The ranch has no stairs, the entire house is on one level. This question is important and your answer will serve as your guide when it comes to updating your home. You'll usually find the bedrooms stacked above the foyer with stairs coming off the kitchen or dining room. Garage doors are often taken for granted. Light colored paint will reflect light better and gives a brighter feel to the interiors of any home. 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 . The master bathroom aesthetic quickly became all about the textures. None have been built since the late 1970s. Maximize this by getting larger windows for your home to allow more light inside your home during the day. You can add a number of design elements, such as siding, tiles, wood, stone, and other decorative pieces to give it a new look. 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. With standard split homes, inhabitants and visitors enter the house from the ground level. The aesthetic lends itself to an imaginative use of color, glass and circles. 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 scope also included the living and dining rooms, plus the front entry and stairwell. As prices in close-in suburbs inch toward the stratosphere, split-levels are often the only house types left that younger buyers can afford. Consider installing solar lights on your property, particularly along the path leading to the main entrance of your home. In these instances, the floor plan will usually be designed by an architect to suit the specific topography of the lot. 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. 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. But times have changed, and modern garage door designs can transform the look of the front of your home. These are just a few ideas, and you can use them as a simple spark of design inspiration to get you going. ton of options for the open space in the middle. Use landscaping to your advantage. This may involve a major structural overhaul, but its worth considering. Conversely, you can consider adding in a window or two to really allow more natural light to permeate the space. It may be a bit more difficult but it is definitely doable. Split-levels are cool on the inside. What Companies Offer the Lowest Real Estate Fees? Just because updating or remodeling this type of home is challenging doesnt mean it is impossible. They feature a prominent front door, medium roofing lines for drainage and. For now, they are also quite affordably priced. But the good news is that there are plenty of methods for bringing a more modern aesthetic to your split-level home. A split foyer actually has a separate section that is on the ground level between the garage and the house. Consider casement windows, which feature cranks and swing out to open up. 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. Aside from these two requirements, the design work involved aesthetics: enhancing the front faade with a modern architecture and high quality materials. 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. 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. Brokerage. It packs a large amount of square footage into a relatively small footprint, something growing families appreciate. And voila! 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. 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. After all, this is what split-level homes are known for. Here youll typically find the living room, dining room, kitchen, and possibly a bathroom. 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. 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. The bedrooms would be upstairs, and the basement or garage would go down. Bi-levels were popular in the era of splits, as developers would offer new homes in four configurations: colonials, splits, bi-levels or ranches. What made this transformation was raising the entrance to the main level, building out the attic space for an added level, and relocating the staircase to access all 3 levels. Whereas, the upper level will have a dining room, living room, and kitchen on one side and more bathrooms and bedrooms on the other. But dont worry, there are ways that you can transform the space without having to tear the walls down (but you can do that if you want). He's an authority on the Florida real estate market, as well as selling a house by owner. It also doesnt hurt to make sure that the gardening is tended. Split-level homes can feel dated. The landing is presented upon entering and the choice to go up or down stairs must be made immediately. Brick steps lined with lush landscaping beckon guests toward the entrance. The warm walnut vanity and touches of brass cozy up the space and relate with the feel of the rest of the home. The exterior can have a look that might be considered dated. 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. Lighting is one of the most important features in just about any home layout. Add a Floor with a Second Story Addition - SimplyAdditions.com Zillow (Canada), Inc. holds real estate brokerage licenses in multiple provinces. 442-H New York Standard Operating Procedures New York Fair Housing NoticeTREC: Information about brokerage services, Consumer protection noticeCalifornia DRE #1522444Contact Zillow, Inc. Making the lights more uniform and using a warmer paint color also made it look more inviting. Foyers in split-level homes typically contain the linen closets, coat racks, and other storage. You actually get 3 levels for living space so you really get a sense of depth being in the house. The Raised Ranch: Living at the Top of the Stairs - Contractor Quotes 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. Our primary goal was to re-imagine the main level of the home and create an open flow between the space. Split-level remodel: exterior lighting. Updating a tri-level home is not a project that you can just DIY your way to completion. bryan@jonespierce.com. After all, you dont have to spend a single cent for it. A split-level home already has the structural breaks that make this kind of mix look perfect. The second exterior wall surface, which can make a huge impact and is easily retrofitted, is a natural stone of some sort. Rooms on the lower level are usually garages, dens, playrooms, and other informal living spaces. This open-plan layout made the space look a lot bigger. 