How can I make my raised ranch more like a ranch, eliminate front step

put ramp in place of steps

sorry, your house was built this way due to the slope of your lot.

Put in a ramp outside - over the steps as when you sell, not everyone wants a ramp.

Inside, put in an electric seat on the stairs. It acts like an elevator.

I'd add ranch style shutters to the windows. I'd also create a covered porch to bring out the front & extend it from the door all the way down to the left side of the house. Use large square beams (6-8 inches) wrapped in cedar for support along the front. The porch will eliminate the stairs, though you'll probably have one step into the house still & it will give it more of a ranch look. You could also add rock around the lower portion of the support beams. Of course adding the porch will require you to move your sidewalk out a bit further & you'd have to redo your landscaping, but it would definitely give you the look you're looking for. Your house is too flat along the front & adding that dimension to it will help. And of course ranch style houses usually have those long porches along the front. Good luck!

I would add a long porch about 2/3 's the length of the house. Extend the flower beds put add shutters to the Windows and a coupala to the roof top.

Your house appears to be a split foyer rather than a raised ranch. Does it have a landing inside the front door with a few steps going to the upper level on the right and a few going to the basement on the left? If so, that’s a split foyer. That was a popular plan in the 70s and 80s because builders could get more above ground square footage in a footprint than in the same footprint of a basement rancher with a true basement. Having said that, I (Owner/Broker of Stellar Homes and Marilyn Robertson Designs) have never seen the steps eliminated inside a split foyer. Sorry, but even the lift that someone mentioned is designed, I believe, for a one unit stair of 12-13 steps, the normal in a two story house. Your outside step problem is easily solved, but not the inside. Maybe it’s time for a young family to enjoy the privacy of your floor plan and you to discover the joy of one level living! I wish you success and happiness!

Patricia, unfortunately your best options are costly. Outside is doable and not many steps so not as costly but inside will be since generally these homes have 2 set of steps up to top level and down to lower level so you are talking two separate things. I do feel awful for you and we'll I don't know your situation nor budget,but a true ranch may be your only option.

Sell and move to a true ranch style - especially if you want to eliminate inside steps. Outside can be eliminated using a wheelchair ramp.

Don't make me cry,I was only trying to be honest. I feel your pain. I have never built a home,but I love our present home and it's only been 3 summers. But my epilepsy has gotten worse and it looks like we better downsize to a ranch or at least a raised ranch. I have fallen down our stairs and God was protecting me because it happened at the bottom, but it hurt like the dickens. I also want to or better stated need to be close to family and a hospital and I live in northern Illinois and it's expensive. So not only downsizing but getting into another mortgage and paying more for less than half the space. But we can't control anything,can we? I have my faith and it gets me through my days. I pray that the transition well be painless and that you can embrace the change and maybe even take some of the wonderful ideas that this site provides and use them to make this an adventure. Remember just because steps are hard doesn't mean our brains don't work, OK well mine sometimes does its own thing,but for the most part it works. I pray that God takes this burden off of your shoulders and brings you to this next chapter with an assurance that He has your back 😊.

Hi Patricia,

My house is a split entry as yours appears to be (although I always refer to it as a raised ranch). This past winter my husband and I had two stair lifts installed. One long lift on the outside at our side entrance and a short lift from the main living level down to the front foyer entrance. We did not extend from the foyer to the basement, but it can be done with one curving lift. While expensive, it's far preferable to worrying about falling. Plus, it will allow us to stay in the home we love. I think you should at least consider a stair lift.

Best wishes whatever you decide.