It only takes 2 minutes to fill out the form. Any split-level modernization project should look very closely at ways to make those exterior walls smooth. It also doesnt hurt to make sure that the gardening is tended. 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. You can add a number of design elements, such as siding, tiles, wood, stone, and other decorative pieces to give it a new look. You can see the appeal here. 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. A split-level home has a few great places to start. Typically, split level homes are good candidates for an architectural intervention. Split foyer houses have two levels, with two sets of stairs. A new paver pathway, planters, and landscaping add curb appeal. Since tri-level homes generally dont look symmetrical, adding additions to it will be challenging. Commonly, however, the term is also used to denote split-level homes. 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. This results in a stark contrast, especially when the differences are very obvious. Open front porches and stone features are common on the craftsman. Consider installing solar lights on your property, particularly along the path leading to the main entrance of your home. 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. Not only that, but those closed off, separated rooms can bring with it a claustrophobic feel. #OvercomingObstaclesScholarship: Lets Put Mental Health on the Agenda and Change the Narrative on Social Media Together! There is nothing worse than overestimating the amount of stuff a smaller house can accommodate, and now you have no space for the stuff you just spent a small fortune to move! He loves to blog about construction, plumbing, and other home topics. With millions of inspiring photos from design professionals, you'll find just want you need to turn your house into your dream home. Now, lets take a more comprehensive look at the pros and cons of the split-level architectural style as a whole. 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. Although you have limited remodeling options, you can still turn your home into something worthy of a spot in an architecture magazine. The L shaped ranch is a great way to incorporate a garage into the house plans. Lighting is one of the most important features in just about any home layout. Aside from these two requirements, the design work involved aesthetics: enhancing the front faade with a modern architecture and high quality materials. Try taking out some of the interior walls wherever possible. By adding skylights into the master bedroom, it can give an entirely new dimension to the space. Unlike traditional home layouts, split-level homes, also referred to as tri-level, feature at least three levels that are connected by stairs. They are close to town, and they have a reasonable cost basis, due to their older look. To remedy this, you can install more lights all over your home; LED light is always better because it is brighter but doesnt consume much electricity. Clients goal was to update the main floor and allow more natural light into this small-footprint home. Changing the aesthetic of the exterior of your split-level can come down to some very simplistic changes. And while the change in floor level creates a partial separation of spaces, they are visually connected from one level to the next. Get new garage doors. Photos by Richard Pasley. 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. Use landscaping to your advantage. 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. The warm walnut vanity and touches of brass cozy up the space and relate with the feel of the rest of the home. Skylights allow for natural, warm lighting to permeate the room. Magazine pictures of modern homes tend to make them look almost sterile; recessed lighting offers more light without it becoming impractical. 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. Its also nice if you just prefer to have everything on one level. You actually get 3 levels for living space so you really get a sense of depth being in the house. You need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and make final decisions before the work starts. 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. You can use our list to help you make sure that your remodeling project will be a resounding success. 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. 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. Ryan also loves hockey and a lifelong Buffalo sports fan. Split-level homes are great for those who want to conserve the space on their property, without sacrificing room inside of the home. Now we know why Art Deco is popular in Miami! Drawbacks of Art DecoIn some parts of the country flat roofs can be a problem and need continual maintenance. 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. The French, Spanish, German, and Colonial Georgian are all sub types of this once dominant architectural style. However, the major disadvantage is the fact that you must climb multiple sets of stairs to reach each individual level of the home. Anything you do on any floor of a split-level home will affect the other floors. Another advantage is having the front door be level with the sidewalk outside. This is a split-level home, so there were limited aesthetic options in the entryway. Bathroom closets are often catch-alls for anything and everything remotely related to self-care. With a split-level house, you could have at least three bedrooms and still have plenty of space for backyard recreation. The main level is street level so there is no need to be climbing up or down stairs with groceries etc. Taken fromhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKS8AnI6Ahk. Our primary goal was to re-imagine the main level of the home and create an open flow between the space. Thoughtful updates, such as a cedar shake roof, an expansive dormer, and a glass-panel front door, transformed the home's previously lackluster exterior. 