Even better, adding a skylight has a ton of benefits from every aspect: economical, functional, and aesthetic. Snow can pile up, causing damage and its harder for rain to drain off. Some split-level homes have ample space at the back and on one side. This floor plan features three to four floors and many sets of stairs. It is for information purposes only, and any links provided are for the user's convenience. link to What Kind Of Paint For Garage Walls. Tri-level homes usually have small hallways that connect the garage and the main living space. Stacked split-level. En cliquant sur Accepter , j'accepte l'utilisation des cookies telle qu'elle est dcrite plus en dtail dans la Politique d'Utilisation des Cookies de Houzz. From the outside, this type of split-level house looks like a tri-level home but its technically bi-level, with a distinct wing for the entry. LawnStarter Full Review: Is the Uber of Lawn Care Legit? 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. The landing is presented upon entering and the choice to go up or down stairs must be made immediately. AFTER: Our design includes a new entryway gabled roof along with a combination a shake and lap siding, cultured stone, Pella craftsman style garage/entry doors and Pella 450 Series Casement windows with decorative flower boxes below. The short answer is that, yes, you can convert a split-level to open up the home and make it feel more modern. Another reason why these types of houses are desirable to homeowners is that the layout separates the living area from the sleeping area, offering more privacy. In most cases, these homes have a garage with the bedrooms situated directly above it on one side of the house. [Master Suite] Split-level homes can feel dated. Whereas, the upper level will have a dining room, living room, and kitchen on one side and more bathrooms and bedrooms on the other. If you live in a suburban area and your home has been around since the 1950s, 1960s, or 1970s, chances are you are living in a split-level home. But a few simple modifications can transform them, making them one of the best fixer-upper options. Try painting the front door to something fresh with a pop of color involved. 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. The Cape Cod is truly a no frills style home. Your old garage can be converted into any living space you want. Step inside the house and youll see polished flooring, shiny appliances, freshly-painted walls, and so much more. 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. Then, the middle level is where the majority of the entertaining and living happens. 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. Connect with top-rated agents near you and save thousands on commission fees. Since they are built vertically, that can mean that split-levels have more square footage in the yard. Create low cabinets that can also double as window seats, which allow you to save space and makes for a unique piece. Conversely, you can consider adding in a window or two to really allow more natural light to permeate the space. After all, you dont have to spend a single cent for it. After all, this is what split-level homes are known for. Of all split level homes, the raised ranch has the toughest exterior to deal with. Convert Ranch Into Split-level Ranch (Left side of house raised) Convert Ranch Into Split-level Ranch (Middle portion of house raised) Convert Ranch Into Colonial Convert Ranch Into Split-level (Do's & Don'ts) Add Rear Bathroom Dormer to Cape Convert Cape to Colonial (Cantilevered) Add Full Rear Dormer to Cape with Dog House Dormers The problem is that it may not be the easiest of plans to execute. Although you have limited remodeling options, you can still turn your home into something worthy of a spot in an architecture magazine. You should know the various types of split-level homes before you can consider buying or building one of your own. It also doesnt hurt to make sure that the gardening is tended. Benefits The story and a is my favorite, especially if the children in the house are a bit older and dont need to be close to the adults,or if you have out of town company. If you have a bigger budget, you can actually expand your home through the back. In most cases, the garage will sit on the ground level and the bedroom area will be stacked above it. If done properly, this can tie in wonderfully with the natural stone sections of wall mentioned above. Some split-level homes use an open-plan layout, which can feel overwhelming for some. The remodel welcomes a covered front porch that was absent in the original. To recap, split-level homes have three distinct levels that are accessed via short sets of stairs. Renovated Split Level Home in Salt Lake City. Many have garages and basements, and some have both. A lot of homeowners who want to add space to their homes make the mistake of not considering how it would look like in the end. Split-level homes tend to be small, in terms of square footage . The split level house design has evolved in the world of production builders following the ranch home. Bi-Level or Split-Level Remodeling Tips For Homes Built in the 1970s. You need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and make final decisions before the work starts. The advantage to split entry houses is the spacious design that offers plenty of room for larger families or those who entertain often. With traditional multilevel homes, you have the freedom to do whatever you want with it. The substantial addition at the rear of the home is barely visible here--the only hint being that the main ridge is a little higher from this point of view. For first-time homebuyers, that can mean a more realistic first-time option. A split-level home has a few great places to start. Breathe new life into a dated split-level with these tips you have more options than you might think! You can also lengthen the front stoop of your main entryway by increasing the size of your entryways canopy or roof. Sadly, youre limited to these three choices. Written by While some styles create space with doors, the colonial does it with staircase. While its rare that a person requests to have a split level house built today, it can be a great house for a new family breaking into home ownership in the suburbs. The original use of the cottage was to house agricultural workers on a farm. Split-level homes also provide more outside space. We have an office that is the envy of the neighborhood. It is not only the planning stage that you need to focus on the execution is equally important. By even changing out those outdated windows for something modern and new, it can really change the look of the home. 