Not Your Average Ranch
Add sizzle to your ranch house by working with what you've got
In a world of 5,000-square-foot suburban homes, charming bungalows and soaring loft space, my little ranch sometimes seems to pale in comparison.
I have often stared at the front of my home, wondering how to make it look more like the beautiful Colonial down the street or how to give it a rustic, log cabin feel. Sometimes I even dream about a second story addition and twin chimneys. Then I give up and realize that I will never win trying to make my ranch style home into something that it is not. Instead, I need to focus on the characteristics that make a ranch unique and capitalize on them.
Adding unique entryways, paths and other landscape features can emphasize the natural lines and materials of the ranch home. Today we are going to take a look at some ranch style homes that are not your average ranch. They have added features that make the ranch sexy again.
I have often stared at the front of my home, wondering how to make it look more like the beautiful Colonial down the street or how to give it a rustic, log cabin feel. Sometimes I even dream about a second story addition and twin chimneys. Then I give up and realize that I will never win trying to make my ranch style home into something that it is not. Instead, I need to focus on the characteristics that make a ranch unique and capitalize on them.
Adding unique entryways, paths and other landscape features can emphasize the natural lines and materials of the ranch home. Today we are going to take a look at some ranch style homes that are not your average ranch. They have added features that make the ranch sexy again.
Create drama. The most critical aspect missing from the average ranch is a little bit of drama. In my dreams, I give my ranch drama with turrets, chimneys and grand additions. In my reality, I am inspired by designs that inject drama into an average ranch. The wood plank wall, the modern portico and the plantings give this home pizzazz, and I am simply smitten.
Accentuate the base. Try accentuating the color of your front door by using a similar color in a contrasting material around the base of your home. This tiny detail will give your ranch a visual foundation and emphasize the long, lean lines of this architectural style. You might compare this foundation line to the collar of your shirt. As your collar line creates a frame for your face, the foundation line creates a frame for your home.
Replace the front door. Replacing a worn or outdated front door is a great investment — and in a ranch style home the impact is even greater.
The front door is the lipstick of a house facade, and can make or break the look (ever seen the wrong shade of pink on a redhead?). A splash of color, an expanse of polished walnut or even an artistically designed screen door can give your home a graceful and alluring smile or a quirkily charming grin.
The front door is the lipstick of a house facade, and can make or break the look (ever seen the wrong shade of pink on a redhead?). A splash of color, an expanse of polished walnut or even an artistically designed screen door can give your home a graceful and alluring smile or a quirkily charming grin.
Emphasize the horizontal. Ranch style homes are long, low and horizontal in orientation. Adding a pathway bordered by brick columns and iron fencing repeats the same long, low line, but orients it towards the visitor. This balances the entire look of the home and draws your eye to the gorgeous front door.
Try a portico. A portico is simply a small roof over the entry, braced by two columns. It is a defining feature that gives shape to the facade and also serves the practical purpose of a shelter from weather at the front door.
A portico need not be classical. You can use modern lines and materials to create a fresh look. While a portico is an investment, it will make a strong impact on your home's facade.
Add plants. If you don't have mature trees, you can still use annual and perennial plantings to boost your home's curb appeal. Black-eyed Susans are a cheerful welcome and a great contrast to the butter yellow and cornflower blue of this home.
Add architectural elements to the landscape. Accentuate plantings with large raised beds and a matching mailbox post. Notice how the three brick structures create a triangle and balance the pathway; all three elements working together to draw your eye to the front door.
How have you updated your ranch home? Did you add plantings for a little height? Did you add a pathway, porch or portico? How did you inject drama into the facade of your ranch? Let me know in the Comments section.
More:
Houzz Tour: Open and Cozy Family Space
My Houzz: Ranch Home in the Northwest Suburbs
Houzz Tour: A Sweet Southern Makeover
Houzz Tour: A Mid-Century Modern Getaway
More:
Houzz Tour: Open and Cozy Family Space
My Houzz: Ranch Home in the Northwest Suburbs
Houzz Tour: A Sweet Southern Makeover
Houzz Tour: A Mid-Century Modern Getaway
Sponsored
