Updating a split-level home is hard. Your link to How To Organize A Bathroom Closet. So, that means sprucing up the curb appeal becomes important. Think of Frank Lloyd Wrights Fallingwater, and take note of the contrast between perfectly smooth wall surfaces and the texture of natural stone used intermittently throughout the design. The raised ranch homes and split levels became popular in the 1960s and apparently, were still being built in the 1980s. The aesthetic lends itself to an imaginative use of color, glass and circles. Raising the entry half a level and introducing a wrap-around elevation porch ultimately . Modern home styles are generally made up of two surface types. 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. The U shaped ranch gives you a ton of options for the open space in the middleyou can put a pool, front porch or a courtyard area there. On the other hand, bi-level houses have two levels that are accessed via a common entrance between the floors. If you wish to report an issue or seek an accommodation, please let us know. To add a real element of fun, we jazzed it up with the colorful escher tile at the backsplash and brought in accents of brass in the hardware and light fixtures to tie it all together. For example, the laundry room will most likely be on a different floor than the bedrooms and bathrooms. In some places, homeowners with exterior steps will install a mailbox at street level. The shutters on the windows were originally used to protect the windows from the wind during a storm and the ceilings are kept low to maximize heat conservation. Try painting the front door to something fresh with a pop of color involved. Fixed glass is another very modern type of window, but it wont work for bedrooms that require an emergency escape and ventilation. Photo Credit: Mid-Century Split Level Addition/Whole House Remodel, Front Yard 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. Unlike traditional home layouts, split-level homes, also referred to as tri-level, feature at least three levels that are connected by stairs. Modern Capes from 1920s and after kept many of the exterior features of the original Cape with a modified interior for a more comfortable living experience. This is in place of having to excavate bedrock to build a basement on a single-level home. #OvercomingObstaclesScholarship: Lets Put Mental Health on the Agenda and Change the Narrative on Social Media Together! New columns replicate the original style, so the addition looks like it's always been there. Single-hung windows, which feature bottom panes that slide up to open the windows, are common in split-level homes from the 60s, 70s and 80s. Split-levels are cool on the inside. 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. Your garage takes up a lot of frontage, so it's a large portion of your guests' first impression. In most cases, these homes have a garage with the bedrooms situated directly above it on one side of the house. In these instances, the floor plan will usually be designed by an architect to suit the specific topography of the lot. It can be difficult to downsize and there are challenges with smaller spaces ,storage etc. Glass is known to let in more light, and this allows you to save on electricity. The entrance is a small section that is separate from all the main floors of the home. Maximize this by getting larger windows for your home to allow more light inside your home during the day. We have an office that is the envy of the neighborhood. The biggest challenge for Sun Design Remodeling is the mid-level front door. The classic faade of a split-level home is very simple. Despite all that youve read about them being outdated, split-level houses do have some positives to them. Ryan also loves hockey and a lifelong Buffalo sports fan. 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. One of the best ways to modernize a split-level home is to avoid a roof color that's too light or too close to the house color. 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. At the same time, these homes are also in the current sweet spot for in-town renovations because of their location on the growth rings of cities. Heres a compilation of before-and-after photos of some eye-catching split-level home remodel projects: Notice how the small windows added on top of the garage makes this home look much more balanced, compared to how it initially looked like. Another advantage is having the front door be level with the sidewalk outside. Light colored paint will reflect light better and gives a brighter feel to the interiors of any 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. A split level home is often a great investment, and there are lots of pros to buying one. Although this will lead to inconvenience when moving around your home, you can also get doors placed on each level to maintain the set temperature. A split-level home has a few great places to start. 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. It is not only the planning stage that you need to focus on the execution is equally important. The separation of the floors means that youll be less likely to be awakened by the sounds happening on the lower levels. This information makes it easier to coordinate with pros. You can also place raised garden beds if you want to disguise the slope of the land. This type of split-level house will have at least three sections but may have more. It also doesnt hurt to make sure that the gardening is tended. Please switch to a supported browser or download one of our Mobile Apps. Make no mistake, retro is chic but split-level homes, to many, are still out of style. 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. 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. If you are working with a limited budget, even a fresh coat of paint can dramatically change the look of your home. And while the change in floor level creates a partial separation of spaces, they are visually connected from one level to the next. Many see this design as being very impractical, considering all the stairs you have to climb in order to access various areas of the home. When a home is cared for, it doesnt have that old, uncared for look that we think of with outdated homes. 11 of 68 Again, split-level homes tend to struggle with natural lighting. We wont keep you guessing for so long you can make additions to a split-level home, despite the space constraints. You can still see the garage, main level, and upper/lower split on the right. By adding skylights into the master bedroom, it can give an entirely new dimension to the space. Taken fromhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HE7jN7ofmeI. Conversely, you can consider adding in a window or two to really allow more natural light to permeate the space. Open front porches and stone features are common on the craftsman. 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. 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. 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). With proper drainage, you can keep the yard dry and clean, making it more appealing for potential suitors. Another great garage door style on a modern home is a wood-look door. You can also turn it into your home office and place all your filing cabinets, bookcase, and other similar items there. Back additions are also generally cheaper than top level additions to a tri-level home. By even changing out those outdated windows for something modern and new, it can really change the look of the home. 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. 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. Stacked split-level. The outside is often another story. Taken fromhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKS8AnI6Ahk. Here youll typically find the living room, dining room, kitchen, and possibly a bathroom. Add a deck or patio, or even extend your house if space permits. This is partially because they are seen as being out of date. Many homeowners concentrate on remodeling the inside of their home and neglect to work on the exteriors as well. [Dining Room] Its much easier to move things in and out of the house when everything is on one level. Get Ready to Have No-Obligation Talks With Contractors, 2023 All rights Reserved Contractor QuotesDeveloped By ITVolcano. 