How do you modernize the exterior of a ranch house?

Ranch-style homes became popular in the mid-20th century, but some of these classic houses are now showing their age. If your ranch house has an outdated facade, modernizing the exterior can give it a fresh new look while still retaining its charming character. Here are some tips on how to update the outside of your ranch house.

Assess What You’re Working With

Take a good look at the current exterior of your ranch house. What are its existing features and materials? Common attributes of these homes include:

• Brick, wood, stucco, or a combination of exterior materials
• Large picture windows
• Low-pitched roof
• Attached garage or carport
• Horizontal, rambling layout

Identifying what you already have will help determine what kind of updates will work best. You’ll want the new materials and accents to complement the existing style.

Improve the Entryway

The entryway provides the first impression of your home. Give this area a makeover to dramatically boost your home’s curb appeal. Some ideas for sprucing up the entrance include:

• Add new house numbers and exterior lighting
• Install a fresh front door in a modern style or vivid color
• Build a covered front porch or portico
• Extend existing entryway with pergola or decorative patio
• Landscape with pots, plants, and benches

Update the Siding

Replacing old and weathered siding transforms the look of your ranch house. Options like:

• Wood or cement fiberboard horizontal lap siding
• Brick or stone veneers
• Stucco system
• Vinyl siding

New siding with contrasting colors or textures adds appealing visual interest. For example, a brick facade can be jazzed up with white or natural wood accents.

Add Architectural Interest with Gables

One of the signatures of ranch houses is their long, low-slung rooflines. Adding gables helps break up the horizontal appearance. Gabled accents to consider include:

• Prominent front gable over entryway
• Cross gables that intersect the roofline
• Faux gables and dormers for visual appeal
• Covered porch or entry supported by gable

Gables provide more character while retaining the traditional ranch style.

Refresh the Windows

Updating the windows is one of the most effective ways to modernize the look of your ranch house exterior. Replacements options include:

• Wood-framed windows for a natural look
• Vinyl or fiberglass windows for low maintenance
• Casement or awning style for contemporary vibe
• Add accents like fresh trim, shutters, or window flower boxes

New windows also improve energy efficiency. Select insulated glass to cut utility costs.

Update Exterior Paint or Stain

A new coat of exterior paint or stain goes a long way in improving the facade. Consider choices like:

• Bright white or vivid paint colors to denote modern flair
• Neutral earth tones for a subtle update
• Deep cool hues like navy blue for classic appeal
• Stains to accentuate wood features

Use accent colors on just the entry door or window trim to liven things up without overdoing it.

Landscape for Curb Appeal

Well-designed landscaping does wonders to enhance the exterior. Ideas for landscaping include:

• Native plants, trees, grasses, and shrubs
• Beds with perennials and ornamental grasses
• Stone garden path leading to front door
• Flower pots, planter boxes, and container gardens
• Outdoor lighting along walkways and trees

Choose low-maintenance landscaping that complements your home’s existing features and architecture.

Add Outdoor Living Spaces

Creating dedicated spaces for relaxing and entertaining extends your home’s living area to the outside. Popular options include:

• Patio, deck or terrace
• Front porch or screened back porch
• Outdoor kitchen and dining area
• Seating areas with benches or patio furniture
• Fire pit, fireplace, or chiminea
• Hot tub, spa, or plunge pool

Incorporate outdoor lighting and built-in features to get the most enjoyment from outdoor rooms.

Install New Roofing

Although not visible from the curb, a new roof makes a big difference in your home’s exterior appearance. Roofing materials to consider:

• Asphalt shingles
• Wood shake or shingles
• Concrete or clay tiles
• Metal like standing seam or corrugated roofing
• Flat roof systems like TPO or PVC membranes

Be sure to select durable, weather-resistant roofing materials that complement your home’s style.

Add a Fresh Coat of Paint

Painting the exterior is one of the simplest ways to update the look of your ranch house. Some tips for selecting exterior paint colors include:

• Opt for light neutral base tones with brighter accent colors
• Use a monochromatic scheme for a sleek modern look
• Go for contrast with light siding and darker trim or vice versa
• Add pops of color with the front door, window trim, or accent walls
• Use color to highlight architectural details

The key is choosing a color scheme that complements your existing facade while giving it renewed style.

