The ranch style house is an iconic architectural design that originated in the United States in the early 20th century and came into prominence in the 1950s and 1960s. With its long, low-slung profile, simplistic layout and sprawling presence, the ranch embodied the casual, laidback sensibilities of postwar life in America. During the 1950s, ranch house plans represented the American dream for many middle-class families looking for an affordable, modern and informal home.
Origins of the Ranch House Style
The roots of the ranch house style lie in the early 1900s and the Prairie School architectural movement. Prairie School architects like Frank Lloyd Wright designed long, low-lying homes that integrated indoor spaces with the outdoors. This design philosophy was adapted for more modest homes in the 1930s and 1940s, creating an architectural vernacular that became known as the California ranch house.
After WWII, a housing boom resulted in mass developments of suburban ranch homes that embodied the California style. Builders found ranch house plans to be economical, as they required less material to construct than multi-story homes. The casual, airy design also appealed to Americans’ desire for open, informal spaces that facilitated indoor-outdoor living. As ranch homes proliferated across subdivisions in the 1950s and 1960s, they became synonymous with middle-class suburban life.
Defining Features of 1950s Ranch Houses
Ranch style houses of the 1950s and 1960s have several typical features that define the look and layout:
Long, Low Profile
Ranch homes are long and rectangular in their footprint, often featuring low-pitched gabled or hipped roofs. This creates an elongated silhouette that hovers close to the ground. The low profile and sprawling layout blending seamlessly with the outdoors were hallmarks of the California ranch origins.
Open Floor Plan
The interiors of 1950s ranch homes emphasize openness, simplicity and free flow between rooms. Kitchens, living rooms and dining spaces blend together in one expansive great room. This open concept reflected the casual sensibilities of postwar life.
Natural Materials
Exteriors featured natural materials like wood, brick and stone. This helped the home blend organically with the outdoors. Large windows also reduced the divide between interior and exterior.
Attached Garage
A signature feature is an attached garage, typically integrated seamlessly into the front facade. The easy indoor access to the automobile reflected its centrality in postwar culture.
Improved Technologies
Postwar prosperity allowed ranch houses to incorporate new technologies like dishwashers, high-tech kitchen appliances and air conditioning. These made maintaining the home easier.
Cost-Effective Construction
Ranch house plans were economical and built using cost-effective methods like mass production. Their single-story construction required less material than multi-story homes.
Expansive Yards
Ranch homes emphasized connection with the outdoors through yards stretching around the home. Large picture windows overlooked rear gardens.
Informality
Everything about the ranch exuded casual informality, from the open layouts to the simple exteriors with clean lines. This distinguished ranch houses from the formal architecture of previous decades.
The Growth of Ranch House Subdivisions
Postwar prosperity, demographic shifts and government policies promoting home ownership fueled demand for ranch houses in the 1950s and 1960s. Builders sought economical ways to mass produce ranch houses and whole subdivisions rapidly emerged.
Levittown
One of the first iconic ranch house developments was Levittown in Long Island, built by developers Levitt & Sons. With 17,500 homes built on mass production methods, Levittown became a symbol of affordable suburban living. Homes started at $7,900, with two to three bedrooms and around 750 square feet.
California tracts
California was also a hotbed of ranch home construction in the 1950s. Builders like Joseph Eichler led the way constructing thousands of affordable, modernist-inspired ranch homes in planned communities. Eichler homes featured open floor plans, atrium courtyards and post-and-beam construction.
Broad national proliferation
By the 1960s, ranch houses accounted for nearly 60% of all new housing construction in the U.S. They were built coast to coast in America’s booming suburbs. Larger, more luxurious versions also emerged for upscale clients.
Automobile culture
Car ownership rose sharply after WWII, facilitating the growth of suburbs full of ranch houses with driveways and garages. Ranch house plans were designed for automobile access.
Government policies
Government policies like the G.I. Bill and federal home loan programs promoted home ownership. This allowed more middle-class families to afford new ranch homes.
Interior Layout and Features
The interiors of 1950s ranch homes shared common layout concepts and amenities that suited postwar lifestyles:
Combined kitchen/dining/living
A trademark of ranch floorplans is the open concept great room combining the kitchen, casual dining area and living room into one integrated space. This facilitated togetherness and informality for families.
Separate bedrooms
While the public spaces were open, the bedrooms were typically set down hallways or wings, allowing privacy. Parents and kids each had their own bedrooms.
Utility spaces
Functional spaces like the laundry room and attached garage were integrated seamlessly into the home. The ranch house efficiently combined practicality and livability.
Family-centric
Ranch house plans focused on family needs like informal multi-use spaces, yards for playing, and television nooks for family entertainment.
Labor saving technologies
New technologies were promoted to kitchens and laundries to cut down on housework and appeal to homeowners. Dishwashers, improved ovens and washing machines were popular.
Bathroom luxuries
With postwar prosperity, bathrooms gained more amenities like double sinks and showers. These made starting and ending the day more convenient.
Indoor-outdoor access
Sliding glass doors became popular to facilitate indoor-outdoor living. Backyards were viewed as an extension of interior family space.
Cost-effective finishes
Economical building materials like plywood, concrete slab foundations and brick veneer were embraced by developers seeking to build ranches affordably.
