Connect with top-rated agents near you and save thousands on commission fees. Drawbacks of Art DecoIn some parts of the country flat roofs can be a problem and need continual maintenance. A common configuration is having the first stairs from the entryway leading to the dining room or kitchen. You can divert and make your main door or entryway as the focal point of your faade by installing an eye-catching front entry. These types of homes became less popular with time, and, at one point, were virtually unwanted on the real estate market. He's an authority on the Florida real estate market, as well as selling a house by owner. Using a solid paint color ended up making the entire room look a lot more spacious than when wallpaper was used. 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". Thoughtful updates, such as a cedar shake roof, an expansive dormer, and a glass-panel front door, transformed the home's previously lackluster exterior. Split-level exteriors tend to be a bit bland. It is for information purposes only, and any links provided are for the user's convenience. While split level homes can be gorgeous, with their high ceilings and efficient use of space, they can also seem outdated and not reflect your unique taste in design. 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. Whereas, the upper level will have a dining room, living room, and kitchen on one side and more bathrooms and bedrooms on the other. Recessed lighting, also known as can lights, can be an excellent addition to ergonomic, modern kitchens. Now, lets take a more comprehensive look at the pros and cons of the split-level architectural style as a whole. The bedrooms are usually situated right above the foyer. Consider casement windows, which feature cranks and swing out to open up. 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. Bryan Jones, Principal Jones Pierce Inc. An Atlanta based Architectural firm specializing in custom home transformations and custom retirement homes in fun places. Raised ranch homes flip the expected configuration upside-down. Facing a set of steps every time you enter your house can get old, especially when you are doing stuff like bringing groceries in the house. 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. 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! The more steps you have, the more difficult snow removal is going to be in the winter months. Meanwhile, the topmost level is where all of the bedrooms and bathrooms are. We continued the warm wood touches into the master bedroom, but went for a rich accent wall that elevated the sophistication level and sets this space apart. Exterior update of a split entry, two level home with board and batten, brick wainscot, and white trim. The raised ranch introduces some stair climbing into the mix. Light can be the biggest factor in transforming a split-level home from an outdated space into one that looks fresh and modern. The major disadvantage to split-level homes is the staircases that youll have to climb. 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. The master bathroom aesthetic quickly became all about the textures. Garage doors are often taken for granted. To remedy this without putting up walls, visual breaks can be used. 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. While some styles create space with doors, the colonial does it with staircase. As prices in close-in suburbs inch toward the stratosphere, split-levels are often the only house types left that younger buyers can afford. We wont keep you guessing for so long you can make additions to a split-level home, despite the space constraints. One of the biggest issues plaguing split-level homes is that water can pool up at the lower points of the house. Split entry homes have, as the name suggests, an entry that is between floors. Here are some concepts and ideas you can use for your own home. 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. A very simple way of updating the look of a traditional split-level is to add some bling to the design. In most cases, the bottom level is a garage, a den, a playroom, a recreation room, or other informal living areas. A split foyer actually has a separate section that is on the ground level between the garage and the house. Skylights allow for natural, warm lighting to permeate the room. With a regular split-level, when you enter, you can either go up or down. 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. 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. 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. Breathe new life into a dated split-level with these tips you have more options than you might think! Back additions are also generally cheaper than top level additions to a tri-level home. Plants and trees will help balance the overall look of your home and make it look much more even. You just have less freedom to do whatever you want with it and you need to generally work with whats already there. You can also use sliding glass doors instead of a wooden door. 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. After all, you dont have to spend a single cent for it. It also doesnt hurt to make sure that the gardening is tended. Garage doors are clad in metal. There is a large chimney in the center of the house used to keep the home warm during the harsh northeastern winters. For example, the laundry room will most likely be on a different floor than the bedrooms and bathrooms. And voila! Now we know why Art Deco is popular in Miami! Split-level homes are certainly making a comeback, but its important to choose the type of split-level that works best for you and your lifestyle. 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. 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. You should know the various types of split-level homes before you can consider buying or building one of your own. Taken fromhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HE7jN7ofmeI. The number of steps can range from as little as two to more than eight. We have an office that is the envy of the neighborhood. The dated kitchen plus both small main and master bathrooms were remodeled. Then, the stairs off of this room lead to the bedrooms that are stacked atop the foyer. 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. 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. The French, Spanish, German, and Colonial Georgian are all sub types of this once dominant architectural style. Modern floor plans put an emphasis on open space to make the entire area seem bigger while also granting more freedom for the homeowner to decorate. The classic faade of a split-level home is very simple. 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. Bi-levels were popular in the era of splits, as developers would offer new homes in four configurations: colonials, splits, bi-levels or ranches. A front porch was added, siding and stone are new, as are all the windows. Bathroom closets are often catch-alls for anything and everything remotely related to self-care. With a sultry black hex on the floor and a dimensional geometric tile on the walls we set the stage for a calm space. | All rights reserved. The second exterior wall surface, which can make a huge impact and is easily retrofitted, is a natural stone of some sort. 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. You can choose from stacked-split, split-foyer, split-entry, back-split, standard-split, or side-split. This way, you can maximize the space by adjusting the alignment of furniture and fixtures. You'll usually find the bedrooms stacked above the foyer with stairs coming off the kitchen or dining room. However, there are major differences between these two home styles. Pruning the trees, trimming and planting the same type of grass on empty spots on the ground, and removing the installed trellis instantly transformed the entire backyard, making it look a lot brighter. 