You can divert and make your main door or entryway as the focal point of your faade by installing an eye-catching front entry. A very simple way of updating the look of a traditional split-level is to add some bling to the design. [Dining Room] In some parts of the country flat roofs can be a problem and need continual maintenance. 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. 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. New columns replicate the original style, so the addition looks like it's always been there. Light can be the biggest factor in transforming a split-level home from an outdated space into one that looks fresh and modern. Try taking out some of the interior walls wherever possible. You dont have to concern yourself that much with how it will blend in with the rest of your home, compared to having the additions done at the sides. 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. Our primary goal was to re-imagine the main level of the home and create an open flow between the space. It is not Zillow's intention to solicit or interfere with any established agency relationship you may have with a real estate professional. There was so much potential in those walls, and we couldnt wait to delve in and start transforming spaces. Its much easier to move things in and out of the house when everything is on one level. That pop of color can give the right contrast to the rest of the home to make it stand out in a positive way. The Straight Ranch, also known as the Rambler is generally the cheapest house to build,also in the ranch family are the L shaped ranch and a U shaped ranch. However, most of these homes were built on the cheap. 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. Aside from these two requirements, the design work involved aesthetics: enhancing the front faade with a modern architecture and high quality materials. Use landscaping to your advantage. The Cape Cod is truly a no frills style home. 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. This type of split-level home boasts four or five levels and numerous sets of stairs. The L shaped ranch is a great way to incorporate a garage into the house plans. So, that means sprucing up the curb appeal becomes important. A common configuration is having the first stairs from the entryway leading to the dining room or kitchen. Any split-level modernization project should look very closely at ways to make those exterior walls smooth. Notice the symmetry and 2 level design. 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! 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. The Colonial style is steeped with tradition and has a lot of character on the outside. Breathe new life into a dated split-level with these tips you have more options than you might think! Look for ideas in your neighborhood. 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. That can help you save on electric costs over time. The entire house was remodeled, plus we designed a screened porch and patio / fire pit for the rear yard. By working with siding styles and stonework, the creative homeowner can transform his bland home into something beautiful. Also, your current foundations wont have to support the additional weight, because these additions will have their own foundations. There is also hardly any room for experimentation when it comes to remodeling a tri-level home. Its also nice if you just prefer to have everything on one level. Brokerage. While we know that the design of a split-level house can vary, many of them will have a set of stairs outside that lead to the front door instead of a flat sidewalk. You need to consider if the changes you plan to make to your home will have a negative impact in terms of your entire homes functionality. The south roof slope of the home hosts a large solar array, barely visible here. Add a deck or patio, or even extend your house if space permits. Consider installing solar lights on your property, particularly along the path leading to the main entrance of your home. If you have a bigger budget, you can actually expand your home through the back. We will not contact you with anything else. Thats some Brady Bunch vibes you have going on there. Split foyer houses have two levels, with two sets of stairs. Split-level exteriors tend to be a bit bland. There are also one or two chimneys (remember in the old days how they kept the place warm). It is a product that can handle any type of sloping lot and is as efficient as a house can get. The Colonial-style renovation upgraded the plain portico into a spacious covered porch, which allows room for plenty of outdoor furniture. Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you. This open-plan layout made the space look a lot bigger. This can be confusing to those who dont know the difference. 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. This not only makes it appear to be larger, but makes it more inviting as well. The raised ranch homes and split levels became popular in the 1960s and apparently, were still being built in the 1980s. Aside from the differences on the exterior, both back split and side split houses have roughly the same design. There are 6 main split-level house designs, including standard-split, split-foyer, stacked-split, split-entry, back-split, and side-split. This browser is no longer supported. Despite all that youve read about them being outdated, split-level houses do have some positives to them. The colonial style is associated with the style of building used from the 17th to the 19th century, particularly in colonial America. People want more bedrooms, more bedrooms, more bedrooms at the expense of the communal space. The classic faade of a split-level home is very simple. 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. Wherever possible is important because some of (or all of) those interior walls could have major structural implications on the rest of the home. The ranch has no stairs, the entire house is on one level. Then, the stairs off of this room lead to the bedrooms that are stacked atop the foyer. With traditional multilevel homes, you have the freedom to do whatever you want with it. Ryan Womeldorf has more than a decade of experience writing. In todays world many people find the formal areas of a colonial to be a waste of space. 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. Windows can look simple at first glance, but they actually play a major role in the entire feel of the home. 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. The homeowners are enthusiasts of residential modern architecture and wanted to update their 1960s split-foyer home with a modern design. That allows for expansive decks to be put on or to simply enjoy the extra yard space for kids and pets. 