Brick steps lined with lush landscaping beckon guests toward the entrance. 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. 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. The aesthetic lends itself to an imaginative use of color, glass and circles. You can see the appeal here. 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 What makes split-level homes a pain to transform is because of the limits involved. Always consider even the most extreme ideas if youre planning to be in the home for a long time. 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 split foyer actually has a separate section that is on the ground level between the garage and the house. Snow can pile up, causing damage and its harder for rain to drain off. If you have a bigger budget, you can actually expand your home through the back. Split foyer to French colonial | Articles | fairfaxtimes.com 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. Exterior accessories such as light fixtures and house numbers can make a huge difference. 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. 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. As prices in close-in suburbs inch toward the stratosphere, split-levels are often the only house types left that younger buyers can afford. Updating a tri-level home is not a project that you can just DIY your way to completion. Aside from these two requirements, the design work involved aesthetics: enhancing the front faade with a modern architecture and high quality materials. Look for ideas in your neighborhood. Its nothing that cant be remedied with a little green thumb! 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 removed two walls to open up this kitchen to the adjacent dining and family room area in this classic Split Level style home. This can be confusing to those who dont know the difference. 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. 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. 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 . There are many sub types of the Colonial style, with each world power at the time putting its own unique stamp on this traditional style. If you can, taking a wall or two out is a great way to open up what is largely an enclosed space. If done properly, this can tie in wonderfully with the natural stone sections of wall mentioned above. The original 1950s split level was expanded and completely reworked. Split Levels and Split Foyers became popular in the United States in the 1970s. The split level house design has evolved in the world of production builders following the ranch home. Houzz Pro: One simple solution for contractors and design pros, Split-Level Main Floor Remodel in West Seattle. [Hall Bathroom] They wanted an open, spacious, airy feeling to this floor. Our primary goal was to re-imagine the main level of the home and create an open flow between the space. Garage doors are often taken for granted. 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. 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! 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. To recap, split-level homes have three distinct levels that are accessed via short sets of stairs. Try taking out some of the interior walls wherever possible. Refer to diagram below. After all, you dont have to spend a single cent for it. With four or five floors, "stacked" is definitely a good name for this style. In these instances, the floor plan will usually be designed by an architect to suit the specific topography of the lot. 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. To modernize a split-level home, replace the outdated windows. A common configuration is having the first stairs from the entryway leading to the dining room or kitchen. Here youll typically find the living room, dining room, kitchen, and possibly a bathroom. 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. So, that means sprucing up the curb appeal becomes important. You should know the various types of split-level homes before you can consider buying or building one of your own. The predominant surface is generally smooth and clean. The chimney and fireplace became mostly decorations. 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. Exterior update of a split entry, two level home with board and batten, brick wainscot, and white trim. 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. However, like most things, split-level homes are gaining in popularity again. Split-level homes are built in a simple style that lends itself well to many different appearances: Tudor, Victorian and ranch. How To Modernize A Split-Level Home (Here's What You Can Do) And while the change in floor level creates a partial separation of spaces, they are visually connected from one level to the next. A split foyer conversion is no simple renovation, but Owings Brothers Contracting is up to the task! 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. There was so much potential in those walls, and we couldnt wait to delve in and start transforming spaces. You can choose from stacked-split, split-foyer, split-entry, back-split, standard-split, or side-split. A new paver pathway, planters, and landscaping add curb appeal. Design-wise, it is also much easier for you to work with new home additions that are placed at the back. Glass is known to let in more light, and this allows you to save on electricity. Magazine pictures of modern homes tend to make them look almost sterile; recessed lighting offers more light without it becoming impractical. With its dramatic vaulted ceiling and new custom steel railing, this room was just screaming for a dramatic light fixture and a large table to welcome one-and-all. This is a split-level home, so there were limited aesthetic options in the entryway. That pop of color can give the right contrast to the rest of the home to make it stand out in a positive way. If you are moving from a large house to a cottage or a bungalow, you really need to plan out what you can take and what you need to leave behind. While some styles create space with doors, the colonial does it with staircase. Tri-level homes already look unbalanced and adding extensions to its sides makes it look even more unbalanced if not done properly. 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. By adding skylights into the master bedroom, it can give an entirely new dimension to the space. In some places, homeowners with exterior steps will install a mailbox at street level. Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, Tudor, Cape Cod . As a visual contrast, a simple layout with distinct wooden floors replaced the old plain carpet. Zillow, Inc. holds real estate brokerage licenses in multiple states. From the outside, this type of split-level house looks like a tri-level home but its technically bi-level, with a distinct wing for the entry. The classic faade of a split-level home is very simple. In some parts of the country flat roofs can be a problem and need continual maintenance. A front porch was added, siding and stone are new, as are all the windows. But a few simple modifications can transform them, making them one of the best fixer-upper options. We wont keep you guessing for so long you can make additions to a split-level home, despite the space constraints. At twilight the house comes aglow with warmth. By replacing current windows with something that let in a lot more light and are more efficient, you can bring in more natural light to the home, making the space feel bigger, and help to cut down on energy costs over time. Many have garages and basements, and some have both. Again, split-level homes tend to struggle with natural lighting. One of the biggest issues plaguing split-level homes is that water can pool up at the lower points of the house. Whats most important is that your home works the best for you. The three resulting levels connect with staggering staircases. Unlike traditional home layouts, split-level homes, also referred to as tri-level, feature at least three levels that are connected by stairs. This type of split-level house features multiple levels that are visible from the homes exterior. Use landscaping to your advantage. There is a large chimney in the center of the house used to keep the home warm during the harsh northeastern winters. Landscaping is new. The split level can be built on a sloping a sloping lot (cheaper) with more square footage under one roof (cheaper! The entrance is a small section that is separate from all the main floors of the home. 