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. Clever: Are Those Commission Savings Legit? Convert Ranch Into Split-level Ranch (Left side of house raised) Convert Ranch Into Split-level Ranch (Middle portion of house raised) Convert Ranch Into Colonial Convert Ranch Into Split-level (Do's & Don'ts) Add Rear Bathroom Dormer to Cape Convert Cape to Colonial (Cantilevered) Add Full Rear Dormer to Cape with Dog House Dormers 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. 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. This is partially because they are seen as being out of date. For now, they are also quite affordably priced. We converted the original garage into a lovely little living room with a cozy fireplace. We wont keep you guessing for so long you can make additions to a split-level home, despite the space constraints. 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. 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. Updating the siding, materials used in the lower faade, or simply giving it a fresh paint job are some of the easiest ways to renovate a split-level home, but can also make a big impact. The reason is to prevent on-foot postal carriers from having to climb stairs to deliver the mail. Je peux rejeter les cookies non essentiels en cliquant sur Grer mes prfrences . 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. Thats some Brady Bunch vibes you have going on there. Or, maybe youre considering one of many types of split-level homes. Back additions are also generally cheaper than top level additions to a tri-level home. Ryan Womeldorf has more than a decade of experience writing. Split-level homes also provide more outside space. The exterior can have a look that might be considered dated. With proper drainage, you can keep the yard dry and clean, making it more appealing for potential suitors. 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. 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. Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you. 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. We are continuously working to improve the accessibility of our web experience for everyone, and we welcome feedback and accommodation requests. 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. 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. 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. 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. Moving your furniture around to change the look of your home is usually the first step many homeowners make. Please switch to a supported browser or download one of our Mobile Apps. 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. 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. Snow can pile up, causing damage and its harder for rain to drain off. Your link to How To Organize A Bathroom Closet. Garage doors are often taken for granted. 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. 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 means youll have to climb multiple stairs in order to do your laundry in your own home. That's not usually a good thing. The classic faade of a split-level home is very simple. 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. . Consider these options for altering the exterior: This isnt as simple as yes or no. 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. For people that have trouble making it up and down the stairs, the ranch style is ideal. On our website, we have been getting many hits and search querys every month concerning split level renovations. The front yard tree was protected and preserved through the construction period. You dont have to concern yourself that much with how it will blend in with the rest of your home, compared to having the additions done at the sides. You should know the various types of split-level homes before you can consider buying or building one of your own. A split foyer actually has a separate section that is on the ground level between the garage and the house. Raised ranch homes flip the expected configuration upside-down. 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. Exterior accessories such as light fixtures and house numbers can make a huge difference. Perhaps youve got your heart set on a modern, contemporary, or even a Colonial-style home. Whereas, with split-level homes, theres usually a one-story section that connects to a two-story section instead of being right on top of each other. Whats most important is that your home works the best for you. In these instances, the floor plan will usually be designed by an architect to suit the specific topography of the lot. 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. You can use plants, tall furniture, and decorative partitions. Used under license. A perfectly remodeled home involves not just the inside but also the outside. Similar to a side split home, back split houses are divided into multiple levels. Our specialists are currently reviewing your case and will get back to you shortly. Refer to diagram below. This is in place of having to excavate bedrock to build a basement on a single-level home. Construction by CG&S Design-Build. We have an office that is the envy of the neighborhood. link to What Kind Of Paint For Garage Walls. The second exterior wall surface, which can make a huge impact and is easily retrofitted, is a natural stone of some sort. Whats not to love about a split-level home? With recessed lighting, you can even highlight the best features in each of the different rooms. 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. The more steps you have, the more difficult snow removal is going to be in the winter months. The advantage to split entry houses is the spacious design that offers plenty of room for larger families or those who entertain often. Oftentimes, this floor will have a bedroom, bathroom, and possibly a laundry room. None have been built since the late 1970s. 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. Many saw what was happening as a devaluation of human labor and an emphasis on mass production rather than individualism and hand-crafted items. Photo and copyright by Renovation Design Group. 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.