House Styles: What is a Ranch Home?

Ranch homes are among the most common style of home in America. And while the ranch home is much more an architectural style than a distinct type of interior design, there are a number of distinguishing characteristics that have made it such a longstanding favorite. But what is a ranch home—and why are so many people looking to buy one?

According to recent Google search trends, “ranch style house” is the number one most searched for architectural style. Meanwhile, ranch homes are the most popular style of home in 34 states across the U.S., outpacing contemporary, craftsman, and farmhouse homes, all of which are highly popular in their own right.

In answering “what is a ranch home?” we also have to look at what features make it such a mainstay of American homebuying. Here’s what to know, including why you might want to put it at the top of your own list if you’re looking to buy a house soon.

What is a ranch home?

Okay, so what is a ranch home anyway? Ranch style homes are single story structures that often feature open-concept floorplans and ample outdoor space. Some of the most common features of the ranch style house are long and low-pitch rooflines and wide eaves, and—in many cases—a finished basement that serves to increase the amount of available central living space.

The shape of a ranch home varies. In modern housing developments, you’ll typically find a lot of square or rectangular shaped ranches, and L-, U-, and C-shaped ranches are also quite common. Attached garages are another common feature, though you’ll often see ranch houses with carports instead, especially if they were built between the 1930s and 1950s.

Common features of the ranch style house:

• • Single story
  • Long, low rooflines
  • Wide eaves
  • Front, back, or central patios
  • Rectangular, L-, U-, or C-shapes
  • Finished basement
  • Attached garage or carport
  • Large windows
  • Open-concept floorplans

  Other types of ranch homes

  There are also some other unique designations within the ranch style:

  Split level ranch – These are homes that have the appearance of ranch homes from the front but actually features three levels of living space, with half staircases separating each level. In many split level ranches, the front door opens onto the main living space (including kitchen and dining room), with one half staircase leading down to a living room and another half staircase leading up to the bedrooms.

  Raised ranch – These are similar to split level ranches, however instead of walking into the main living space when you enter the front door you enter onto a landing where you can either walk up to one floor or down to another.

  California ranch – The California ranch home is a sprawling style meant to blend home and landscape. You’ll usually see these in those aforementioned L-, U-, or C-shapes, with an inner courtyard complete the design. Unlike ranch homes in the Midwest however, California ranches generally do not have a basement, and are built on concrete slabs instead.

  Other designations that you might see include the suburban ranch (a more compact version of the California ranch) and the storybook ranch (a ranch style house of any of the above types with whimsical features like wood beams and ornamental trim).

  History of the ranch style house

  While this style of house first took its major hold in the American residential landscape in the post-World War II housing boom, its roots actually go a lot further back. The ranch style is based on the humble adobe and wood-framed ranches of the 17th century, with modern updates that combined simplicity and style to create the ranch houses we know today.

  The ranch home has gone in and out of style over the years, but it’s never fully gone away. In the 1950s, nine out of every 10 houses in America was a ranch, but as homeowners got richer they also started vying for larger homes. And because larger ranch homes mean wider ranch homes (and thus, wider lot sizes), it became easier and more cost-effective to build up instead of out.

  That we’re back in the seeming heyday of the ranch speaks again to modern trends. Namely, the growing notion that bigger isn’t necessarily better when it comes to homes, and an aging home-buying populace that prefers to forego stairs in favor of the ranch’s more simplified floor plan.

  Benefits of a ranch home

  What is a ranch home if not the best of both worlds when it comes to style and space. The ranch is inherently versatile, and can be adapted to all sorts of architectural preferences, from American Craftsman to French Country and pretty much any style in between.

  Some other notable benefits that have kept the ranch home at the top of buyers’ lists for so long include:

  • • They’re affordable – Square foot per square foot, ranch homes tend to be much cheaper to buy than two story homes. In pricey Seattle, Washington, for example, standard two story homes sell for $397 per square foot, while ranch homes sell for $250 per square foot.
    • They’re open and airy – Ranch homes tend to feature open-concept floorplans and lots of large windows. The result is airy, easy-to-clean rooms that are well suited to family living.
    • They’re accessible – As homebuyers age, staircases can become a hinderance instead of a design benefit. While many ranches do feature basements, having all of the main living areas on one floor is often easier for aging adults, as well as for anyone who requires more accessible living spaces, such as those in wheelchairs.

    Perhaps more than anything else, ranch homes are considered to be practical. The above benefits speak to why that is, as does the fact that they’ve remained so popular for so long. With many buyers preferring ranch style houses to other styles, if you buy one you can usually feel pretty confident that you’ll be able to sell it later on.

    FAQs about ranch style homes

    Now you know the answer to “what is a ranch home?” but you might be curious about some other things, too. Here are some answers to common questions about this ubiquitous home style.

    What makes a house a ranch?

    The key defining feature of a ranch house is that it’s a single story. Aside from that, you can still find plenty of variation, particularly when it comes to size, shape, and architectural style.

    Why are they called ranch houses?

    Ranch homes get their moniker from their popularity on actual ranches out west. The shape and single story nature of the ranch house make it a good choice on cattle ranches and other properties where the home has a strong connection to the outdoors.

    Is it cheaper to build a ranch or a two-story house?

    Ranch homes are cheaper to buy, but they’re often more expensive to build. That’s because, depending on the size of the house you want to build, you may need to invest more in land than you would with a two-story house. You also have more livable square feet in a ranch, all of which need to be finished and styled.

    Are ramblers the same as ranch houses?

    Yes. “Rambler” is simply another term used to describe a ranch house.

    What is the difference between a bungalow and a ranch?

    Bungalows and ranches are both single story homes, so it’s easy to see why they get confused. However, bungalows are almost always square in shape (versus the more popular rectangle shape for ranches) and often have steeper pitched rooflines and smaller windows.