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. Nowadays, its very common to see split-level construction when it comes to building a home on the side of a hill. 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. ton of options for the open space in the middle. The style is not quite old enough to be considered a classic, but is no longer modern. The split level or foyer offered a stacking of floors taking a much smaller footprint of land reducing the cost to build a new home. The familys living quarters are located on the main floor, on the other side of the house. Used under license. One reason for its popularity was the competitive cost in comparison to the rancher design being built at that time. We removed the walls between the kitchen, living, and dining rooms to create a large open concept space that still allows a clear definition of space, while offering sight lines between spaces and functions. Always consider even the most extreme ideas if youre planning to be in the home for a long time. The classic faade of a split-level home is very simple. You can see the appeal here. Dont be intimidated by the challenge of remodeling a split-level home it is absolutely doable, even with a small budget. Whats not to love about a split-level home? However, the major disadvantage is the fact that you must climb multiple sets of stairs to reach each individual level of the home. | All rights reserved. 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. Plants and trees will help balance the overall look of your home and make it look much more even. Updating a tri-level home is not a project that you can just DIY your way to completion. You may be used to shoveling the driveway, imagine if you had to add your roof to the list of items to shovel. Back additions are also generally cheaper than top level additions to a tri-level home. 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. [Dining Room] Similar to a side split home, back split houses are divided into multiple levels. [Kitchen] The entry has sets of stairs leading up the main floor and another set that leads to the lower level of the home. Windows can look simple at first glance, but they actually play a major role in the entire feel of the home. The difference is remarkable and it not only looks better, but this growing family can stay in the neighborhood of their choice and still have room for their expanding lifestyle. A front porch was added, siding and stone are new, as are all the windows. Raising the entry half a level and introducing a wrap-around elevation porch ultimately . Most of the time, they are downright ugly. To remedy this without putting up walls, visual breaks can be used. Snow can pile up, causing damage and its harder for rain to drain off. The second exterior wall surface, which can make a huge impact and is easily retrofitted, is a natural stone of some sort. Photo: Robert Braddock. Colonial Home Style The colonial style is associated with the style of building used from the 17th to the 19th century, particularly in colonial America. link to How To Organize A Bathroom Closet. Residential inquiries: 404.446.3881 Commercial: 404.446.3882 Contact Us, Split level homes are efficient machines of 60s and 70 living, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window). She grew up surrounded by constant home improvement projects and owes most of what she knows to helping her dad renovate her childhood home. In most cases, the bottom level is a garage, a den, a playroom, a recreation room, or other informal living areas. The cape cod style originates in 17th century New England and was built with total practicality in mind. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service. 12 /18. Additionally, if you plan on constructing a home on an uneven or hilly property, a split-level home is often the ideal choice. 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. 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. Design-wise, it is also much easier for you to work with new home additions that are placed at the back. 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". With a little landscaping, you can really jazz up your ranch! Modern home designs tend to focus on lighting details. Refer to diagram below. [Our Clients] 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. This type of construction is very common among townhouses. Also, your current foundations wont have to support the additional weight, because these additions will have their own foundations. Brokerage. Kids can play upstairs in their rooms while causing minimal disturbance to parents and guests below. Part of the reason that split-level homes feel so outdated is that they have a number of interior walls. 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. You can use this hallway as a small mudroom and storage space for stuff you usually take with you when you go out. Rooms on the lower level are usually garages, dens, playrooms, and other informal living spaces. Garage doors are often taken for granted. Split-levels are cool on the inside. A split-level home already has the structural breaks that make this kind of mix look perfect. Consider casement windows, which feature cranks and swing out to open up. You can find the majority of colonial style houses in the northeastern and southern U.S. Tastes change; so, too, an owner's requirements of their home. In some places, homeowners with exterior steps will install a mailbox at street level. It may be a bit more difficult but it is definitely doable. Split-level homes, also known as bi-level or divided-entry homes, are a very American home style. To remedy this, you can install more lights all over your home; LED light is always better because it is brighter but doesnt consume much electricity. The most significant change done to this space is removing the small room in the middle of the floor that housed the kitchen. The first is that they create a much better separation between the upstairs and the downstairs. And for split-level homes, the ideal remodel involves also the sides of the house. However, that was also the time of the post-modern "colonial" movement. I've evolved this design to where the center pullout and adjacent shelves can be adjusted up or down. Most split-level homes that have never been updated retain the retro vibe from more than half a century ago it makes the entire house look like it should have stayed on that era. 