Home Architecture and Home Design 20 Ranch House Plans That Will Never Go Out Of Style These 20 ranch house plans will motivate you to start planning a dream layout for your new home. By Ellen Antworth Ellen Antworth Ellen Antworth is a graphic designer and self-proclaimed Interior Design aficionado. When she is not creating layouts in InDesign, you can find Ellen rearranging her furniture or searching for tips on how to hang the perfect gallery wall, still. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on July 13, 2023 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Southern Living It's no wonder that ranch house plans have been one of the most common home layouts in many Southern states since the 1950s. Family-friendly, thoughtfully designed, and unassuming, "ranch" is a broad term used to describe wide, U-shaped or L-shaped, single floor houses with an attached garage. The versatility and adaptability of the ranch house plan is what makes this style so special and the reason we'll keep loving it for another 50 years. Ranches are designed with the family in mind. The laid-back floor plans and simplicity in design means you can focus less on upkeep and more on family and friends. Living spaces flow freely into the kitchen, and a wide back porch or patio sits off the living room to blur the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces. These uniquely American homes often have simple exteriors with little adornments, which gives the potential to adapt the façade to suit regional design preferences. Converted attic spaces, walk-out basements, and bonus rooms are common features found in ranches to expand living space. To show off these classic homes, we've rounded up 20 of our favorite ranch-style house plans that would make the perfect home for empty nesters and new families alike. 01 of 20 Plan #1973: The Ridge Southern Living 3,513 Square feet4 bedrooms/4.5baths Build your very own Texas Idea House! Our 2018 Idea House in Austin, TX, offers a wide front porch and grand staircase, giving this house the wow factor that carries on throughout the open living room and kitchen. 02 of 20 Plan #977: Sand Mountain House Southern Living 2,853 square feet3-4 bedrooms/3 full, 2 half baths Between the soaring ceilings, a stone fireplace, and a classic country ranch exterior, Sand Mountain House is a house plan we can’t get enough of. Another notable feature of this house is the friend’s entrance off the office with its own covered porch, how darling! 03 of 20 Plan #1874: Cyprus Lake Southern Living 5,312 square feet3-4 bedrooms/3.5baths This French-colonial-style ranch checks every box on your wish list with plenty of space for entertaining, room to expand, and a spacious main suite. What sets Cyprus Lake apart is the amount of outdoor living spaces; with 4 distinct outdoor living spaces, you’ll never be far from a breath of fresh air. 04 of 20 Plan #667: Crabapple Cottage Southern Living 3,945 square feet4-5 bedrooms/3 full, two half bathsEverything about this charming cottage feels like home. The exterior exudes a sense of warmth with the welcoming L-shaped porch and elegant, yet modest columns. Inside, Large, open rooms make up the shared living spaces and a private primary suite occupies a separate wing of the first floor for plenty of privacy. 05 of 20 Plan #1266: Shook Hill Southern Living 3,257 square feet4-5 bedrooms/3.5 baths Shook Hill is one of our favorite house plans for its classic curb appeal that’s been outfitted in a showstopping combination of stone, cedar-shingles, and lap siding. The deep, wrap around front porch adds an outdoor living space to the friendly façade. Inside, details like coffered ceilings, exposed beams, and a grand fireplace add a touch of luxury. 06 of 20 Plan #1133: Pine Ridge Southern Living 3,678 square feet3 bedrooms/4 baths This ranch stands out among the rest with its arts-and-craft details like the exposed gable framing, mixture of brick and shingled siding, and vaulted ceilings with exposed beams. A main level primary, and two bedrooms in the walkout basement level provide plenty of space for the whole family. If that’s not enough, the plan includes a bonus area over the garage that can be converted into a guest suite. 