Early ranch style homes of the 1930s were custom designs by noted architects. During
the 1950s, with a booming economy and exploding population, the ranch became a
popular suburban style home until it decline in the late 1970s. The decline was not due
to the ranches popularity. Because of its higher building cost and space requirements, developers began phasing out the ranch in favor of less expensive one-and-half-story
and two-story homes that could be built on smaller lots.


Ranch Sizes
The size of a ranch is restricted only by the dimensions of the lot. The terms "sprawling" or "rambling" is used to describe a ranch with a large amount of square footage on the main level.

A feature of the ranch is its potential living space. A 2000 square foot ranch will likely have a lower level of the same size. Finished into living space, the basement area almost doubles the size of the home.


Ranch Shapes
Ranches are commonly rectangular, "L" shaped, or "U" shaped.  A rectangular ranch requires a wide lot to accommodate its length. An "L" shaped ranch, having the garage or other wing of the house set forward may be placed on a much narrower lot.  "U" shaped ranches have two forward facing, or rear facing, wings which create a courtyard at either the front or rear of the home.