Remove Overgrown Shrubbery

Over time, landscaping can become overgrown and block or detract from your home’s exterior. Some tips for refreshing overgrown plantings include:

• Prune and trim back overgrown trees and shrubs
• Selectively remove problem plants and vegetation
• Edge plant beds to keep growth contained
• Plant new compact varieties suited to space
• Add edging with stones, fencing or pavers

Properly maintaining and editing your home’s landscaping keeps it looking tidy and intentional.

Install Exterior Lighting

Strategically placed lighting enlivens your home’s exterior while providing safety and visibility. Lighting ideas include:

• Entryway lanterns or sconces
• Path lighting along walkways and driveways
• Accent lighting in trees and landscaping
• Flood or spot lighting to illuminate architectural features
• Post caps, step lights and deck lighting

Choose fixtures with easy-care finishes that withstand weather exposure. Use timers and sensors to control when lights activate.

Add Hardscaping Features

Hardscaping refers to non-plant landscape elements like patios, retaining walls, and other decorative structures. Popular hardscape features for ranch houses include:

• Brick or stone retaining walls
• Flagstone, brick, or concrete patios
• Gravel pathways lined with stones or pavers
• Stone-lined beds and borders
• Ornamental metal and wood fencing or privacy screens

Hardscaping adds visual interest while also serving practical purposes like delineating spaces, directing traffic flow, and preventing erosion.

Consider a Garage Addition

Many ranch houses have modest single-car garages. Building a two or three-car garage addition expands parking while updating your home’s exterior. Design considerations include:

• Match the garage addition’s roofline, materials, windows, and colors to existing house
• Incorporate garage doors with attractive architectural styles
• Include storage space, workshop area, or carport in design
• Build a detached garage if property allows

A new garage addition not only looks great but also adds valuable square footage.

Add Visual Interest with Dormers

Many ranch houses have simple rooflines lacking architectural details. Adding new dormers builds visual interest while letting in natural light. Dormer options include:

• Gabled dormers with triangular roofline accents
• Shed dormers with simple single-plane sloped roofs
• Eyelid dormers that follow the roofline contour
• Functional dormers that add usable interior space

Position dormers to break up long expanses of roof. Coordinate materials and colors with existing house.

Refresh the Front Door

An updated front door makes a bold statement and instantly boosts curb appeal. Front door ideas include:

• Wood doors in natural stained tones
• Painted doors in vivid colors like red or navy blue
• Doors with arched tops or decorative glass inserts
• Double front doors for added drama
• New exterior trim, hardware, and accent details

Choose a door style and color that complements your home’s existing look and color palette.

Enclose Underutilized Space

Many ranch homes have covered space that offers potential for creating enclosed living areas. Ideas include:

• Enclosing a carport to expand garage
• Screening in a porch to make a sunroom
• Adding walls to breezeway to make a hallway
• Converting patio area into a family room

Match walls, windows, and roofing to match main house exterior for a cohesive look.

Boost Energy Efficiency

Upgrading to modern energy-efficient exterior materials reduces your home’s environmental impact while also lowering utility bills. Green improvements include:

• New insulated windows and doors
• Added insulation in walls and attic
• Efficient HVAC systems
• LED or solar lighting
• Low-flow plumbing fixtures
• Drought-tolerant landscaping

Consult a home energy auditor to identify the best areas to improve your home’s efficiency.

Key Takeaways

Modernizing your ranch house exterior provides a stylish facelift while preserving the inviting character of this classic home style. Key ideas to try include:

• Updating entryway, windows, siding, and paint or stain
• Adding curb appeal elements like landscaping, lighting and hardscaping
• Incorporating gables, dormers, and other decorative accents
• Expanding living space with additions like garages, porches and patios
• Improving energy efficiency with insulation, fixtures, HVAC and more

Focus changes on the home’s most dated or worn areas for the biggest visual impact. With strategic updates in the right places, you can give your ranch house exterior a fresh modern style while retaining its classic charm.