A split-level home has a few great places to start. The possibilities are endless. The original 1950s split level was expanded and completely reworked. There is plenty of new storage in this space (that ties in with the kitchen finishes), but the real gem is the reading nook with two of the most comfortable armchairs youve ever sat in. In these instances, the floor plan will usually be designed by an architect to suit the specific topography of the lot. But you might be struggling to figure out what kind of paint to use on garage walls. Unlike traditional home layouts, split-level homes, also referred to as tri-level, feature at least three levels that are connected by stairs. Split level homes have a bit of an outdated look to them that has fallen out of favor in the ultra-modern or ultra-rustic home landscape. Aside from these two requirements, the design work involved aesthetics: enhancing the front faade with a modern architecture and high quality materials. But times have changed, and modern garage door designs can transform the look of the front of your home. Why do you want to do a renovation of your split-level home? Horizontal sliders can also provide a more modern look. Some split-level homes use an open-plan layout, which can feel overwhelming for some. Zillow, Inc. holds real estate brokerage licenses in multiple states. The style is not quite old enough to be considered a classic, but is no longer modern. If youve recently fallen in love with this type of floor plan, its worth familiarizing yourself with your options. That's not usually a good thing. If your land slopes and the main entrance to your home is higher than the pavement, which is often the case, add steps or a small flight of stairs leading to the door. Give them the option of fixing up a six-story home or a split-level home, and they will more than likely choose to work on the six-story home instead. We are continuously working to improve the accessibility of our web experience for everyone, and we welcome feedback and accommodation requests. You can choose from stacked-split, split-foyer, split-entry, back-split, standard-split, or side-split. Aside from these two requirements, the design work involved aesthetics: enhancing the front faade with a modern architecture and high quality materials. Contractors are updated with the cost of most construction materials, which makes setting a budget for your project much easier. The craftsman style home was born out of a reaction to the industrial revolution. Most types of split-level houses will feature several staircases that lead to the different 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. T1-11 siding (plywood sheets with vertical grooves spaced 8 inches apart) is common on the upper levels, and the upper floors tend to be cantilevered out over the structural walls below. Whats most important is that your home works the best for you. If this fits the bill, you can construct a detached garage at the back and use the space on the side as your driveway. As a visual contrast, a simple layout with distinct wooden floors replaced the old plain carpet. It can be difficult to downsize and there are challenges with smaller spaces ,storage etc. Moreover, it presents serious challenges when it comes to renovating the entire space. The lower level, on the other hand, has lower ceilings and is partly below ground level. Notice the symmetry and 2 level design. You can also place raised garden beds if you want to disguise the slope of the land. Renovated Split Level Home in Salt Lake City. While the ranch will need more roof to cover the square footage than a multi-level house, the roof lines of a ranch are cheaper to construct, so youre still coming out ahead overall. It is fairly easy to spot most split-level homes from the outside, as they seem to be half a two-story home and half a bungalow or ranch-style home that are combined to form a single house. But you might be struggling to figure out what kind of paint to use on garage walls. A new paver pathway, planters, and landscaping add curb appeal. You can see the appeal here. Over the years and more recently, we, as architects, have been more involved due to the riddle of the split level being so hard to solve. Again, as with the cape cod , the siding may need regular maintenance. Get new garage doors. Anything you do on any floor of a split-level home will affect the other floors. Rooms on the lower level are usually garages, dens, playrooms, and other informal living spaces. Below you can get a better understanding of the different types of split-level homes to help you determine which design is perfect for you. Our primary goal was to re-imagine the main level of the home and create an open flow between the space. 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. Despite all that youve read about them being outdated, split-level houses do have some positives to them. The ranch has no stairs, the entire house is on one level. If your home doesnt have windows on the sides, which is typical to this type, get them installed as well. The types of siding that are typical on this style are generally wood and high maintenance,it can be replaced with hardy board which is less maintenance. Here is more info about both split levels and colonial homes, and the pros and cons of each. Again, the main advantage to this type of split-level home is the lack of staircases connecting each level of the house. This way, you can maximize the space by adjusting the alignment of furniture and fixtures. Photo Credit: Inspiration for a transitional kitchen remodel in New York, Mid Century Modern Split Level Renovation, Inspiration for a 1960s gray floor kitchen/dining room combo remodel in Other with white walls, This house began as a typical, low-lying split-level. For some, this section seems like wasted space when you can use it as a den or mudroom. As a result, their homes look even more unbalanced and the new additions are blatantly obvious not a look you should strive for. If you prefer a home that still separates the living space from the bedrooms, but doesnt require a full flight of stairs to reach, you may consider a side split style house. If youve seen one, youve seen them all. There are various shapes for the ranch style, but the main theme is that the entire house is on one levelwhich has its perks. Part of the reason that split-level homes feel so outdated is that they have a number of interior walls. The roof lines create an interesting look and this style never seems to be out-dated. Aside from the differences on the exterior, both back split and side split houses have roughly the same design. Split-level homes can be beneficial for those who are light sleepers easily awakened by noise or night shift workers who sleep during the day. 