Ranch Home Design Process

The design process for a ranch home is very similar to that of any residential construction home. The ranch home is a one story home, that is either raised or left flat on the ground. It can be sprawling or it can be made as a small compact home. The ranch style has started to increase in popularity, given the aging population and the fact that individuals with mobility issues do better in a one story or ranch style home. If you are looking to build and move into a ranch style home, here are some of the typical processes incorporated into the design phases of this style of home.

Raised or Not Raised

At the very first step, the architect and design team must decide whether the ranch will be a raised ranch or not. A raised ranch is a type of ranch that is built on stilts. It is usually designed to sit up higher than a regular flat ranch. This type of ranch is usually the least favorable style of home when a buyer is looking to purchase. The non-raised type of ranch sits flat on the ground.

Determine Footings or Basement

Determine whether or not your ranch home will be designed with or without a basement. If without a basement, you must determine whether you want a crawl space or whether you want your ranch home situated on a slab.

Determine Ceiling Heights

In the next step of designing your ranch home, you will need to decide how high you wish to have your ceilings. Standard ceiling heights in most homes today are 9 and 10 feet.

Determine Flow of Space

How do you picture each room flowing into another? Many of the traditional ranch style homes are based on narrow hallways and small bedrooms. Newer designs of a ranch home incorporate very large airy kitchens with a lot of cabinet and countertop space and large great rooms with big wood or gas fireplaces.

Determine Garage Features

Most homes today include a garage. You will have to determine how many garage spaces you will need in your ranch home design. Definitely do not go with anything less than 2 garage spaces.

Determine Decks and Walks

In the design of your home, you need to consider the entrance and exits. Are you looking to have an entrance flush with the door, making it easy to get in and out of? What about the decks? Do you picture an eating or sitting space off of your family room or kitchen? Each of these components should be considered during the process of designing your ranch.

Handicap-Accessible Features?

Do you want to equip your ranch home with features that will help you with mobility issues you may face as you get older? If so, make sure the doorways are at least 36" in width and make sure you allow for the proper hardware elements in your bathrooms and kitchens so that as you get older, you will not have to make significant changes to your home.