Although you have limited remodeling options, you can still turn your home into something worthy of a spot in an architecture magazine. The aesthetic lends itself to an imaginative use of color, glass and circles. Converting a Cape or Ranch to Colonial | Bethany, CT | 203-915-9972 Modern home styles are generally made up of two surface types. Even better, that natural light will light up just about every corner of the room. We utilized clean white cabinets around the perimeter of the kitchen and popped the island with a spunky shade of blue. Most types of split-level houses will feature several staircases that lead to the different levels of the house. 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. Back additions are also generally cheaper than top level additions to a tri-level home. Snow can pile up, causing damage and its harder for rain to drain off. 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. Lets explore the numerous variations of this ubiquitous architectural style. 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. You can also make use of that list as an inspiration for your project. Split-level House Remodel | Additions & Renovation Options No matter which you choose, youll get multiple levels connected by short flights of stairs, but each style has unique features. If you were to view the home from the side or the back, youd be able to see the individual levels of the house. There are 6 main split-level house designs, including standard-split, split-foyer, stacked-split, split-entry, back-split, and side-split. Look for ideas in your neighborhood. Glass is known to let in more light, and this allows you to save on electricity. Check out another split-level project by Jones Pierce Studios: https://jonespierce.com/marietta-split-level-facelift/, 400 Plasters Ave. NE, #225 Atlanta, GA 30324 It packs a large amount of square footage into a relatively small footprint, something growing families appreciate. Dont be intimidated by the challenge of remodeling a split-level home it is absolutely doable, even with a small budget. 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. 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. This is in place of having to excavate bedrock to build a basement on a single-level home. Split foyer to French colonial | Articles | fairfaxtimes.com This home was transformed from a split-foyer into a french colonial Moving your furniture around to change the look of your home is usually the first step many homeowners make. You can certainly look on the bright side and see it as an opportunity to get more exercise in your home. With millions of inspiring photos from design professionals, you'll find just want you need to turn your house into your dream home. Make no mistake, retro is chic but split-level homes, to many, are still out of style. Read more, Your email address will not be published. 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. 9 House Makeovers That Are Almost Unbelievable - Bob Vila If you are still stumped but updating your home is something that excites you, visuals might help you picture out what you can do. A very simple way of updating the look of a traditional split-level is to add some bling to the design. With traditional multilevel homes, you have the freedom to do whatever you want with it. Split-level homes, also known as bi-level or divided-entry homes, are a very American home style. You can use this hallway as a small mudroom and storage space for stuff you usually take with you when you go out. 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. Of all split level homes, the raised ranch has the toughest exterior to deal with. 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. I want to convert a 1970 split level house into something more Consider these options for altering the exterior: This isnt as simple as yes or no. Conversely, you can consider adding in a window or two to really allow more natural light to permeate the space. 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. Use landscaping to your advantage. 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. The Hardest Home Styles to Change and Maintain - Real Estate Witch Please switch to a supported browser or download one of our Mobile Apps. It is a product that can handle any type of sloping lot and is as efficient as a house can get. The most significant change done to this space is removing the small room in the middle of the floor that housed the kitchen. You actually get 3 levels for living space so you really get a sense of depth being in the house. Jessica considers herself a home improvement and design enthusiast. If youve seen one, youve seen them all. Garage doors are clad in metal. There is typically a short section of stairs that then leads to the other sections of the home. Recessed lighting, also known as can lights, can be an excellent addition to ergonomic, modern kitchens. Split Level Renovation Strategies - Jones Pierce Studios 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. Converted Split Level - Photos & Ideas | Houzz Refer to diagram below. Tri-level homes usually have small hallways that connect the garage and the main living space. If you dont plan on staying in your home for the long term, you might want to consider a ranch to lower your moving costsitll take an extra person or two for you or the moving company to get things up and down the stairs when you get ready to move. Always consider even the most extreme ideas if youre planning to be in the home for a long time. Photo: Robert Braddock. Bi-level houses are also commonly referred to as a raised ranch. In most cases, the lower level is partially underground but still has windows. Brokerage. Dont let the limited space of a split-level home hinder you from making all sorts of additions to your home. 