Used under license. Of all split level homes, the raised ranch has the toughest exterior to deal with. 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. The Empire State Building is a glowing example of the Art Deco style and its reach for the sky ethos. In todays world many people find the formal areas of a colonial to be a waste of space. Weve already explored some of the advantages and disadvantages of each individual type of split-level house. Even designers will readily admit that remodeling this type of home is challenging for them. Tri-level homes already look unbalanced and adding extensions to its sides makes it look even more unbalanced if not done properly. Look for ideas in your neighborhood. 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. 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 difference is remarkable and it not only looks better, but this growing family can stay in the neighborhood of their choice and still have room for their expanding lifestyle. Another great garage door style on a modern home is a wood-look door. 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. You can also use sliding glass doors instead of a wooden door. Jessica considers herself a home improvement and design enthusiast. If you have any bedrooms not in use, transform them into one big storage room. Balodemas said real estate developers saw them as a way. Add a deck or patio, or even extend your house if space permits. The original kitchen had been on the small side and cut-off from the rest of the home, but after we removed the coat closet, this kitchen opened up beautifully. The original 1950s split level was expanded and completely reworked. 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. We added a new garage, laundry, master bedroom and bath and 1/2 guest bath on that same level. 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. Placement of the family room, kitchen, dining room, bedrooms, and bathrooms can all vary in this style. It also doesnt hurt to make sure that the gardening is tended. We utilized clean white cabinets around the perimeter of the kitchen and popped the island with a spunky shade of blue. Opting for a split-level house on a property like this allows the contractor to adjust the foundation according to the lot. There are 6 main split-level house designs, including standard-split, split-foyer, stacked-split, split-entry, back-split, and side-split. It is fairly easy to spot most split-level homes from the outside, as they seem to be half a two-story home and half a bungalow or ranch-style home that are combined to form a single house. Consider a new roof color. Always consider even the most extreme ideas if youre planning to be in the home for a long time. This results in a stark contrast, especially when the differences are very obvious. The main advantage to standard split-level homes is the clear separation between the bedrooms and the kitchen and living room. Consider installing solar lights on your property, particularly along the path leading to the main entrance of your home. The warm walnut vanity and touches of brass cozy up the space and relate with the feel of the rest of the home. Again, split-level homes tend to struggle with natural lighting. Technically, the term "bi-level home" refers to a house built on two levels, both of which are ground floors. Try taking out some of the interior walls wherever possible. Contrast is key for on-trend style. The colonial style is associated with the style of building used from the 17th to the 19th century, particularly in colonial America. After all, this is what split-level homes are known for. 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. Do you now have at least a vague idea of what kind of remodeling you should do to your home? 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. This works well if your house has other trappings of colonial style. 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. Making the lights more uniform and using a warmer paint color also made it look more inviting. On terrain that is rough, rugged, or hilly, sometimes staggering the floors is the best option for building a home. You can also place raised garden beds if you want to disguise the slope of the land. Anything you do on any floor of a split-level home will affect the other floors. Tri-level homes usually have small hallways that connect the garage and the main living space. If you were a fan of The Brady Bunch, then you know exactly what a split-level house is. 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. With a little landscaping, you can really jazz up your ranch! Both. ), Plus it looks like a really sophisticated structure, so neighbors will be impressed (good!). 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. One set of stairs leads to the upper level, while the other leads to the bottom level. 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. 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). While some styles create space with doors, the colonial does it with staircase. Exterior accessories such as light fixtures and house numbers can make a huge difference. Thanks to its inexpensive style, the Cape Cod was a popular choice for many of the first major housing developments after soldiers came back from World War II. 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. Striking Split-Level. Oftentimes, this floor will have a bedroom, bathroom, and possibly a laundry room. A cottage is typically a one bedroom dwelling meant for travelers or people on vacation. This is because it offers both ambient lighting and a focused illumination. Whether youre looking to buy or build a home from scratch, you likely have a specific architectural style in mind. When a home is cared for, it doesnt have that old, uncared for look that we think of with outdated homes. 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. 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. It is not just about giving this type of home a fresh coat of paint every time you can actually make structural changes to a split-level home to add more space inside, or add partitions if you want more room. You should know the various types of split-level homes before you can consider buying or building one of your own. Updating the landscaping, as well as the entire faade, worked wonders for it. Unlike traditional home layouts, split-level homes, also referred to as tri-level, feature at least three levels that are connected by stairs. You can find the majority of colonial style houses in the northeastern and southern U.S. We were so excited to help these new homeowners re-envision their split-level diamond in the rough. Glass is known to let in more light, and this allows you to save on electricity. Its also nice if you just prefer to have everything on one level. This style of home is good for entertaining,and there is a nice separation of space, which creates a deeper sense of separation. Houzz utilise des cookies et d'autres technologies de suivi similaires pour personnaliser mon exprience utilisateur, me proposer du contenu pertinent et amliorer ses produits et services. You can still see the garage, main level, and upper/lower split on the right. Clients goal was to update the main floor and allow more natural light into this small-footprint home. He's an authority on the Florida real estate market, as well as selling a house by owner. 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. 