Keep in mind that the costs could be elevated from a standard renovation project because of the potential removal of walls and their load-bearing implications. Transfer your coat rack or closet from the landing to the top of the stairs instead, creating room for you to welcome your guests as soon as they step inside. That is, the middle and largest level is for the dining and living areas, the upper floor is for bedrooms, and the lowest floor is for the garage or cellar. The floor tile in this bathroom still makes our hearts skip a beat. Again, the main advantage to this type of split level is the fact that there arent a ton of staircases that separate the floors. We have an office that is the envy of the neighborhood. Taking inspiration from the typical ranch home, split-level homes were designed to maximize the very limited space available in suburban neighborhoods, while being budget-friendly for families to afford or construct. To modernize a split-level home, replace the outdated windows. Two bedrooms are combined to form one big bedroom, the living room is adjusted to get a bigger kitchen and dining room, or vice versa. On the other hand, this is not something you can do with split-level homes. With that said, here are some ways that you can modernize your split-level home and make it more suited to your style preferences: While ultra-modern can mean different things to different people, it generally means getting more natural light into the home. Houzz utilise des cookies et d'autres technologies de suivi similaires pour personnaliser mon exprience utilisateur, me proposer du contenu pertinent et amliorer ses produits et services. Horizontal sliders can also provide a more modern look. Split-level homes also provide more outside space. Unlike traditional home layouts, split-level homes, also referred to as tri-level, feature at least three levels that are connected by stairs. There are many sub types of the Colonial style, with each world power at the time putting its own unique stamp on this traditional style. Modern home styles are generally made up of two surface types. The use of mirrored sliding cabinets not only saved space but it also added to the illusion that the room is bigger than it actually is. You are generally stuck with their traditional layout. All rights reserved. If you were to view the home from the side or the back, youd be able to see the individual levels of the house. In most cases, these homes have a garage with the bedrooms situated directly above it on one side of the house. The lower demand in most markets means that they are readily available for a cheaper price than other types of homes. Again, the main advantage to this type of split-level home is the lack of staircases connecting each level of the house. Thoughtful updates, such as a cedar shake roof, an expansive dormer, and a glass-panel front door, transformed the home's previously lackluster exterior. You can use the following materials or do the following to make noticeable changes outside, while looking neutral enough to complement everything else: If you recall, we made a list of remodeling ideas for the faade and front entry in an earlier section. By even changing out those outdated windows for something modern and new, it can really change the look of the home. And many of them are Colonial style, meaning that they feature grids that divide the window into 12 or more small lites, rather than larger panes of glass. I want to convert a 1970 split level house into something more One alternative is to re-do the exterior only; by converting the windows to a traditional colonial style (four upstairs, picture window downstairs). Consider casement windows, which feature cranks and swing out to open up. The bedrooms are usually situated right above the foyer. The raised ranch came into popularity as land in the suburbs became more scarce and families wanted to get more of a house on a smaller piece of property. Whereas, the upper level will have a dining room, living room, and kitchen on one side and more bathrooms and bedrooms on the other. The main level is street level so there is no need to be climbing up or down stairs with groceries etc. Whereas, with split-level homes, theres usually a one-story section that connects to a two-story section instead of being right on top of each other. The second exterior wall surface, which can make a huge impact and is easily retrofitted, is a natural stone of some sort. How to Modernize a Split-Level Home to Match Your Style - Neighborly Similar to a side split home, back split houses are divided into multiple levels. If your split-level features garage doors that face the street, they may represent your easiest and best option for modernization. While some styles create space with doors, the colonial does it with staircase. Cape Cods are a story and a half high with a steep, pitched roof designed to keep the snow from piling up on the roof. Split-level exteriors tend to be a bit bland. With some proper planning and a little bit of flexibility, it is possible to transform that 1950s look into something that has a much more modern, updated feel to it. Aside from the limited space you can work on, from the total space to the narrow hallways and short stairs, you also need to consider the