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In todays world many people find the formal areas of a colonial to be a waste of space. You may be used to shoveling the driveway, imagine if you had to add your roof to the list of items to shovel. Written by Moreover, it presents serious challenges when it comes to renovating the entire space. The first staircase that leads downwards goes to either the basement or some other type of informal living space. Consider a new roof color. Aside from these two requirements, the design work involved aesthetics: enhancing the front faade with a modern architecture and high quality materials. Dont let the limited space of a split-level home hinder you from making all sorts of additions to your home. Even designers will readily admit that remodeling this type of home is challenging for them. At twilight the house comes aglow with warmth. 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. bryan@jonespierce.com. The old backyard used to have some trellis installed and the entire garden looked unkempt. You can still see the garage, main level, and upper/lower split on the right. What Companies Offer the Lowest Real Estate Fees? Although each type of split-level home is different from one another, they all share the same characteristic of having multiple floors that are connected by short flights of stairs. [Office] As a visual contrast, a simple layout with distinct wooden floors replaced the old plain carpet. LawnStarter Full Review: Is the Uber of Lawn Care Legit? You can choose from stacked-split, split-foyer, split-entry, back-split, standard-split, or side-split. 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. Not only that, but those closed off, separated rooms can bring with it a claustrophobic feel. Kids can play upstairs in their rooms while causing minimal disturbance to parents and guests below. On the other hand, this is not something you can do with split-level homes. Renovated Split Level Home in Salt Lake City. This is because it offers both ambient lighting and a focused illumination. Updating a tri-level home is not a project that you can just DIY your way to completion. You actually get 3 levels for living space so you really get a sense of depth being in the house. 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. Replacing old windows with a more modern style can greatly modernize your homes look. The kitchen and dining room are on a separate floor from both the bedrooms and living room. To modernize a split-level home, replace the outdated windows. Skylights allow for natural, warm lighting to permeate the room. 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. 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. The craftsman style home was born out of a reaction to the industrial revolution. Weve already explored some of the advantages and disadvantages of each individual type of split-level house. Just because updating or remodeling this type of home is challenging doesnt mean it is impossible. We designed a new story above, with turned-gable roof lines to complement the main roof. Unlike standard split homes, there isnt a functioning middle level with split foyer houses. Magazine pictures of modern homes tend to make them look almost sterile; recessed lighting offers more light without it becoming impractical. Ryan Womeldorf has more than a decade of experience writing. Conversely, you can consider adding in a window or two to really allow more natural light to permeate the space. In most cases, the bottom level is a garage, a den, a playroom, a recreation room, or other informal living areas. 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. You can see the appeal here. The style is not quite old enough to be considered a classic, but is no longer modern. Clever: Are Those Commission Savings Legit? 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. 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. One set of stairs leads to the upper level, while the other leads to the bottom level. Here is more info about both split levels and colonial homes, and the pros and cons of each. Each style has unique features, but all split-level houses consist of multiple floors connected by short flights of stairs. Sadly, youre limited to these three choices. Both. 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. While some styles create space with doors, the colonial does it with staircase. That's not usually a good thing. This makes the entryway quite narrow and the easiest solution is to move the storage somewhere else. 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! A new paver pathway, planters, and landscaping add curb appeal. 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. Plants and trees will help balance the overall look of your home and make it look much more even. Part of the reason that split-level homes feel so outdated is that they have a number of interior walls. 12 /18. 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). Modern home designs tend to focus on lighting details. [Living Room] 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. 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. The possibilities are endless. 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. Je peux rejeter les cookies non essentiels en cliquant sur Grer mes prfrences . 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. Check out another split-level project by Jones Pierce Studios: https://jonespierce.com/marietta-split-level-facelift/, 400 Plasters Ave. NE, #225 Atlanta, GA 30324 Read more, Your email address will not be published. People want more bedrooms, more bedrooms, more bedrooms at the expense of the communal space. William Feemster of ImageArts Photography. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service. 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. Garage doors are clad in metal. But again, you need to visualize how the exterior will connect to and complement whats inside your home, including the functions of each level. People want more bedrooms, more bedrooms, more bedrooms at the expense of the communal space. Any split-level modernization project should look very closely at ways to make those exterior walls smooth. Taken fromhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHaeHzf4iBU. To recap, split-level homes have three distinct levels that are accessed via short sets of stairs. Using a solid paint color ended up making the entire room look a lot more spacious than when wallpaper was used. Ryan also loves hockey and a lifelong Buffalo sports fan. A split-level home, which is also known as a tri-level home, traditionally consists of the following: While the standard split-level home only consists of three levels, others sometimes add another floor to it. Used under license. What makes split-level homes a pain to transform is because of the limits involved. There is typically a short section of stairs that then leads to the other sections of the home. Exterior accessories such as light fixtures and house numbers can make a huge difference. The floor plan is generally a story and which is popular everybody loves a big deep front porch. link to How To Organize A Bathroom Closet. And voila! 