The biggest complaint about America's most popular home style is that it's boring. Ranch homes in their most basic single story form are about as straightforward as you can get: four walls and a roof with no bells or whistles. Split-level ranches don't offer a lot more as far as variety goes, just an extra story to work with. So the trick to remodeling ranch style homes is pretty obvious—find ways to make your boring ranch home stand out from the rest!
Think BIG or little
Whether you're considering a major home remodel or are just trying to get a bead on some cost effective do-it-yourself home improvement projects, here's some areas of your home to focus on to help your ranch style home stand out:
Landscaping. When it comes to remodeling ranch style homes, this is a biggie. Often the landscaping of ranch homes is as boring as the structure itself. Just think how it would look if you replaced that boring, featureless lawn with flower gardens, rock gardens, stepping stone paths, and new trees and shrubs. Nothing draws attention away from your unexceptional home like an exceptional landscape.
Siding. When you think of ranch style homes, what image pops into your head? Chances are it's house after house covered in sensible, drab, inexpensive vinyl siding. Just changing this single design feature can make a huge difference when it comes to remodeling ranch style homes. Aluminum and concrete fiberboard siding at least give you the option of spicing up your home with a daring paint job, while cedar shingles or stone siding will make it look like a different home altogether.
Porches, Decks, and Patios. Because ranch homes are built with economy in mind, they often forego these wonderful backyard additions. Even if they do have an outdoor recreation area, it's often as unimaginative as the house. Bring in a deck builder or contractor who specializes in these types of additions and remodels in order to add some pizzazz and character to both your home and landscape. Be it a screened in porch, a stone patio or a new redwood deck, this is an addition you're sure to enjoy.
Windows. Many homeowners underestimate what a few new windows can do for a home. Remember, bigger is generally better. Larger windows make for more light and better views. And if you can, install bay windows when appropriate. One of the most important things you can do when remodeling ranch style homes is adding texture to an otherwise uniform exterior. Bay windows are a great way to do that.
Major Additions and Renovations. Have a little extra money saved up? When it comes to remodeling ranch style homes, there's nothing like some major construction to shake things up. Think about adding a second story if you've got a single story home, and raise the roofline regardless of how many stories you have in order to set your home off from those around it. Gabled dormers for the upstairs bedrooms add more of that exterior texture we were talking about earlier, and covered entryways add a little something extra to your front entryway as well.
Don't Take My Word for It
Of course, this is just the short list of ways to make your ranch style home stand out from the rest of the cookie cutters in your neighborhood. Talk to a contractor or other home improvement professional about any projects you have in mind. And when you do, don't be afraid to ask them if they've got any ideas you haven't thought of. Whether it's a landscaper, general contactor, siding contractor, or deck builder, a professional contractor will have a wealth of information and ideas to share with you that you'd be foolish not to take advantage of.
Matt Goering, formerly a carpenter and house painter, is a freelance writer for the home improvement industry who has published over 600 articles.
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