How to Decorate a Simple Ranch House

Paint the interior and exterior in neutral, nature-inspired colors. Classic American ranch homes, or ramblers as they were often called, took their simple and clean aesthetic from the landscapes around, particularly prairie scenes. Colors such as tan, cream, wheat, white, yellow, green and brown are ideal paint colors for this type of home.

Furnish the space with midcentury pieces to stay consistent with the building's architecture. Look for pieces at estate sales, antique stores or even thrift shops that you can refurbish for use in your home. To bring the style into the modern world, update upholstery with more graphic prints than traditional florals or stripes.

Focus on casual comfort over fussy facades. When in doubt, decorate with simple wooden furniture as opposed to a metal piece with intricate iron work or glass elements. Keep the lines of the furniture and accessories low, long, narrow and simple, much like the style of the home.

Add contrast in colors to break up the space and to create interest. For example, paint an accent wall instead of a whole room. Use chair railing to further delineate the space in the room. For painting the outside, use shutters and trim work to add a pop of rich color to the aesthetic.

Bring elements of the outdoors inside. For example, accessorizing with potted plants both indoors and out will bring color and life to the space. Look for landscapes and nature-inspired art to add charm to the walls. Don't forget to also decorate the outside of the home with colorful flowers, lattice board features and decorative arches.