Small Modern Ranch Exterior Makeover Before-and-After

Stay with me here, the timeline is interesting! 

The ranch home and several acres of land across the street, have been passed down through generations since the early 1900s.

After the previous owners of the ranch home passed away a few years ago, the house remained vacant for quite some time.

Almost two years ago, the children who inherited the property (and also grew up in this ranch house) decided to sell this home along with all the adjacent land.  

Jim initially acquired the all the land and then last year, purchased the ranch. Stay tuned for more details on the land development and upcoming projects! 

Ok, let’s get started with the ranch exterior makeover!

1950s Ranch Exterior Makeover

1950 and 1960’s style ranch homes have a unique character and when updated, can shine like no other. 

The interior architectural features like the arch doorways and oversized family room were beautiful but just needed to be updated.

We decided to completely start over on the exterior transforming the home into a modern farmhouse ranch with white board and batten siding with a cedar shake accent wall in the porch area.

We used white paint on all the trim work to create a cohesive look between the white siding and white gutters. 

Ranch House Exterior Remodel Before and After

Pictures speak louder than words.

The old home literally was hidden for years behind massive rhododendrons. I honestly didn’t even know they could grow so big!

Take a look at the before-and-after photos of our ranch-style homes exterior. 

The transformation is nothing short of remarkable. 

New siding, windows, shutters, and a front door with privacy glass worked wonders.

Before the home renovation even started, the first thing Jim did was remove all the old overgrown shrubs and install new vinyl siding. 

He was obsessed with getting the house seen from the road and the neighbors thanked him! It was amazing how many people stopped as they were driving by and complimented on the progress of the home. 

How do you modernize the exterior of a ranch house?

Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of our exterior renovation and how we modernized it with a few key updates. 

Home Exterior Siding

Deciding on an exterior color pallet was simple, we wanted white, black and brown. 

We swapped out the old siding for fresh white vinyl board and batten, giving the home a clean and modern look. 

Windows

White vinyl double-hung windows added a touch of sophistication.

We originally planned to install black new windows but ultimately decided to save the budget to put towards the back deck. 

Shutters

Black vinyl raised panel shutters are an affordable window feature that add character and charm to any home.

Ranch Porch Accent Wall

An eye-catching cedar shake accent wall on the front porch highlighted the main entrance. 

The existing porch space had great bones, it just needed a little pizzaz! 

Often times when a ranch has a front porch like this one, painted brick or faux stone can elevate the space giving it a special feel.

In our case, we felt that the white siding, black door and black shutters lacked warmth so installing cedar shake shingles was the perfect choice.

Front Door

If there is one thing that every exterior makeover needs to include, that is a welcoming front entrance.

The existing front door was original to the home and narrow.

The new front door offers a warm and inviting entrance to the front porch and into the new open floor plan. 

If you missed this post, how to install a wider pre-hung front door with a sidelight, be sure to check it out for all the details.

Walkout Sliding Glass Door

During the interior renovation, we finished the basement and installed a new sliding glass door leading to the backyard.

A walk out basement is a great feature in any home so installing a slider to let the light in, was a must!

Kitchen Full View Exterior Door

On the backside of the house, Jim installed a full view door leading to the vinyl deck from the kitchen.

Composite Deck

The original deck was pressure treated wood and probably 50 years old. 

Jim removed the old deck and installed a larger one with a set of stairs to access the backyard. 

The new deck was now maintenance free and accessible from the backyard.

Here is another look at the backside of the house once the new siding, windows, doors and deck were installed.

This picture was taken before we did the landscape and pulled the weeds but you get the idea, the transformation is amazing!

You will notice the new exterior light fixture over the sliding glass door and french door on the deck, carrying through the modern farmhouse theme from the front of the home.

Garage Door

Maintaining some elements while upgrading others can save both time and money. 

We decided to keep the existing garage door but give it a facelift with a new coat of paint.

We installed a new electric motor so the door would open automatically as well as a garage door keypad for easy exterior access.

Exterior Lighting

New light fixtures are an easy and affordable upgrade that will most certainly increase curb appeal. 

We installed all new black exterior modern farmhouse lighting which coordinated perfectly with the overall theme of the home.

Jim also added motion lights on the front and rear of the home for increased functionality and security. 

Landscaping and Outdoor Spaces

Our ranch-style home now seamlessly blends with its natural surroundings. 

New mulch beds wrap around the front and side of the house, complemented by a variety of shrubs and dwarf ornamental trees. 

In the backyard, a new deck off the kitchen offers a perfect place to relax. 

Most of the landscape that we removed was from the front of the house while the existing grass and trees were fine.

We did end up hydroseeding the front yard due to the mess made from the heavy equipment removing the trees and shrubs surrounding the home.

All in all, the landscaping portion of the makeover offers one of the biggest curb appeal impacts of the entire project. 

You literally could not see the house behind the overgrown shrubs. Now, the house is one of the best looking homes on the street! 

Front Porch Ranch Ideas

A welcoming front porch can transform the look of any home. The ranch front porch was no exception. 

We envisioned a comfortable porch with modern features providing a cozy spot to enjoy the natural surroundings. The perfect spot for 2 rocking chairs!

As you can see below, the existing porch was covered with overgrown shrubs, trees and was in need over a complete overhaul.

We chose materials and color schemes that would complement the ranch’s style while adding a touch of warmth.

The large windows blend perfectly on the accent wall allowing significant natural light into the living room. 

We used white paint on all of the trim work to coordinate with the white siding and gutters.

Exterior Details and Enhancements

The ranch-style home has been reborn and is basically a new house! I think we did a good job of preserving the original architectural details inside and out.

Ranch style homes can feel sometimes feel boxy and boring from the street but if you get creative and accentuate any features like a porch area, consider accent rooflines, coordinating garage and entry door colors you can really add significant curb appeal with just a little planning. 

Modern updates curb appeal have been enhanced while preserving the charm of this ranch-style home. These changes can make a big impact on any home!