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. Our primary goal was to re-imagine the main level of the home and create an open flow between the space. One of the biggest issues plaguing split-level homes is that water can pool up at the lower points of the house. While some styles create space with doors, the colonial does it with staircase. He's an authority on the Florida real estate market, as well as selling a house by owner. Photo Credit: Mid-Century Split Level Addition/Whole House Remodel, Front Yard If you were a fan of The Brady Bunch, then you know exactly what a split-level house is. The design is a compromise between living on one level as in a ranch, yet having essentially a walk-out basement with additional finished living space below. Split Foyer Renovation - Owings Brothers Contracting They first became popular in the 1940s and 50s as soldiers returned home and demand for suburban houses was high. Though, split-level homes can also have more than three levels. None have been built since the late 1970s. Then, the stairs off of this room lead to the bedrooms that are stacked atop the foyer. It can be difficult to downsize and there are challenges with smaller spaces ,storage etc. The triangular shelves in the corner are quite accessible when the pullouts are extended. But you might be struggling to figure out what kind of paint to use on garage walls. Split-level homes are certainly making a comeback, but its important to choose the type of split-level that works best for you and your lifestyle. We removed two walls to open up this kitchen to the adjacent dining and family room area in this classic Split Level style home. Updating the landscaping, as well as the entire faade, worked wonders for it. With a little landscaping, you can really jazz up your ranch! At twilight the house comes aglow with warmth. You can add a number of design elements, such as siding, tiles, wood, stone, and other decorative pieces to give it a new look. This way, you can maximize the space by adjusting the alignment of furniture and fixtures. Changing the aesthetic of the exterior of your split-level can come down to some very simplistic changes. Using a solid paint color ended up making the entire room look a lot more spacious than when wallpaper was used. For some, this section seems like wasted space when you can use it as a den or mudroom. Houzz utilise des cookies et d'autres technologies de suivi similaires pour personnaliser mon exprience utilisateur, me proposer du contenu pertinent et amliorer ses produits et services. 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. 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. Horizontal sliders can also provide a more modern look. 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. 6 Types Of Split-Level Homes (With Photos) - Upgraded Home Another common complaint about the ranch style of home is that the outside can tend to have a boring, lackluster appeal. For now, they are also quite affordably priced. Raising the entry half a level and introducing a wrap-around elevation porch ultimately . Oftentimes, this floor will have a bedroom, bathroom, and possibly a laundry room. The original 1950s split level was expanded and completely reworked. Even better, adding a skylight has a ton of benefits from every aspect: economical, functional, and aesthetic. When a home is cared for, it doesnt have that old, uncared for look that we think of with outdated homes. 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 . Houzz Pro: One simple solution for contractors and design pros, Split-Level Main Floor Remodel in West Seattle. 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. 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. Because of their design, split-level homes can struggle to get an ample amount of natural light. There is also hardly any room for experimentation when it comes to remodeling a tri-level home. The craftsman style home was born out of a reaction to the industrial revolution. This way, the new addition is not that visible from the front of your home. 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. With recessed lighting, you can even highlight the best features in each of the different rooms. The colonial style is associated with the style of building used from the 17th to the 19th century, particularly in colonial America. By even changing out those outdated windows for something modern and new, it can really change the look of the home. After all, this is what split-level homes are known for. 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. This Plain Jane split foyer was given more than a facelift, it was given a whole new second-floor by constructing an addition changing its style to a Colonial. ), Plus it looks like a really sophisticated structure, so neighbors will be impressed (good!). Light can be the biggest factor in transforming a split-level home from an outdated space into one that looks fresh and modern. Aside from these two requirements, the design work involved aesthetics: enhancing the front faade with a modern architecture and high quality materials. Anything you do on any floor of a split-level home will affect the other floors. In most cases, the garage will sit on the ground level and the bedroom area will be stacked above it. While adding a new floor is a possibility, the most ideal way to extend your home is by expanding your main living space at the back. You should know the various types of split-level homes before you can consider buying or building one of your own. 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. Split-level homes tend to be quite dim due to the lack of windows that allow natural light to enter. The use of mirrored sliding cabinets not only saved space but it also added to the illusion that the room is bigger than it actually is. People want more bedrooms, more bedrooms, more bedrooms at the expense of the communal space. 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. With a sultry black hex on the floor and a dimensional geometric tile on the walls we set the stage for a calm space. The raised ranch introduces some stair climbing into the mix. If you come across an early cape it might seem a bit utilitarian on the inside but thats an easy fix with a little charm! The defining characteristic of the Colonial style of home is two stories, with a formally defined living room and dining room on the first floor and maybe one bedroom, with the other bedrooms being on the second story of the home. Mid-Century Modern Split-Level Exterior Home Ideas - Houzz What makes split-level homes a pain to transform is because of the limits involved. That allows for expansive decks to be put on or to simply enjoy the extra yard space for kids and pets. The dated kitchen plus both small main and master bathrooms were remodeled. 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. 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. William Feemster of ImageArts Photography. More information Try painting the front door to something fresh with a pop of color involved. Modern home designs tend to focus on lighting details. If done properly, this can tie in wonderfully with the natural stone sections of wall mentioned above. 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. 