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. This means youll have to climb multiple stairs in order to do your laundry in your own home. Rooms on the lower level are usually garages, dens, playrooms, and other informal living spaces. 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. The split level house design has evolved in the world of production builders following the ranch home. Fixed glass is another very modern type of window, but it wont work for bedrooms that require an emergency escape and ventilation. Some roof colors simply wont work with a contemporary design an old shingle roof usually looks anything but clean and smooth. They are close to town, and they have a reasonable cost basis, due to their older look. 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. 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. You can still see the garage, main level, and upper/lower split on the right. People want more bedrooms, more bedrooms, more bedrooms at the expense of the communal space. Whether architects like it or not, the split-level may be the "it" remodel of the future. The predominant surface is generally smooth and clean. Bathroom closets are often catch-alls for anything and everything remotely related to self-care. 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. bryan@jonespierce.com. In most cases, the garage will sit on the ground level and the bedroom area will be stacked above it. 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. Our plan was to create an open and light filled kitchen with a design that translated well to the other spaces in this home, and a layout that offered plenty of space for multiple cooks. These are just a few ideas, and you can use them as a simple spark of design inspiration to get you going. Updating the look and feel of your home, including the appliances like those in the kitchen above, will dramatically change the interiors. Read This Before You Pay For a Flat Fee MLS Service. LawnStarter Full Review: Is the Uber of Lawn Care Legit? The idea with the Split level is that you can accommodate a large family on a modest budget. We removed two walls to open up this kitchen to the adjacent dining and family room area in this classic Split Level style home. With recessed lighting, you can even highlight the best features in each of the different rooms. You can add a number of design elements, such as siding, tiles, wood, stone, and other decorative pieces to give it a new look. 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. Why do you want to do a renovation of your split-level home? 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. 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. 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. The things you can do when remodeling a split-level home is not limited to what we have included in our list. With millions of inspiring photos from design professionals, you'll find just want you need to turn your house into your dream home. He loves to blog about construction, plumbing, and other home topics. 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. Whereas, with split-level homes, theres usually a one-story section that connects to a two-story section instead of being right on top of each other. Open front porches and stone features are common on the craftsman. The outside is often another story. The substantial addition at the rear of the home is barely visible here--the only hint being that the main ridge is a little higher from this point of view. 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. Make no mistake, retro is chic but split-level homes, to many, are still out of style. The raised ranch introduces some stair climbing into the mix. My standard corner with 28"-deep diagonal pullouts. 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. If you have any bedrooms not in use, transform them into one big storage room. Split foyer to French colonial. Required fields are marked *. Bi-level houses are also commonly referred to as a raised ranch. In most cases, the lower level is partially underground but still has windows. You can also have skylights placed on the section of your roof directly above your living space or bedrooms. To even out the temperature all over your home, you can get furnace fans installed and get them to run at a low setting. 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. 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. She grew up surrounded by constant home improvement projects and owes most of what she knows to helping her dad renovate her childhood home. With a little landscaping, you can really jazz up your ranch! You actually get 3 levels for living space so you really get a sense of depth being in the house. Construction by CG&S Design-Build. Whats not to love about a split-level home? The exterior can have a look that might be considered dated. Functionally, the client sought to replace a single-car carport with a new oversized two-car garage and to create a protected entry porch for their home. Clever: Are Those Commission Savings Legit? Always consider even the most extreme ideas if youre planning to be in the home for a long time. But you might be struggling to figure out what kind of paint to use on garage walls. Browse through the largest collection of home design ideas for every room in your home. 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. Instead of the classic door leading to the back of your home, you can tear it down, together with the wall, and replace it with glass. Recessed lighting, also known as can lights, can be an excellent addition to ergonomic, modern kitchens. The number of steps can range from as little as two to more than eight. I've evolved this design to where the center pullout and adjacent shelves can be adjusted up or down. The content on this site is not intended to provide legal, financial or real estate advice. This results in a stark contrast, especially when the differences are very obvious. 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. These types of homes became less popular with time, and, at one point, were virtually unwanted on the real estate market. Many have garages and basements, and some have both. 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. Zillow Group is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for individuals with disabilities. 