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One Story Home Remodeling Ideas

Caitlin Sole headshot
By Caitlin Sole February 19, 2016
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Before and after pictures of one story home remodeling projects.
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Simple Ranch Redo

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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.

  • Boost your home's curb appeal with our easy ideas!

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Simple Ranch Redo

100030197.jpg

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.

2 of 31

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Fresh Exterior Renovation

100952151.jpg

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.

3 of 31

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Fresh Exterior Renovation

SIP941471.jpg

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.

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Remodel Inspiration

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

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Exterior Overhaul

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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.

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Exterior Overhaul

100512829.jpg

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.

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Shingles-Style Addition

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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 primary bedroom suite, and the new exterior look attracts the eye.

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Shingles-Style Addition

100655491.jpg

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 primary bedroom suite, and the new exterior look attracts the eye.

  • Boost your home's curb appeal with our easy ideas!

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Exterior Transformation

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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.

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Exterior Transformation

SIP927351.jpg

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.

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Elegant Ranch Upgrade

100458657.jpg

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.

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Elegant Ranch Upgrade

BHG135947.jpg

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.

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Entryway Overhaul

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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.

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Entryway Overhaul

SIP935873.jpg

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.

15 of 31

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Prominent Addition

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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.

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Prominent Addition

SIP928212.jpg

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.

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California Ranch Redo

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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.

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California Ranch Redo

SIP919196.jpg

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.

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Classic Dormers

front-exterior-with-snow.jpg

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.

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Classic Dormers

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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.

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Attractive Roofline

100487653.jpg

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 primary bedroom and bath and provided the opportunity for a much more interesting roofline.

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Attractive Roofline

REN605200.jpg

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 primary bedroom and bath and provided the opportunity for a much more interesting roofline.

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Added Architectural Elements

100458425.jpg

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.

24 of 31

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Added Architectural Elements

100032493.jpg

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.

25 of 31

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Cottage Facelift

onestory_1.jpg

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.

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Cottage Facelift

onestory_2.jpg

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.

27 of 31

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Carport Makeover

onestory_3.jpg

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.

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Carport Makeover

onestory_4.jpg

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.

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Ranch Redo

onestory_5.jpg

Adding height to this ranch revamped the wide and squat profile of the facade. The new roofline balances out the width of the home, increases the symmetry of the structure, and adds architectural interest with a shed dormer. The new roof also creates higher ceilings in the house. Small-pane windows, while not typical for ranch houses, are a great design choice for the more cottage-like remodel.

30 of 31

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Ranch Redo

onestory_6.jpg

Adding height to this ranch revamped the wide and squat profile of the facade. The new roofline balances out the width of the home, increases the symmetry of the structure, and adds architectural interest with a shed dormer. The new roof also creates higher ceilings in the house. Small-pane windows, while not typical for ranch houses, are a great design choice for the more cottage-like remodel.

31 of 31

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By Caitlin Sole

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    1 of 31 Simple Ranch Redo
    2 of 31 Simple Ranch Redo
    3 of 31 Fresh Exterior Renovation
    4 of 31 Fresh Exterior Renovation
    5 of 31 Remodel Inspiration
    6 of 31 Exterior Overhaul
    7 of 31 Exterior Overhaul
    8 of 31 Shingles-Style Addition
    9 of 31 Shingles-Style Addition
    10 of 31 Exterior Transformation
    11 of 31 Exterior Transformation
    12 of 31 Elegant Ranch Upgrade
    13 of 31 Elegant Ranch Upgrade
    14 of 31 Entryway Overhaul
    15 of 31 Entryway Overhaul
    16 of 31 Prominent Addition
    17 of 31 Prominent Addition
    18 of 31 California Ranch Redo
    19 of 31 California Ranch Redo
    20 of 31 Classic Dormers
    21 of 31 Classic Dormers
    22 of 31 Attractive Roofline
    23 of 31 Attractive Roofline
    24 of 31 Added Architectural Elements
    25 of 31 Added Architectural Elements
    26 of 31 Cottage Facelift
    27 of 31 Cottage Facelift
    28 of 31 Carport Makeover
    29 of 31 Carport Makeover
    30 of 31 Ranch Redo
    31 of 31 Ranch Redo

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