Since they are built vertically, that can mean that split-levels have more square footage in the yard. 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. We will not contact you with anything else. The good news is that you can transform the floorplan to look like something out of this century. Back additions are also generally cheaper than top level additions to a tri-level home. Photos by Richard Pasley. You can use plants, tall furniture, and decorative partitions. Technically, the term "bi-level home" refers to a house built on two levels, both of which are ground floors. Glass is known to let in more light, and this allows you to save on electricity. The number of steps can range from as little as two to more than eight. Clever: Are Those Commission Savings Legit? The warm walnut vanity and touches of brass cozy up the space and relate with the feel of the rest of the home. Your garage takes up a lot of frontage, so it's a large portion of your guests' first impression. One of the biggest issues plaguing split-level homes is that water can pool up at the lower points of the house. To recap, split-level homes have three distinct levels that are accessed via short sets of stairs. Use landscaping to your advantage. 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. You can also turn it into your home office and place all your filing cabinets, bookcase, and other similar items there. 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. 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. Although you have limited remodeling options, you can still turn your home into something worthy of a spot in an architecture magazine. Its also nice if you just prefer to have everything on one level. Split-level homes are great for those who want to conserve the space on their property, without sacrificing room inside of the home. Brokerage. Oftentimes, this floor will have a bedroom, bathroom, and possibly a laundry room. It may be a bit more difficult but it is definitely doable. Split foyer to French colonial. You can also place raised garden beds if you want to disguise the slope of the land. A split level home is often a great investment, and there are lots of pros to buying one. You can choose from stacked-split, split-foyer, split-entry, back-split, standard-split, or side-split. You can place bedrooms on the top floor or at the ground level, put your laundry area in the basement, have your living room at a floor somewhere above the ground level, and the entertainment room on the floor below it, and more. On the other hand, this is not something you can do with split-level homes. But the good news is that there are plenty of methods for bringing a more modern aesthetic to your split-level home. This home didnt originally have a master suite, so we decided to convert one of the bedrooms and create a charming suite that youd never want to leave. If you have any bedrooms not in use, transform them into one big storage room. 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. 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. This may involve a major structural overhaul, but its worth considering. link to What Kind Of Paint For Garage Walls. Similar to a side split home, back split houses are divided into multiple levels. 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. No matter which you choose, youll get multiple levels connected by short flights of stairs, but each style has unique features. Raising the entry half a level and introducing a wrap-around elevation porch ultimately . Photo: Robert Braddock. Updating the landscaping, as well as the entire faade, worked wonders for it. 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. Step inside the house and youll see polished flooring, shiny appliances, freshly-painted walls, and so much more. 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. Notice the symmetry and 2 level design. 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. 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. Raised ranch homes flip the expected configuration upside-down. People want more bedrooms, more bedrooms, more bedrooms at the expense of the communal space. 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. The kitchen and dining room are on a separate floor from both the bedrooms and living room. 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. Split-level houses feature an architectural style that was most popular in the 40s and 50s, and each type of split-level house has distinct features. Consider casement windows, which feature cranks and swing out to open up. To make it easier, we have put them under categories, depending on the issue you want to address. The entire house was remodeled, plus we designed a screened porch and patio / fire pit for the rear yard. 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. I've evolved this design to where the center pullout and adjacent shelves can be adjusted up or down. 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. If youve recently fallen in love with this type of floor plan, its worth familiarizing yourself with your options. The functionality and cost-efficiency of split-level homes made it a hit for families that prioritize practicality over aesthetics. Homes with two stories, or two-story homes, are built with one floor right above the other. Split-level homes can feel dated. You can see the appeal here. 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. Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you. The L shaped ranch is a great way to incorporate a garage into the house plans. 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. 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. 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. When you open the front door, you are led to a distinct foyer or entry space. The exterior of a split-level home is whats giving away its age. Doors with glass-like, translucent flat panels are beautiful in daylight and at night, when interior light can turn them into giant night lights all while obscuring the contents of your garage from neighbors. The roof is an oft-overlooked aspect of a homes exterior, which is surprising given the size of both the visible surface area of the roof and the investment required to have a new one installed. In most cases, these homes have a garage with the bedrooms situated directly above it on one side of the house. 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 have a bit of an outdated look to them that has fallen out of favor in the ultra-modern or ultra-rustic home landscape. 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. Planters surrounding the home are made from raw sheet steel. 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. This floor plan features three to four floors and many sets of stairs. This browser is no longer supported. We have an office that is the envy of the neighborhood. In most cases, the garage will sit on the ground level and the bedroom area will be stacked above it. However, most of these homes were built on the cheap. The exterior can have a look that might be considered dated. The trend these days is to minimize , and cottages do just thatkeeping heating and cooling costs down and making maintenance chores a breeze. The outside is often another story. Aside from the differences on the exterior, both back split and side split houses have roughly the same design. 