26 Best 70s Ranch Exterior Remodel Ideas
Ranch homes are like the bell-bottom jeans of architecture—super trendy in their heyday, slightly embarrassing in the decades after, but now? Totally making a comeback.
I’ve spent way too much time looking at exterior remodel ideas (probably more than is healthy), and let me tell you: a little love can turn a dated 70s ranch into a modern masterpiece.
So, if you’re ready to give your home’s curb appeal the ultimate glow-up, here are 26 best remodel ideas that mix retro charm with modern flair.
1. Add a Modern Front Porch
Most 70s ranch homes have flat, no-frills entryways. Adding a front porch instantly gives personality. Whether it’s a sleek, modern overhang or a rustic wood-covered patio, porches add depth, shade, and that “welcome home” vibe.
2. Go Bold with a New Front Door
Swap that old, hollow-core door for something bold. Think solid wood with glass inserts or a bright, playful color like teal or mustard. Honestly, a killer front door is like good shoes—it makes the whole outfit pop.
3. Install Black-Framed Windows
Ever noticed how black-trimmed windows make everything look more modern? Replace those thin aluminum frames with chunky black ones. They instantly update the ranch’s low, horizontal profile.
4. Add Horizontal Wood Slats
Bring out the mid-century vibes by adding horizontal wood siding or accent panels. Natural cedar or stained pine warms up the façade while staying true to that retro ranch feel.
5. Swap Out the Roof
Many 70s ranches have tired asphalt shingles. Upgrade to a metal roof (sleek, modern) or architectural shingles (more texture). Bonus: new roofing ups your home’s value big time.
6. Paint It White
A fresh coat of white paint turns a dated ranch into a crisp, modern farmhouse. Pair with black trim and wood accents, and suddenly you’ve got HGTV-level curb appeal.
7. Or Go Dark and Moody
Want something dramatic? Try charcoal, navy, or deep forest green for the siding. IMO, nothing makes landscaping pop like a dark, moody exterior.
8. Expand the Windows
Those narrow ranch windows? Cute in theory, but they make the house feel closed off. Widening or adding larger windows brings in more natural light and makes the whole place look updated.
9. Add a Pop of Stone
A little stone veneer on the base or around the entryway adds texture and class. It breaks up the monotony of flat siding and gives that “I hired an expensive architect” look—without actually doing that.
10. Upgrade the Garage Door
Don’t underestimate this one. A dated garage door can drag down the entire house. Swap it for a modern paneled wood door or one with glass accents. It’s like instant Botox for your curb appeal.
11. Create a Breezeway
If your ranch has a detached garage, connect it with a covered breezeway. It’s practical, charming, and feels way more intentional than random outbuildings floating around your yard.
12. Add Modern Lighting
Nothing screams “1975” like those old lantern lights. Replace them with sleek sconces, Edison bulbs, or minimalist black fixtures. Ever wondered why lighting makes such a difference? Because people actually see your house at night, too.
13. Build Out the Entry
Even a small entry bump-out changes the whole vibe. Adding a covered entry with a pitched roof draws the eye in and makes the house look taller (goodbye, pancake house).
14. Go Mid-Century Modern
Lean into the ranch’s retro roots with geometric details, angled rooflines, or even a fun slatted privacy wall. Sometimes, instead of hiding the 70s, it’s better to glam them up.
15. Update Landscaping
Okay, not technically the house—but hear me out. Simple landscaping upgrades (stone pathways, ornamental grasses, clean hedges) can make a ranch house look completely refreshed. And no, those scraggly evergreen bushes from 1978 don’t count as landscaping.
16. Mix Materials
Try a combo of stucco, wood, and stone for contrast. A mixed façade keeps the long, low ranch shape from feeling flat and one-dimensional.
17. Add a Pergola
A wooden pergola over the garage or entry creates dimension and shade. It’s one of those things that makes people go, “Wait… is this the same house?”
18. Replace Gutters and Trim
Sounds boring, right? But swapping outdated white gutters for sleek black or copper ones makes a surprising difference. It’s like upgrading your home’s jewelry.
19. Install a Metal Awning
Metal awnings over windows or the entry add industrial-chic vibes while keeping the house functional (sun protection, anyone?).
20. Frame the Walkway
Don’t just leave a cracked sidewalk. Frame it with pavers, stone edging, or even modern concrete slabs. It draws visitors straight to your bold new front door.
21. Raise the Roofline
This is a bigger project, but if you’re ready to invest, raising part of the roofline gives that “custom home” look. A taller entry roof or slight pitch variation breaks up the ranch’s flatness.
22. Add Window Shutters (Modern Ones)
Forget the skinny vinyl shutters from the 90s. Opt for chunky wood shutters or sleek black ones that frame the windows properly.
23. Create an Outdoor Living Space
Extend the ranch lifestyle outside with a front patio or covered deck. It adds functionality and gives your exterior more depth.
24. Go with Board and Batten
Board-and-batten siding instantly modernizes a ranch exterior while giving it texture. Plus, it plays nicely with both farmhouse and mid-century aesthetics.
25. Highlight with House Numbers
Swap your tiny metal numbers for oversized modern ones in black, brass, or even neon. Sounds silly, but house numbers are like the earrings of exterior design—they finish the look.
26. Accent with Planters
Big, modern planters by the entry or garage add color, life, and charm. Plus, they’re cheap, swappable, and low-commitment compared to, say, raising the roof.
Final Thoughts
Here’s the thing: 70s ranch homes aren’t outdated—they’re blank canvases. With the right updates, you can transform that flat, horizontal box into a stylish, warm, and modern home that still honors its retro roots.
If I had to pick my top three? Definitely black windows, a bold front door, and some warm wood accents. Together, they’re the holy trinity of ranch remodels.
So, what’s your ranch house makeover dream? Will you keep it simple with a door swap, or go full HGTV and raise the roofline? Either way, your 70s ranch deserves its moment in the spotlight. And hey—maybe your neighbors will finally stop giving you that “nice fixer-upper” side-eye.