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. That pop of color can give the right contrast to the rest of the home to make it stand out in a positive way. The need to climb stairs tends to lower the value a little bit, which can help first-time homebuyers that are looking to break into home ownership. Used under license. A cottage is typically a one bedroom dwelling meant for travelers or people on vacation. The most significant change done to this space is removing the small room in the middle of the floor that housed the kitchen. But the good news is that there are plenty of methods for bringing a more modern aesthetic to your split-level home. The content on this site is not intended to provide legal, financial or real estate advice. A new paver pathway, planters, and landscaping add curb appeal. The roof lines create an interesting look and this style never seems to be out-dated. 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". Consider all of the pros and cons of the different types of split-level homes before making a final decision. The top floor typically features taller ceilings and houses the main rooms, such as the kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms, dining room, and living room. 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. 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. In the early 1960s, for instance, no floor plan concept seemed better suited to the demands of modern life than the split level . Aside from the differences on the exterior, both back split and side split houses have roughly the same design. It is the literal antithesis of the modern floorplan. For listings in Canada, the trademarks REALTOR, REALTORS, and the REALTOR logo are controlled by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and identify real estate professionals who are members of CREA. No matter which you choose, youll get multiple levels connected by short flights of stairs, but each style has unique features. The colonial style is associated with the style of building used from the 17th to the 19th century, particularly in colonial America. Espresso Cabinets, white dekton waterfall island and countertops, rustic lvt flooring, black appliances, globe pendant lighting, retro refrigerator, wire handrail, split level master piece. Whether youre looking to buy or build a home from scratch, you likely have a specific architectural style in mind. The idea with the Split level is that you can accommodate a large family on a modest budget. It may be a bit more difficult but it is definitely doable. Browse through the largest collection of home design ideas for every room in your home. Here is more info about both split levels and colonial homes, and the pros and cons of each. 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. One of the biggest issues plaguing split-level homes is that water can pool up at the lower points of the house. If possible, have your skylights customized to fit the theme of your home to complement the entire space. Most people use the terms bi-level and split-level interchangeably. The more steps you have, the more difficult snow removal is going to be in the winter months. Again, the main advantage to this type of split-level home is the lack of staircases connecting each level of the house. 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. Sadly, youre limited to these three choices. If you were to view the home from the side or the back, youd be able to see the individual levels of the house. However, the major disadvantage is the fact that you must climb multiple sets of stairs to reach each individual level of the home. If you are still stumped but updating your home is something that excites you, visuals might help you picture out what you can do. The Colonial style is steeped with tradition and has a lot of character on the outside. The Cape Cod is truly a no frills style home. Unlike standard split homes, there isnt a functioning middle level with split foyer houses. Consider a new roof color. This floor plan features three to four floors and many sets of stairs. The major disadvantage to this style of split-level home is the middle area that has no real function at all. Nowadays, its very common to see split-level construction when it comes to building a home on the side of a hill. The main advantage to standard split-level homes is the clear separation between the bedrooms and the kitchen and living room. 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. With millions of inspiring photos from design professionals, you'll find just want you need to turn your house into your dream home. One reason for its popularity was the competitive cost in comparison to the rancher design being built at that time. You just have less freedom to do whatever you want with it and you need to generally work with whats already there. The cape cod style originates in 17th century New England and was built with total practicality in mind. The entry has sets of stairs leading up the main floor and another set that leads to the lower level of the home. 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. If your home doesnt have windows on the sides, which is typical to this type, get them installed as well. 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. Just because updating or remodeling this type of home is challenging doesnt mean it is impossible. 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. 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. As a result, everything should be carefully thought out; you have to keep in mind that all the floors are interconnected. The original use of the cottage was to house agricultural workers on a farm. Je peux rejeter les cookies non essentiels en cliquant sur Grer mes prfrences . Now that we are living in them, what are some split level strategies that we can use to improve the experience. Striking Split-Level. This way, the new addition is not that visible from the front of your home. Lets explore the numerous variations of this ubiquitous architectural style. Changing the aesthetic of the exterior of your split-level can come down to some very simplistic changes. You need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and make final decisions before the work starts. But a few simple modifications can transform them, making them one of the best fixer-upper options. 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 reason is to prevent on-foot postal carriers from having to climb stairs to deliver the mail. An exterior remodel of your tri-level home may sound easy because you might believe you can just go for whatever design you want. 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. None have been built since the late 1970s. Jessica considers herself a home improvement and design enthusiast. This can be confusing to those who dont know the difference. At the same time, these homes are also in the current sweet spot for in-town renovations because of their location on the growth rings of cities. Even better, that natural light will light up just about every corner of the room. Wherever possible is important because some of (or all of) those interior walls could have major structural implications on the rest of the home. But if extending your home is not a viable option for you, the next best thing is to gut existing rooms or sections to make certain areas bigger. You can also make use of that list as an inspiration for your project. Split entry homes have, as the name suggests, an entry that is between floors. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service. Because of all these inconveniences, consider scheduling the work at a period when its effects on your household will be most minimal. Skylights are a great modern addition that can bring a split-level home into the 21st century. 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. We will not contact you with anything else. 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.