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. Mid-Century Modern Split-Level Exterior Home Ideas - Houzz 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. The addition of Colonial-style features, from the cupola on the garage roof to the dramatic front porch supported by traditional columns, lends antique intrigue . Split Levels and Split Foyers became popular in the United States in the 1970s. Here is more info about both split levels and colonial homes, and the pros and cons of each. However, this staggered design is not ideal for the elderly or individuals with disabilities. The most significant change done to this space is removing the small room in the middle of the floor that housed the kitchen. You can use this hallway as a small mudroom and storage space for stuff you usually take with you when you go out. The floor plan is generally a story and which is popular everybody loves a big deep front porch. The separation of the floors means that youll be less likely to be awakened by the sounds happening on the lower levels. 12 /18. This information makes it easier to coordinate with pros. 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. Magazine pictures of modern homes tend to make them look almost sterile; recessed lighting offers more light without it becoming impractical. 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. Despite all that youve read about them being outdated, split-level houses do have some positives to them. Noticing a theme yet? You can also turn it into your home office and place all your filing cabinets, bookcase, and other similar items there. The content on this site is not intended to provide legal, financial or real estate advice. There are 6 main split-level house designs, including standard-split, split-foyer, stacked-split, split-entry, back-split, and side-split. The first staircase that leads downwards goes to either the basement or some other type of informal living space. 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! There is also hardly any room for experimentation when it comes to remodeling a tri-level home. 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. How to Modernize a Split-Level Home to Match Your Style - Neighborly Most types of split-level houses will feature several staircases that lead to the different levels of the house. Colonial Home Style The colonial style is associated with the style of building used from the 17th to the 19th century, particularly in colonial America. But you might be struggling to figure out what kind of paint to use on garage walls. 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. 7 Extraordinary Split Level House Remodel Before and - JimenezPhoto At twilight the house comes aglow with warmth. Balodemas said real estate developers saw them as a way. The exterior of a split-level home is whats giving away its age. Unlike standard split homes, there isnt a functioning middle level with split foyer houses. In this idea, you must pay more attention to the front door of the house. This type of construction is very common among townhouses. Contrast is key for on-trend style. [Dining Room] Oftentimes, this floor will have a bedroom, bathroom, and possibly a laundry room. Homes with two stories, or two-story homes, are built with one floor right above the other. The functionality and cost-efficiency of split-level homes made it a hit for families that prioritize practicality over aesthetics. The lower level, on the other hand, has lower ceilings and is partly below ground level. Art Deco has a cool, interesting style that sets it apart from other homes. Another advantage is having the front door be level with the sidewalk outside. The old backyard used to have some trellis installed and the entire garden looked unkempt. The classic faade of a split-level home is very simple. Split level homes have a bit of an outdated look to them that has fallen out of favor in the ultra-modern or ultra-rustic home landscape. To make it easier, we have put them under categories, depending on the issue you want to address. 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. If you come across an early cape it might seem a bit utilitarian on the inside but thats an easy fix with a little charm! Split Foyer Conversion to Two Story Exterior 16,244 views Oct 26, 2018 60 Dislike Share Save owingsbrothers 222 subscribers This Plain Jane split foyer was given more than a facelift, it was. Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, Tudor, Cape Cod . 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. With some fresh mulch and flowers, it can provide that freshness that can elevate any home. #OvercomingObstaclesScholarship: Lets Put Mental Health on the Agenda and Change the Narrative on Social Media Together! Painted a crisp shade of white with black trim details, the home now boasts modern farmhouse style. There is typically a short section of stairs that then leads to the other sections of the home. Each style has unique features, but all split-level houses consist of multiple floors connected by short flights of stairs. . However, most of these homes were built on the cheap. There is a wonderful separation of space going on in the split level thanks to the small staircaseswhich are half of what it would be for a true 2 story. And if those are no longer in production, good luck with how youre going to make it blend in with the rest of your home. 