Contrary to what the name suggests, you don’t have to own a large tract of land to enjoy this staple in American architecture.

A classic ranch style house is one of the most popular styles of homes in America. In fact, you can find them in virtually every city, town, and village across the nation. Also called a “rambler” in certain regions, a ranch style home is most commonly a modest, single-story dwelling. However, larger and more luxurious ranch style homes are also popular.

This truly American style found inspiration in the low, casual homes on cattle ranches of the Old West. Yet most modern ranch homes lack a western vibe. Many associate midcentury décor with the ranch house plan, but other design styles merge well with a ranch footprint. Its open, casual layout usually has an attached garage or carport, at least one large picture window, and a patio or other outdoor living space.

Despite the inherent simplicity of a ranch home, there are countless variations of this house style. Review our favorite ranch style house ideas to see dozens of takes on the classic ranch. Be sure to save the pics that feel like home to you.

1. Brick Ranch Home

Brick is one of the most common exterior finishes found on ranch style homes. Brick is durable, low-maintenance, and fireproof. While current ranch home builders often cut corners by installing brick only on street-facing walls, traditional ranch style homes have full brick exteriors.

Many a ranch home combines stone cladding with a brick façade. For instance, an entryway or front porch may be stone clad while the remainder of the exterior is brick. Fieldstone or stacked stone in a contrasting color is a popular type of masonry added to jazz up a brick ranch house exterior.

2. California Ranch Home

Self-taught California architect Clifford May pioneered the ranch home architectural style. This relatively open floor plan includes large windows and glass doors, for easy outdoor access and cross ventilation. May’s first ranch home plan was his own residence, and he designed it to blend in with California’s landscape.