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. Houzz Pro: One simple solution for contractors and design pros, Split-Level Main Floor Remodel in West Seattle. 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. We added a new garage, laundry, master bedroom and bath and 1/2 guest bath on that same level. Moreover, the proper windows can play an integral role in the energy-efficiency of your home. Many homeowners concentrate on remodeling the inside of their home and neglect to work on the exteriors as well. Using a solid paint color ended up making the entire room look a lot more spacious than when wallpaper was used. Comments (39) Oh, we added 1100 sq ft. We converted the old garage into the living room, moved the front door, made the old living room into the dining room, opened everything up and gutted the kitchen. 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. 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. [Our Clients] The short answer is that, yes, you can convert a split-level to open up the home and make it feel more modern. The U shaped ranch gives you a ton of options for the open space in the middleyou can put a pool, front porch or a courtyard area there. Not to mention, the steps can be a problem for elderly visitors or even simply carrying the groceries inside. Garage doors are often taken for granted. 11 of 68 link to What Kind Of Paint For Garage Walls. The homeowners are enthusiasts of residential modern architecture and wanted to update their 1960s split-foyer home with a modern design. Split-level homes are great for those who want to conserve the space on their property, without sacrificing room inside of the home. Drawbacks of Art DecoIn some parts of the country flat roofs can be a problem and need continual maintenance. 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. Step inside the house and youll see polished flooring, shiny appliances, freshly-painted walls, and so much more. On the other hand, this is not something you can do with split-level homes. 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. 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. 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. They first became popular in the 1940s and 50s as soldiers returned home and demand for suburban houses was high. Even better, that natural light will light up just about every corner of the room. Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you. That allows for expansive decks to be put on or to simply enjoy the extra yard space for kids and pets. Ranches tend to be easier to maintainparticularly on the outside. bryan@jonespierce.com. 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. [Dining Room] It is fairly easy to spot most split-level homes from the outside, as they seem to be half a two-story home and half a bungalow or ranch-style home that are combined to form a single house. We utilized clean white cabinets around the perimeter of the kitchen and popped the island with a spunky shade of blue. The dated kitchen plus both small main and master bathrooms were remodeled. You actually get 3 levels for living space so you really get a sense of depth being in the house. Because of all these inconveniences, consider scheduling the work at a period when its effects on your household will be most minimal. 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. The lights will stay relatively hidden and wont become a distraction, either. If you have a bigger budget, you can actually expand your home through the back. Again, the main advantage to this type of split level is the fact that there arent a ton of staircases that separate the floors. Bryan Jones, Principal Jones Pierce Inc. An Atlanta based Architectural firm specializing in custom home transformations and custom retirement homes in fun places. The Colonial-style renovation upgraded the plain portico into a spacious covered porch, which allows room for plenty of outdoor furniture. 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. Always consider even the most extreme ideas if youre planning to be in the home for a long time. You can use the following materials or do the following to make noticeable changes outside, while looking neutral enough to complement everything else: If you recall, we made a list of remodeling ideas for the faade and front entry in an earlier section. What Companies Offer the Lowest Real Estate Fees? [Living Room] You can also use sliding glass doors instead of a wooden door. 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. The problem is that it may not be the easiest of plans to execute. If you are still stumped but updating your home is something that excites you, visuals might help you picture out what you can do. Jessica considers herself a home improvement and design enthusiast. It packs a large amount of square footage into a relatively small footprint, something growing families appreciate. The three resulting levels connect with staggering staircases. The kitchen and dining room are on a separate floor from both the bedrooms and living room. 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. Modern home designs tend to focus on lighting details. 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. To the right of the front door is a tiny window allowing peek-a-boo views of guest arrivals from inside the daughter's closet. 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. Living Rm & Foyer Before Building Up Front Door Raised Lower Level Transformed The lower level of this 1970's split foyer consisted of a bedroom, dated laundry/kitchen area, storage, and family room. Fixed glass is another very modern type of window, but it wont work for bedrooms that require an emergency escape and ventilation. Split-level homes also provide more outside space. 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. Balodemas said real estate developers saw them as a way. Aside from these two requirements, the design work involved aesthetics: enhancing the front faade with a modern architecture and high quality materials. 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. 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. Ryan also loves hockey and a lifelong Buffalo sports fan. Split-levels are cool on the inside. The style is not quite old enough to be considered a classic, but is no longer modern. 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. This browser is no longer supported. It also helps to ensure that the drainage is properly taken care of. And if you want to take it to the next level, does the KonMari method ring a bell? You are generally stuck with their traditional layout. Please switch to a supported browser or download one of our Mobile Apps. We converted the original garage into a lovely little living room with a cozy fireplace. If youve seen one, youve seen them all. 