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. Split-level homes also provide more outside space. This means youll have to climb multiple stairs in order to do your laundry in your own home. The chimney and fireplace became mostly decorations. Jessica considers herself a home improvement and design enthusiast. The floor tile in this bathroom still makes our hearts skip a beat. 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. 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. A common configuration is having the first stairs from the entryway leading to the dining room or kitchen. 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. This additional floor either becomes the highest floor or is the cellar or basement located just below the floor where your main living space is. Since they are built vertically, that can mean that split-levels have more square footage in the yard. 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. If you have a bigger budget, you can actually expand your home through the back. Exterior update of a split entry, two level home with board and batten, brick wainscot, and white trim. The colonial style is associated with the style of building used from the 17th to the 19th century, particularly in colonial America. This 1960s split-level home desperately needed a change - not bigger space, just better. 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. For now, they are also quite affordably priced. This type of construction is very common among townhouses. Open front porches and stone features are common on the craftsman. Whats not to love about a split-level home? The landing is presented upon entering and the choice to go up or down stairs must be made immediately. Planters surrounding the home are made from raw sheet steel. If you are still stumped but updating your home is something that excites you, visuals might help you picture out what you can do. Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you. 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. The roof lines create an interesting look and this style never seems to be out-dated. Being a Los Angeles resident, Jessica spends a lot of her time looking for her next DIY project and sharing her love for home design. Look for ideas in your neighborhood. Bi-levels were popular in the era of splits, as developers would offer new homes in four configurations: colonials, splits, bi-levels or ranches. There are 6 main split-level house designs, including standard-split, split-foyer, stacked-split, split-entry, back-split, and side-split. Generally speaking, a split-level has a kitchen, a main entry, and the living room on the main level. Rooms on the lower level are usually garages, dens, playrooms, and other informal living spaces. The Empire State Building is a glowing example of the Art Deco style and its reach for the sky ethos. You can also make use of that list as an inspiration for your project. Glass is known to let in more light, and this allows you to save on electricity. One of the major concepts of the modern home is that it has an open floor plan. Clients goal was to update the main floor and allow more natural light into this small-footprint home. There are many sub types of the Colonial style, with each world power at the time putting it's own unique stamp on this traditional style. Tastes change; so, too, an owner's requirements of their home. Taken fromhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKS8AnI6Ahk. If your home doesnt have windows on the sides, which is typical to this type, get them installed as well. They wanted an open, spacious, airy feeling to this floor. Step inside the house and youll see polished flooring, shiny appliances, freshly-painted walls, and so much more. We removed two walls to open up this kitchen to the adjacent dining and family room area in this classic Split Level style home. 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. The roof lines create an interesting look and this style never seems to be out-dated. Commonly, however, the term is also used to denote split-level homes. Perhaps youve got your heart set on a modern, contemporary, or even a Colonial-style home. Some roof colors simply wont work with a contemporary design an old shingle roof usually looks anything but clean and smooth. Ryan Shaw. A roof is far more than a utilitarian way to keep precipitation out of the house its an important design element that can make or break an exterior remodel. 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. We can help you out with that! And if you want to take it to the next level, does the KonMari method ring a bell? The front yard tree was protected and preserved through the construction period. Espresso Cabinets, white dekton waterfall island and countertops, rustic lvt flooring, black appliances, globe pendant lighting, retro refrigerator, wire handrail, split level master piece. They are close to town, and they have a reasonable cost basis, due to their older look. 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. As a result, everything should be carefully thought out; you have to keep in mind that all the floors are interconnected. Here youll typically find the living room, dining room, kitchen, and possibly a bathroom. A split-level home has a few great places to start. 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 Colonial-style renovation upgraded the plain portico into a spacious covered porch, which allows room for plenty of outdoor furniture. With four or five floors, "stacked" is definitely a good name for this style. Try painting the front door to something fresh with a pop of color involved. If you want to go full-on modern, consider hiding the roof completely. My standard corner with 28"-deep diagonal pullouts. More information 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. Dont be intimidated by the challenge of remodeling a split-level home it is absolutely doable, even with a small budget. Our primary goal was to re-imagine the main level of the home and create an open flow between the space. However, there are major differences between these two home styles. 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. Given the limited space that split-level homes are known for, you might wonder if expansion is possible at all. No matter which you choose, youll get multiple levels connected by short flights of stairs, but each style has unique features. Perhaps the most popular home style in America today is the ranch. It may be a bit more difficult but it is definitely doable. We will not contact you with anything else. Get new garage doors. Aside from these two requirements, the design work involved aesthetics: enhancing the front faade with a modern architecture and high quality materials. 