Much of this primer assumes a knowledge of the background of split levels, how they became popular, and how they work with graded terrain to create a visually pleasing appearance.

Although this is not a true raised ranch, the circumstances this homeowners faces are nearly identical.
So for the purposes of this essay, we’ll treat this as a raised ranch too. Once you enter the front door, you need to ascend a full flight of stairs to reach the main living level.
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It’s much like the principle of a goalie and a defender in a soccer game.
The defender goes out to meet the opposition, and minimizes the offensive player’s view of the goal.
Most people will say that the point of landscaping is to “beautify” your yard.
It’s one of the benefits, but not the prime reason for landscaping.
Some homeowners go crazy landscaping raised ranches, somehow thinking that “more is better.” Unfortunately this usually results in an overdone appearance, in which the visual becomes just a massive amount of stuff.
With an average “front yard,” the easiest way to landscape a raised ranch is to position a substantial tree — at least the height of the main window — one-third the distance between the steet and the house, and set slightly to the side.
The largest window, in the living room, is indicated in yellow.