Ranch-style homes are perfect for small or growing families, and they are also a smart choice for adults who want to grow old at home. Adding some functional features to your custom ranch home design can make the space work for you, combining beautiful style with plenty of space for everyday living tasks. Here are some ideas to incorporate into your plan before your builder gets to work. 

Laundry Room And Mud Room Combo

Ranch houses don't always have a basement, which means the laundry room needs to live on the main floor of the home. Some smaller ranches may have a simple laundry closet, but designing a custom home gives you more freedom to create dedicated space for washing, drying, and ironing. Work with your home design service to come up with a multipurpose space that combines laundry facilities and a mudroom. The room should have an entrance from the attached garage and another leading to the backyard. Dual entrances help prevent pets and people from tracking mud and messes through the home. Don't forget to include built-in cabinets, shelves, and coat racks to add extra storage to your home. 

Covered Patio

To get more use out of your yard year-round, consider building a covered patio in the back. A convertible design with removable window panes and screens lets the warm breeze in during the summer while keeping the cold out in the winter. This flexible space can be used as a breakfast nook, family room, or even a children's play area, giving everyone in your family more room to spread out and enjoy the space. To make even more use of the yard, try a design with large sliding doors that open up onto an outdoor patio. You'll be able to create a perfect spot for outdoor dining and entertaining with a roof for cover on rainy days. 

Walk-In Pantry

Pantry space is essential in a custom ranch, particularly if you're leaning towards an open-concept kitchen design. Adding a walk-in pantry provides concealed storage for food, countertop appliances, and even cleaning supplies, leaving your space free from clutter for a more clean, streamlined look. To make this idea look seamless, consider adding a decorative door placed between two sets of full-length glass-panel cabinets. The cabinets can serve as display space for your best china while creating an upscale entrance to your pantry. Inside, be sure to add custom cabinetry elements, such as pullout cabinet shelves, to ensure flexible storage for cooking essentials. 

Private Study

A private study can provide a versatile addition to your custom ranch home. Situated near the back of the home, this space can be used as a general home office or a room for kids to complete homework, but a private entrance leading to the backyard offers even more useful options. Parents who work from home can turn this space into a true workplace, allowing clients or customers to use the private entrance in the back. The addition of a bathroom and built-in Murphy bed lets you quickly convert the room into a guest suite for visiting family members. 

Keep these tips in mind when looking for custom home design services near you.