by Debra on Wednesday, October 29, 2008
photo credit: edgygrrrl
Homeowners of ranch style houses appreciate the simplicity of the floor plan. This one-story plan makes living easier for those with limited mobility. However, they may consider ranch house addition designs to enlarge the house to better fit their needs.
Ranch houses are typically twice as long as they are wide, or very close to those measurements. A common size for a ranch style house would be 28 feet wide by 50 feet long, including a built-in garage. The houses are often laid out with bedrooms to one side of the floor plan and the remainder of the living space is to the other side.
When considering ranch house addition designs some homeowners look into the prospects of building a second story on their home, at least at the end where the bedrooms are located. While building up won’t take up any of your yard space, especially if your lot is small, it may not be the best course of action.
Building a second floor onto a house will require that the roof be removed so the second story can be added. This could mean you would have to live in your living room or in a hotel until the upper level is dried in. If you have children it may upset them to see their home being torn apart despite the fact they will have more room when the renovations are finished. Second floor additions are also harder to recoup your money from if you don’t plan to remain in your home for more than a few years.
Homeowners may also consider ranch house addition designs that simply knock out a wall to put on the addition. This type of renovation will only require that one or two rooms be inconvenienced during the renovation, but the addition will take up considerably more lawn space. If you plan to live in the home after you retire, this may be a better option for you.
Finally, the other option for ranch house addition designs is to enclose the built-in garage. For those with limited capital to make the changes this may be the best option. You won’t have to knock out any walls and the roof is already in place so you won’t have to worry about weather delaying the work.
Check out some books about ranch style houses from the library or pick up a few magazines that show pictures of additions similar to those you would like to make. This literature can help you choose the best floor plan addition for your ranch house.
Ranch house addition designs are a popular way to give your home more space. Knowing ahead of time what you’d like and where you’d like to place the addition will help the architect design the renovation to meet your needs and your budget.
Home Addition & Renovation Project Costs: Planning & Estimating Successful Projects
photo credit: toolfan.hess
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by Debra on Sunday, October 26, 2008
Entryways have a lot to say about the homeowner. For those that have a ranch, entryways say “Welcome, we’re glad you’re here.” If the entryway to your ranch home isn’t so welcoming, there are ways to change it so it does.
If your home is pleasing to the eye and leads guests to your front door it is said to have Curb Appeal. Start at the curb or sidewalk in front of your home. Draw people to your front door by winding the sidewalk toward the house rather than having a straight line from point A to point B. You may also consider lining the sidewalk with flowers or plants.
Lighting is another element that can give your home a more welcoming look. No one likes to walk up to a dark doorway because they can’t see who or what may be lurking in the shadows. Add some outside light fixtures by the door to help your guests feel more secure when approaching your home.
If you have a stoop or porch, decorating the front of the house can be a great way to make it seem more welcoming. Depending on how big your porch is, you may be able to set out a small table and two chairs. Plants can also make the porch look more comfortable to the eye, which will help set guests at ease.
Finally, your Door itself can speak volumes. You may want to keep the door similar to the original style but do you know what type of door would have been placed on a 1950s style ranch? It seems that doors currently built are designed for more modern homes or homes that are more formal than a mid-century ranch.
Unfortunately, many of the doors you’ll find on 1950s ranch homes are wooden slab flat-front doors. They do little to welcome a guest to your home. You may consider changing out your door, as well as painting and decorating around it, to make it more welcoming.
Doors that would be good choices to remain in the style of home include plain doors with three to four small windows cut in them. These were generally placed on a diagonal line. You may have also seen flat doors with three larger windows inset in them.
Whatever you choose to do to make your home more welcoming, the ranch entryway can be decorated to suit your style and your tastes. Don’t feel pressured into sticking with the original style, the home is supposed to be an extension of your personality, so choose what you will.
Be sure to consider how your guests see your home when you’re decorating or renovating your ranch entryway. Remember that you want people to feel welcomed when they come to your home, and your entryway can be a great start!
Check out this great book on Design Ideas for Curb Appeal
photo credit: toolfan.hess
photo credit: Here in Van Nuys
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by Debra on Wednesday, October 22, 2008
You’ve finally decided to take the plunge and update your home. A raised ranch home renovation is something to consider carefully. Since there are stairs involved in your raised ranch home, renovation may seem like an impossibility.
With a raised ranch house, the foyer is on the ground level of the home. Nearly one dozen stairs are opposite the entryway door that leads to the main living area on the second floor. Some raised ranch houses have a balcony on the outside of the house that will enter directly onto the living area.
Even though the house has differing levels, it is very much similar to the asymmetrical floor plan of the traditional ranch house. There will be a low pitched roof, deep set eves, and an attached garage. Quite often the bedrooms are on the lower level.
When considering How to Renovate a Raised Ranch Home, remember that there’s no reason that the stairs have to be a problem for you. If the stairs are on the exterior, you may be able to change the look of your home by landscaping it differently.
Staircases can be moved with some planning. Be sure to get help from a structural engineer if this is something you’ve thought about. Should you decide to leave the staircases where they currently are, you can revise the entryway by changing out the doors or adding windows along the door to brighten the area.
Raise the ceiling and leave the beams exposed. You may also like to open up the rooms to create a great room. Add a fireplace to get the look of a lodge.
Expand the master bedroom to create a suite instead of having a simple sleeping area. Move non-weight bearing walls to enlarge the room and add a seating area. Since older homes aren’t known for having large closets, after you’ve moved the wall you can create the walk-in-closet you’ve always wanted.
Get the help of a qualified architect or contractor when deciding which renovations are best for your raised ranch home. They will be able to tell you whether the renovations you want to make are structurally sound or not. An architect or contractor may also be able to give you some ideas you hadn’t considered.
Don’t be afraid to renovate or make changes to your house. Think about the changes you’d like to make and then speak to experts to get the best advice. The changes may take a while to complete but the time and effort are sure to be worth it.
Remember not to go too crazy when it comes to raised ranch home renovations. Keeping with the home’s original style may be a better choice than trying to make too many changes all at once.
Ranches: Design Ideas for Renovating, Remodeling, and Building New
photo credit: saturnism
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