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. Your Do You Need an Addition or Remodel Contractor? A perfectly remodeled home involves not just the inside but also the outside. In the early 1960s, for instance, no floor plan concept seemed better suited to the demands of modern life than the split level . This open-plan layout made the space look a lot bigger. [Master Suite] New columns replicate the original style, so the addition looks like it's always been there. Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, Tudor, Cape Cod . Garage doors are clad in metal. The home will include many sets of stairs, or in some cases, just a couple of steps, but the entry is generally at ground level. Contrast is key for on-trend style. 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. Whether youre looking to buy or build a home from scratch, you likely have a specific architectural style in mind. Whereas, the upper level will have a dining room, living room, and kitchen on one side and more bathrooms and bedrooms on the other. Design-wise, it is also much easier for you to work with new home additions that are placed at the back. There are 6 main split-level house designs, including standard-split, split-foyer, stacked-split, split-entry, back-split, and side-split. Add A Level to Convert Ranch to Colonial Convert a Cape or Ranch to Colonial As a general contractor I had the chance to renovate many homes in the lovely state of Connecticut, but nothing beats the wow factor you receive whenever you convert a single story cape or ranch into a beautiful colonial. Bryan Jones, Principal Jones Pierce Inc. An Atlanta based Architectural firm specializing in custom home transformations and custom retirement homes in fun places. 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. The number of steps can range from as little as two to more than eight. The familys living quarters are located on the main floor, on the other side of the house. This 1960s split-level home desperately needed a change - not bigger space, just better. You can make changes to your existing landscaping, or create one if you currently dont have any. 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. We were so excited to help these new homeowners re-envision their split-level diamond in the rough. The south roof slope of the home hosts a large solar array, barely visible here. Always consider even the most extreme ideas if youre planning to be in the home for a long time. With a little landscaping, you can really jazz up your ranch! 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. Its nothing that cant be remedied with a little green thumb! An exterior remodel of your tri-level home may sound easy because you might believe you can just go for whatever design you want. With a regular split-level, when you enter, you can either go up or down. Since they are built vertically, that can mean that split-levels have more square footage in the yard. The outside is often another story. Instead of the classic door leading to the back of your home, you can tear it down, together with the wall, and replace it with glass. Dont let the limited space of a split-level home hinder you from making all sorts of additions to your home. Commonly, however, the term is also used to denote split-level homes. Most people use the terms bi-level and split-level interchangeably. Unleashed by production builders in the 60's and 70's, split level homes are the most difficult type of house to transform into the way our customers want to live today. The major disadvantage to split-level homes is the staircases that youll have to climb. Clients were also interested in: low maintenance finishes, usage of low/no VOC materials, good indoor air quality as they lived on site during the remodel, and preserving and refinishing salvageable resources. If you are still stumped but updating your home is something that excites you, visuals might help you picture out what you can do. Now that we are living in them, what are some split level strategies that we can use to improve the experience. The dated kitchen plus both small main and master bathrooms were remodeled. Consider installing solar lights on your property, particularly along the path leading to the main entrance of your home. This is a stark contrast to homes that do not make use of this style, since their floors are independent of each other. On terrain that is rough, rugged, or hilly, sometimes staggering the floors is the best option for building a home. The bedrooms are usually situated right above the foyer. Split-levels are cool on the inside. If you have any bedrooms not in use, transform them into one big storage room. They wanted an open, spacious, airy feeling to this floor. Another option is to add the new space at the top, but you have to be sure that your foundations are strong enough to handle the load of the new floor. This browser is no longer supported. Weve been getting a lot of questions on this so we figured we would dive and and provide the definitive guide on home styles and how each style affects the livability, aesthetics, and the cost to make changes / additions to each style. Your email address will not be published. We converted the original garage into a lovely little living room with a cozy fireplace. By working with siding styles and stonework, the creative homeowner can transform his bland home into something beautiful. Since split-level houses are stacked, they dont take up as much yard space and still provide plenty of square footage vertically on the interior. Unlike conventional floor plans, when you walk into the front door of a split foyer home, youll be greeted by the two sets of stairs. Ideal Agent: Learn the Truth About Its 2% Fees. Dont be intimidated by the challenge of remodeling a split-level home it is absolutely doable, even with a small budget. Renovations are also one of the best times for you to declutter. Split Levels and Split Foyers became popular in the United States in the 1970s. Split-levels also showcase natural materials, minimal decorations, and double-hung windows with one large picture window. Again, split-level homes tend to struggle with natural lighting. 