10 Stunning Ranch Style Home Remodel Ideas in 2025

1) Add differing heights in landscaping

The flat, sprawling layout of a ranch house can feel one-dimensional. Adding verticality in your landscaping helps a lot. Instead of a flat lawn, use tiered garden beds and raised planters. This adds depth and makes the home feel more dynamic. Plant different layers of greenery. Use tall ornamental grasses or small trees to draw the eye upward. This contrast balances the home’s strong horizontal lines. It’s a great way of updating a ranch home from the outside.

2) Draw attention to the front door

The front door is the home’s face. Make it a focal point. Choose a bold color that contrasts with your siding. A vibrant red or a bright turquoise door can add a huge pop of color. You can also change the door material. A natural wood veneer or a sleek steel door can completely change the look. Finish the update with modern lighting fixtures and oversized hardware. This small detail can make a big difference in a 1960s ranch house’s appearance.

3) Add a porch or patio area to the front of the ranch home

Adding a porch or a new patio is a great way to add outdoor living space. It also breaks up the home’s long, horizontal facade. A full-length porch can be a welcoming feature. A smaller covered entryway can add a touch of style. Consider modern decking materials like composite or reclaimed wood. This gives you many ranch home front porch ideas to choose from. It adds a great place for seating and a beautiful look.

4) Horizontal lines in fencing and house trim

The classic horizontal lines of ranch architecture are a major design element. Modernize them with horizontal slat fencing. This provides privacy while maintaining a clean, contemporary look. Use the same idea for your house trim. You can create a minimalist look with thin, clean lines. Or use a contrasting trim color to make the lines stand out. This strategy works well on a brick ranch style house.

5) Open interiors by removing walls

Many older ranch homes have a closed-off floor plan. It separates the living room, dining room, and kitchen. An open-concept layout is a signature feature of a modern ranch style house. It creates a larger, more social space for family and guests. It also allows natural light to flow through the entire home. When planning this, you must consult a structural engineer. This is to make sure any walls you want to remove are not load-bearing. This is a crucial step in any remodeling of a 1970’s ranch style home project. If you are also considering a full-scale kitchen remodeling, creating an open layout is the perfect first step.

6) Lift the ceiling of your ranch house to the roofline

This is one of the most dramatic changes you can make to a ranch home’s interior. Lifting the ceiling exposes the roofline. This creates a vaulted or cathedral ceiling. The space will feel instantly larger, more open, and airy. It also gives you a chance to add a statement light fixture. This feature alone can change a simple ranch home into a grand, modern space. It’s a great way to give your ranch style homes remodeling ideas some extra flair.

7) Replace double-hung windows with casement styles

Traditional double-hung windows can sometimes look dated. They have a very classic style. Replacing them with casement windows is a great modern update. Casement windows have a single pane of glass. They crank open outward. This provides a cleaner look and an unobstructed view. They are also more energy-efficient and offer more natural light. The vertical or horizontal lines of casement windows can add great contrast to a ranch home.

8) Frame windows in a natural wood look

Bring warmth and texture to your home by framing your windows in natural wood. This creates a connection between the interior and the outdoors. It also adds a cozy feel to your space. You can use wood trim on the inside and cladding on the outside. This look contrasts beautifully with both light and dark siding colors. It works especially well for renovating a 1960’s ranch house project.

9) Consider replacing traditional windows with a bay or bow

Another excellent way to update your windows is to add a bay or bow window. These window styles extend outward from the house. This creates a small alcove inside. A bay window has a more angled look. A bow window has a gentler curve. They both provide a panoramic view and let in tons of natural light. This new space can be used for a cozy reading nook or a window seat. This is a very creative bathroom remodeling idea for a larger space.

10) Add a gable above the entryway

The long, low roofline of a ranch house can sometimes feel too simple. Adding a gable above the entryway breaks up this line. It creates a more defined and welcoming entrance. This change adds significant architectural interest to the home’s facade. It also helps with water runoff and can shelter the front door. This is a smart and stylish update, especially for a 1970’s ranch style home remodel.