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. Garage doors are clad in metal. Modern home styles are generally made up of two surface types. Split-level homes are built in a simple style that lends itself well to many different appearances: Tudor, Victorian and ranch. We will not contact you with anything else. Your Do You Need an Addition or Remodel Contractor? Split foyer to French colonial. Again, split-level homes tend to struggle with natural lighting. The lot needs to have a certain slope for the split level style to work. Now we know why Art Deco is popular in Miami! This is the photo of the residence building before undergoing the remodeling process. You can also lengthen the front stoop of your main entryway by increasing the size of your entryways canopy or roof. Copyright 2023 Real Estate Witch The home will include many sets of stairs, or in some cases, just a couple of steps, but the entry is generally at ground level. From cramped split-level to a generously apportioned neoclassical 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. The predominant surface is generally smooth and clean. With a split-level house, you could have at least three bedrooms and still have plenty of space for backyard recreation. Modern home designs tend to focus on lighting details. You can make changes to your existing landscaping, or create one if you currently dont have any. 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. 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. 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. This is a stark contrast to homes that do not make use of this style, since their floors are independent of each other. Many see this design as being very impractical, considering all the stairs you have to climb in order to access various areas of the home. Most of the time, they are downright ugly. The colonial style is associated with the style of building used from the 17th to the 19th century, particularly in colonial America. Split entry homes have, as the name suggests, an entry that is between floors. 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. Because of all these inconveniences, consider scheduling the work at a period when its effects on your household will be most minimal. One reason for its popularity was the competitive cost in comparison to the rancher design being built at that time. Houzz Pro: One simple solution for contractors and design pros, Split-Level Main Floor Remodel in West Seattle. Planters surrounding the home are made from raw sheet steel. This allows you to adjust the temperatures separately to even them out. Opting for a split-level house on a property like this allows the contractor to adjust the foundation according to the lot. 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. It can be difficult to downsize and there are challenges with smaller spaces ,storage etc. | All rights reserved. Pin on House Ideas - Pinterest Contractors are updated with the cost of most construction materials, which makes setting a budget for your project much easier. Clever: Are Those Commission Savings Legit? Whether youre looking to buy or build a home from scratch, you likely have a specific architectural style in mind. 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. Read more, Your email address will not be published. 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. That can help you save on electric costs over time. 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. When you open the front door, you are led to a distinct foyer or entry space. It is for information purposes only, and any links provided are for the user's convenience. New columns replicate the original style, so the addition looks like it's always been there. 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. Not to mention, the steps can be a problem for elderly visitors or even simply carrying the groceries inside. 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. Design-wise, it is also much easier for you to work with new home additions that are placed at the back. Weve been getting a lot of questions on this so we figured we would dive and and provide the definitive guide on home styles and how each style affects the livability, aesthetics, and the cost to make changes / additions to each style. The front yard tree was protected and preserved through the construction period. Not only that, but those closed off, separated rooms can bring with it a claustrophobic feel. Drawbacks of Art DecoIn some parts of the country flat roofs can be a problem and need continual maintenance. 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. What's the difference between a colonial, split, bi-level, ranch and 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. Fixed glass is another very modern type of window, but it wont work for bedrooms that require an emergency escape and ventilation. 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. Moreover, the proper windows can play an integral role in the energy-efficiency of your home. Refer to diagram below. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. In todays world many people find the formal areas of a colonial to be a waste of space. These give an illusion that the areas in the open space still have divisions that separate them. The original 1950s split level was expanded and completely reworked. Bathroom closets are often catch-alls for anything and everything remotely related to self-care. The interior spaces flow. Many saw what was happening as a devaluation of human labor and an emphasis on mass production rather than individualism and hand-crafted items. Updating the look and feel of your home, including the appliances like those in the kitchen above, will dramatically change the interiors. The Difference Between Raised Ranch and Split-Level 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. This is partially because they are seen as being out of date. Placement of the family room, kitchen, dining room, bedrooms, and bathrooms can all vary in this style. Now that we are living in them, what are some split level strategies that we can use to improve the experience. Taken fromhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKS8AnI6Ahk. Sadly, youre limited to these three choices. The types of siding that are typical on this style are generally wood and high maintenance,it can be replaced with hardy board which is less maintenance. 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. I've evolved this design to where the center pullout and adjacent shelves can be adjusted up or down. More information Look for ideas in your neighborhood. You can use plants, tall furniture, and decorative partitions. The major disadvantage to split-level homes is the staircases that youll have to climb.