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. 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. 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. Photo Credit: Mid-Century Split Level Addition/Whole House Remodel, Front Yard My standard corner with 28"-deep diagonal pullouts. Maximize this by getting larger windows for your home to allow more light inside your home during the day. To recap, split-level homes have three distinct levels that are accessed via short sets of stairs. Try taking out some of the interior walls wherever possible. Lets take a look at a few of the primary changes you might make to create a modern masterpiece from the average split-level home. Browse through the largest collection of home design ideas for every room in your home. Have questions about buying, selling or renting during COVID-19? 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. This type of construction is very common among townhouses. 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. 05 of 22 Beautiful Colonial Home Renovation All rights reserved. The scope also included the living and dining rooms, plus the front entry and stairwell. Open front porches and stone features are common on the craftsman. You need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and make final decisions before the work starts. Glass is known to let in more light, and this allows you to save on electricity. 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. For first-time homebuyers, that can mean a more realistic first-time option. He's an authority on the Florida real estate market, as well as selling a house by owner. It only takes 2 minutes to fill out the form. Bi-Level or Split-Level Remodeling Tips For Homes Built in the 1970s. Contractors are updated with the cost of most construction materials, which makes setting a budget for your project much easier. The split level house design has evolved in the world of production builders following the ranch home. I've evolved this design to where the center pullout and adjacent shelves can be adjusted up or down. Now that we are living in them, what are some split level strategies that we can use to improve the experience. Consider a new roof color. The familys living quarters are located on the main floor, on the other side of the house. Common features of split-level houses include large living areas, low-pitched roofs, and multiple attics with ample storage space. In this idea, you must pay more attention to the front door of the house. Snow can pile up, causing damage and its harder for rain to drain off. Moreover, it presents serious challenges when it comes to renovating the entire space. Noticing a theme yet? The possibilities are endless. Installing glass panes or other decorative elements, especially on the foyer and main entryway, to draw the attention to that part of your home instead of the garage. 10 Things You Need to Do When Buying A Home, 3 Reasons to Live in a New Home Before Renovating, DIY Backyard Fire Pit: Build It in Just 7 Easy Steps, This Checklist Is the Key to Taking Care of Your Home (Without the Stress), How to Actually Afford to Buy a Home in America, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, 442-H New York Standard Operating Procedures. 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". Keep in mind that easiest homes to maintain and make additions to tend to be rancheswhich is why they have become one of the most popular style of home! Your email address will not be published. Consider all of the pros and cons of the different types of split-level homes before making a final decision. Many saw what was happening as a devaluation of human labor and an emphasis on mass production rather than individualism and hand-crafted items. Brokerage. But the good news is that there are plenty of methods for bringing a more modern aesthetic to your split-level home. Although this will lead to inconvenience when moving around your home, you can also get doors placed on each level to maintain the set temperature. A split-level home has a few great places to start. Magazine pictures of modern homes tend to make them look almost sterile; recessed lighting offers more light without it becoming impractical. Add A Level to Convert Ranch to Colonial Convert a Cape or Ranch to Colonial As a general contractor I had the chance to renovate many homes in the lovely state of Connecticut, but nothing beats the wow factor you receive whenever you convert a single story cape or ranch into a beautiful colonial. There is plenty of new storage in this space (that ties in with the kitchen finishes), but the real gem is the reading nook with two of the most comfortable armchairs youve ever sat in. Read This Before You Pay For a Flat Fee MLS Service. This works well if your house has other trappings of colonial style. In most cases, these homes have a garage with the bedrooms situated directly above it on one side of the house. You can also lengthen the front stoop of your main entryway by increasing the size of your entryways canopy or roof. With traditional multilevel homes, you have the freedom to do whatever you want with it. 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.. Renovated Split Level Home in Salt Lake City. You can divert and make your main door or entryway as the focal point of your faade by installing an eye-catching front entry. While some styles create space with doors, the colonial does it with staircase. This 1960s split-level home desperately needed a change - not bigger space, just better. The exterior can have a look that might be considered dated. Tri-level homes usually have small hallways that connect the garage and the main living space. Transfer your coat rack or closet from the landing to the top of the stairs instead, creating room for you to welcome your guests as soon as they step inside. 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. There is also hardly any room for experimentation when it comes to remodeling a tri-level home. 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 . Anything you do on any floor of a split-level home will affect the other floors. Split Levels and Split Foyers became popular in the United States in the 1970s. No matter which you choose, youll get multiple levels connected by short flights of stairs, but each style has unique features. In some parts of the country flat roofs can be a problem and need continual maintenance. 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. You actually get 3 levels for living space so you really get a sense of depth being in the house. Again, split-level homes tend to struggle with natural lighting. LawnStarter Full Review: Is the Uber of Lawn Care Legit? 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. Skylights allow for natural, warm lighting to permeate the room. Before we dive too deeply into the types of split-level homes, its important to know the distinguishing features of split-level houses. If this fits the bill, you can construct a detached garage at the back and use the space on the side as your driveway. Now we know why Art Deco is popular in Miami! This open-plan layout made the space look a lot bigger. They were an off-shoot of the post-war modern movement. You can still see the garage, main level, and upper/lower split on the right. Another great garage door style on a modern home is a wood-look door. The idea with the Split level is that you can accommodate a large family on a modest budget. Renovations are also one of the best times for you to declutter. A new paver pathway, planters, and landscaping add curb appeal. Popularity for the split level style was at its greatest in the 70s after the style was featured as the Brady Bunch home. You can give them a figure and they can suggest materials that can be used for your home to make sure that the cost of materials and labor is well within your preferred budget. However, there are major differences between these two home styles. Photo: Robert Braddock. The Empire State Building is a glowing example of the Art Deco style and its reach for the sky ethos. 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. And voila! Your link to How To Organize A Bathroom Closet. Since tri-level homes generally dont look symmetrical, adding additions to it will be challenging. If there are multiple bedrooms present and you dont need some of them, merge two or more to create a bigger room. For people that have trouble making it up and down the stairs, the ranch style is ideal. You can use this hallway as a small mudroom and storage space for stuff you usually take with you when you go out. The outside of a split-level has a unique look to it and that can be enough to dispel a potential buyer from taking a visit. Whats most important is that your home works the best for you. If you were to view the home from the side or the back, youd be able to see the individual levels of the house. Moving your furniture around to change the look of your home is usually the first step many homeowners make. Bathroom closets are often catch-alls for anything and everything remotely related to self-care. Contrast is key for on-trend style. Taking inspiration from the typical ranch home, split-level homes were designed to maximize the very limited space available in suburban neighborhoods, while being budget-friendly for families to afford or construct. T1-11 siding (plywood sheets with vertical grooves spaced 8 inches apart) is common on the upper levels, and the upper floors tend to be cantilevered out over the structural walls below. 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. The Colonial style is steeped with tradition and has a lot of character on the outside. You can also make use of that list as an inspiration for your project. We will not contact you with anything else. Refer to diagram below. For some, this section seems like wasted space when you can use it as a den or mudroom. Or, maybe youre considering one of many types of split-level homes. Whereas, the upper level will have a dining room, living room, and kitchen on one side and more bathrooms and bedrooms on the other. Although you have limited remodeling options, you can still turn your home into something worthy of a spot in an architecture magazine. 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. However, the major disadvantage is the fact that you must climb multiple sets of stairs to reach each individual level of the home. In most cases, the bottom level is a garage, a den, a playroom, a recreation room, or other informal living areas. Residential inquiries: 404.446.3881 Commercial: 404.446.3882 Contact Us, Split level homes are efficient machines of 60s and 70 living, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window). Split-level homes can feel dated. 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. Wherever possible is important because some of (or all of) those interior walls could have major structural implications on the rest of the home. Using bricks or decorative stones attached to the walls as accents, Adding more windows to balance out the elements of your home. To even out the temperature all over your home, you can get furnace fans installed and get them to run at a low setting. In todays world many people find the formal areas of a colonial to be a waste of space. On the outside, you have paint chipping off, loose steps, landscaping that is in bad shape, the list goes on. The interior spaces flow. You just have less freedom to do whatever you want with it and you need to generally work with whats already there. It is the literal antithesis of the modern floorplan. Clever: Are Those Commission Savings Legit? If your home doesnt have windows on the sides, which is typical to this type, get them installed as well. But again, you need to visualize how the exterior will connect to and complement whats inside your home, including the functions of each level. So, that means sprucing up the curb appeal becomes important. Placement of the family room, kitchen, dining room, bedrooms, and bathrooms can all vary in this style. And thats probably because so many of them were built during the 1970s. 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 This may involve a major structural overhaul, but its worth considering. 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. 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. Snow can pile up, causing damage and its harder for rain to drain off. Copyright 2023 Real Estate Witch This makes the entryway quite narrow and the easiest solution is to move the storage somewhere else. Benefits 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. 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. Here youll typically find the living room, dining room, kitchen, and possibly a bathroom. But times have changed, and modern garage door designs can transform the look of the front of your home. Dont let the limited space of a split-level home hinder you from making all sorts of additions to your home. With a split-level house, you could have at least three bedrooms and still have plenty of space for backyard recreation. Our primary goal was to re-imagine the main level of the home and create an open flow between the space. 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. Given the limited space that split-level homes are known for, you might wonder if expansion is possible at all. With standard split homes, inhabitants and visitors enter the house from the ground level. The colonial style is associated with the style of building used from the 17th to the 19th century, particularly in colonial America. Split-level homes are built in a simple style that lends itself well to many different appearances: Tudor, Victorian and ranch.