The Ranch House Exterior
The exterior style of 1950s ranch houses shared many common traits that made them affordable, livable suburban homes:
Simple, low-lying forms
The silhouette and massing of ranch houses were simple and elongated. This was economic for builders and created an informal, welcoming look.
Mixed material palettes
Natural materials like brick, wood siding, and stone accented facades. Contrasting textures added visual interest while keeping the look rustic.
Gabled or hipped roofs
Low-pitched gabled and hipped roofs with deep overhangs were both economical and helped the ranch hug the landscape.
Attached garage
The attached front garage became a quintessential ranch feature, allowing car access directly from the home interior.
Large windows
Big picture windows and sliding glass doors blurred lines between indoor and outdoor areas while bathing interiors in natural light.
Gridded floor plans
Rectangular footprints were divided into efficient grids by hallways and doorways. This simplified construction.
Sparing ornamentation
Simple, pared-down facades lacked complex detailing. This streamlined look kept construction costs down while exuding informality.
Backyard access
Large rear windows and doors opened directly onto the backyard, expanding living spaces.
Cost-focused
Affordability was prioritized in ranch house exterior design. Ornament was minimal and mass-production methods were utilized.
Durable materials
Exteriors featured durable, low-maintenance materials like brick. These held up well over time with minimal upkeep required.
The Evolution of the Ranch House
The classic 1950s suburban ranches began evolving as needs and tastes changed:
Bigger footprints
As prosperity grew in the 1960s, ranch homes increased in size. Footprints expanded and interiors gained more space and luxuries.
Second story additions
Some ranch owners opted to add second stories to gain more living space. The resulting “rambler ranches” adapted the style to growing families.
Vaulted ceilings
Cathedral and vaulted ceilings became popular in the 1960s and 70s, giving interiors added spaciousness and a touch of drama.
Sunken living rooms
Some ranches incorporated a below-grade sunken living room. This created visual interest and a conversation pit feel.
Updated materials
Synthetics like vinyl and aluminum sidings were utilized to cut maintenance. Granite and corian became status kitchen finishes.
Open planning
Floor plans continued opening up into the 1970s, with kitchens losing walls entirely to create great room designs.
Luxury touches
Developers added luxury features to ranches like spa-like bathrooms, wet bars, and deluxe appliances to cater to high-end tastes.
Regional adaptations
The ranch was adapted regionally with features like basements in colder climates and flood-conscious designs in hot humid areas.
Multi-generational wings
Some ranches added in-law wings to support multi-generational families. Flexible floorplans accommodated changing needs.
The Decline of the Ranch House
By the 1980s, changing tastes and needs brought the era of mass-produced ranch houses to an end:
Soaring inflation
Inflation in the 70s pushed home prices higher. Large ranches became less affordable for new buyers.
Changing aesthetics
Formal traditional and colonial styles regained popularity by the 1980s. The pared-down ranch fell out of favor.
Smaller households
Average family sizes shrunk, and buyers sought homes tailored to smaller households rather than expansive ranches.
Differing priorities
With less focus on childrearing at home, couples and singles sought homes centered around amenities other than family.
Rise of condos/townhomes
Many buyers now opted for lower maintenance multi-family housing like condos rather than single-family ranches requiring more upkeep.
Urban revival
With city living back in vogue, demand moved away from suburban ranches to urban housing near amenities.
Customization desire
Families sought to personalize homes to unique tastes. The mass-produced ranches felt too cookie-cutter.
Diversifying populations
As suburbs diversified, the ranch lacked the flexibility to meet needs of non-traditional families.
Outdated infrastructure
Ranch infrastructure like single-car garages felt dated. Remodeling ranches to contemporary standards was costly.
The Ranch House Legacy
While ranch homes peaked in the postwar decades, their legacy remains strong today:
Ubiquity
With thousands erected, ranch houses still define neighborhoods across America through their common design traits.
Nostalgia
Their familiar look induces nostalgia for the informality and family togetherness of the era that birthed them.
Adaptability
Ranches have proven highly adaptable, as owners update interiors and customize facades to personal tastes.
Affordability
Though smaller, their affordable construction still appeals to buyers wanting square footage value.
Multi-generational appeal
Ranches remain popular with young families and also aging adults due to single-story living and logical layouts.
Focus on community
Their front-facing designs foster neighborhood socialization. Large windows overlook communal spaces.
Indoor/outdoor living
As outdoor lifestyles gain popularity, ranch homes already have integrated indoor-outdoor spaces.
Mainstream appeal
The comfortable, unpretentious ranch retains broad appeal among homeowners seeking an informal and livable design.
Historical significance
Ranches hold architectural and historical significance as emblems of America’s postwar suburban expansion and home ownership boom.
Evolving style
Ranch houses continue evolving with new iterations like the modern farmhouse adapting and refreshing the classic style.
Conclusion
The ranch house remains one of America’s most iconic home designs, shaped by postwar suburban expansion and middle-class lifestyles. Though the style peaked in the 1950s and 1960s, it remains woven into our neighborhoods and cultural memories. The long, low profile, open casual interiors and focus on family and informality embodied the tastes and sensibilities of millions of postwar Americans. While trends ebb and flow, the ranch house retains lasting appeal and continues evolving to suit the ways families live today. The next time you see the familiar stretched silhouette down the street, take a moment to admire the ranch house’s continued reign as an emblem of the American dream.