Conversely, you can consider adding in a window or two to really allow more natural light to permeate the space. A cottage is typically a one bedroom dwelling meant for travelers or people on vacation. However, most of these homes were built on the cheap. The ranch has no stairs, the entire house is on one level. Clients goal was to update the main floor and allow more natural light into this small-footprint home. Typically, split level homes are good candidates for an architectural intervention. . [Hall Bathroom] 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. The Colonial style is steeped with tradition and has a lot of character on the outside. If you are still stumped but updating your home is something that excites you, visuals might help you picture out what you can do. Kids can play upstairs in their rooms while causing minimal disturbance to parents and guests below. Back additions are also generally cheaper than top level additions to a tri-level home. Many have garages and basements, and some have both. The craftsman style home was born out of a reaction to the industrial revolution. Tri-level homes already look unbalanced and adding extensions to its sides makes it look even more unbalanced if not done properly. More information 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 split-level home already has the structural breaks that make this kind of mix look perfect. This style of home is good for entertaining,and there is a nice separation of space, which creates a deeper sense of separation. 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. 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. [Dining Room] With millions of inspiring photos from design professionals, you'll find just want you need to turn your house into your dream home. Whether youre looking to buy or build a home from scratch, you likely have a specific architectural style in mind. 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". Given the limited space that split-level homes are known for, you might wonder if expansion is possible at all. The Cape Cod is truly a no frills style home. Again, split-level homes tend to struggle with natural lighting. You can also have skylights placed on the section of your roof directly above your living space or bedrooms. You can find the majority of colonial style houses in the northeastern and southern U.S. The homeowners are enthusiasts of residential modern architecture and wanted to update their 1960s split-foyer home with a modern design. Wherever possible is important because some of (or all of) those interior walls could have major structural implications on the rest of the home. After all, you dont have to spend a single cent for it. The L shaped ranch is a great way to incorporate a garage into the house plans. The trend these days is to minimize , and cottages do just thatkeeping heating and cooling costs down and making maintenance chores a breeze. There are various shapes for the ranch style, but the main theme is that the entire house is on one levelwhich has its perks. The aesthetic lends itself to an imaginative use of color, glass and circles. 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 information makes it easier to coordinate with pros. Notice the symmetry and 2 level design. People want more bedrooms, more bedrooms, more bedrooms at the expense of the communal space. [Master Suite] Here are some concepts and ideas you can use for your own home. 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. Weve already explored some of the advantages and disadvantages of each individual type of split-level house. Again, the main advantage to this type of split-level home is the lack of staircases connecting each level of the house. If done properly, this can tie in wonderfully with the natural stone sections of wall mentioned above. 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. To make it easier, we have put them under categories, depending on the issue you want to address. Personnaliser mon exprience l'aide de cookies, Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers, Outdoor Lighting & Audio/Visual Specialists, Gregory Thomas, Architect, AKBD, CG&S Design-Build, Politique d'Utilisation des Cookies de Houzz. Construction by CG&S Design-Build. This is a stark contrast to homes that do not make use of this style, since their floors are independent of each other. 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. 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. You actually get 3 levels for living space so you really get a sense of depth being in the house. There are also one or two chimneys (remember in the old days how they kept the place warm). Your old garage can be converted into any living space you want. Most types of split-level houses will feature several staircases that lead to the different levels of the house. To remedy this without putting up walls, visual breaks can be used. Copyright 2023 Real Estate Witch This is a split-level home, so there were limited aesthetic options in the entryway. Renovations are also one of the best times for you to declutter. 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 things you can do when remodeling a split-level home is not limited to what we have included in our list. If your home doesnt have windows on the sides, which is typical to this type, get them installed as well. 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. Ryan Womeldorf has more than a decade of experience writing. But you might be struggling to figure out what kind of paint to use on garage walls. Updating the siding, materials used in the lower faade, or simply giving it a fresh paint job are some of the easiest ways to renovate a split-level home, but can also make a big impact. You are almost done - fill out this last step, Main entryway or door located at the middle level (often the part of the house with the single-story), or in-between the upper and lower levels (this style is also known as the split-entry home), The lower level is often the garage or an informal entertainment or recreational space, The middle level is the main living space that typically contains the living room, dining room, and kitchen, The higher floor is where bedrooms are located, How the rooms and functional spaces are divided in each level, Narrow passageways and very limited space near the main entrance (if the home incorporates the split-entry style), Minimal lights and details that are typical to this kind of home, Limited storage spaces, cabinets, and closets, Presence of cold and hot spots in certain areas of your home. Its also nice if you just prefer to have everything on one level. We removed two walls to open up this kitchen to the adjacent dining and family room area in this classic Split Level style home. Unlike standard split homes, there isnt a functioning middle level with split foyer houses. Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, Tudor, Cape Cod . Split-levels are cool on the inside. 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 . 12 /18. Modern home styles are generally made up of two surface types. 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. By even changing out those outdated windows for something modern and new, it can really change the look of the home. And for split-level homes, the ideal remodel involves also the sides of the house. Bi-Level or Split-Level Remodeling Tips For Homes Built in the 1970s. 