Ranch Home Designs

The classic pattern of traditional ranch house plans can be found all over the United States, although there are subtle regional variations such as brick cladding or exposed rafters. The original ranch style originated in the Spanish colonial period of the 1820's, and was characterized by horizontal adobe structures which were low to the ground. The westward expansion of populations, and the introduction of sawmills, led to board-and-batten construction techniques, and eventually to the Craftsman and Prairie architectural styles.
These modern styles, with their emphasis on simplicity and functionality, led to the California ranch style of the 1930's which was pioneered by architect Cliff May. May's designs were influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright's Prairie style homes; and by the post World War II era ranch-style homes became the most popular architectural style in the rapidly growing

Simple ranch home plans are characterized by single story construction with low-pitched roofs, often with front and side gables arranged in asymmetrical L-shaped formats. Most ranch-style homes feature built-in garages, patios and porches, and few ornamental exterior details, although there may be brick or wood cladding or false shutters. Ranch-style home floor plans usually rectangular or L- or U- shaped, which creates an open and informal feel. Floor plans frequently feature specific living zones, with kitchen and dining room acting as a buffer zone between the sleeping areas and the dining and living areas. Floor-to-ceiling picture windows and sliding glass doors stretch across the rear of the house and provide access to backyard patios or decks. The front of the home, facing the street, usually features smaller horizontal windows, sometimes with false shutters.