Updating Your Austin, TX Mid-Century Modern Ranch Home
Tips On Remodeling A Mid-Century Modern Ranch
The pinnacle of American mid-century modern home design, the classic ranch is a distinctly iconic home style that is found in communities across the country, including right here in Austin, Texas! The ranch-style offers plenty of benefits to homeowners, including efficient use of space, affordability, large lots, and convenient, single-level living perfect for aging in place.
The ranch was designed as an affordable housing option for GIs returning from World War II, and it quickly became one of the dominant “modern” architectural styles in suburbia. It was the perfect answer to a time when we were all looking toward the future and the coming space age! What the ranch lacked in “design,” it more than made up for in spaciousness, solid construction, and larger lot sizes.
A Quick History of the Mid-Century Modern American Ranch Home
First built in 1930s California, the design was originally modeled after Mexican ranches. It was really embraced and modernized even more in the postwar 1950s and 60s due to the affordability of construction materials such as plywood and steel. They were the first “mass-produced” style and provided people an exciting look at future possibilities of the use of technology in the construction of homes which became more efficient and easier to construct.
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The classic mid-century modern ranch features a low, sleek, modern design. Ranch homes built in the period featured large open floor plans, with a lot of windows letting in copious amounts of natural light. Frontages had variability of texture with brick or limestone and some asymmetry. The design was intended to promote health and it mimicked the new found freedom of the automobile. It provided vets returning from the war the open-feeling they were looking for with affordable luxury, high-style, and plenty of space for expansion.
The mid-century modern ranch-style home touched all of the themes the new American middle class was seeking in the post-war world.
By the mid-50s, up to 90% of residential construction were ranch homes because they were easy to build, in demand, easy to add on to, and met the needs of families at the time. However, by the 1970s, tastes had changed. The Boomers who grew up in the first generation of ranch homes had reached home-buying age. The price of land had increased, and tastes had shifted toward more traditional styles of homes on smaller lots. The ranch fell out of favor.
The Return of the Ranch Style Home!
Because most ranch homes were built between the 1950s and the 70s, today, they often look a little dated and are a perfect choice for buyers looking for a more affordable home in need of updating. Thanks to new technology, and new materials, ranch owners have plenty of remodeling options available that can bring that dated mid-century modern ranch a perfect fit for today's lifestyle.
As mid-century modern design has once again become popular, and with more homeowners choosing to age in place, single-level living and the design sensibilities of the ranch have been instrumental in its resurgence of popularity.
Because of the way the ranch home is designed, there are some innovative ways to maximize space; in fact, the ranch-style is one of the easiest home styles to enlarge because you have two ways to expand... up or out!
Bringing Your Mid-Century Modern Ranch Home into the 21st Century
While it was considered an innovative, cutting edge design in the 1950s, a common complaint when it comes to the ranch-style home is that they can sometimes feel a little claustrophobic because of low ceilings. Opening up your home's interior is an excellent option for updating the look and feel of your home.
Here are some design ideas for updating your mid-century modern ranch home.
Take Down Some Interior Walls to Open it Up - With the growing trend toward open-concept living, removing some interior walls can not only open up the flow of your home but can increase natural light throughout the space giving your home a brighter, more open feel.
Add or Expand Windows - Many ranch homes often feature larger windows in common areas like the living room. Other areas like the kitchen or bedrooms often have fewer, smaller windows. Adding additional windows or increasing the size of windows can improve natural light and update your home's exterior.
Replace Exterior Doors - Adding a glass patio door or sidelights to your front door can improve entryways, update your home's exterior and bring natural light into high traffic areas.
Add Skylights or Light Tubes - If you're looking for a dramatic, contemporary look, vaulting the ceiling and adding skylights is an excellent way to counter the effects of a low ceiling and can add lots of light and dramatic flair to any room. If you're looking for more light in the kitchen or bath, light tubes are an excellent option that can update the look of any ranch home.
Adding Usable Square Footage to Your Ranch
The ranch home is one of the easiest to expand as your needs change. In fact, that's one of the most attractive elements of the single-story style. You basically have three options; you can expand up, expand out, or keep your home's existing footprint and finish existing space like the attached garage or basement.
Building up with a full or partial second story addition is a great option. This allows you to build on your existing footprint, so you won't lose any yard space. This type of renovation allows you to make drastic changes and modernize your home's interior and exterior design. However, this type of renovation can cost 25% or more over the cost of an addition.
If you have the yard space and are looking for additional usable space, a less expensive alternative to building up is building out. A traditional addition can keep your living space on one level, perfect if you're considering aging in place. At Om Design we help you to determine if you have enough space to meet zoning regulations and help you choose the best location for your addition. We can also design your addition to seamlessly match your home's existing design and extend roof lines to keep your exterior design coherent.
Sometimes building up may be cost-prohibitive, and building out may not work due to zoning restrictions. In this case, you can work within your home's existing footprint and “finish” space to give you the room you need. Ranch homes often include an attached garage. With a little creativity, transforming the garage into usable space can be a smart investment.
The garage are is a flexible spaces that can be converted into many different types of rooms like a media room for the family to enjoy, a play space for the kids, or even the perfect in-law apartment for aging parents. This is probably the most cost-effective way to add usable space to your home as much of the infrastructure – like walls, floors, wiring, and plumbing are already in place.
A Quick Word About Remodeling for Aging in Place
If you are remodeling and updating your mid-century modern ranch home, consider adding Universal Design elements that can make it easier should you choose to age in place. At the very least, you'll add value to your home should you decide to sell down the road.
If you're remodeling to age in place, it's important to remember that you don't have to emphasize function over form. With a little planning, you can not only include features that can keep you safe and add functionality as you age, but you can also keep your home aesthetically beautiful.
Consider every element when designing your space. Your designer can help you to plan your remodeling to prepare for aging in place. A good designer will be familiar with Universal Design principles and will work with you to understand your lifestyle and goals when putting together a plan to transition your home.
Updating your mid-century modern ranch home to meet the needs of a 21st-century lifestyle is possible. From building up or out to add usable space, to opening up the flow of your home, or transforming the garage into usable square footage, with a creative approach, you can transform your dated ranch into a more comfortable and functional home that will meet your family’s needs well into the future!
If you would like to learn more about our unique process and how we can help you update your Austin mid-century modern home, give our experts a call at (831) 607-8772. We're always happy to discuss your project, answer your questions, and explain all of your options!