How to Update a Ranch

Review the layout and structure of your home. Go up to the attic, if possible. Look at the direction the flooring joists are running. In most cases, the load-bearing walls of a house run in the opposite direction. Keep this in mind during your ranch home update. If you're unsure which walls in your home are load bearing, call a professional to confirm.

Expand the space. Sketch the layout of your current home on a piece of paper with a pencil. Trace over the pencil line with a marker where each load-bearing wall is. These wall should never be removed, unless you hire a professional structural engineer. Create a new, more open layout for your home by erasing pencil lines. The erased lines are walls that you can remove. Empty any drain pipes and turn off all water and electricity to any wall you wish to remove before you start removing it.

Once any walls are removed, install new flooring and paint the walls as desired throughout your house. Use light neutrals or pastels to open up the space, and apply bright, bold accents to give your home a modern feel.

Update any brass fixtures in the home to more modern or personally selected pieces, such as polished chrome or bronze. Remove any hardware or other pieces that clearly date the home, such as shell-shaped sinks.

Give your home's exterior a face-lift. Remove or replace aging veneer. Paint the outside a single color, such as a light, neutral shade, or a palatable, exterior blue. If you love the outdoors and want to create more usable outdoor space, add a porch or patio to the front of your house to increase its curb appeal. Additional items, like landscaping elements or shutters, can also be added to the exterior to soften and update your ranch home's look.