Before and After 1960s Ranch House Exterior Remodel: A Stunning Transformation

This 1960s ranch house looked stuck in time – flat, faded, and forgettable. Then came the makeover. What started as a plain, outdated exterior became a head-turning, modern home that feels brand-new without losing its soul. The before photos will honestly shock you, and the after? Total curb-appeal magic. If you love real transformations, smart design choices, and dramatic before-and-after reveals, you’re going to want to see every single step of this stunning remodel.

Why 1960s Ranch Houses Are Ideal Candidates for a Remodel

Ranch houses built in the 1960s share a few traits that make them unusually good remodel projects. Their single-story, horizontal layout means there’s no complicated roofline or multi-story facade to work around, which keeps most exterior updates simpler and more affordable than remodeling a colonial or Victorian home. Many were also built with solid brick or wood-frame construction that has held up structurally for 60+ years, even if the finishes look dated.

The other advantage is size and lot placement. Ranch homes typically sit on wider lots with more front-yard space, which gives homeowners room to add porches, expand walkways, or rework landscaping without needing a full permit overhaul. That combination – simple structure, good bones, and flexible lot space – is exactly why ranch remodels have become one of the most popular exterior renovation projects among homeowners looking to modernize without rebuilding.

Before: A dated ranch exterior

In its original state, many 1960s ranch homes feature plain facades, old brick, and simple rooflines. While charming in their time, these exteriors often lack the modern touches that homeowners desire today. Faded paint, outdated brick colors, and old siding can make the house look tired and dated.

Take a look at a common 1960s ranch-style house makeover. The faded brick ranch house remodel ideas are plentiful, but without updates, the home can feel stuck in the past. The lack of landscaping also leaves the home looking bare, with little to no curb appeal for ranch homes.

Common Features of an Unrenovated 1960s Ranch

Before jumping into the remodel, it helps to recognize the specific features that tend to date a ranch exterior. Most unrenovated homes from this era share:

• Low-pitched or flat rooflines with minimal architectural detail
• Original red or orange-toned brick that clashes with modern neutral color palettes
• Aluminum or single-pane windows with thin white frames
• Minimal or overgrown foundation planting, often just a few old shrubs lining the house
• Attached garages with heavy, ornamented doors that were popular in the era but read as bulky today

Recognizing which of these apply to your own home is the first step in prioritizing which updates will make the biggest visual difference for the smallest budget.

After: A stunning modern transformation

The transformation of this home was nothing short of impressive. By focusing on modern design elements, the mid-century modern ranch renovation brought new life to the exterior. Here’s how the homeowners modernized their 1960s ranch house:

1. Updated siding: One of the biggest changes was the ranch home siding replacement. Installing new, modern siding in neutral tones dramatically refreshed the appearance. Opting for horizontal planks instead of traditional brick gave the home a sleek, contemporary look.
2. Roofline changes: Modifying the roofline added depth and character to the exterior. Changing the basic flat roof to a slightly pitched one created a modern silhouette, making the home stand out.
3. Fresh paint and brick limewash: The homeowners used Romabio Limewash for brick, turning the outdated brick into a beautiful, refreshed façade. This easy-to-apply paint allowed the home to maintain its brick texture while giving it a more contemporary color.
4. Window replacement and black frames: Installing black framed windows provided a sharp contrast to the light siding and brick. The new windows not only improved energy efficiency but also enhanced the home’s modern feel.
5. Front yard landscaping: Landscaping played a key role in improving the home’s curb appeal. The homeowners added a front yard landscaping plan with native plants, shrubs, and even a small Japanese Maple tree for added texture and color. The new landscaping gave the home a fresh, welcoming feel.

Key elements of the exterior remodel

This 1960s ranch home exterior transformation focused on several key elements to make the house look contemporary yet timeless:

• Ranch House porch addition: A small porch was added to the front of the house, which instantly made the home feel more inviting. The ranch-style house makeover benefited from this functional space that added character and provided an outdoor sitting area.
• Lighting updates: Outdoor lighting was upgraded with modern fixtures that complemented the home’s new look. The strategic placement of lights around the front walkway and the porch added warmth and enhanced safety.
• Garage door replacement: The old garage door was replaced with a modern, sleek design. This simple change made a huge impact on the overall appearance of the home.