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. Used under license. Make no mistake, retro is chic but split-level homes, to many, are still out of style. LawnStarter Full Review: Is the Uber of Lawn Care Legit? Each style has unique features, but all split-level houses consist of multiple floors connected by short flights of stairs. A split-level home has a few great places to start. Raising the entry half a level and introducing a wrap-around elevation porch ultimately . They were an off-shoot of the post-war modern movement. People want more bedrooms, more bedrooms, more bedrooms at the expense of the communal space. This allows you to adjust the temperatures separately to even them out. To recap, split-level homes have three distinct levels that are accessed via short sets of stairs. Split-level remodel: exterior lighting. Generally speaking, a split-level has a kitchen, a main entry, and the living room on the main level. The outside of a split-level has a unique look to it and that can be enough to dispel a potential buyer from taking a visit. One of the biggest issues plaguing split-level homes is that water can pool up at the lower points of the house. Read more, Your email address will not be published. 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. A circa 1960's split-level enhanced by a 300 square foot addition, a re-configured main level floor plan and a seamlessly remade front elevation will be featured in a "Remodeled Home Tour". Modern home designs tend to focus on lighting details. These give an illusion that the areas in the open space still have divisions that separate them. Perhaps youve got your heart set on a modern, contemporary, or even a Colonial-style home. The trademarks MLS, Multiple Listing Service and the associated logos are owned by CREA and identify the quality of services provided by real estate professionals who are members of CREA. Bi-Level or Split-Level Remodeling Tips For Homes Built in the 1970s. There is typically a short section of stairs that then leads to the other sections of the home. 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. Both. Comments (39) Oh, we added 1100 sq ft. We converted the old garage into the living room, moved the front door, made the old living room into the dining room, opened everything up and gutted the kitchen. A split-level house is essentially a variation of the conventional ranch-style house, but split-levels make much better use of the space. Whats not to love about a split-level home? Functionally, the client sought to replace a single-car carport with a new oversized two-car garage and to create a protected entry porch for their home. Split-level homes tend to be quite dim due to the lack of windows that allow natural light to enter. When a home is cared for, it doesnt have that old, uncared for look that we think of with outdated homes. The major disadvantage to this style of split-level home is the middle area that has no real function at all. Not to mention, the steps can be a problem for elderly visitors or even simply carrying the groceries inside. The more steps you have, the more difficult snow removal is going to be in the winter months. The chimney and fireplace became mostly decorations. This results in a stark contrast, especially when the differences are very obvious. You just have less freedom to do whatever you want with it and you need to generally work with whats already there. Construction by CG&S Design-Build. We will not contact you with anything else. Back additions are also generally cheaper than top level additions to a tri-level home. 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. Add a deck or patio, or even extend your house if space permits. There are many sub types of the Colonial style, with each world power at the time putting it's own unique stamp on this traditional style. With traditional multilevel homes, you have the freedom to do whatever you want with it. link to How To Organize A Bathroom Closet. If your split-level features garage doors that face the street, they may represent your easiest and best option for modernization. And if you want to take it to the next level, does the KonMari method ring a bell? Tri-level homes usually have small hallways that connect the garage and the main living space. This information makes it easier to coordinate with pros. bi-level exterior remodeling | Bi-level converted to a colonial style home traditional-exterior Raised Ranch Entryway Raised Ranch Exterior Exterior House Remodel Home Exterior Makeover House Siding Choices Split Level House Exterior Split Entry Remodel Split Foyer Colonial Style Homes More information . Lets explore the numerous variations of this ubiquitous architectural style. Through out this home we brought in warm wood accents and the kitchen was no exception, with its custom floating shelves and graceful waterfall butcher block counter at the island. Some split-level homes have ample space at the back and on one side. Brick steps lined with lush landscaping beckon guests toward the entrance. Espresso Cabinets, white dekton waterfall island and countertops, rustic lvt flooring, black appliances, globe pendant lighting, retro refrigerator, wire handrail, split level master piece. In todays world many people find the formal areas of a colonial to be a waste of space. To make sure that your split-level home is remodeled successfully, you need to keep these in mind: Again, drawing up plans to renovate or update the appearance of this type of home is a challenge even for professionals. This is because it offers both ambient lighting and a focused illumination. This makes the entryway quite narrow and the easiest solution is to move the storage somewhere else. Now, lets take a more comprehensive look at the pros and cons of the split-level architectural style as a whole. The most significant change done to this space is removing the small room in the middle of the floor that housed the kitchen. Ryan Shaw is the founder of Real Estate Witch, which he created to help consumers avoid unnecessary expenses when they buy or sell a house. Our primary goal was to re-imagine the main level of the home and create an open flow between the space. For example, the laundry room will most likely be on a different floor than the bedrooms and bathrooms. Even if the contractor promised to deliver the work at a certain time, you still need to make allowances for possible unforeseen delays that may happen. Once you see the possibilities and start looking at the changes that can be made, youll realize that a split-level may have more potential to look great in decades to come than almost any other old-school design out there. People want more bedrooms, more bedrooms, more bedrooms at the expense of the communal space. Personnaliser mon exprience l'aide de cookies, Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers, Outdoor Lighting & Audio/Visual Specialists, Gregory Thomas, Architect, AKBD, CG&S Design-Build, Politique d'Utilisation des Cookies de Houzz. There is a large chimney in the center of the house used to keep the home warm during the harsh northeastern winters. And thats probably because so many of them were built during the 1970s. 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.