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. The L shaped ranch is a great way to incorporate a garage into the house plans. I want to convert a 1970 split level house into something more Brokerage. We have an office that is the envy of the neighborhood. This way, you can maximize the space by adjusting the alignment of furniture and fixtures. Split-levels, also sometimes called "tri-levels," are an architectural dead end that were built in abundance from the 1930s to the 1970s. Consider casement windows, which feature cranks and swing out to open up. The cape cod style originates in 17th century New England and was built with total practicality in mind. Colonial Homes Vs Split Level Homes: What is the Difference? Art Deco has a cool, interesting style that sets it apart from other homes. 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. 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. 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. Surprisingly, this style of home was developed not due to aesthetic reasons but out of necessity. The ranch has no stairs, the entire house is on one level. A split-level home has a few great places to start. 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. Windows can look simple at first glance, but they actually play a major role in the entire feel of the home. Fixed glass is another very modern type of window, but it wont work for bedrooms that require an emergency escape and ventilation. Espresso Cabinets, white dekton waterfall island and countertops, rustic lvt flooring, black appliances, globe pendant lighting, retro refrigerator, wire handrail, split level master piece. 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. 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. Conversely, you can consider adding in a window or two to really allow more natural light to permeate the space. Replacing old windows with a more modern style can greatly modernize your homes look. Zillow Group is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for individuals with disabilities. The old backyard used to have some trellis installed and the entire garden looked unkempt. The dining room had once been the homes living room, but we had other plans in mind. The design is a compromise between living on one level as in a ranch, yet having essentially a walk-out basement with additional finished living space below. Noticing a theme yet? 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. This is in place of having to excavate bedrock to build a basement on a single-level home. Clients goal was to update the main floor and allow more natural light into this small-footprint home. You can place bedrooms on the top floor or at the ground level, put your laundry area in the basement, have your living room at a floor somewhere above the ground level, and the entertainment room on the floor below it, and more. If you live in a suburban area and your home has been around since the 1950s, 1960s, or 1970s, chances are you are living in a split-level home. Typically, split level homes are good candidates for an architectural intervention. 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. Thats some Brady Bunch vibes you have going on there. Consider all of the pros and cons of the different types of split-level homes before making a final decision. In this idea, you must pay more attention to the front door of the house. Using bricks or decorative stones attached to the walls as accents, Adding more windows to balance out the elements of your home. Taken fromhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HE7jN7ofmeI. Jessica considers herself a home improvement and design enthusiast. 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. Mid-Century Modern Split-Level Exterior Home Ideas - Houzz However, most of these homes were built on the cheap. A split-level home already has the structural breaks that make this kind of mix look perfect. The Cape Cod is truly a no frills style home. Stacked split-level. Cobb home converted from split-level ranch to farmhouse-style house - ajc Kids can play upstairs in their rooms while causing minimal disturbance to parents and guests below. When you open the front door, you are led to a distinct foyer or entry space. Split-level homes tend to be quite dim due to the lack of windows that allow natural light to enter. Side split homes are one of the most common types of split-level houses and are the specific style portrayed on the classic TV show The Brady Bunch.. 11 of 68 This type of construction is very common among townhouses. 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. You may be used to shoveling the driveway, imagine if you had to add your roof to the list of items to shovel. This allows you to adjust the temperatures separately to even them out. Similar to a side split home, back split houses are divided into multiple levels. 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. From cramped split-level to a generously apportioned neoclassical Your garage takes up a lot of frontage, so it's a large portion of your guests' first impression. The shutters on the windows were originally used to protect the windows from the wind during a storm and the ceilings are kept low to maximize heat conservation. Here is more info about both split levels and colonial homes, and the pros and cons of each. We will not contact you with anything else. 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. The problem is that it may not be the easiest of plans to execute. Renovated Split Level Home in Salt Lake City. This results in a stark contrast, especially when the differences are very obvious. 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. 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 warm walnut vanity and touches of brass cozy up the space and relate with the feel of the rest of the home. Even better, that natural light will light up just about every corner of the room. The Hardest Home Styles to Change and Maintain - Real Estate Witch The raised ranch introduces some stair climbing into the mix. There are 6 main split-level house designs, including standard-split, split-foyer, stacked-split, split-entry, back-split, and side-split. We added a new garage, laundry, master bedroom and bath and 1/2 guest bath on that same level. Since they are built vertically, that can mean that split-levels have more square footage in the yard. Modern home designs tend to focus on lighting details. 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. A perfectly remodeled home involves not just the inside but also the outside. The classic faade of a split-level home is very simple. 34 Incredible Before-and-After Exterior Home Remodels Looking at listings and come across descriptions saying cozy ranch or colonial and wonder what differentiates thesehomestyles and what it means for livability and cost? How to Modernize a Split-Level Home to Match Your Style - Neighborly Back additions are also generally cheaper than top level additions to a tri-level home. You can also place raised garden beds if you want to disguise the slope of the land. Once you see the possibilities and start looking at the changes that can be made, youll realize that a split-level may have more potential to look great in decades to come than almost any other old-school design out there. You can use plants, tall furniture, and decorative partitions. Whether youre looking to buy or build a home from scratch, you likely have a specific architectural style in mind. The problem is that it may not be the easiest of plans to execute. Not only that, but those closed off, separated rooms can bring with it a claustrophobic feel. That's not usually a good thing.