function of every floor and how they would connect to the other floors in terms of their function. Consider this if you are more concerned about maintaining an even temperature in your home than the expenses that it can lead to. The defining characteristic of the Colonial style of home is two stories, with a formally defined living room and dining room on the first floor and maybe one bedroom, with the other bedrooms being on the second story of the home. In the early 1960s, for instance, no floor plan concept seemed better suited to the demands of modern life than the split level . If you can, taking a wall or two out is a great way to open up what is largely an enclosed space. To even out the temperature all over your home, you can get furnace fans installed and get them to run at a low setting. You can still see the garage, main level, and upper/lower split on the right. After all, this is what split-level homes are known for. Taken fromhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKS8AnI6Ahk. But a few simple modifications can transform them, making them one of the best fixer-upper options. Typically, split level homes are good candidates for an architectural intervention. Written by [Dining Room] So, we started by converting the existing single car garage into their living room (complete with a new fireplace) and opening up the kitchen to the rest of the level. If possible, have your skylights customized to fit the theme of your home to complement the entire space. Refer to diagram below. Moreover, the proper windows can play an integral role in the energy-efficiency of your home. In the case of side additions, it is vital that it blends with the existing faade, which means getting the same windows, paint color, type of roof, etc. The good news is that you can transform the floorplan to look like something out of this century. Making the lights more uniform and using a warmer paint color also made it look more inviting. Now, lets take a more comprehensive look at the pros and cons of the split-level architectural style as a whole. We will not contact you with anything else. You can also make use of that list as an inspiration for your project. The lower level, on the other hand, has lower ceilings and is partly below ground level. Create low cabinets that can also double as window seats, which allow you to save space and makes for a unique piece. Most people use the terms bi-level and split-level interchangeably. The main advantage to standard split-level homes is the clear separation between the bedrooms and the kitchen and living room. Espresso Cabinets, white dekton waterfall island and countertops, rustic lvt flooring, black appliances, globe pendant lighting, retro refrigerator, wire handrail, split level master piece. Homes with two stories, or two-story homes, are built with one floor right above the other. The Art Deco designed home was made popular during the Roaring Twenties. Discovery of King Tuts tomb, as well as a surging industrial revolution inspired a generation of flat roofs, smooth, rounded walls and vibrant colors. This not only makes it appear to be larger, but makes it more inviting as well. 6 Types Of Split-Level Homes (With Photos) - Upgraded Home The biggest challenge for Sun Design Remodeling is the mid-level front door. The content on this site is not intended to provide legal, financial or real estate advice. The most significant change done to this space is removing the small room in the middle of the floor that housed the kitchen. The split level came into prominence in the 1950s and 60s when returning GIs and others wanted a more grand looking home with a small budget. The raised ranch introduces some stair climbing into the mix. She grew up surrounded by constant home improvement projects and owes most of what she knows to helping her dad renovate her childhood home. Now that youve learned a bit more about the pros and cons of each type of home style, you can make a more informed decision when you go out and look at listings. If you were a fan of The Brady Bunch, then you know exactly what a split-level house is. Popularity for the split level style was at its greatest in the 70s after the style was featured as the Brady Bunch home. There are some things designers typically focus on to make significant changes to this type of home, such as: If you are thinking of modifying your home but dont really have a clue where to start and how to do it, we can help you out with that. This Plain Jane split foyer was given more than a facelift, it was given a whole new second-floor by constructing an addition changing its style to a Colonial. A 1970s Bi-Level Or Split-Level Remodeling Advice Guide If you have a bigger budget, you can actually expand your home through the back. Get Ready to Have No-Obligation Talks With Contractors, 2023 All rights Reserved Contractor QuotesDeveloped By ITVolcano. Whats not to love about a split-level home? You actually get 3 levels for living space so you really get a sense of depth being in the house. As a result, their homes look even more unbalanced and the new additions are blatantly obvious not a look you should strive for. You can choose from stacked-split, split-foyer, split-entry, back-split, standard-split, or side-split. Weve already explored