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. Lighting is one of the most important features in just about any home layout. The homeowners are enthusiasts of residential modern architecture and wanted to update their 1960s split-foyer home with a modern design. You can also have skylights placed on the section of your roof directly above your living space or bedrooms. Renovated Split Level Home in Salt Lake City. Therefore, we thought it would be a good time to revisit strategies to turn the split level monster into a piece of architecture. Also, your current foundations wont have to support the additional weight, because these additions will have their own foundations. If you can, taking a wall or two out is a great way to open up what is largely an enclosed space. Generally speaking, a split-level has a kitchen, a main entry, and the living room on the main level. You can also make use of that list as an inspiration for your project. 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. 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. Always consider even the most extreme ideas if youre planning to be in the home for a long time. Give them the option of fixing up a six-story home or a split-level home, and they will more than likely choose to work on the six-story home instead. What Companies Offer the Lowest Real Estate Fees? 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. Split-level homes, also known as bi-level or divided-entry homes, are a very American home style. Lets explore the numerous variations of this ubiquitous architectural style. Make no mistake, retro is chic but split-level homes, to many, are still out of style. Your old garage can be converted into any living space you want. 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. The L shaped ranch is a great way to incorporate a garage into the house plans. Even better, that natural light will light up just about every corner of the room. This Plain Jane split foyer was given more than a facelift, it was given a whole new second-floor by constructing an addition changing its style to a Colonial. 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. 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. 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). Photo: Robert Braddock. In some places, homeowners with exterior steps will install a mailbox at street level. 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. Read This Before You Pay For a Flat Fee MLS Service. If you have any bedrooms not in use, transform them into one big storage room. The old backyard used to have some trellis installed and the entire garden looked unkempt. [Living Room] This way, the new addition is not that visible from the front of your home. Your email address will not be published. This results in a stark contrast, especially when the differences are very obvious. The lot needs to have a certain slope for the split level style to work. It can be difficult to downsize and there are challenges with smaller spaces ,storage etc. 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. Our specialists are currently reviewing your case and will get back to you shortly. Why do you want to do a renovation of your split-level home? Placement of the family room, kitchen, dining room, bedrooms, and bathrooms can all vary in this style. Get Ready to Have No-Obligation Talks With Contractors, 2023 All rights Reserved Contractor QuotesDeveloped By ITVolcano. Opting for a split-level house on a property like this allows the contractor to adjust the foundation according to the lot. The craftsman style home was born out of a reaction to the industrial revolution. Just because updating or remodeling this type of home is challenging doesnt mean it is impossible. There are also one or two chimneys (remember in the old days how they kept the place warm). My standard corner with 28"-deep diagonal pullouts. We can help you out with that! Bathroom closets are often catch-alls for anything and everything remotely related to self-care. Dont be intimidated by the challenge of remodeling a split-level home it is absolutely doable, even with a small budget. This can be confusing to those who dont know the difference. No matter which you choose, youll get multiple levels connected by short flights of stairs, but each style has unique features. Moreover, it presents serious challenges when it comes to renovating the entire space. Whats most important is that your home works the best for you. Most types of split-level houses will feature several staircases that lead to the different levels of the house. Updating the landscaping, as well as the entire faade, worked wonders for it. Colonial Homes A typical colonial style home. Use landscaping to your advantage. We utilized clean white cabinets around the perimeter of the kitchen and popped the island with a spunky shade of blue. 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. Our primary goal was to re-imagine the main level of the home and create an open flow between the space. You can certainly look on the bright side and see it as an opportunity to get more exercise in your home. 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. 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. To put it simply, the split-level home is a design from the 1950s. One of the best ways to modernize a split-level home is to avoid a roof color that's too light or too close to the house color. If your split-level features garage doors that face the street, they may represent your easiest and best option for modernization. In most cases, the garage will sit on the ground level and the bedroom area will be stacked above it. Zillow, Inc. holds real estate brokerage licenses in multiple states. Brokerage. We removed two walls to open up this kitchen to the adjacent dining and family room area in this classic Split Level style home. Stacked split-level. 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. Do you now have at least a vague idea of what kind of remodeling you should do to your home? Brick steps lined with lush landscaping beckon guests toward the entrance. Again, split-level homes tend to struggle with natural lighting. You can still see the garage, main level, and upper/lower split on the right. He loves to blog about construction, plumbing, and other home topics. 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. You may be used to shoveling the driveway, imagine if you had to add your roof to the list of items to shovel. Foyers in split-level homes typically contain the linen closets, coat racks, and other storage. To even out the temperature all over your home, you can get furnace fans installed and get them to run at a low setting. Tri-level homes usually have small hallways that connect the garage and the main living space. What makes split-level homes a pain to transform is because of the limits involved. Here youll typically find the living room, dining room, kitchen, and possibly a bathroom. One of the major concepts of the modern home is that it has an open floor plan. Due to the complexity of this type of home, acquiring the services of a professional or two is often the wisest choice you can make in this aspect. 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. Try painting the front door to something fresh with a pop of color involved. On the other hand, bi-level houses have two levels that are accessed via a common entrance between the floors. Now that we are living in them, what are some split level strategies that we can use to improve the experience. Split-levels are cool on the inside. Taken fromhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKS8AnI6Ahk. The familys living quarters are located on the main floor, on the other side of the house. 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). A cottage is typically a one bedroom dwelling meant for travelers or people on vacation.