Your garage takes up a lot of frontage, so it's a large portion of your guests' first impression. Contrast is key for on-trend style. The lot needs to have a certain slope for the split level style to work. This is the photo of the residence building before undergoing the remodeling process. 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. Design-wise, it is also much easier for you to work with new home additions that are placed at the back. 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. A split-level house is essentially a variation of the conventional ranch-style house, but split-levels make much better use of the space. Here is more info about both split levels and colonial homes, and the pros and cons of each. Bathroom closets are often catch-alls for anything and everything remotely related to self-care. The separation of the floors means that youll be less likely to be awakened by the sounds happening on the lower levels. Foyers in split-level homes typically contain the linen closets, coat racks, and other storage. 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. Surprisingly, this style of home was developed not due to aesthetic reasons but out of necessity. Despite all that youve read about them being outdated, split-level houses do have some positives to them. Being a Los Angeles resident, Jessica spends a lot of her time looking for her next DIY project and sharing her love for home design. What's the difference between a colonial, split, bi-level, ranch and Or, maybe youre considering one of many types of split-level homes. Moreover, it presents serious challenges when it comes to renovating the entire space. 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 dated kitchen plus both small main and master bathrooms were remodeled. The old backyard used to have some trellis installed and the entire garden looked unkempt. 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 additional floor either becomes the highest floor or is the cellar or basement located just below the floor where your main living space is. How to Expand on a Bi-Level Home | Home Guides | SF Gate This can be confusing to those who dont know the difference. If you have any bedrooms not in use, transform them into one big storage room. Split entry homes have, as the name suggests, an entry that is between floors. That can help you save on electric costs over time. 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. Unlike standard split homes, there isnt a functioning middle level with split foyer houses. 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. As prices in close-in suburbs inch toward the stratosphere, split-levels are often the only house types left that younger buyers can afford. 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. 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. One of the major concepts of the modern home is that it has an open floor plan. Bi-levels were popular in the era of splits, as developers would offer new homes in four configurations: colonials, splits, bi-levels or ranches. One set of stairs leads to the upper level, while the other leads to the bottom level. The original 1950s split level was expanded and completely reworked. 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. Split-level exteriors tend to be a bit bland. We have an office that is the envy of the neighborhood. Given the limited space that split-level homes are known for, you might wonder if expansion is possible at all. Consider installing solar lights on your property, particularly along the path leading to the main entrance of your home. Again, split-level homes tend to struggle with natural lighting. The content on this site is not intended to provide legal, financial or real estate advice. However, the major disadvantage is the fact that you must climb multiple sets of stairs to reach each individual level of the home. The warm walnut vanity and touches of brass cozy up the space and relate with the feel of the rest of the home. Even if your dream is to have a log cabin-type of home but you live in area that gets a lot of rain and snow all year, using even the sturdiest kind of wood may be the worst decision you can make in your life. 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. Our primary goal was to re-imagine the main level of the home and create an open flow between the space. With some fresh mulch and flowers, it can provide that freshness that can elevate any home. This home was transformed from a split-foyer into a french colonial More square footage on a smaller lota way to separate children and parents for increased sense of independence and privacy. Pin on House Ideas - Pinterest This means youll have to climb multiple stairs in order to do your laundry in your own home. From Home to Dream Home: Split Foyer to French Colonial Of all split level homes, the raised ranch has the toughest exterior to deal with. We cleaned up the cabinets and brass hardware, switched out the formica counter for a new quartz top, and painted wall a cheery accent color to liven it up a bit. Thats some Brady Bunch vibes you have going on there. With proper drainage, you can keep the yard dry and clean, making it more appealing for potential suitors. 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. link to What Kind Of Paint For Garage Walls. While some styles create space with doors, the colonial does it with staircase. Whether youre looking to buy or build a home from scratch, you likely have a specific architectural style in mind. 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. The number of steps can range from as little as two to more than eight. Split-level remodel: exterior lighting. Rooms on the lower level are usually garages, dens, playrooms, and other informal living spaces. Whereas, the upper level will have a dining room, living room, and kitchen on one side and more bathrooms and bedrooms on the other. Split-Level Remodel: Challenges, Ideas, Before & After - Contractor Quotes By even changing out those outdated windows for something modern and new, it can really change the look of the home. On the outside, you have paint chipping off, loose steps, landscaping that is in bad shape, the list goes on. You actually get 3 levels for living space so you really get a sense of depth being in the house. 