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. Transfer your coat rack or closet from the landing to the top of the stairs instead, creating room for you to welcome your guests as soon as they step inside. There are 6 main split-level house designs, including standard-split, split-foyer, stacked-split, split-entry, back-split, and side-split. 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. Two bedrooms are combined to form one big bedroom, the living room is adjusted to get a bigger kitchen and dining room, or vice versa. For now, they are also quite affordably priced. 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. The dining room had once been the homes living room, but we had other plans in mind. 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 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. The lower level, on the other hand, has lower ceilings and is partly below ground level. 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. Though, split-level homes can also have more than three levels. 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. 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. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service. We can help you out with that! Windows can look simple at first glance, but they actually play a major role in the entire feel of the home. You can use our list to help you make sure that your remodeling project will be a resounding success. On terrain that is rough, rugged, or hilly, sometimes staggering the floors is the best option for building a home. Ranches tend to be easier to maintainparticularly on the outside. You can also place raised garden beds if you want to disguise the slope of the land. The warm walnut vanity and touches of brass cozy up the space and relate with the feel of the rest of the home. Photo and copyright by Renovation Design Group. New columns replicate the original style, so the addition looks like it's always been there. You need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and make final decisions before the work starts. In this idea, you must pay more attention to the front door of the house. He's an authority on the Florida real estate market, as well as selling a house by owner. 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. 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. 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. However, there are major differences between these two home styles. Or, maybe youre considering one of many types of split-level homes. The number of steps can range from as little as two to more than eight. And while the change in floor level creates a partial separation of spaces, they are visually connected from one level to the next. Because of their design, split-level homes can struggle to get an ample amount of natural light. 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. The classic faade of a split-level home is very simple. This type of split-level house will have at least three sections but may have more. Updating the landscaping, as well as the entire faade, worked wonders for it. 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. Split Levels and Split Foyers became popular in the United States in the 1970s. Similar to a side split home, back split houses are divided into multiple levels. One set of stairs leads to the upper level, while the other leads to the bottom level. Read This Before You Pay For a Flat Fee MLS Service. On the outside, you have paint chipping off, loose steps, landscaping that is in bad shape, the list goes on. 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. If you were to view the home from the side or the back, youd be able to see the individual levels of the house. 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.. 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. Keep in mind that the costs could be elevated from a standard renovation project because of the potential removal of walls and their load-bearing implications. The top floor typically features taller ceilings and houses the main rooms, such as the kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms, dining room, and living room. Both. My standard corner with 28"-deep diagonal pullouts. But a few simple modifications can transform them, making them one of the best fixer-upper options. As a result, their homes look even more unbalanced and the new additions are blatantly obvious not a look you should strive for. Whole House Remodeling This home was transformed from a split-foyer into a french colonial. What Companies Offer the Lowest Real Estate Fees? 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. Split-level remodel: exterior lighting. This way, the new addition is not that visible from the front of your home. They wanted an open, spacious, airy feeling to this floor. Placement of the family room, kitchen, dining room, bedrooms, and bathrooms can all vary in this style. Sadly, youre limited to these three choices. 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. Browse through the largest collection of home design ideas for every room in your home. These are just a few ideas, and you can use them as a simple spark of design inspiration to get you going. Many homeowners concentrate on remodeling the inside of their home and neglect to work on the exteriors as well. Additionally, if you plan on constructing a home on an uneven or hilly property, a split-level home is often the ideal choice. Colonial Homes A typical colonial style home. It is the literal antithesis of the modern floorplan. 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. To put it simply, the split-level home is a design from the 1950s. Aside from these two requirements, the design work involved aesthetics: enhancing the front faade with a modern architecture and high quality materials. Then, the middle level is where the majority of the entertaining and living happens. Typically, this is done to the main living space and bedrooms. 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. Consider a new roof color. 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. This results in a stark contrast, especially when the differences are very obvious. Read more, Your email address will not be published. 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. Common features of split-level houses include large living areas, low-pitched roofs, and multiple attics with ample storage space. The walnut vanity cabinet (complete with hairpin legs) adds a lovely level of warmth to this bathroom, and the black and brass accents add the sophisticated touch we were looking for. However, like most things, split-level homes are gaining in popularity again. Light can be the biggest factor in transforming a split-level home from an outdated space into one that looks fresh and modern. Living Rm & Foyer Before Building Up Front Door Raised Lower Level Transformed The lower level of this 1970's split foyer consisted of a bedroom, dated laundry/kitchen area, storage, and family room. That's not usually a good thing. They are close to town, and they have a reasonable cost basis, due to their older look. 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. 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. It can be difficult to downsize and there are challenges with smaller spaces ,storage etc. Anything you do on any floor of a split-level home will affect the other floors. 