The classic pattern of traditional farmhouse plans can be found throughout the United States, although there are subtle regional variations, such as brick veneers or exposed beams. The original ranch style originated in the Spanish colonial period of the 1820s and was characterized by horizontal adobe structures that were low to the ground. The expansion of towns to the west and the introduction of sawmills led to board and batten construction techniques and eventually to the Craftsman and Prairie styles of architecture.

These modern styles, with their emphasis on simplicity and functionality, led to the California ranch style of the 1930s, which was pioneered by architect Cliff May. May’s designs were influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright’s Prairie-style houses; and in the post-World War II era, ranch-style homes became the most popular architectural style in rapidly growing suburbs.

Simple ranch house plans are characterized by single-story construction with low-sloped roofs, often with front and side gables arranged in asymmetrical L-shaped formats. Most ranch houses feature garages, patios and built-in porches, and few ornate exterior details, though there may be brick or wood siding or faux shutters. Ranch-style home floor plans are often rectangular, or in the shape of an L or U, creating an open, informal feel. Floor plans often feature specific living areas, with the kitchen and dining area acting as a buffer zone between the sleeping areas and the dining and living areas. Floor-to-ceiling picture windows and sliding glass doors span the rear of the home, providing access to the backyard patios or decks. The front of the house, which faces the street, usually features smaller horizontal windows, sometimes with false shutters.

The affordability and accessibility of modern farmhouse plans makes them a viable option for many types of homeowners. Accessibility is provided by the single story design, with its flow from the garage to the kitchen, dining room, living room and bedrooms. Except for split-level designs, there are no stairs and most areas of the home can be reached without the need for a ladder, simplifying maintenance. The fact that ranch-style homes are affordable makes them popular as starter homes, which have easy capacity for future expansion. In fact, most new ranch-style homes are smaller than traditional ranch-style homes.

A 2009 survey by the Department of Housing and Urban Development revealed that the median home size dropped to 1,500 square feet, from 1,610 square feet in 1973; and the median lot size for single-family homes has shrunk to 0.27 acres, compared to 0.36 acres in 1973. People are also packing more amenities into these smaller spaces, with most homes surveyed having at least fewer than six bedrooms, with three or more bathrooms In 2009, 51% of households had two or more bathrooms, up from 19% in 1973; And most of the increases in the number of bedrooms and bathrooms were in homes built in recent years, even though the median single-family homes built in 2009 were 100 square feet smaller than homes built in 2007.

Since the recent economic downturn, the combination of mortgage payment problems and higher energy costs are leading builders and homeowners to build less expensive homes with more amenities in a smaller area, and ranch-style homes, which accounted for 47% of new single-family home construction. between 2007 and 2009, they lead the group.