Ranch-style homes are extremely well-liked across the United States, so there’s an excellent chance that you’ve lived in one of them before. They date back to the mid-20th century, and the majority of these single-story residences remain in use even today.
If you’re the owner of one or have been in one, you’ll already know certain features of a ranch-style house.
What Is a Ranch-Style Home?
Ranch-style houses are single-story homes. A ranch-style home typically features an open or L-shaped floorplan, huge windows, a roof that is low pitched with sliding glass doors leading to a dining area outside and, sometimes, the front porch.
Most often, they are built on concrete slabs and are usually just a single-level structure (a split-level ranch may have multiple levels; however, we’ll discuss the subject later). They also have an open-plan floor layout.
For many homeowners, the ease of having everything on one floor and the focus on indoor and outdoor living make ranch homes extremely desired.
Depending on the location in the country, where the ranch is located and where it is located, it may have a garage attached to it and a basement. Additionally, it is possible to construct and expand your house quite easily, which makes it a preferred choice for people with lots of land.
To sum up, what are basic characteristics of a ranch-style home:
- Single-story
- Open concept floorplan
- Rectangular, “U”, or “L”-shaped
- Devoted patio or deck space
- Large windows as well as sliding glass doors
- Low-pitched roofline, broad eaves
- Sometimes, it includes a finished basement
- Most often, it has an attached garage
Where are Ranch Style Houses Most Common?
Ranch-style homes originated in the Southwest but are now all over the USA, and different styles are prevalent in different regions across the nation.
The ranch-style style is extremely well-liked throughout regions like the West, North, Northwest, Midwest and Southwest. In the northern USA and in the Midwest, there are numerous ranches that are raised with finished basements.
Ranch-style homes built on slabs can be seen mostly in warmer climates such as California along with the Southwest. Ranch-style houses can be found in Florida, New Jersey, Maryland, and the District of Columbia.
Style homes originated in the Southwest but are now located across the USA, and different styles are prevalent in different regions across the nation. The ranch-style style is extremely well-liked across areas like the West, North, Northwest, Midwest and Southwest.
In the northern USA and in the Midwest, you can find many ranches with raised floors and finished basements. Ranch homes built on slabs are likely to be found in warmer climates like California as well as the Southwest.
These ranch-style homes can also be found throughout Florida, New Jersey, Maryland and the District of Columbia.
Key Characteristics of a Ranch Home
A ranch house, by its sprawling plan, can be rectangular and straight and U-shaped or L-shaped, with a single-story floor layout.
It is built on the ground and does not have to go through the porch to enter the house. As you would in a bungalow or craftsman-style home. These are the other major aspects of a ranch home:
- When you enter, the inside is designed in an open-concept design that features little wall space between the dining and living spaces.
- A ranch-style house is constructed for easy access to the outdoors with features such as huge windows on every side of the home, as well as the ability to have entry points at ground level that allow for an easy transition between outdoor and indoor living areas.
- It could be a basement since most ranch homes are built on foundations made of concrete.
- Sometimes, there’s a small deck connecting outdoor spaces with indoor ones. However, you can’t have a deck that is tall in a ranch-style single-level home.
- A few common exterior features include a low-pitch roof, overhanging eaves and garages with attached garages.
Different Types of Ranch Homes
While different styles of ranch homes share some of the same characteristics, there are certain features that make them stand out. These are the distinct designs and designs of ranch houses that can be tailored to different homeowner requirements.
California Ranch
Also referred to as a rambling or rambling ranch, this California ranch is distinguished by a U-shaped or L-shaped building constructed close to the earth. This sprawling single-story structure was designed to blend in with the natural landscape. A front lawn and patio are the main elements of this California ranch.
Suburban Ranch
Although the suburban ranch is like the California ranch, with its U-shaped or L-shaped form and open-concept interior, it is much smaller and more asymmetrical in design. Its other major attributes include an attached garage as well as a backyard.
Split-Level Ranch
The ranch split-level shares the same exterior as the suburban ranch, but it has three stories of living space that is staggered. Its unique layout includes an entrance that leads to the living, dining and kitchen areas. It also has two half-flights of stairs that lead to bedrooms and an additional living space.
Raised Ranch
Similar to the split-level ranch, the raised ranch also has several levels of living space but with a distinctive design. The front door to the raised ranch is directly accessible to the staircase that goes to both the downstairs and upstairs, including the kitchen and bedrooms, typically on the upper levels.
Storybook Ranch
Also called”the fairytale ranch,” this ranch is distinct from other ranch styles due to its ornamental particulars. The style features diamond-shaped windows, a sculptural chimney constructed out of stone or brick and a sloping roof with a gabled roof.
Benefits and Disadvantages of Ranch Homes
Benefits
- Open living space
- Simple to maintain and clean
- Safety for seniors and people who have mobility issues.
Disadvantages
- Needs more space to spread
- Less yard space
- There is less privacy inside when you have an open floor plan
Fun Facts
- The ranch-style house was influenced by the Spanish Colonial homes that popped up in Southern California and quickly became the standard for indoor and outdoor living.
- When the soldiers returned to the country after World War II, families relocated to suburbs, where the communities were loved and houses were affordably priced.
A ranch of the suburban-style could be constructed quickly and was accessible to those in the middle class, helping to increase its popularity in the 1950s.
- While the ranch-style home might not become the top-rated new construction in America however, it remains extremely popular and is an ideal home design, especially for people who are downsizing or who value the absence of stairs and a livable floor layout.
FAQs
What are the characteristics of a house that make it ranch-style?
A ranch-style home is a single-story house that has an open floor plan, large windows, and a low-pitched roof. Ranch-style houses are typically constructed on a concrete slab and may be rectangular, l-shaped, or U-shaped.
What are the criteria for a house to be a ranch?
Ranch homes are typically one-story homes. There could be a loft or semi-finished basement or an attic; however, for a home to be classified as one that is a ranch, the main floor is the ground, and there isn’t any “upstairs,” and that’s the reason it’s a single story. This is the primary aspect of the design of the home.
Why is it called ranch-style homes?
The style of the house was called”a Ranch or Rambler due to the wide-open spaces the new style of home acknowledged, as well as the connection it had to cattle ranches. They were also horizontal (albeit bigger) and had low-pitched roofs and an identical connection to the outdoors.
What is a ranch-style house referred to?
Ranch (also called American ranch, California ranch, or rambler rancher) is an American architectural style that was developed in the United States. The ranch-style house is known for its long, close-to-the-ground shape and open design.
