How to Make a Craftsman House Out of a Ranch

If you long for the charm of a Craftsman-style home but live in a ranch, have no fear; with some decorative additions, you can give your traditional ranch the aura of that century-old favorite. You may want to seek the help of friends or hire a handyman to help you achieve the new look, but with a little hard work and some creativity, your home will exude Craftsman charm.

Things You'll Need

• Concrete
• River rock or slate tiles
• Posts or columns
• Door
• Sidelights
• Outdoor lighting
• Wood flooring
• Wood ceiling rafters
• Paint
• Wainscoting
• Cabinetry
• Furnishings
• Stained glass inserts

Instructions

Exterior

1. Install river rock or slate along the base of your home. Apply concrete to the bottom 10 to 12 inches of the exterior and set decorative river rocks or slate into the concrete. Add this feature to just the front of your home, or install it around the entire perimeter.

2. Surround the doorway with decorative posts or columns. Choose wide wooden posts or columns that feature decorative carvings.

3. Replace your existing door with a heavy wooden door. Use a door that features wrought iron details; hinges, nail heads and a door knob, for example. If there's room and there are no structural issues, install stained glass sidelights around the door to add to the Craftsman look.

4. Hang decorative wrought iron lighting near the front door. Suspend a large wrought iron pendant lamp from the ceiling above the doorway, or flank the door with wrought iron wall-mounted sconces.

Interior

1. Remove any carpeting from the floors. Cover the entry and kitchen floors with slate tiles. Install wide-planked wood flooring throughout the rest of the home.

2. Frame the ceilings with decorative wood rafters, which are so commonly featured in Craftsman design.

3. Paint the walls with neutral colors or muted earth tones. Colors to consider include sage green, slate blue, steel gray and warm brown. Paint only the top half of the walls and install wooden wainscoting on the bottom half.

4. Replace any cabinetry in the home with walnut cabinets that feature straight lines and wrought iron handles.

5. Furnish the rooms with heavy, natural wood pieces that feature straight lines. Use pieces that are upholstered with leather.

6. Display stained glass inserts over some of the windows inside the home.

7. Add stained glass overhead light fixtures in rooms that feature overhead lighting.