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. You are generally stuck with their traditional layout. Bathroom closets are often catch-alls for anything and everything remotely related to self-care. Or, maybe youre considering one of many types of split-level homes. The lower demand in most markets means that they are readily available for a cheaper price than other types of homes. 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. 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. LawnStarter Full Review: Is the Uber of Lawn Care Legit? Consider this if you are more concerned about maintaining an even temperature in your home than the expenses that it can lead to. Renovations are also one of the best times for you to declutter. New columns replicate the original style, so the addition looks like it's always been there. This type of split-level home boasts four or five levels and numerous sets of stairs. 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. There are 6 main split-level house designs, including standard-split, split-foyer, stacked-split, split-entry, back-split, and side-split. This open-plan layout made the space look a lot bigger. However, the major disadvantage is the fact that you must climb multiple sets of stairs to reach each individual level of the home. Updating the look and feel of your home, including the appliances like those in the kitchen above, will dramatically change the interiors. Get Ready to Have No-Obligation Talks With Contractors, 2023 All rights Reserved Contractor QuotesDeveloped By ITVolcano. Whole House Remodeling This home was transformed from a split-foyer into a french colonial. Striking Split-Level. Moving your furniture around to change the look of your home is usually the first step many homeowners make. If youre looking for a home with plenty of space for your family and for hosting guests, the stacked split design is an excellent choice. These are just a few ideas, and you can use them as a simple spark of design inspiration to get you going. Split-level remodel: exterior lighting. Wherever possible is important because some of (or all of) those interior walls could have major structural implications on the rest of the home. This type of split-level house will have at least three sections but may have more. Photography by Tre Dunham, Fine focus Photography. With traditional multilevel homes, you have the freedom to do whatever you want with it. The floor plan is generally a story and which is popular everybody loves a big deep front porch. If you have a bigger budget, you can actually expand your home through the back. After all, this is what split-level homes are known for. 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. If you were a fan of The Brady Bunch, then you know exactly what a split-level house is. 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 . Brick steps lined with lush landscaping beckon guests toward the entrance. What made this transformation was raising the entrance to the main level, building out the attic space for an added level, and relocating the staircase to access all 3 levels. Walk in the front door at ground level, and you climb a flight of stairs to reach the living room, dining, room and kitchen level . None have been built since the late 1970s. As a visual contrast, a simple layout with distinct wooden floors replaced the old plain carpet. Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, Tudor, Cape Cod . Perhaps youve got your heart set on a modern, contemporary, or even a Colonial-style home. Instead of a centralized heating and cooling system, consider having separate thermostats for the spots known to be cooler or hotter than the rest of your home. 11 of 68 Consider these options for altering the exterior: This isnt as simple as yes or no. Drawbacks of Art DecoIn some parts of the country flat roofs can be a problem and need continual maintenance. Please switch to a supported browser or download one of our Mobile Apps. By working with siding styles and stonework, the creative homeowner can transform his bland home into something beautiful. Whether architects like it or not, the split-level may be the "it" remodel of the future. Not to mention, the steps can be a problem for elderly visitors or even simply carrying the groceries inside. Surprisingly, this style of home was developed not due to aesthetic reasons but out of necessity. The lot needs to have a certain slope for the split level style to work. More information There are 6 main split-level house designs, including standard-split, split-foyer, stacked-split, split-entry, back-split, and side-split. This is because it offers both ambient lighting and a focused illumination. Weve already explored some of the advantages and disadvantages of each individual type of split-level house. The Colonial style is steeped with tradition and has a lot of character on the outside. Balodemas said real estate developers saw them as a way. Now we know why Art Deco is popular in Miami! 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. There was so much potential in those walls, and we couldnt wait to delve in and start transforming spaces. A common configuration is having the first stairs from the entryway leading to the dining room or kitchen. Kids can play upstairs in their rooms while causing minimal disturbance to parents and guests below. 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. Light can be the biggest factor in transforming a split-level home from an outdated space into one that looks fresh and modern. Colonial Homes A typical colonial style home. We utilized clean white cabinets around the perimeter of the kitchen and popped the island with a spunky shade of blue. We converted the original garage into a lovely little living room with a cozy fireplace. ), Plus it looks like a really sophisticated structure, so neighbors will be impressed (good!). 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. 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. The first is that they create a much better separation between the upstairs and the downstairs. You can make changes to your existing landscaping, or create one if you currently dont have any. 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. 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. And while the change in floor level creates a partial separation of spaces, they are visually connected from one level to the next. Photo and copyright by Renovation Design Group. That allows for expansive decks to be put on or to simply enjoy the extra yard space for kids and pets. Refer to diagram below. Construction by CG&S Design-Build. Adding additional spaces to your home will require you to sacrifice either your backyard or the remaining space at the sides of your home, if they are available at all. This style of home is good for entertaining,and there is a nice separation of space, which creates a deeper sense of separation. There are also one or two chimneys (remember in the old days how they kept the place warm). In Miamis South Beach, the Art Deco style saw a resurgence in the 1980s with pastel colors. Lets explore the numerous variations of this ubiquitous architectural style. [Dining Room] 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. The main advantage to standard split-level homes is the clear separation between the bedrooms and the kitchen and living room. You should know the various types of split-level homes before you can consider buying or building one of your own. link to What Kind Of Paint For Garage Walls. If you want to go full-on modern, consider hiding the roof completely. 