Art Deco house designs are strikingly different from mid-century modern or ranch house designs. Mid-century modern homes are typically boxy single-story structures with a flat or gently sloped roof and minimal exterior design elements. Mid-century houses tend to have an open layout focused on minimalism. In contrast, art deco house plans feature an array of intricate design elements, including stepped roofs, curved façades, and arched entrances. The floor plans of art deco homes are often more complex, featuring separate rooms with distinct functions.Difference in Mid-Century House Design and Ranch House Design |
Art Deco house designs feature a range of distinctive exterior aesthetic elements. The façade of typical art deco homes has an arched entrance, often flanked by ornate stone columns, patterned brickwork, and tall windows with fluted trim. The roof of an Art Deco house tends to be steeply sloped, with intricately designed parapets or turrets.Exterior Aesthetic Differences |
The floor plans of art deco house designs tend to be much more elaborate than mid-century modern or ranch houses. The interior layout of an art deco home is usually filled with a mix of large, open spaces and smaller, more intimate ones. Special attention is paid to making the interior spaces usable and efficient. The kitchens often feature a side-by-side arrangement with separate pantries, and the living rooms often contain curved walls.Interior Floor Plan Differences |
Art deco houses typically feature zigzag patterns, curved lines, and intricate patterns on their exteriors. The interior of an Art Deco home also often features bold colors, geometric shapes, and unusual window shapes. Other design elements common in Art Deco houses include stepped ceilings, stained glass, oriental rugs, and painted furniture.General Preferred Design Features |
The size and scale of the design of an Art Deco house can have a dramatic effect on the visual impact of the structure. Art Deco houses tend to be much larger than mid-century modern or ranch homes, often taking up a large portion of a city block. The bold design elements of an Art Deco house create an arresting visual impact, making them stand out from the more reserved designs of their mid-century and ranch house counterparts.Visual Impact of Scale of Design |
Art deco house designs often feature a wealth of different materials, colors, and finishes. The walls of Art Deco homes usually feature brightly colored tiles or painted plaster, and the floors are usually made of wood, marble, or tile. Window frames and doors are often made of polished metals such as brass or copper, and the furniture and fixtures often feature bold colors and intricate patterns.Materials, Colors and Finishes |
Art Deco homes typically incorporate a variety of functional design elements, such as alcoves, nooks, and ornate fireplaces. These features help to add character and visual interest to the interior spaces of the house. Mid-century modern or ranch houses typically feature fewer decorative elements, relying instead on the simple lines and open layouts of the structures.Functional Differences |
The landscaping of Art Deco houses often features ornamental trees, statues, and other elements. The grounds are usually meticulously kept, with neat grassy lawns and professionally crafted flower beds. Mid-century modern and ranch houses usually feature a more basic approach to landscaping, often with a small garden or patio area.Landscaping Differences |
Art Deco house designs have highly distinctive roof styles, often featuring turrets, parapets, and other ornate designs. These roofs are usually made from metal, wood, or tile, and they are often brightly colored or patterned. Mid-century and ranch houses tend to have simpler roof designs, usually with a flat or gently sloping shape.Roof Styles |
The windows of Art Deco house designs tend to be large and impressive, often featuring fluted trim or ornate mullions. The color of the trim and the shape of the windows can vary greatly, depending on the style of the house. By comparison, the windows of mid-century and ranch houses are usually more basic, with a rectangular shape and minimal trim.Window Designs |
The entrance of an Art Deco house is often highlighted by a bold, dramatic doorway, with intricately carved trim and detailed ornamentation. The entryway to a mid-century or ranch house tends to be more basic, with a simpler door and minimal design elements.Entryway Designs
Notable Features of Ranch House Design
Ranch-style homes, also known as “ramblers,” typically feature an elongated shape that stretches outwards and a low-pitched roof covering. Other distinguishing characteristics of ranch houses usually include a simple floor plan, efficient construction, an attached garage, and an asymmetrical façade. As a result of popular demand, designers implemented a single-story floor-plan that evolved to include wider windows, open layout, and an overall free-flowing style.
Additionally, ranch houses have plenty of natural light, thanks to large windows, and often include built-in furniture, fixed flexible seating, and even shelving with a focus on convenience and minimalism. Their H-shaped foundations also make them incredibly stable. They were also the first style of homes to be offered in the suburbs since 1950.
Roof Design
Unlike a mid-century home style, ranch houses typically include a single, low-pitched roof design. This roof type has fewer valleys and crevices due to the symmetrical design, which keeps snow and debris from accumulating. This roof design is also one of the few that doesn’t require regular maintenance.
Exterior
The exterior of a ranch house usually includes a combination of brick, stonework, shingles, and wood. It should also have an updated color palette and up-to-date accents such as an extensive deck or patio. Furthermore, the exterior should be well-maintained and include bright, vibrant outdoor lighting to complement the timeless lines of the house.