About Ranch Style Homes
One of America's most common architectural styles, the ranch style home predominates everywhere from California suburbs to Midwestern housing developments. Since the first examples of ranch style architecture were built, in the 1920s, people have continued to design, modify, build and renovate these homes. Although many people associate them with suburban sprawl, ranch homes are perennially popular, particularly for people interested in mid-century modern decor, open floor plans and post and beam architecture. Does this Spark an idea?
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History
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The sources for the first ranch homes included Mexican haciendas and Spanish colonial structures. Drawing upon these homes' low-slung designs that blended indoor and outdoors, American architects created a simple, streamlined aesthetic. Architects William Wurster and Cliff May created notable examples of early ranch homes.
Types
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Ranch homes varied dramatically depending upon their location. The California ranch home typifies the most commonly known design, with its Spanish-colonial elements and casual feeling. The East coast and Midwestern versions are more formal, sometimes featuring an entryway and a formal facade. Over time, ranch style grew to incorporate features such as inner courtyards and cathedral ceilings.
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Features
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Despite regional variances, the classic ranch style home is easy to identify. One story, sometimes with a basement, the house has a low roof and a floor plan that combines the entry with the living room, dining room and sometimes the kitchen. Picture windows, arches between rooms and sliding glass doors leading to decks and patios create a breezy feeling.
Benefits
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Dismissed as a cookie-cutter style for years, ranch style homes still have many benefits. They have great functionality, allowing people to entertain indoors and outside. Older people and families with young children appreciate the single-story design. Their basic construction, simple design features and tendency to have load-bearing walls on the outside perimeter of the interior mean that remodeling and renovation require less effort.
Considerations
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Decorating ranch homes allows home owners to get creative. The open floor plans and flowing spaces encourage a retro look like the popular mid-century modern and bohemian modern styles. To complement the architecture and encourage the flow of natural light, furniture should be low to the ground. Angular styles made of light- or medium-tone wood and light and bright colors keep a ranch home feeling fresh and cheerful.
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