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. With a regular split-level, when you enter, you can either go up or down. Homes with two stories, or two-story homes, are built with one floor right above the other. In the case of side additions, it is vital that it blends with the existing faade, which means getting the same windows, paint color, type of roof, etc. However, like most things, split-level homes are gaining in popularity again. Your email address will not be published. The kitchen and dining room are on a separate floor from both the bedrooms and living room. 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. Moving your furniture around to change the look of your home is usually the first step many homeowners make. The problem is that it may not be the easiest of plans to execute. Our specialists are currently reviewing your case and will get back to you shortly. The Colonial style is steeped with tradition and has a lot of character on the outside. 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. The interior spaces flow. Tri-level homes usually have small hallways that connect the garage and the main living space. Can A Raised Ranch Home Become A Traditional Home? 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. 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. Je peux rejeter les cookies non essentiels en cliquant sur Grer mes prfrences . Some roof colors simply wont work with a contemporary design an old shingle roof usually looks anything but clean and smooth. 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 homes tend to be small, in terms of square footage . Even designers will readily admit that remodeling this type of home is challenging for them. You can also lengthen the front stoop of your main entryway by increasing the size of your entryways canopy or roof. Raising the entry half a level and introducing a wrap-around elevation porch ultimately . The classic faade of a split-level home is very simple. Instead of the classic door leading to the back of your home, you can tear it down, together with the wall, and replace it with glass. Clients goal was to update the main floor and allow more natural light into this small-footprint home. Since they are built vertically, that can mean that split-levels have more square footage in the yard. Now, lets take a more comprehensive look at the pros and cons of the split-level architectural style as a whole. 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. Not to mention, the steps can be a problem for elderly visitors or even simply carrying the groceries inside. Thoughtful updates, such as a cedar shake roof, an expansive dormer, and a glass-panel front door, transformed the home's previously lackluster exterior. Its much easier to move things in and out of the house when everything is on one level. This not only makes it appear to be larger, but makes it more inviting as well. Typically, this is done to the main living space and bedrooms. If you can, taking a wall or two out is a great way to open up what is largely an enclosed space. 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. Why do you want to do a renovation of your split-level home? You can also turn it into your home office and place all your filing cabinets, bookcase, and other similar items there. The short answer is that, yes, you can convert a split-level to open up the home and make it feel more modern. 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 original use of the cottage was to house agricultural workers on a farm. 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. Again, the main advantage to this type of split level is the fact that there arent a ton of staircases that separate the floors. Photo: Robert Braddock. 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. The top floor typically features taller ceilings and houses the main rooms, such as the kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms, dining room, and living room. Another common complaint about the ranch style of home is that the outside can tend to have a boring, lackluster appeal. #OvercomingObstaclesScholarship: Lets Put Mental Health on the Agenda and Change the Narrative on Social Media Together! Ranches tend to be easier to maintainparticularly on the outside. In these instances, the floor plan will usually be designed by an architect to suit the specific topography of the lot. Split-levels, also sometimes called "tri-levels," are an architectural dead end that were built in abundance from the 1930s to the 1970s. You can also have skylights placed on the section of your roof directly above your living space or bedrooms. . With a sultry black hex on the floor and a dimensional geometric tile on the walls we set the stage for a calm space. Read more, Your email address will not be published. We were so excited to help these new homeowners re-envision their split-level diamond in the rough. In most cases, the garage will sit on the ground level and the bedroom area will be stacked above it. Many people have different ideas of what a cottage truly is, but the universal agreement is that a cottage is a small, cozy and old-fashioned house. Although you have limited remodeling options, you can still turn your home into something worthy of a spot in an architecture magazine. On our website, we have been getting many hits and search querys every month concerning split level renovations. In most cases, the bottom level is a garage, a den, a playroom, a recreation room, or other informal living areas. Meanwhile, the topmost level is where all of the bedrooms and bathrooms are. Used under license. Please seek the services of a legal, accounting or real estate professional prior to any real estate transaction. 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. The lights will stay relatively hidden and wont become a distraction, either. Looking at listings and come across descriptions saying cozy ranch or colonial and wonder what differentiates thesehomestyles and what it means for livability and cost? Then, the stairs off of this room lead to the bedrooms that are stacked atop the foyer. Split-level homes are built in a simple style that lends itself well to many different appearances: Tudor, Victorian and ranch. 6 Types Of Split-Level Homes (With Photos) - Upgraded Home 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. Cobb home converted from split-level ranch to farmhouse-style house - ajc New columns replicate the original style, so the addition looks like it's always been there. The aesthetic lends itself to an imaginative use of color, glass and circles. It may be a bit more difficult but it is definitely doable. Updating the look and feel of your home, including the appliances like those in the kitchen above, will dramatically change the interiors. So, that means sprucing up the curb appeal becomes important. 