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. And thats probably because so many of them were built during the 1970s. The Empire State Building is a glowing example of the Art Deco style and its reach for the sky ethos. The three resulting levels connect with staggering staircases. Required fields are marked *. 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. For people that have trouble making it up and down the stairs, the ranch style is ideal. By working with siding styles and stonework, the creative homeowner can transform his bland home into something beautiful. You can choose from stacked-split, split-foyer, split-entry, back-split, standard-split, or side-split. Pin on House Ideas - Pinterest 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. The familys living quarters are located on the main floor, on the other side of the house. Now we know why Art Deco is popular in Miami! link to What Kind Of Paint For Garage Walls. 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. The Difference Between Raised Ranch and Split-Level Noticing a theme yet? The split level house design has evolved in the world of production builders following the ranch home. 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. 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). This is due to the fact that the sides of this type of home tend to be boringly blank youre actually lucky if you even have windows on the sides. 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. 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. We were so excited to help these new homeowners re-envision their split-level diamond in the rough. Magazine pictures of modern homes tend to make them look almost sterile; recessed lighting offers more light without it becoming impractical. On the outside, you have paint chipping off, loose steps, landscaping that is in bad shape, the list goes on. Wherever possible is important because some of (or all of) those interior walls could have major structural implications on the rest of the home. We converted the original garage into a lovely little living room with a cozy fireplace. There is a large chimney in the center of the house used to keep the home warm during the harsh northeastern winters. 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. But a few simple modifications can transform them, making them one of the best fixer-upper options. Zillow Group is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for individuals with disabilities. Tastes change; so, too, an owner's requirements of their home. Since tri-level homes generally dont look symmetrical, adding additions to it will be challenging. We added a new garage, laundry, master bedroom and bath and 1/2 guest bath on that same level. A split-level home has a few great places to start. A split-level home already has the structural breaks that make this kind of mix look perfect. Your garage takes up a lot of frontage, so it's a large portion of your guests' first impression. If possible, have your skylights customized to fit the theme of your home to complement the entire space. You'll usually find the bedrooms stacked above the foyer with stairs coming off the kitchen or dining room. 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. How to Modernize a Split-Level Home to Match Your Style - Neighborly 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. A split level home is often a great investment, and there are lots of pros to buying one. For the first idea, let's take a look at the picture of this traditional split-level house located in Minneapolis. 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. Exterior update of a split entry, two level home with board and batten, brick wainscot, and white trim. Aside from the differences on the exterior, both back split and side split houses have roughly the same design. 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. This allows you to adjust the temperatures separately to even them out. There are various shapes for the ranch style, but the main theme is that the entire house is on one levelwhich has its perks. Stucco is the most common material used to achieve this look, and thankfully, its not very difficult to stucco over many existing exterior siding products, such as T1-11. You can also use sliding glass doors instead of a wooden door. To recap, split-level homes have three distinct levels that are accessed via short sets of stairs. More square footage on a smaller lota way to separate children and parents for increased sense of independence and privacy. The roof lines create an interesting look and this style never seems to be out-dated. Some roof colors simply wont work with a contemporary design an old shingle roof usually looks anything but clean and smooth. The warm walnut vanity and touches of brass cozy up the space and relate with the feel of the rest of the home. Thoughtful updates, such as a cedar shake roof, an expansive dormer, and a glass-panel front door, transformed the home's previously lackluster exterior. 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". Lengthen the present rooflines in your home, Match the paint of your garage door to the paint of your main door, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HE7jN7ofmeI, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKS8AnI6Ahk, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHaeHzf4iBU. On the other hand, this is not something you can do with split-level homes. They are close to town, and they have a reasonable cost basis, due to their older look. Moreover, it presents serious challenges when it comes to renovating the entire space. If you want to change the look of your home on the outside, even without doing much work on the interiors, dont worry you have some safe options available. One reason for its popularity was the competitive cost in comparison to the rancher design being built at that time. 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. From Home to Dream Home: Split Foyer to French Colonial The major disadvantage to split-level homes is the staircases that youll have to climb. A roof is far more than a utilitarian way to keep precipitation out of the house its an important design element that can make or break an exterior remodel. Your Do You Need an Addition or Remodel Contractor? Moreover, the proper windows can play an integral role in the energy-efficiency of your home. While we know that the design of a split-level house can vary, many of them will have a set of stairs outside that lead to the front door instead of a flat sidewalk. Your link to How To Organize A Bathroom Closet.