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. And voila! We continued the warm wood touches into the master bedroom, but went for a rich accent wall that elevated the sophistication level and sets this space apart. However, this staggered design is not ideal for the elderly or individuals with disabilities. This type of split-level house will have at least three sections but may have more. The master bathroom aesthetic quickly became all about the textures. However, like most things, split-level homes are gaining in popularity again. Perhaps youve got your heart set on a modern, contemporary, or even a Colonial-style home. Modern home designs tend to focus on lighting details. If there are multiple bedrooms present and you dont need some of them, merge two or more to create a bigger room. Get new garage doors. Ranches tend to be easier to maintainparticularly on the outside. Ideal Agent: Learn the Truth About Its 2% Fees. This is partially because they are seen as being out of date. This is because it offers both ambient lighting and a focused illumination. 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. The Colonial-style renovation upgraded the plain portico into a spacious covered porch, which allows room for plenty of outdoor furniture. Here youll typically find the living room, dining room, kitchen, and possibly a bathroom. This open-plan layout made the space look a lot bigger. Split-levels, also sometimes called "tri-levels," are an architectural dead end that were built in abundance from the 1930s to the 1970s. You are almost done - fill out this last step, Main entryway or door located at the middle level (often the part of the house with the single-story), or in-between the upper and lower levels (this style is also known as the split-entry home), The lower level is often the garage or an informal entertainment or recreational space, The middle level is the main living space that typically contains the living room, dining room, and kitchen, The higher floor is where bedrooms are located, How the rooms and functional spaces are divided in each level, Narrow passageways and very limited space near the main entrance (if the home incorporates the split-entry style), Minimal lights and details that are typical to this kind of home, Limited storage spaces, cabinets, and closets, Presence of cold and hot spots in certain areas of your home. 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. There are 6 main split-level house designs, including standard-split, split-foyer, stacked-split, split-entry, back-split, and side-split. We wont keep you guessing for so long you can make additions to a split-level home, despite the space constraints. If your split-level features garage doors that face the street, they may represent your easiest and best option for modernization. To put it simply, the split-level home is a design from the 1950s. Due to the complexity of this type of home, acquiring the services of a professional or two is often the wisest choice you can make in this aspect. The bedrooms are usually situated right above the foyer. #OvercomingObstaclesScholarship: Lets Put Mental Health on the Agenda and Change the Narrative on Social Media Together! Now, lets take a more comprehensive look at the pros and cons of the split-level architectural style as a whole. The L shaped ranch is a great way to incorporate a garage into the house plans. Updating the landscaping, as well as the entire faade, worked wonders for it. When you open the front door, you are led to a distinct foyer or entry space. Again, the main advantage to this type of split-level home is the lack of staircases connecting each level of the house. You can also make use of that list as an inspiration for your project. The dated kitchen plus both small main and master bathrooms were remodeled. A split level home is often a great investment, and there are lots of pros to buying one. Meanwhile, the topmost level is where all of the bedrooms and bathrooms are. If you want to go full-on modern, consider hiding the roof completely. It only takes 2 minutes to fill out the form. 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. 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. Drawbacks of Art DecoIn some parts of the country flat roofs can be a problem and need continual maintenance. Using a solid paint color ended up making the entire room look a lot more spacious than when wallpaper was used. To add some space inside without spending too much, you can get rid of some existing walls or partitions to create an open-plan layout. Side split homes are one of the most common types of split-level houses and are the specific style portrayed on the classic TV show The Brady Bunch.. Again, the main advantage to this type of split level is the fact that there arent a ton of staircases that separate the floors. Placement of the family room, kitchen, dining room, bedrooms, and bathrooms can all vary in this style. The exterior can have a look that might be considered dated. . Try taking out some of the interior walls wherever possible. If you are still stumped but updating your home is something that excites you, visuals might help you picture out what you can do. There is also hardly any room for experimentation when it comes to remodeling a tri-level home. In this idea, you must pay more attention to the front door of the house. This browser is no longer supported. This arrangement is built around 14" x 14" faces to increase the width of the pullouts and provides over twice the usable storage of lazy susans. We converted the original garage into a lovely little living room with a cozy fireplace. You can also have skylights placed on the section of your roof directly above your living space or bedrooms. Updating the siding, materials used in the lower faade, or simply giving it a fresh paint job are some of the easiest ways to renovate a split-level home, but can also make a big impact. The content on this site is not intended to provide legal, financial or real estate advice. bryan@jonespierce.com. The things you can do when remodeling a split-level home is