We’re obsessed with the straightforward charm of a ranch-style home. With a low-pitched roofline and mid-century roots, these simple homes are a blank canvas just waiting for a little design love. So how can we take the simplicity of a ranch-style home and give it a curb appeal that wows the whole neighborhood?
Whether you’re just sprucing up the exterior or want to give your home a full makeover, here are five ways you can boost the curb appeal of your ranch-style home.
1. Refresh Your Home’s Exterior Paint Palette
Let’s start with a big one: paint. If your color scheme hasn’t changed since bell-bottoms were in style, you might be due for an update. Choosing the right exterior paint palette can modernize your ranch-style home faster than you can say “curb appeal.”
Since ranch-style homes have a lower silhouette, you might want to play a little with contrast. Pairing a light body with bold accents on window trim and front doors is a great way to make your home catch the eye of any passersby.
Consider shades like warm white, earthy greens, and moody charcoals to fit in with the latest color trends. Take the above house for example – it combines a lovely neutral base of Alabaster by Sherwin-Williams® with a warm black trim using Black Beauty by Benjamin Moore. Then, they topped it off with a splash of Amazon Green by Benjamin Moore for the front door!
Pro Tip: Sunlight and shadows can greatly impact how a color really looks on your home, so don’t just go with the first color that speaks to you on a printed paint sample. If you need some help, our paint visualizer lets you see how paint colors look on your home before making a permanent decision.
2. Make Your Ranch’s Entryway “Pop”
Your entryway sets the tone for your entire home, and you don’t want to give your guests a bad first impression! On a ranch-style home, the front door can sometimes get lost in the large horizontal sprawl. Luckily, a few small upgrades can give it the love it needs to stand out.
Consider giving your front door a makeover. You could give it a bright pop of color for contrast, or opt for a door with more character like stained glass or natural wood. You can also add some sleek house numbers, modern sconces, or even a minimalist portico for added depth.
If you’ve got a large front porch, add some seating for guests to enjoy the fresh air and spruce it up with some warm planters. Your entryway should feel intentional and inviting, not like an afterthought!
3. Take Your Landscaping to the Next Level
You don’t need a massive garden (unless you want one, of course!), but your landscaping should work with your home’s design. Ever see a nice house lose its curb appeal to some large, overgrown shrubs? It’s rough.
Since ranch-style homes are short and wide, your landscaping should work in harmony with your home’s horizontal lines. Think linear beds and clean hardscaping. Low-maintenance native plants and ornamental grasses give a softened look, with the added benefit of little watering. Perfect for those of us without a green thumb!
Keep in mind that with landscaping, less is often more. Too many plants can draw attention away from your beautiful home and make it look cluttered. A few sharp, well-kempt planters and a paved walkway can work wonders for your home.
4. Rethink Your Ranch Style Home’s Lighting
Believe it or not, your porch lighting isn’t just to help you find your keys at night. Nice outdoor lighting can highlight the best features of your home! For ranch-style homes at risk of falling flat, intentional lighting can add the depth and warmth needed to stand out.
Consider swapping out those dated fixtures for modern sconces, gooseneck lights, or wall washers. These styles can keep your home visually interesting without going overboard. For homes with a standout entryway or textured siding, uplighting or downlighting can showcase those features after dark and make your home more inviting.
And while we’re fresh off the topic of landscaping, don’t forget to light up your hard work there, too! Subtle low path lights and uplit trees can greatly enhance your curb appeal without making your home look straight out of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Plus, solar-powered lighting is a great option to give you a nice ambiance with less energy use. Great for the planet and your electric bill!
Pro Tip: The key to getting that magazine-cover look is to layer your lighting the same way you do inside! Combine ambient, accent, and task lighting for a polished, professional look.
5. Don’t Forget the Little Things (Like Texture!)
Taking your home from basic to beautiful might be as simple as adding a few key touches. Texture and dimension are the cherry on top of a gorgeous home redesign.
Think about combining mixed materials like wood cladding or stone accents to break up a bland facade and add visual interest. These key details are especially important for long, flat ranch fronts.
Other details like modern shutters or a bold garage door can give your home a complete and polished appearance. Think accessorizing, but for your house!
Remember: You don’t need to do everything at once. Start with one section, like the garage or entryway, and continue from there.
Ready to Transform Your Ranch Style Home?
The true beauty of a ranch-style home lies in its potential. With a few smart changes, whether paint, lighting, or landscaping, you can take your home’s curb appeal to the next level.
The best part is you don’t have to make these changes alone! At brick&batten, we help homeowners like you visualize their exterior design goals before a single drop of paint is applied. Our virtual design services take the guesswork out of your exterior upgrades.
Reach out today to see how we can help you reimagine your home, one detail at a time.
