Click on the Image to view this floor plan. Ranch style homes (originally known as the California Ranch) were quite popular plans in the 50's and 60's. Their styling is very simple and rectangular in shape. Ranch style homes generally have shallow pitched hipped roofs that extended across a single or double car garage. The draw back to the ranch style home is that is requires a large lot because of the width. Ranch style plans are most popular with three bedrooms and two baths. This plan style has evolved over the years. You can now find a ranch style plan with various architectural styles such as Traditional, Georgian, Country and more. The ranch style home plan is popular because it generally provides all that you need for day-to-day living on the main level. For this reason the ranch style plan is often built without a basement. With a basement the ranch style home is quite large with many bedrooms. For this reason the ranch style home plan can be cost effective considering the total amount of square footage you end up with. It can however be expensive because you must have a wide lot to built it; and as with every plan style the exterior finishes will increase the cost significantly because of it's long rectangular shape.