Estimated Cost Breakdown for a Ranch House Exterior Remodel

Budget is usually the first question homeowners ask before starting a project like this. While costs vary by region, materials, and contractor rates, here’s a general breakdown of what each major update in a remodel like this typically runs:

A full exterior remodel touching most of these areas typically lands between $20,000 and $60,000, though homeowners can achieve a meaningfully refreshed look for under $10,000 by focusing on just paint, lighting, and landscaping first.

The impact of this stunning remodel

The results of this contemporary ranch-style remodel were nothing short of remarkable. The ranch house before and after photos tell a story of transformation. Not only did the exterior get a modern update, but the house also became more energy-efficient and functional for the homeowners.

How Long Does a Ranch House Exterior Remodel Take?

Timeline depends heavily on scope. A cosmetic refresh – limewashing brick, repainting trim, and updating landscaping – can usually be completed in 1 to 2 weeks. Adding new siding typically takes 1 to 3 weeks depending on the home’s square footage and crew size. Window replacement across a whole home usually takes 2 to 5 days once the units arrive, though lead times for custom black-framed windows can add 4 to 8 weeks to the front end of the project.

The most time-intensive update is usually a roofline modification, since it involves structural work and often requires permitting. Homeowners should budget 4 to 8 weeks for that portion alone. Most full exterior remodels, done in the sequence used in this project — siding, then windows, then landscaping – wrap up in 6 to 10 weeks total.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Remodeling a Ranch Exterior

A few missteps show up repeatedly in ranch remodels, and avoiding them can save both money and a redo down the line:

1. Skipping a cohesive color plan. Choosing siding, trim, and door colors separately (instead of as a palette) is the most common reason a remodel looks disjointed instead of intentional.
2. Ignoring proportions when adding a porch. A porch that’s too small for the home’s footprint can look like an afterthought rather than an architectural feature.
3. Under-lighting the exterior. Many homeowners upgrade fixtures but don’t add enough of them — a single porch light rarely provides the layered look modern exteriors need.
4. Forgetting window trim. New windows without updated trim or surrounds can still look dated, even with black frames.
5. Landscaping that doesn’t scale with the house. Small foundation plantings can get visually lost against a full ranch facade; larger, layered plantings usually read better.

Inspiration for your ranch house remodel

If you’re considering a ranch home outdoor makeover, there are countless ways to update and modernize your home. From roofline changes for ranch houses to adding a porch or replacing siding, there are many options to explore. Simple changes like landscaping for ranch home exteriors or even painting your brick can make a huge difference.

Whether you’re looking to do a small update or a full-scale ranch house exterior remodel, there’s no shortage of inspiration. Homeowners can take cues from this before and after home renovation to improve their properties. With careful planning and smart design choices, a dated 1960s ranch house can be transformed into a modern, stylish home.

By focusing on key updates like siding, roofing, and landscaping, this mid-century modern farmhouse renovation achieved a stunning transformation that left the house looking fresh and modern. No matter what updates you plan to make, the right changes can help you turn your 1960s ranch-style house into the home of your dreams.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ranch House Exterior Remodels

Is it worth remodeling the exterior of a 1960s ranch house?

Yes — exterior remodels on ranch homes tend to have strong return on investment because the simple, single-story structure keeps labor costs lower than on multi-story homes, while the visual impact of updates like siding and paint is high.

What’s the cheapest way to update a dated ranch exterior?

Limewashing or painting existing brick, refreshing landscaping, and updating exterior light fixtures are the lowest-cost changes that still make a visible difference, often for a few thousand dollars total.

Do I need a permit to change my roofline?

In most areas, yes. Structural changes to the roof typically require a permit and sometimes an inspection, so it’s worth checking with your local building department before starting.

What color siding works best on a ranch house?

Neutral tones — warm grays, greiges, and soft whites — are the most popular choice for modern ranch remodels because they pair well with both black window frames and natural landscaping.

How much value does an exterior remodel add to a ranch house?

While it depends on the local market, exterior updates like siding and landscaping are consistently among the renovation projects that return the highest percentage of their cost at resale, often 70–90%.