When you picture a ranch-style home, you might envision a remote desert filled with cowboys, wild horses and tumbleweeds. But this American architecture extends far beyond the Wild West.
Ranch-style homes have grown increasingly popular across the United States in the past few years. In fact, they were the most commonly searched-for homes in 2018. Originating in the Southwest, these charming, single-floor houses are characterized by open floor plans and chic, rustic interior styles.
Whether you have a more contemporary taste or prefer to live on one floor, the right flooring can transform your space and help you create the ideal ranch home. Continue reading to learn about the ranch-style house and the best flooring for your ranch home.
What Is a Ranch-Style House?
A ranch-style house is a single-story home commonly built with an open-concept layout, low-pitch rooflines and large windows along the front of the house. Ranch-style architecture is prevalent in different parts of the country, though ranch homes were inspired by Spanish colonial architecture of the Southwest.
When architects combined the style with modern architectural touches, it led to a significant boom in construction and a surge in popularity from the 1940s through the 1970s. Their ease of livability and versatility in floor plans made them ideal for the post-World War II boom of American suburbs.
While most ranch-style homes don’t feature a second floor, many have finished basements, making them perfect for the entire family with extra space for a home theater or additional bedrooms. Many ranch-style houses throughout the Midwest feature basements, while ranch homes on slabs are prominently found in the warmer climates of California and the Southwest.
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Features of a Ranch-Style Home
There are several distinguishable characteristics of ranch-style houses, such as:
- Sliding glass doors and large windows: Most ranch homes have sliding glass doors that open onto a patio or backyard. Many also feature large windows spanning the front of the house.
- Low-pitched roofline with wide eaves: Ranch-style homes have low-pitched rooflines and wide eaves, which are the roof sections hanging over the sides of the house.
- An attached garage: Adding to their ease of livability, most ranch homes have an attached garage, so homeowners can enter that way, too.
- Devoted patio or deck space: Most ranch-style houses have a dedicated patio or deck as extra space for entertaining guests and enjoying the weather.
- Open-concept floorplan: While not every ranch-style home is laid out similarly, nearly all feature an open flow between rooms and easy access to all house sections from the main living area.
Top Flooring Choices for Ranch Style Home
Schedule an appointmentThere are many excellent flooring choices you might use in a ranch-style home. If you own a ranch-style house, consider the following flooring options to enhance its simple, chic look and casual style.
Best Carpet for Ranch Style Home
Due to a ranch home’s casual, informal style, you’ll want to complement the interior with a durable, comfortable, stylish flooring option. That’s where carpeting comes in.
Because ranch homes tend to lend themselves to open spaces, you can use rugs and runners to create separate, distinct areas of the home. A textured carpet would look fabulous in a ranch-style house, and you might switch up the colors and patterns depending on the room you’re working on to create that “separate” space in your open-concept layout.
These flooring additions add softness to traditional hardwood while eliminating the need for room dividers that can make rooms feel disconnected. Add rugs and carpeting to maximize and showcase that expansive open-concept layout. Choose from intricate patterns, textures and various sizes and colors to complement your ranch home.
Best Hardwood for Ranch-Style Home
Natural or engineered hardwood will always look spectacular in a ranch-style home. After all, hardwood is a classic. Natural woods bring warmth and character to any room, whether you choose a light, airy maple or dark, striking walnut.
You might go for a time-worn, mid-century vintage feel or a modern, sleek shine. Both styles can create a cozy, warm ranch home while complementing that open and expansive flow between rooms. What’s more, hardwood is harvested from a sustainable resource, making it healthy for your home’s air quality and your family’s well-being.
Hardwood is also highly durable, meaning you can enjoy it in your ranch-style house for years to come.
Best Tile for Ranch-Style Home
Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) has become one of the top tile flooring choices for owners of today’s ranch-style homes, replacing more costly options like porcelain and ceramic. LVT offers significantly more benefits over conventional tile materials, from ease of installation and cost-effectiveness to lower maintenance requirements and a broader design selection.
Although many ranch homeowners once preferred to limit the look of vinyl and tile to bathrooms and kitchens, technological imagery advancements have enabled LVT to replicate almost any type of natural material, like wood and stone. Regardless of your existing lighting or color scheme in your ranch home, you will likely find an LVT pattern or color to meet your design needs.
Best Laminate for Ranch Style Home
Laminate provides functionality and style, making it versatile and stylish in any home. For a ranch, you can opt for lighter casual colors and even laminate that looks like natural wood at a fraction of the cost. Whatever style you choose, laminate wood flooring provides incredible durability and stain resistance for even the most active families.
A lighter oak color will complement the airy feeling of your ranch home while providing a vintage look that’s perfect in this style of home.
Best Luxury Vinyl for Ranch-Style Home
Like the other flooring options, you can choose luxury vinyl options in various styles, colors and sizes to craft the ideal ranch home. In most cases, vinyl floors have multiple layers, including a top design and bottom protective layers. The process protects your finished floor from mildew, stains, tears, rips, scratches, scuffs and other damage.
When you opt for wood-patterned vinyl floors, you get the stunning look of natural hardwood, coupled with water resistance and incredible durability. It’s easy to coordinate your rooms with various colors and styles, making luxury vinyl ideal for a ranch-style home.
Choose the Right Flooring for Your Ranch Home With 50Floor
To embody the style of a ranch home, you want flooring that complements its casual, minimalist design while providing functionality and durability for your needs.
At 50Floor, choose from durable and elegant flooring for your needs and preferences. We offer durable and elegant hardwood, laminate, luxury vinyl and carpet in various styles and colors. Craft the ranch home of your dreams with our extensive flooring options.
To get started, schedule a free in-home estimate or call us today.
