One Story Home Remodeling Ideas

All it took were windows to reveal this home's sparkling soul. The old horizontal windows were replaced with vertical models that visually stretch the home, and bump-outs on each side of the entry provide dramatic vertical interest. Stucco overlay covers the bricks to complete the bland-to-grand makeover and unite the new exterior elements with the old.

All it took were windows to reveal this home's sparkling soul. The old horizontal windows were replaced with vertical models that visually stretch the home, and bump-outs on each side of the entry provide dramatic vertical interest. Stucco overlay covers the bricks to complete the bland-to-grand makeover and unite the new exterior elements with the old.

To make the home seem lighter on its feet, the homeowners painted the exterior pale yellow and accented with wine trim. The porch was transformed into an alfresco aerie enclosed only by railings. French doors carry more light into the living room, and olive green door panels camouflage the parking spaces below.

To make the home seem lighter on its feet, the homeowners painted the exterior pale yellow and accented with wine trim. The porch was transformed into an alfresco aerie enclosed only by railings. French doors carry more light into the living room, and olive green door panels camouflage the parking spaces below.

Find inspiration for your one-story remodel with these tips for choosing a home plan.

Black-granite siding sets off this home's new facade, and the peaks and valleys of the old rooftop gave way to a more contemporary shape. New limestone hardscape replaces poured-in-place concrete steps and finishes off the fresh look.

Black-granite siding sets off this home's new facade, and the peaks and valleys of the old rooftop gave way to a more contemporary shape. New limestone hardscape replaces poured-in-place concrete steps and finishes off the fresh look.

A total redo of the original home plans and the addition of a two-story wing transformed a tiny '50s ranch into an elegant, Shingle-style house. The new wing provides the home with a casual living area topped by a master bedroom suite, and the new exterior look attracts the eye.

A total redo of the original home plans and the addition of a two-story wing transformed a tiny '50s ranch into an elegant, Shingle-style house. The new wing provides the home with a casual living area topped by a master bedroom suite, and the new exterior look attracts the eye.

The addition of an upper level transformed a standard-issue one-story ranch into a regal home. Natural-hue siding and white trim blend the new second story with the original bay window and entry.

The addition of an upper level transformed a standard-issue one-story ranch into a regal home. Natural-hue siding and white trim blend the new second story with the original bay window and entry.

This house's roof was raised to add a second story with gabled dormers that extend over the porch. The front entry—previously blocked by bushes—is now a focal point. A color palette of pale yellow siding and crisp white trim, railings, and columns complete the home improvement project.

This house's roof was raised to add a second story with gabled dormers that extend over the porch. The front entry—previously blocked by bushes—is now a focal point. A color palette of pale yellow siding and crisp white trim, railings, and columns complete the home improvement project.

A new double gable draws the eye to the mahogany front door, and natural materials—stacked Tennessee fieldstone, cedar shingles, and wood siding—complement the home's wooded surroundings. The stacked fieldstone, in particular, defines the entry, and elegant windows echo its curve.

A new double gable draws the eye to the mahogany front door, and natural materials—stacked Tennessee fieldstone, cedar shingles, and wood siding—complement the home's wooded surroundings. The stacked fieldstone, in particular, defines the entry, and elegant windows echo its curve.

A prominent upper-level addition, with chalk-color stucco and deep, flat roof overhangs, gives this ranch a much-needed boost of character and space. Double-hung windows repeat the theme of the home's original windows, letting in lots of sunlight and views from their high vantage point.

A prominent upper-level addition, with chalk-color stucco and deep, flat roof overhangs, gives this ranch a much-needed boost of character and space. Double-hung windows repeat the theme of the home's original windows, letting in lots of sunlight and views from their high vantage point.

Adding an upper level onto this California ranch gave its residents more living space and a view of the nearby ocean, previously obscured by other nearby houses. Gray shake siding, white trim, and a new roof seamlessly unify old and new.

Adding an upper level onto this California ranch gave its residents more living space and a view of the nearby ocean, previously obscured by other nearby houses. Gray shake siding, white trim, and a new roof seamlessly unify old and new.

Adding dormers helped give this ranch a new look outside and extra room inside. Their classic gable fronts repeat the roof pitch of the original structure. New windows, siding, and porch columns complement the dormers' classic simplicity.

Adding dormers helped give this ranch a new look outside and extra room inside. Their classic gable fronts repeat the roof pitch of the original structure. New windows, siding, and porch columns complement the dormers' classic simplicity.

To make the family room added to the back left side of this house appear balanced, architect Jim Theiss also extended the back right side by 8 feet. The move increased the size of the master bedroom and bath and provided the opportunity for a much more interesting roofline.

To make the family room added to the back left side of this house appear balanced, architect Jim Theiss also extended the back right side by 8 feet. The move increased the size of the master bedroom and bath and provided the opportunity for a much more interesting roofline.

A former brick ranch gets a second floor for more family living space and a spectacular new face. Architectural elements, including two gables and a shed dormer, add visual interest to the front exterior. The shed dormer breaks up the roofline and lets sunlight pour into the two-story living room.

A former brick ranch gets a second floor for more family living space and a spectacular new face. Architectural elements, including two gables and a shed dormer, add visual interest to the front exterior. The shed dormer breaks up the roofline and lets sunlight pour into the two-story living room.

Sliding the front entrance toward the center of this home and bumping it out helps balance out the structure and gives it more depth. Wide stone steps and a cross gable clearly mark off the entryway and graciously invite guests inside. Replacing large bushes with lower ground coverings complements the home's proportions instead of overpowering them. The addition of even these small details adds architectural interest to the small home.

Sliding the front entrance toward the center of this home and bumping it out helps balance out the structure and gives it more depth. Wide stone steps and a cross gable clearly mark off the entryway and graciously invite guests inside. Replacing large bushes with lower ground coverings complements the home's proportions instead of overpowering them. The addition of even these small details adds architectural interest to the small home.

Replacing a carport with a garage set below ground level enhanced this home on three fronts. First, the homeowners now have complete weather protection for their vehicles. Second, they gained a rooftop deck above the garage that allows them to enjoy ocean vistas. Third, the lower roofline of the garage makes the home appear taller. Plus, the different levels give the home greater visual depth and character.

Replacing a carport with a garage set below ground level enhanced this home on three fronts. First, the homeowners now have complete weather protection for their vehicles. Second, they gained a rooftop deck above the garage that allows them to enjoy ocean vistas. Third, the lower roofline of the garage makes the home appear taller. Plus, the different levels give the home greater visual depth and character.