some of the advantages and disadvantages of each individual type of split-level house. However, there are major differences between these two home styles. Although each type of split-level home is different from one another, they all share the same characteristic of having multiple floors that are connected by short flights of stairs. The problem is that it may not be the easiest of plans to execute. This additional floor either becomes the highest floor or is the cellar or basement located just below the floor where your main living space is. Converting a Cape or Ranch to Colonial | Bethany, CT | 203-915-9972 While split level homes can be gorgeous, with their high ceilings and efficient use of space, they can also seem outdated and not reflect your unique taste in design. We designed the rest of the space to be a clean and bright white, and really let the lovely blue of the floor tile pop. The original 1950s split level was expanded and completely reworked. But you might be struggling to figure out what kind of paint to use on garage walls. This is a stark contrast to homes that do not make use of this style, since their floors are independent of each other. With recessed lighting, you can even highlight the best features in each of the different rooms. Jessica considers herself a home improvement and design enthusiast. Split Levels and Split Foyers became popular in the United States in the 1970s. This question is important and your answer will serve as your guide when it comes to updating your home. These give an illusion that the areas in the open space still have divisions that separate them. Bi-levels were popular in the era of splits, as developers would offer new homes in four configurations: colonials, splits, bi-levels or ranches. Ryan Shaw. Another great garage door style on a modern home is a wood-look door. The Straight Ranch, also known as the Rambler is generally the cheapest house to build,also in the ranch family are the L shaped ranch and a U shaped ranch. This type of split-level house features multiple levels that are visible from the homes exterior. To the right of the front door is a tiny window allowing peek-a-boo views of guest arrivals from inside the daughter's closet. Your email address will not be published. Of all split level homes, the raised ranch has the toughest exterior to deal with. The roof lines create an interesting look and this style never seems to be out-dated. If you wish to report an issue or seek an accommodation, please let us know. Even better, that natural light will light up just about every corner of the room. How to Modernize a Split-Level Home - Zillow Porchlight By sumitting this form, you agree to be contacted about your project by Homeadvisor and / or other service partners using automated phone technology and / or email. You can also place raised garden beds if you want to disguise the slope of the land. You can give them a figure and they can suggest materials that can be used for your home to make sure that the cost of materials and labor is well within your preferred budget. Because of their design, split-level homes can struggle to get an ample amount of natural light. The garage is usually the first to attract the attention of anyone who looks at this type of home, since its door takes a lot of space. Mid-Century Modern Split-Level Exterior Home Ideas - Houzz Lengthen the present rooflines in your home, Match the paint of your garage door to the paint of your main door, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HE7jN7ofmeI, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKS8AnI6Ahk, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHaeHzf4iBU. Perhaps youve got your heart set on a modern, contemporary, or even a Colonial-style home. It is not just about giving this type of home a fresh coat of paint every time you can actually make structural changes to a split-level home to add more space inside, or add partitions if you want more room. The addition of Colonial-style features, from the cupola on the garage roof to the dramatic front porch supported by traditional columns, lends antique intrigue . While some styles create space with doors, the colonial does it with staircase. This is because it offers both ambient lighting and a focused illumination. There is a wonderful separation of space going on in the split level thanks to the small staircaseswhich are half of what it would be for a true 2 story. Both. Technically, the term "bi-level home" refers to a house built on two levels, both of which are ground floors. Have questions about buying, selling or renting during COVID-19? A cottage is typically a one bedroom dwelling meant for travelers or people on vacation. That's not usually a good thing. The L shaped ranch is a great way to incorporate a garage into the house plans. Nowadays, its very common to see split-level construction when it comes to building a home on the side of a hill. Step inside the house and youll see polished flooring, shiny appliances, freshly-painted walls, and so much more. Split-Foyer Conversion Interior - Owings Brothers Contracting Maximize this by getting larger windows for your home to allow more light inside your home during the day. The bedrooms would be upstairs, and the basement or garage would go down.