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. Whole House Remodeling This home was transformed from a split-foyer into a french colonial. Exterior accessories such as light fixtures and house numbers can make a huge difference. A very simple way of updating the look of a traditional split-level is to add some bling to the design. For example, the laundry room will most likely be on a different floor than the bedrooms and bathrooms. The cape cod style originates in 17th century New England and was built with total practicality in mind. Many saw what was happening as a devaluation of human labor and an emphasis on mass production rather than individualism and hand-crafted items. One reason for its popularity was the competitive cost in comparison to the rancher design being built at that time. You can make changes to your existing landscaping, or create one if you currently dont have any. Refer to diagram below. The entry has sets of stairs leading up the main floor and another set that leads to the lower level of the home. The problem is that it may not be the easiest of plans to execute. The problem is that it may not be the easiest of plans to execute. Many have garages and basements, and some have both. To even out the temperature all over your home, you can get furnace fans installed and get them to run at a low setting. In the case of side additions, it is vital that it blends with the existing faade, which means getting the same windows, paint color, type of roof, etc. The trend these days is to minimize , and cottages do just thatkeeping heating and cooling costs down and making maintenance chores a breeze. Bathroom closets are often catch-alls for anything and everything remotely related to self-care. 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. One alternative is to re-do the exterior only; by converting the windows to a traditional colonial style (four upstairs, picture window downstairs). The predominant surface is generally smooth and clean. Whereas, the upper level will have a dining room, living room, and kitchen on one side and more bathrooms and bedrooms on the other. Aside from the differences on the exterior, both back split and side split houses have roughly the same design. 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. 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. 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. The major disadvantage to split-level homes is the staircases that youll have to climb. The lower demand in most markets means that they are readily available for a cheaper price than other types of homes. The exterior of a split-level home is whats giving away its age. Unleashed by production builders in the 60s and 70s, split level homes are the most difficult type of house to transform into the way our customers want to live today. The Cape Cod is truly a no frills style home. You actually get 3 levels for living space so you really get a sense of depth being in the house. 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. 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. However, that was also the time of the post-modern "colonial" movement. Oftentimes, this floor will have a bedroom, bathroom, and possibly a laundry room. The master bathroom aesthetic quickly became all about the textures. To add a real element of fun, we jazzed it up with the colorful escher tile at the backsplash and brought in accents of brass in the hardware and light fixtures to tie it all together. The main advantage to standard split-level homes is the clear separation between the bedrooms and the kitchen and living room. And for split-level homes, the ideal remodel involves also the sides of the 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! Get Ready to Have No-Obligation Talks With Contractors, 2023 All rights Reserved Contractor QuotesDeveloped By ITVolcano. 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. #OvercomingObstaclesScholarship: Lets Put Mental Health on the Agenda and Change the Narrative on Social Media Together! Even better, adding a skylight has a ton of benefits from every aspect: economical, functional, and aesthetic. Contractors are updated with the cost of most construction materials, which makes setting a budget for your project much easier. The ranch has no stairs, the entire house is on one level. The top floor typically features taller ceilings and houses the main rooms, such as the kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms, dining room, and living room. There is a large chimney in the center of the house used to keep the home warm during the harsh northeastern winters. The dining room had once been the homes living room, but we had other plans in mind. However, this staggered design is not ideal for the elderly or individuals with disabilities. Surprisingly, this style of home was developed not due to aesthetic reasons but out of necessity. 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 We added a new garage, laundry, master bedroom and bath and 1/2 guest bath on that same level. 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. With some fresh mulch and flowers, it can provide that freshness that can elevate any home. 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. With proper drainage, you can keep the yard dry and clean, making it more appealing for potential suitors. Bi-Level or Split-Level Remodeling Tips For Homes Built in the 1970s. The homeowners are enthusiasts of residential modern architecture and wanted to update their 1960s split-foyer home with a modern design. 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. Despite all that youve read about them being outdated, split-level houses do have some positives to them. There is nothing worse than overestimating the amount of stuff a smaller house can accommodate, and now you have no space for the stuff you just spent a small fortune to move! 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. New columns replicate the original style, so the addition looks like it's always been there. The lot needs to have a certain slope for the split level style to work. The outdatedness of a split-level home isnt specific to the interior. Common features of split-level houses include large living areas, low-pitched roofs, and multiple attics with ample storage space. He's an authority on the Florida real estate market, as well as selling a house by owner. The lights will stay relatively hidden and wont become a distraction, either. Since the house is all on one level, you will need more square footage to get privacy from other household members. Please seek the services of a legal, accounting or real estate professional prior to any real estate transaction. The Colonial style is steeped with tradition and has a lot of character on the outside. Split-level homes, also known as bi-level or divided-entry homes, are a very American home style. If you can, taking a wall or two out is a great way to open up what is largely an enclosed space. This can come in handy for those who want to rent their extra space out for additional income to a potential roommate.