• Ranch-style houses are characterized by their long, low lines.house image by Byron Moore from Fotolia.com
  
  Ranch style houses have been around since the post-World War II era created millions of affordable residences for families. Ranch homes have simple lines and flexible floor plans that are ideal for American lifestyles. They are still popular today because of the convenient one-floor living space and easy maintenance. Contemporary landscaping of 1950s and 1960s ranch-style homes is advisable to update the generally stark, broad-lawned landscaping that was done where they were first built.
  
  

Curved Beds

• Ranch-style houses are built with long, horizontal lines. A good way to break up the visual line is by planting curved foundation beds that create more interest for the eye. Many kinds of low-growing shrubs such as holly or hydrangea, as suggested by LandscapeDesignAdvice.com, can be used, or you can mix shrubs like forsythia with flower beds. (see reference 1) A pleasant effect is achieved by adding landscape grasses to shrubs to give an airy, natural feel instead of just heavy shrubbery.
  
  

Medium-sized Shrubs & Trees

• Ranch homes in the 1950s and 60s were often built in suburbs that allowed the planting of tall evergreen trees. Though these evergreens work well to break the horizontal lines of the house, they now look a bit dated and overwhelming. Adding smaller, flowering ornamental trees, like crabapple or magnolia, to the front entry and again near the back of the house will lighten this severe effect and invite visitors to explore the property. Instead of stiff, vertical lines, add fuller, medium-sized trees that create a softer dimension for the landscape.
  
  

Privacy Plantings

• Ranch homes were built in the days when heavy wooden fences were popular. You may wish to change that look with a living fence of greenery, such as a privet hedge or evergreens planted in a staggered line to look more natural. Fast-growing trees for privacy and shade include red maple, honey locust, crape myrtle, red cedar, and arborvitae.
  
  

Driveways & Pavings

• The harsh landscaping of the 1950s and 1960s is most evident in the broad-lawns-to-paved-driveways look of many ranch-style houses. You can soften this hard visual line by adding potted trees and plants at garage doors, building borders along driveways and adding small trees here and there at lawn edges. You can find low-maintenance plants and border materials for this use, so you don't add to the general maintenance duties on the property.
  
  

Water Features

• Adding a small pond or fountain in the backyard can make good use of the broad lawn area that is so prevalent with ranch-style houses. The use of a water feature with plantings and a nearby bench, adds an area of relaxation and tranquility, and can even invite wildlife to your yard, according to YardFairy.com. (see reference 3)