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. The entry has sets of stairs leading up the main floor and another set that leads to the lower level of the home. 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. 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. Notice the symmetry and 2 level design. These Before-and-After Colonial Home Exteriors Boast Stately Style Not only that, but those closed off, separated rooms can bring with it a claustrophobic feel. The L shaped ranch is a great way to incorporate a garage into the house plans. A 1970s Bi-Level Or Split-Level Remodeling Advice Guide The more steps you have, the more difficult snow removal is going to be in the winter months. If this fits the bill, you can construct a detached garage at the back and use the space on the side as your driveway. Exterior accessories such as light fixtures and house numbers can make a huge difference. 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. 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. 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. 11 of 68 There are also one or two chimneys (remember in the old days how they kept the place warm). 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. Exterior update of a split entry, two level home with board and batten, brick wainscot, and white trim. The raised ranch introduces some stair climbing into the mix. 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. Lets explore the numerous variations of this ubiquitous architectural style. With standard split homes, inhabitants and visitors enter the house from the ground level. 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. These are just a few ideas, and you can use them as a simple spark of design inspiration to get you going. Art Deco has a cool, interesting style that sets it apart from other homes. You can use this hallway as a small mudroom and storage space for stuff you usually take with you when you go out. 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". Split-level homes can feel dated. Keep in mind that the costs could be elevated from a standard renovation project because of the potential removal of walls and their load-bearing implications. 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.. 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. There is a large chimney in the center of the house used to keep the home warm during the harsh northeastern winters. Updating the landscaping, as well as the entire faade, worked wonders for it. The dining room had once been the homes living room, but we had other plans in mind. Youll want to arm yourself with this information so you can be prepared when flipping through listings. The raised ranch homes and split levels became popular in the 1960s and apparently, were still being built in the 1980s. 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. And if you want to take it to the next level, does the KonMari method ring a bell? They wanted an open, spacious, airy feeling to this floor. For now, they are also quite affordably priced. Photo and copyright by Renovation Design Group. The familys living quarters are located on the main floor, on the other side of the house. Raised ranch homes flip the expected configuration upside-down. [Living Room] The ranch has no stairs, the entire house is on one level. 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 . 05 of 22 Beautiful Colonial Home Renovation 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. A split foyer actually has a separate section that is on the ground level between the garage and the house. 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. Placement of the family room, kitchen, dining room, bedrooms, and bathrooms can all vary in this style. Breathe new life into a dated split-level with these tips you have more options than you might think! How to Remodel a Split Level Home | Hunker How To Modernize A Split-Level Home (Here's What You Can Do) The homeowners are enthusiasts of residential modern architecture and wanted to update their 1960s split-foyer home with a modern design. A split-level home has a few great places to start. You can choose from stacked-split, split-foyer, split-entry, back-split, standard-split, or side-split. Split-Level | Remodeling 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. Thanks to its inexpensive style, the Cape Cod was a popular choice for many of the first major housing developments after soldiers came back from World War II. There is typically a short section of stairs that then leads to the other sections of the home. The advantage to split entry houses is the spacious design that offers plenty of room for larger families or those who entertain often. 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. 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. Since tri-level homes generally dont look symmetrical, adding additions to it will be challenging. Colonial Homes A typical colonial style home. 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. 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. Before we dive too deeply into the types of split-level homes, its important to know the distinguishing features of split-level houses. If you are still stumped but updating your home is something that excites you, visuals might help you picture out what you can do. Read This Before You Pay For a Flat Fee MLS Service. [Hall Bathroom] To modernize a split-level home, replace the outdated windows. 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. Look for ideas in your neighborhood. 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. The split level can be built on a sloping a sloping lot (cheaper) with more square footage under one roof (cheaper! The original spec was probably a steel door with very little curb appeal. Make no mistake, retro is chic but split-level homes, to many, are still out of style. Whats most important is that your home works the best for you. If you have a bigger budget, you can actually expand your home through the back. Balodemas said real estate developers saw them as a way. This floor plan features three to four floors and many sets of stairs. 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. Bi-Level or Split-Level Remodeling Tips For Homes Built in the 1970s. Using bricks or decorative stones attached to the walls as accents, Adding more windows to balance out the elements of your home.