not limited to what we have included in our list. Common features of split-level houses include large living areas, low-pitched roofs, and multiple attics with ample storage space. Whats most important is that your home works the best for you. If you are working with a limited budget, even a fresh coat of paint can dramatically change the look of your home. With its dramatic vaulted ceiling and new custom steel railing, this room was just screaming for a dramatic light fixture and a large table to welcome one-and-all. They wanted an open, spacious, airy feeling to this floor. The original spec was probably a steel door with very little curb appeal. To modernize a split-level home you can take action and add some recessed lighting to the first floor, as well as some skylights, throughout the home. [Living Room] These are just a few ideas, and you can use them as a simple spark of design inspiration to get you going. Anything you do on any floor of a split-level home will affect the other floors. Skylights are a great modern addition that can bring a split-level home into the 21st century. Zillow (Canada), Inc. holds real estate brokerage licenses in multiple provinces. 442-H New York Standard Operating Procedures New York Fair Housing NoticeTREC: Information about brokerage services, Consumer protection noticeCalifornia DRE #1522444Contact Zillow, Inc. All rights reserved. [Office] Noticing a theme yet? If possible, have your skylights customized to fit the theme of your home to complement the entire space. Though, split-level homes can also have more than three levels. 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. Now we know why Art Deco is popular in Miami! The major disadvantage to this style of split-level home is the middle area that has no real function at all. The separation of the floors means that youll be less likely to be awakened by the sounds happening on the lower levels. But again, you need to visualize how the exterior will connect to and complement whats inside your home, including the functions of each level. Espresso Cabinets, white dekton waterfall island and countertops, rustic lvt flooring, black appliances, globe pendant lighting, retro refrigerator, wire handrail, split level master piece. Add a deck or patio, or even extend your house if space permits. But you might be struggling to figure out what kind of paint to use on garage walls. Required fields are marked *. 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 . Skylights allow for natural, warm lighting to permeate the room. The good news is that you can transform the floorplan to look like something out of this century. Again, split-level homes tend to struggle with natural lighting. The old backyard used to have some trellis installed and the entire garden looked unkempt. The biggest challenge for Sun Design Remodeling is the mid-level front door. Glass is known to let in more light, and this allows you to save on electricity. By replacing current windows with something that let in a lot more light and are more efficient, you can bring in more natural light to the home, making the space feel bigger, and help to cut down on energy costs over time. Unlike standard split homes, there isnt a functioning middle level with split foyer houses. Split-level homes tend to be quite dim due to the lack of windows that allow natural light to enter. A split-level home, which is also known as a tri-level home, traditionally consists of the following: While the standard split-level home only consists of three levels, others sometimes add another floor to it. A common configuration is having the first stairs from the entryway leading to the dining room or kitchen. For example, the laundry room will most likely be on a different floor than the bedrooms and bathrooms. A very simple way of updating the look of a traditional split-level is to add some bling to the design. Even better, that natural light will light up just about every corner of the room. Exterior accessories such as light fixtures and house numbers can make a huge difference. With recessed lighting, you can even highlight the best features in each of the different rooms. 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. People want more bedrooms, more bedrooms, more bedrooms at the expense of the communal space. Oftentimes, this floor will have a bedroom, bathroom, and possibly a laundry room. This means youll have to climb multiple stairs in order to do your laundry in your own home. An exterior remodel of your tri-level home may sound easy because you might believe you can just go for whatever design you want. A little leeway may be unavoidable, such as changing the color scheme and tiles halfway, but changing your mind about big things, such as building a new wall in the same spot where an old one was removed, would mean wasted resources, especially money. Photo and copyright by Renovation Design Group. Its nothing that cant be remedied with a little green thumb! However, from the outside, they appear like there is only one level. Given the limited space that split-level homes are known for, you might wonder if expansion is possible at all. The raised ranch introduces some stair climbing into the mix. When a home is cared for, it doesnt have that old, uncared for look that we think of with outdated homes. Planters surrounding the home are made from raw sheet steel. Typically, this is done to the main living space and bedrooms. This is a split-level home, so there were limited aesthetic options in the entryway. Split Foyer Conversion to Two Story Exterior 16,244 views Oct 26, 2018 60 Dislike Share Save owingsbrothers 222 subscribers This Plain Jane split foyer was given more than a facelift, it was. Since the house is all on one level, you will need more square footage to get privacy from other household members. But dont worry, there are ways that you can transform the space without having to tear the walls down (but you can do that if you want). Your garage takes up a lot of frontage, so it's a large portion of your guests' first impression. It can be difficult to downsize and there are challenges with smaller spaces ,storage etc. As a visual contrast, a simple layout with distinct wooden floors replaced the old plain carpet. Not a lot of homeowners who own this type of home realize that there are actually workarounds or hacks when it comes to updating the look and feel of a split-level home.