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. To remedy this, you can install more lights all over your home; LED light is always better because it is brighter but doesnt consume much electricity. 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. Photo: Robert Braddock. Use landscaping to your advantage. This question is important and your answer will serve as your guide when it comes to updating your home. The entry has sets of stairs leading up the main floor and another set that leads to the lower level of the home. 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. Brick steps lined with lush landscaping beckon guests toward the entrance. More square footage on a smaller lota way to separate children and parents for increased sense of independence and privacy. Exterior accessories such as light fixtures and house numbers can make a huge difference. LawnStarter Full Review: Is the Uber of Lawn Care Legit? The major disadvantage to split-level homes is the staircases that youll have to climb. To modernize a split-level home, replace the outdated windows. 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. To recap, split-level homes have three distinct levels that are accessed via short sets of stairs. If there are multiple bedrooms present and you dont need some of them, merge two or more to create a bigger room. William Feemster of ImageArts Photography. You may be used to shoveling the driveway, imagine if you had to add your roof to the list of items to shovel. 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. 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. Then, the stairs off of this room lead to the bedrooms that are stacked atop the foyer. The landing is presented upon entering and the choice to go up or down stairs must be made immediately. Split foyer to French colonial. Moreover, the proper windows can play an integral role in the energy-efficiency of your home. Split foyer houses have two levels, with two sets of stairs. You should know the various types of split-level homes before you can consider buying or building one of your own. Contractors are updated with the cost of most construction materials, which makes setting a budget for your project much easier. But the good news is that there are plenty of methods for bringing a more modern aesthetic to your split-level home. If you wish to report an issue or seek an accommodation, please let us know. 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 classic faade of a split-level home is very simple. Doors with glass-like, translucent flat panels are beautiful in daylight and at night, when interior light can turn them into giant night lights all while obscuring the contents of your garage from neighbors. Bathroom closets are often catch-alls for anything and everything remotely related to self-care. That pop of color can give the right contrast to the rest of the home to make it stand out in a positive way. 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. 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. Refer to diagram below. As a visual contrast, a simple layout with distinct wooden floors replaced the old plain carpet. The original use of the cottage was to house agricultural workers on a farm. 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. Garage doors are often taken for granted. The front yard tree was protected and preserved through the construction period. Split-level homes can feel dated. Again, the main advantage to this type of split level is the fact that there arent a ton of staircases that separate the floors. 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. Whether architects like it or not, the split-level may be the "it" remodel of the future. This floor plan features three to four floors and many sets of stairs. If you were a fan of The Brady Bunch, then you know exactly what a split-level house is. 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. ), Plus it looks like a really sophisticated structure, so neighbors will be impressed (good!). 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. 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, this is what split-level homes are known for. 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. 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. 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. We wont keep you guessing for so long you can make additions to a split-level home, despite the space constraints. Since the house is all on one level, you will need more square footage to get privacy from other household members. For people that have trouble making it up and down the stairs, the ranch style is ideal. The kitchen and dining room are on a separate floor from both the bedrooms and living room. In some places, homeowners with exterior steps will install a mailbox at street level. 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. Get new garage doors. A common configuration is having the first stairs from the entryway leading to the dining room or kitchen. This browser is no longer supported. With some fresh mulch and flowers, it can provide that freshness that can elevate any home. We were so excited to help these new homeowners re-envision their split-level diamond in the rough. Photo Credit: Mid-Century Split Level Addition/Whole House Remodel, Front Yard [Office] Here is more info about both split levels and colonial homes, and the pros and cons of each. Noticing a theme yet? 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. 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. 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. For the first idea, let's take a look at the picture of this traditional split-level house located in Minneapolis. 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! But again, you need to visualize how the exterior will connect to and complement whats inside your home, including the functions of each level. [Living Room] An exterior remodel of your tri-level home may sound easy because you might believe you can just go for whatever design you want. Part of the reason that split-level homes feel so outdated is that they have a number of interior walls. 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. This is partially because they are seen as being out of date. The remodel welcomes a covered front porch that was absent in the original. Recessed lighting, also known as can lights, can be an excellent addition to ergonomic, modern kitchens. This way, you can maximize the space by adjusting the alignment of furniture and fixtures. Most people use the terms bi-level and split-level interchangeably. Magazine pictures of modern homes tend to make them look almost sterile; recessed lighting offers more light without it becoming impractical. At twilight the house comes aglow with warmth. 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. If this fits the bill, you can construct a detached garage at the back and use the space on the side as your driveway. Each style has unique features, but all split-level houses consist of multiple floors connected by short flights of stairs. 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. Ryan also loves hockey and a lifelong Buffalo sports fan. With traditional multilevel homes, you have the freedom to do whatever you want with it.