07 of 20 Plan #578: River Run Southern Living 2003 square feet2-3 bedrooms/2.5 baths The country-style ranch won our hearts with its spacious front porch and mansard style roof. Inside, an open floor plan between the kitchen and family room is the heart of the home. A spacious deck on the rear provides plenty of space for outdoor living. 08 of 20 Plan #792: Forestdale Southern Living 2,010 square feet3-4 bedrooms/3 baths This classic American ranch makes the perfect home for a young family. Open common areas and plenty of porch space are perfect for entertaining a crowd and a bonus space about the garage provides room to grow. 09 of 20 Plan #024: Stewarts Landing Southern Living 2,691 square feet4-5 bedrooms/3 baths Modern, yet traditional, Stewarts Landing is a house that will always feel like home. The exterior is adorned with classical details like stately colums and a wide porch. Inside, an open floorplan has all the comforts and luxuries of modern living. 10 of 20 Plan #751: Lakeside Cottage Southern Living 2,370 square feet3-4 bedrooms/3.5 baths A skylight porch, sprawling deck, and Jack-and-Jill bathroom are our favorite parts of this southern charmer. This plan includes a finished bonus room above the garage, perfect for hosting family and friends. 11 of 20 Plan #1429: Bridlewood Southern Living 3,470 square feet4-5 bedrooms/4 baths This home is perfect for entertaining. Your guests will love the open layout in the family room, dining room, and kitchen and the extraordinary vaulted ceiling. The back porch boasts over 450 square feet of covered outdoor living space, providing more room for entertaining or a place to relax by the fire on chilly falls nights. 12 of 20 Plan #1591: Mt. Paran Ranch 2,902 square feet3 bedrooms/2.5 baths This cottage features a classic brick exterior with gables and a sweeping roofline to complete its inviting feel. You will be impressed with the size of the this home's kitchen, with its generous work surfaces, and the keeping room with its fireplace, vaulted ceiling and abundant use of windows. 13 of 20 Plan #1690: Singletree Ranch 3,079 square feet4 bedrooms/4.5 baths This craftsman style home takes the humble ranch a bit beyond its original simplicity, with a second story and main floor open layout. The exterior details such as the gables lend depth and sophistication to this design. The covered porch and ample deck areas will allow for enhanced outdoor living. 14 of 20 Plan #2028: Legacy Ranch 2,481 square feet3 bedrooms/3.5 baths With a multi-generational design, this ranch house plan embraces brings outdoor living into your life with huge exterior spaces and butted glass panels in the living room, extending the view and expanding the feel of the room. The main home, at 2,481 square feet, features a giant stone fireplace, living space open to the kitchen and an eat-in island. 15 of 20 Plan #1742: Parrott's Cottage 3,283 square feet4 bedrooms/3.5 baths With an upper level of 1,144 square feet, the living space in this classic ranch is generous and welcoming. The 3-car garage provides just a little extra space for long-term guests or gear for your favorite hobby. The porch area and fireplace will bring those you love closer. 16 of 20 Plan #1954: Cedar River Farmhouse 3,711 square feet4 bedrooms/3.5 baths An elegant farmhouse with unexpected amenities shapes this design. With an open kitchen space that leads with ease to the morning room and dining room, your daily routine will feel seamless. The optional carriage house can be accessed through a breezeway. 17 of 20 Plan #1252: Woodlands Cottage 2,755 square feet4 bedrooms/3.5 baths The Woodlands Cottage surpasses expectations, and will give your family the room it needs for abundant living. The three car garage accommodates a busy lifestyle, and the floor plan ensures all household members have their space. The communal areas will bring you together for shared meals and everyday activities. 18 of 20 Plan #1539: Cantley Place 1,282 square feet2 bedrooms/2 baths This is a ranch with a bit of a smaller living plan, but that doesn't make it any less charming. The original design lacks a garage, but that extra space isn't always necessary. The two bedrooms are ample, with living and dining spaces that are calling out for guests. 19 of 20 Plan #1899: Woodland Retreat 2,991 square feet4 bedrooms/4.5 baths 20 of 20 Plan #2012: Summertime Bungalow Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit