What makes split-level homes a pain to transform is because of the limits involved. You can use our list to help you make sure that your remodeling project will be a resounding success. He's an authority on the Florida real estate market, as well as selling a house by owner. You can find the majority of colonial style houses in the northeastern and southern U.S. 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. It only takes 2 minutes to fill out the form. This is a stark contrast to homes that do not make use of this style, since their floors are independent of each other. He loves to blog about construction, plumbing, and other home topics. But on the other hand, this may not be enough to make significant changes to your home. The scope also included the living and dining rooms, plus the front entry and stairwell. New columns replicate the original style, so the addition looks like it's always been there. Even better, that natural light will light up just about every corner of the room. In Miamis South Beach, the Art Deco style saw a resurgence in the 1980s with pastel colors. Again, split-level homes tend to struggle with natural lighting. That pop of color can give the right contrast to the rest of the home to make it stand out in a positive way. 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. You just have less freedom to do whatever you want with it and you need to generally work with whats already there. Windows can look simple at first glance, but they actually play a major role in the entire feel of the home. Consider this if you are more concerned about maintaining an even temperature in your home than the expenses that it can lead to. Glass is known to let in more light, and this allows you to save on electricity. Wherever possible is important because some of (or all of) those interior walls could have major structural implications on the rest of the home. Ryan Womeldorf has more than a decade of experience writing. 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 youre looking for a home with plenty of space for your family and for hosting guests, the stacked split design is an excellent choice. Aside from the differences on the exterior, both back split and side split houses have roughly the same design. A perfectly remodeled home involves not just the inside but also the outside. 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 homeowners are enthusiasts of residential modern architecture and wanted to update their 1960s split-foyer home with a modern design. The classic faade of a split-level home is very simple. But again, you need to visualize how the exterior will connect to and complement whats inside your home, including the functions of each level. 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. This type of split-level house features multiple levels that are visible from the homes exterior. Technically, the term "bi-level home" refers to a house built on two levels, both of which are ground floors. The bedrooms are usually situated right above the foyer. 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 makes the entryway quite narrow and the easiest solution is to move the storage somewhere else. Whether youre looking to buy or build a home from scratch, you likely have a specific architectural style in mind. Using a solid paint color ended up making the entire room look a lot more spacious than when wallpaper was used. 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. They wanted an open, spacious, airy feeling to this floor. In these instances, the floor plan will usually be designed by an architect to suit the specific topography of the lot. Opting for a split-level house on a property like this allows the contractor to adjust the foundation according to the lot. This style of home is good for entertaining,and there is a nice separation of space, which creates a deeper sense of separation. The dining room had once been the homes living room, but we had other plans in mind. Try painting the front door to something fresh with a pop of color involved. Bi-Level or Split-Level Remodeling Tips For Homes Built in the 1970s. Ryan Shaw. The floor tile in this bathroom still makes our hearts skip a beat. Commonly, however, the term is also used to denote split-level homes. All rights reserved. Use landscaping to your advantage. LawnStarter Full Review: Is the Uber of Lawn Care Legit? 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. It is a product that can handle any type of sloping lot and is as efficient as a house can get. Moreover, the proper windows can play an integral role in the energy-efficiency of your home. Another great idea is to replace old windows with newer ones and tearing down some of your interior walls to make space and bring in more natural light. This browser is no longer supported. This is a split-level home, so there were limited aesthetic options in the entryway. Split-level remodel: exterior lighting. 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. The Empire State Building is a glowing example of the Art Deco style and its reach for the sky ethos. However, that was also the time of the post-modern "colonial" movement. Split-levels also showcase natural materials, minimal decorations, and double-hung windows with one large picture window. Although you have limited remodeling options, you can still turn your home into something worthy of a spot in an architecture magazine. Youll want to arm yourself with this information so you can be prepared when flipping through listings. Your garage takes up a lot of frontage, so it's a large portion of your guests' first impression. Popularity for the split level style was at its greatest in the 70s after the style was featured as the Brady Bunch home. 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. 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. This may involve a major structural overhaul, but its worth considering. A split-level home already has the structural breaks that make this kind of mix look perfect. The trend these days is to minimize , and cottages do just thatkeeping heating and cooling costs down and making maintenance chores a breeze. A split foyer actually has a separate section that is on the ground level between the garage and the house. You can use plants, tall furniture, and decorative partitions. People want more bedrooms, more bedrooms, more bedrooms at the expense of the communal space. Used under license. 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. Aside from these two requirements, the design work involved aesthetics: enhancing the front faade with a modern architecture and high quality materials. Unlike traditional home layouts, split-level homes, also referred to as tri-level, feature at least three levels that are connected by stairs. We utilized clean white cabinets around the perimeter of the kitchen and popped the island with a spunky shade of blue. The roof lines create an interesting look and this style never seems to be out-dated. The main level is street level so there is no need to be climbing up or down stairs with groceries etc. The first staircase that leads downwards goes to either the basement or some other type of informal living space. However, this staggered design is not ideal for the elderly or individuals with disabilities. Plants and trees will help balance the overall look of your home and make it look much more even. As a result, their homes look even more unbalanced and the new additions are blatantly obvious not a look you should strive for. We wont keep you guessing for so long you can make additions to a split-level home, despite the space constraints. The idea with the Split level is that you can accommodate a large family on a modest budget. 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! 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. 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. My standard corner with 28"-deep diagonal pullouts. 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. Another advantage is having the front door be level with the sidewalk outside. Drawbacks of Art DecoIn some parts of the country flat roofs can be a problem and need continual maintenance. As a result, everything should be carefully thought out; you have to keep in mind that all the floors are interconnected. This works well if your house has other trappings of colonial style. With proper drainage, you can keep the yard dry and clean, making it more appealing for potential suitors. Moreover, it presents serious challenges when it comes to renovating the entire space. For ranches, this can extend off the main house and connect to a garage that was once completely separate from the rest of the home. A common configuration is having the first stairs from the entryway leading to the dining room or kitchen. Photo Credit: Mid-Century Split Level Addition/Whole House Remodel, Front Yard Lets explore the numerous variations of this ubiquitous architectural style. 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. 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. These give an illusion that the areas in the open space still have divisions that separate them. Your old garage can be converted into any living space you want. To modernize a split-level home you can take action and add some recessed lighting to the first floor, as well as some skylights, throughout the home. Since the house is all on one level, you will need more square footage to get privacy from other household members. With some fresh mulch and flowers, it can provide that freshness that can elevate any home. Even if the contractor promised to deliver the work at a certain time, you still need to make allowances for possible unforeseen delays that may happen. The old backyard used to have some trellis installed and the entire garden looked unkempt. The French, Spanish, German, and Colonial Georgian are all sub types of this once dominant architectural style. Please seek the services of a legal, accounting or real estate professional prior to any real estate transaction. These are just a few ideas, and you can use them as a simple spark of design inspiration to get you going. However, most of these homes were built on the cheap. In most cases, the bottom level is a garage, a den, a playroom, a recreation room, or other informal living areas. Your email address will not be published. Both. Because of all these inconveniences, consider scheduling the work at a period when its effects on your household will be most minimal. This can come in handy for those who want to rent their extra space out for additional income to a potential roommate. 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. Additionally, if you plan on constructing a home on an uneven or hilly property, a split-level home is often the ideal choice. Also, your current foundations wont have to support the additional weight, because these additions will have their own foundations. Since split-level houses are stacked, they dont take up as much yard space and still provide plenty of square footage vertically on the interior. Striking Split-Level. Light can be the biggest factor in transforming a split-level home from an outdated space into one that looks fresh and modern. Recessed lighting, also known as can lights, can be an excellent addition to ergonomic, modern kitchens. One of the major concepts of the modern home is that it has an open floor plan. Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you. 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. After all, you dont have to spend a single cent for it. By even changing out those outdated windows for something modern and new, it can really change the look of the home. 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. Skylights are a great modern addition that can bring a split-level home into the 21st century. [Living Room] Below you can get a better understanding of the different types of split-level homes to help you determine which design is perfect for you. . Thats some Brady Bunch vibes you have going on there. If your home doesnt have windows on the sides, which is typical to this type, get them installed as well. 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 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. Refer to diagram below. 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. Foyers in split-level homes typically contain the linen closets, coat racks, and other storage. And if you want to take it to the next level, does the KonMari method ring a bell? It is not only the planning stage that you need to focus on the execution is equally important. Surprisingly, this style of home was developed not due to aesthetic reasons but out of necessity. That allows for expansive decks to be put on or to simply enjoy the extra yard space for kids and pets. We loved the original built-ins in this space, and knew they needed to always be a part of this house, but these 60-year-old beauties definitely needed a little help. 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. Although only minimal work was done on this home, primarily with a fresh coat of paint and better landscaping, you can see how these seemingly simple works already made a huge difference to it. A split level home is often a great investment, and there are lots of pros to buying one. 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. Over the years and more recently, we, as architects, have been more involved due to the riddle of the split level being so hard to solve. Garage doors are often taken for granted. The major disadvantage to this style of split-level home is the middle area that has no real function at all. 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. If you can, taking a wall or two out is a great way to open up what is largely an enclosed space. Modern home styles are generally made up of two surface types. Please switch to a supported browser or download one of our Mobile Apps. There are also one or two chimneys (remember in the old days how they kept the place warm). Balodemas said real estate developers saw them as a way. The major disadvantage to split-level homes is the staircases that youll have to climb. They first became popular in the 1940s and 50s as soldiers returned home and demand for suburban houses was high. 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. Houzz Pro: One simple solution for contractors and design pros, Split-Level Main Floor Remodel in West Seattle. 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. It is not Zillow's intention to solicit or interfere with any established agency relationship you may have with a real estate professional. Fixed glass is another very modern type of window, but it wont work for bedrooms that require an emergency escape and ventilation. 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. A little leeway may be unavoidable, such as changing the color scheme and tiles halfway, but changing your mind about big things, such as building a new wall in the same spot where an old one was removed, would mean wasted resources, especially money. 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. 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. You can certainly look on the bright side and see it as an opportunity to get more exercise in your home. With a sultry black hex on the floor and a dimensional geometric tile on the walls we set the stage for a calm space. But a few simple modifications can transform them, making them one of the best fixer-upper options. You may be used to shoveling the driveway, imagine if you had to add your roof to the list of items to shovel. Open front porches and stone features are common on the craftsman. There are 6 main split-level house designs, including standard-split, split-foyer, stacked-split, split-entry, back-split, and side-split. 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. Brokerage. Another reason why these types of houses are desirable to homeowners is that the layout separates the living area from the sleeping area, offering more privacy. 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. The possibilities are endless. The entrance is a small section that is separate from all the main floors of the home. Aside from the limited space you can work on, from the total space to the narrow hallways and short stairs, you also need to consider the function of every floor and how they would connect to the other floors in terms of their function. Exterior accessories such as light fixtures and house numbers can make a huge difference. Bryan Jones, Principal Jones Pierce Inc. An Atlanta based Architectural firm specializing in custom home transformations and custom retirement homes in fun places. For listings in Canada, the trademarks REALTOR, REALTORS, and the REALTOR logo are controlled by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and identify real estate professionals who are members of CREA. If you were to view the home from the side or the back, youd be able to see the individual levels of the house. Why do you want to do a renovation of your split-level home? 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. Tri-level homes already look unbalanced and adding extensions to its sides makes it look even more unbalanced if not done properly. Therefore, we thought it would be a good time to revisit strategies to turn the split level monster into a piece of architecture. Again, the main advantage to this type of split-level home is the lack of staircases connecting each level of the house. This allows you to adjust the temperatures separately to even them out. Or, maybe youre considering one of many types of split-level homes. The triangular shelves in the corner are quite accessible when the pullouts are extended. I've evolved this design to where the center pullout and adjacent shelves can be adjusted up or down. The colonial style is associated with the style of building used from the 17th to the 19th century, particularly in colonial America. 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 . Because of their design, split-level homes can struggle to get an ample amount of natural light. If possible, have your skylights customized to fit the theme of your home to complement the entire space. Ideal Agent: Learn the Truth About Its 2% Fees. Split-level exteriors tend to be a bit bland. Thoughtful updates, such as a cedar shake roof, an expansive dormer, and a glass-panel front door, transformed the home's previously lackluster exterior. One alternative is to re-do the exterior only; by converting the windows to a traditional colonial style (four upstairs, picture window downstairs). This 1960s split-level home desperately needed a change - not bigger space, just better. 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. Snow can pile up, causing damage and its harder for rain to drain off. These types of homes became less popular with time, and, at one point, were virtually unwanted on the real estate market. Whats most important is that your home works the best for you. You'll usually find the bedrooms stacked above the foyer with stairs coming off the kitchen or dining room. Another common complaint about the ranch style of home is that the outside can tend to have a boring, lackluster appeal. Opendoor: How Much Will It Pay For My Home. Split entry homes have, as the name suggests, an entry that is between floors. Conversely, you can consider adding in a window or two to really allow more natural light to permeate the space. But you might be struggling to figure out what kind of paint to use on garage walls. The original 1950s split level was expanded and completely reworked. 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. The content on this site is not intended to provide legal, financial or real estate advice. 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. Raised ranch homes flip the expected configuration upside-down. Modern home designs tend to focus on lighting details. Perhaps youve got your heart set on a modern, contemporary, or even a Colonial-style home. 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. But if extending your home is not a viable option for you, the next best thing is to gut existing rooms or sections to make certain areas bigger.

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