When choosing an exterior color for a ranch style house, there are a few key factors to consider: location and environment, architectural style, and personal preference. The best colors will complement the surrounding landscape, flatter the home’s design, and match the homeowner’s tastes. With some thought and planning, you can pick a palette that enhances your ranch style home.
Consider the Location and Environment
A ranch house’s location and environment should significantly influence your color selection. What part of the country is the home located in? What is the predominant color palette in the neighborhood? Ranch styles are common in hot, arid climates like the Southwestern United States. Here, homeowners often use earthy desert tones like terracotta, sandstone, and adobe. These warm neutrals blend seamlessly into the desert scenery. Cooler grays and blues would look jarringly out of place.
In verdant regions, choose colors inspired by the lush surroundings. Soft sage greens, warm ivory, and clay-based reds complement landscapes dense with vegetation. Avoid stark whites and other cool tones that would clash with the natural hues. Pay attention to how much direct sunlight the house receives. Darker colors absorb heat while lighter ones deflect it. Consider prevailing weather patterns as well. Bright colors make sense in gloomy, overcast areas but will be blinding in consistently sunny locales.
Consider the Architectural Style
A ranch house’s architecture should guide your color selection too. What are the home’s existing exterior materials? Does it emphasize stone, brick, wood siding? Drawing inspiration from these materials is a foolproof way to choose colors that enhance the home’s style. For instance, if the ranch showcases brick and stone, go for warmer earth reds, russets, terra cottas, and browns. With a wood sided ranch, take cues from the lumber’s natural color for softer grays, tans, and browns.
Also think about the era the ranch was built in. Mid-century modern ranches do well with bold, retro colors like turquoise, burnt orange, and mustard yellow. Spanish style ranches should take on the warmer sunset tones commonly used in Spanish architecture:sand, terracotta, cream. Traditional wood sided ranches look best in classic, understated hues of white, light gray, tan, and pale blue.
Consider Your Personal Preference
While location and architecture should guide your decision, don’t be afraid to pick colors that appeal to your personal taste too. Just be sure they enhance, rather than fight, the surrounding environment and your home’s style. If you want something bold like violet or lime green, use it as an accent color against more neutral backgrounds. This way, you add unique personality without going overboard.
Think about the colors you’re naturally drawn to and see if they can work for your exterior. Do you gravitate toward cool blues and greens? Warm yellows and oranges? Find a way to tastefully incorporate these preferences into your palette. Just be careful about using trendy colors that you may tire of quickly. Stick to classic hues that will retain their curb appeal into the future.
Best Color Choices for Ranch Houses
Now that we’ve covered how to approach color selection generally, here are some of the best specific color choices for ranch houses:
| Color | Description |
|---|---|
| White | A ranch house classic, white has a clean, timeless look. Use it on its own or pair it with accent colors. |
| Light gray | Another versatile neutral that works on any ranch house. |
| Beige | Warmer than white and gray, beige is highly livable. |
| Tan | Tan evokes sunbaked earth and pairs well with cream and brown. |
| Light blue | Soft and inviting, light blue suits ranch houses in cooler climates. |
| Sage green | Take inspiration from the surrounding landscape with an earthy green. |
| Sand | Echo desert environments with a sandstone hue. |
| Terracotta | For Southwestern ranches, terracotta beautifully complements the terrain. |
| Mustard yellow | A bright, cheerful blast of retro ranch style. |
Always test your colors on a small section of wall before fully committing. Paint squares allow you to see how the colors look in different lighting. Don’t be afraid to deviate from tradition either. A vibrant pink or azure ranch can look amazing when done thoughtfully. Most importantly, choose a palette that makes you smile each time you return home!
Tips for Painting a Ranch Exterior
Careful prep work and attention to detail are crucial for a flawless paint job. Here are some tips for painting a ranch house exterior:
- Clean surfaces thoroughly before painting to remove dirt, mildew, and loose paint. Pressure washing is ideal for siding.
- Scrape off any loose, peeling paint and sand glossy areas to rough them up.
- Repair cracks, holes, and other damage to create an even surface.
- Prime bare wood, metal, and masonry before painting.
- Caulk gaps around windows, doors, and trim for a polished look.
- Paint from top to bottom and do the trim work last.
- Use high quality exterior paint for longevity.
- Apply two coats for full coverage, allowing proper dry time between coats.
- Work in shaded areas on hot days to prevent the paint from drying too quickly.
- Work methodically and avoid drips by maintaining a “wet edge.”
Patience and care will lead to a smooth, professional looking paint job. Maintain your exterior by repainting every 7-10 years.
Conclusion
Finding the ideal exterior color for a ranch style home requires balancing location, architecture, and personal taste. Neutrals like white, gray, beige and tan are classic choices that complement most ranch designs and settings. For hot climates, consider warm southwestern hues like sandstone and terracotta. Cooler regions suit lighter blues, greens, and ivory. Don’t be afraid to add your personality with bold accent colors. With good prep work and paint application techniques, your chosen palette will update your home’s curb appeal for years to come. Use this guide to confidently pick exterior colors that enhance your unique ranch style house.