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. The short answer is that, yes, you can convert a split-level to open up the home and make it feel more modern. The more steps you have, the more difficult snow removal is going to be in the winter months. Bryan Jones, Principal Jones Pierce Inc. An Atlanta based Architectural firm specializing in custom home transformations and custom retirement homes in fun places. The style is not quite old enough to be considered a classic, but is no longer modern. Striking Split-Level. Modern home designs tend to focus on lighting details. The old backyard used to have some trellis installed and the entire garden looked unkempt. Dont be intimidated by the challenge of remodeling a split-level home it is absolutely doable, even with a small budget. Raised ranch homes flip the expected configuration upside-down. In the early 1960s, for instance, no floor plan concept seemed better suited to the demands of modern life than the split level . Jessica considers herself a home improvement and design enthusiast. When a home is cared for, it doesnt have that old, uncared for look that we think of with outdated homes. You can also turn it into your home office and place all your filing cabinets, bookcase, and other similar items there. Skylights are a great modern addition that can bring a split-level home into the 21st century. Taken fromhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HE7jN7ofmeI. 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. But on the other hand, this may not be enough to make significant changes to your home. 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. 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. 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. 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. AFTER: Our design includes a new entryway gabled roof along with a combination a shake and lap siding, cultured stone, Pella craftsman style garage/entry doors and Pella 450 Series Casement windows with decorative flower boxes below. You are generally stuck with their traditional layout. Photo: Robert Braddock. Art Deco has a cool, interesting style that sets it apart from other homes. It is the literal antithesis of the modern floorplan. The trend these days is to minimize , and cottages do just thatkeeping heating and cooling costs down and making maintenance chores a breeze. We wont keep you guessing for so long you can make additions to a split-level home, despite the space constraints. This 1960s split-level home desperately needed a change - not bigger space, just better. Kids can play upstairs in their rooms while causing minimal disturbance to parents and guests below. 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. 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. This is because it offers both ambient lighting and a focused illumination. You may be used to shoveling the driveway, imagine if you had to add your roof to the list of items to shovel. Typically, this is done to the main living space and bedrooms. However, like most things, split-level homes are gaining in popularity again. Then, the middle level is where the majority of the entertaining and living happens. Oftentimes, this floor will have a bedroom, bathroom, and possibly a laundry room. On the outside, you have paint chipping off, loose steps, landscaping that is in bad shape, the list goes on. 05 of 22 Beautiful Colonial Home Renovation 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. For some, this section seems like wasted space when you can use it as a den or mudroom. For example, the laundry room will most likely be on a different floor than the bedrooms and bathrooms. Again, as with the cape cod , the siding may need regular maintenance. Your garage takes up a lot of frontage, so it's a large portion of your guests' first impression. Plants and trees will help balance the overall look of your home and make it look much more even. Bi-Level or Split-Level Remodeling Tips For Homes Built in the 1970s. To remedy this without putting up walls, visual breaks can be used. Typically, split level homes are good candidates for an architectural intervention. Our primary goal was to re-imagine the main level of the home and create an open flow between the space. Magazine pictures of modern homes tend to make them look almost sterile; recessed lighting offers more light without it becoming impractical. Written by Since tri-level homes generally dont look symmetrical, adding additions to it will be challenging. We were so excited to help these new homeowners re-envision their split-level diamond in the rough. The most significant change done to this space is removing the small room in the middle of the floor that housed the kitchen. 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. 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 Of all split level homes, the raised ranch has the toughest exterior to deal with. Read more, Your email address will not be published. Please switch to a supported browser or download one of our Mobile Apps. The floor plan is generally a story and which is popular everybody loves a big deep front porch. 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. Connect with top-rated agents near you and save thousands on commission fees. In this idea, you must pay more attention to the front door of the house. 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. The reason is to prevent on-foot postal carriers from having to climb stairs to deliver the mail. Before we dive too deeply into the types of split-level homes, its important to know the distinguishing features of split-level houses. You can also make use of that list as an inspiration for your project. Tri-level homes already look unbalanced and adding extensions to its sides makes it look even more unbalanced if not done properly. 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. For now, they are also quite affordably priced. The cape cod style originates in 17th century New England and was built with total practicality in mind. 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. Your Do You Need an Addition or Remodel Contractor? Thoughtful updates, such as a cedar shake roof, an expansive dormer, and a glass-panel front door, transformed the home's previously lackluster exterior. 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. Your house payment will be lower, property taxes will be less, fewer headaches, less clutter. Split-level homes, also known as bi-level or divided-entry homes, are a very American home style. And if you want to take it to the next level, does the KonMari method ring a bell? Location: Marietta's Indian Hills neighborhood Size: 4,500 square feet, five bedrooms and six bathrooms Year built/bought: 1972/2017 Architectural style: Split-level ranch converted into.