ranch homes feature a half-staircase in the entrance that leads to two different levels of the home. This creates a three-level floor plan to give more separation between different living spaces.

Ranch Style Quick Tip: If stairs are a concern, look at the traditional California or suburban ranch homes. 

Let us help you find the Ranch style that fits your needs best! 

No matter your needs and desires, Next Level Homes is equipped to help you find the home of your dreams. To learn more about Nest Level Home’s ranch homes, contact us today!