Drab to Dramatic: 9 Ways to Rescue a Ranch Home

A sand-color stucco exterior and some lofty palm trees rooted this southern California home squarely in the early 1990s. Beyond the drab appearance, the home was structurally sound and simply in need of an inspiring exterior makeover.

Bright white wood siding, whimsical boxwood orbs, and a splashy yellow front door give this once-dated home fresh appeal. Although the new exterior is vastly improved, the transformation was relatively simple. Read on for the small-but-mighty updates that make this exterior sing!

If your front door hides in the shadows, use color to bring it forward. Bold, look-at-me yellow instantly grabs attention and signals the point of entry on this refreshed ranch home. 

New hardware can dramatically change the style and function of a front door -- and if you find yourself wrestling with your lock every time you use the door, it's time to update. This lockset's sleek, simple shape lends fresh appeal to the yellow Dutch door. Coordinate front door hardware and lighting finishes for a polished look.

Use oversize light fixtures to make an impact. This crackled glass and burnished-bronze sconce bolsters the home's modern-cottage vibe while providing light around the home's front entrance.

Make it easy for guests to find their way to your front door by designing a wide path that is clearly visible from the time they approach your home. Wide steps with integrated lighting improve safety.

A home isn't a home without a gnome! The front door or the area surrounding it is the perfect place to add character, whether it's a garden gnome, an interesting wreath, or a vintage sign.

Soften a modern exterior with a bench and patterned pillows near the front door. A mix of small pillows covered in bright outdoor fabric gives the entrance comfort and stay-awhile personality.