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. Make no mistake, retro is chic but split-level homes, to many, are still out of style. The old backyard used to have some trellis installed and the entire garden looked unkempt. [Living Room] 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. Updating a tri-level home is not a project that you can just DIY your way to completion. The colonial style is associated with the style of building used from the 17th to the 19th century, particularly in colonial America. Moreover, the proper windows can play an integral role in the energy-efficiency of your home. This 1960s split-level home desperately needed a change - not bigger space, just better. In todays world many people find the formal areas of a colonial to be a waste of space. There are various shapes for the ranch style, but the main theme is that the entire house is on one levelwhich has its perks. If you wish to report an issue or seek an accommodation, please let us know. Connect with top-rated agents near you and save thousands on commission fees. Houzz Pro: One simple solution for contractors and design pros, Split-Level Main Floor Remodel in West Seattle. Please seek the services of a legal, accounting or real estate professional prior to any real estate transaction. Ranches tend to be easier to maintainparticularly on the outside. The short answer is that, yes, you can convert a split-level to open up the home and make it feel more modern. We designed a new story above, with turned-gable roof lines to complement the main roof. They are close to town, and they have a reasonable cost basis, due to their older look. This can be confusing to those who dont know the difference. One of the major concepts of the modern home is that it has an open floor plan. In these instances, the floor plan will usually be designed by an architect to suit the specific topography of the lot. Here is more info about both split levels and colonial homes, and the pros and cons of each. The main level is street level so there is no need to be climbing up or down stairs with groceries etc. Its nothing that cant be remedied with a little green thumb! 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. 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. In this idea, you must pay more attention to the front door of the house. When a home is cared for, it doesnt have that old, uncared for look that we think of with outdated homes. You just have less freedom to do whatever you want with it and you need to generally work with whats already there. Modern floor plans put an emphasis on open space to make the entire area seem bigger while also granting more freedom for the homeowner to decorate. 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. The bedrooms would be upstairs, and the basement or garage would go down. Dark colors tend to work well with shingle roofs, and the potential to switch to a standing seam metal roof should also be considered. Even better, that natural light will light up just about every corner of the room. Open front porches and stone features are common on the craftsman. The original kitchen had been on the small side and cut-off from the rest of the home, but after we removed the coat closet, this kitchen opened up beautifully. We added a new garage, laundry, master bedroom and bath and 1/2 guest bath on that same level. Written by Both. The big tree doesnt help at all, since it just makes the left side heavier than the other side. 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. Since tri-level homes generally dont look symmetrical, adding additions to it will be challenging. The classic faade of a split-level home is very simple. 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. Aside from these two requirements, the design work involved aesthetics: enhancing the front faade with a modern architecture and high quality materials. More square footage on a smaller lota way to separate children and parents for increased sense of independence and privacy. The first staircase that leads downwards goes to either the basement or some other type of informal living space. We store towels, medicine, toiletry supplies, first-aid gear, massage devices, facial steamers, spare Painting your garage is a great way to improve the look of the space and make the walls easier to clean. Photo Credit: Mid-Century Split Level Addition/Whole House Remodel, Front Yard Bi-Level or Split-Level Remodeling Tips For Homes Built in the 1970s. In todays world many people find the formal areas of a colonial to be a waste of space. But times have changed, and modern garage door designs can transform the look of the front of your home. The aesthetic lends itself to an imaginative use of color, glass and circles. Split Levels and Split Foyers became popular in the United States in the 1970s. Required fields are marked *. One reason for its popularity was the competitive cost in comparison to the rancher design being built at that time. 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. Je peux rejeter les cookies non essentiels en cliquant sur Grer mes prfrences . 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. Unleashed by production builders in the 60s and 70s, split level homes are the most difficult type of house to transform into the way our customers want to live today. It can be difficult to downsize and there are challenges with smaller spaces ,storage etc. The content on this site is not intended to provide legal, financial or real estate advice. If this fits the bill, you can construct a detached garage at the back and use the space on the side as your driveway. Always consider even the most extreme ideas if youre planning to be in the home for a long time. Horizontal sliders can also provide a more modern look. Recessed lighting, also known as can lights, can be an excellent addition to ergonomic, modern kitchens. And if you want to take it to the next level, does the KonMari method ring a bell? 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. Meanwhile, the topmost level is where all of the bedrooms and bathrooms are. Consider all of the pros and cons of the different types of split-level homes before making a final decision. The walnut vanity cabinet (complete with hairpin legs) adds a lovely level of warmth to this bathroom, and the black and brass accents add the sophisticated touch we were looking for. The cape cod style originates in 17th century New England and was built with total practicality in mind. The outdatedness of a split-level home isnt specific to the interior.