Is a Raised Ranch-Style Home Right for You? An Architect Weighs In

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There are a lot of things to think about when buying a home: Budget, size, and location are likely your first considerations. However, one aspect you won’t want to overlook is the architectural style and layout of the house. If you’re thinking of buying or building a raised ranch–style home specifically, there are a few key aspects to know before you commit.

Raised ranch–style homes offer a unique layout and functionality from other styles like Tudor- or Craftsman-style homes. While fans of regular ranch-style homes appreciate their single-level look and lack of stairs, the raised ranch is a little different but still offers some key benefits. Here’s everything you need to know about raised ranch–style homes.

What Is a Raised Ranch-Style Home?

“A raised ranch–style home is a home with an entrance that opens into a platform on the stairwell,” explains Natalie Rebuck, principal designer at Re: Design Architects. “It has a short stairway that goes up to the main living area and another short stairway that goes down to the basement area. This kind of design allows for the basement space to be livable, and natural light comes in through windows to both the upper and lower levels of the home.”

The half-flights of stairs that lead up and downstairs are what set this architectural style apart—there aren’t full flights that separate floors like you’d find in a typical multilevel home.

When Were Raised Ranch-Style Homes Popularized?

Raised ranch–style homes originated in California in the 1930s, says Rebuck, but didn’t become popular across the United States until the 1950s. This was because growing families needed more space than is typically offered in a ranch-style home without having to deal with too many sets of stairs. So, the raised ranch–style home became the perfect solution.

Differences Between Raised Ranch-Style and Split-Level Homes

While often people use the words interchangeably, the biggest difference between a raised ranch and a split-level home is the type of levels in each.

“A raised ranch has two levels—one up and one down,” explains Rebuck. “From the main entrance, a flight of stairs leads to the main living areas on the upper level, and another flight of stairs leads down to the lower story. Meanwhile, a split level typically has more staggered levels, and it’s usually more than two—about three or four.”

In a split-level home, you typically enter into a living space on the first level, with a flight of stairs from the main living area to the bedrooms on the second level. Most times, lower levels lead to basements and/or garages. This is different from a raised ranch–style home, which instead has two distinct levels, one exactly on top of the other. A more accurate secondary term for a raised ranch–style home is therefore a split-entry home, which emphasizes the way that the entrance leads to a landing with stairs going up and down.

Pros and Cons of Raised Ranch-Style Homes

Pros

“Raised ranch–style homes can have many benefits, the first being that they’re often more budget-friendly than some other styles,” says Rebuck. “They provide more space than ranch–style homes, as the finished basement becomes very livable, and they’re often more private, as well: The main living area is above the eye level of neighbors and other people passing by. They normally have open floor plans.”

Raised ranch–style homes also often boast better views than other, more traditional homes, especially since the main level is a bit elevated. Since this main living space is often kept separate from the bedrooms, you have more privacy, too.

Cons

“Raised ranches can be great for families, but those with mobility issues may have problems due to the fact that you need to climb a small flight of stairs to get to both the living area and the bedrooms,” says Rebuck. “They’re original, so they may not fit everyone’s personal style, and even though all levels will receive light, the partially below-grade level may not receive as much light as people might want.”

It’s also worth noting that raised ranch–style homes may cost more in upkeep, especially when you’re targeting a finished basement area that doubles as a living space.

Other Names for Raised Ranch-Style Homes

As discussed above, a raised ranch–style home can also be called a split-entry home. However, Rebuck also says that using the term “bi-level” would work, since this accurately reflects the two levels on a raised ranch–style home, as opposed to the single level on a ranch-style home.

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