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. Stucco is the most common material used to achieve this look, and thankfully, its not very difficult to stucco over many existing exterior siding products, such as T1-11. In Miamis South Beach, the Art Deco style saw a resurgence in the 1980s with pastel colors. Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, Tudor, Cape Cod . With a sultry black hex on the floor and a dimensional geometric tile on the walls we set the stage for a calm space. Back additions are also generally cheaper than top level additions to a tri-level home. There is a large chimney in the center of the house used to keep the home warm during the harsh northeastern winters. Planters surrounding the home are made from raw sheet steel. Consider this if you are more concerned about maintaining an even temperature in your home than the expenses that it can lead to. However, like most things, split-level homes are gaining in popularity again. The Colonial-style renovation upgraded the plain portico into a spacious covered porch, which allows room for plenty of outdoor furniture. Why do you want to do a renovation of your split-level home? This question is important and your answer will serve as your guide when it comes to updating your home. As prices in close-in suburbs inch toward the stratosphere, split-levels are often the only house types left that younger buyers can afford. The predominant surface is generally smooth and clean. A very simple way of updating the look of a traditional split-level is to add some bling to the design. link to What Kind Of Paint For Garage Walls. To recap, split-level homes have three distinct levels that are accessed via short sets of stairs. The trend these days is to minimize , and cottages do just thatkeeping heating and cooling costs down and making maintenance chores a breeze. There is a wonderful separation of space going on in the split level thanks to the small staircaseswhich are half of what it would be for a true 2 story. Many have garages and basements, and some have both. 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. And thats probably because so many of them were built during the 1970s. [Living Room] The exterior of a split-level home is whats giving away its age. Foyers in split-level homes typically contain the linen closets, coat racks, and other storage. Now we know why Art Deco is popular in Miami! Notice the symmetry and 2 level design. 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. Most of the time, they are downright ugly. 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. People want more bedrooms, more bedrooms, more bedrooms at the expense of the communal space. This 1960s split-level home desperately needed a change - not bigger space, just better. Create low cabinets that can also double as window seats, which allow you to save space and makes for a unique piece. If done properly, this can tie in wonderfully with the natural stone sections of wall mentioned above. 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. 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. We continued the warm wood touches into the master bedroom, but went for a rich accent wall that elevated the sophistication level and sets this space apart. Another reason why these types of houses are desirable to homeowners is that the layout separates the living area from the sleeping area, offering more privacy. We can help you out with that! Single-hung windows, which feature bottom panes that slide up to open the windows, are common in split-level homes from the 60s, 70s and 80s. 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. With that said, here are some ways that you can modernize your split-level home and make it more suited to your style preferences: While ultra-modern can mean different things to different people, it generally means getting more natural light into the home. Breathe new life into a dated split-level with these tips you have more options than you might think! 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. It is for information purposes only, and any links provided are for the user's convenience. We are continuously working to improve the accessibility of our web experience for everyone, and we welcome feedback and accommodation requests. Some roof colors simply wont work with a contemporary design an old shingle roof usually looks anything but clean and smooth. Some split-level homes have ample space at the back and on one side. The roof lines create an interesting look and this style never seems to be out-dated. However, the major disadvantage is the fact that you must climb multiple sets of stairs to reach each individual level of the home. Our primary goal was to re-imagine the main level of the home and create an open flow between the space. The triangular shelves in the corner are quite accessible when the pullouts are extended. 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. 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! Now, lets take a more comprehensive look at the pros and cons of the split-level architectural style as a whole. Copyright 2023 Real Estate Witch Whole House Remodeling This home was transformed from a split-foyer into a french colonial. 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. 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. Split-level homes tend to be quite dim due to the lack of windows that allow natural light to enter. Houzz Pro: One simple solution for contractors and design pros, Split-Level Main Floor Remodel in West Seattle. The roof lines create an interesting look and this style never seems to be out-dated. The exterior can have a look that might be considered dated. Another option is to add the new space at the top, but you have to be sure that your foundations are strong enough to handle the load of the new floor. This type of split-level home boasts four or five levels and numerous sets of stairs. Consider all of the pros and cons of the different types of split-level homes before making a final decision. Typically, split level homes are good candidates for an architectural intervention. Adding additional spaces to your home will require you to sacrifice either your backyard or the remaining space at the sides of your home, if they are available at all. 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. On the outside, you have paint chipping off, loose steps, landscaping that is in bad shape, the list goes on. Skylights are a great modern addition that can bring a split-level home into the 21st century. 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. The reason is to prevent on-foot postal carriers from having to climb stairs to deliver the mail. 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. 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. There are also one or two chimneys (remember in the old days how they kept the place warm). One of the biggest issues plaguing split-level homes is that water can pool up at the lower points of the house. 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. Art Deco has a cool, interesting style that sets it apart from other homes. Consider discarding furniture that would no longer suit your home, as well as stuff you no longer plan to use. The big tree doesnt help at all, since it just makes the left side heavier than the other side. 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. Your house payment will be lower, property taxes will be less, fewer headaches, less clutter. 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. The French, Spanish, German, and Colonial Georgian are all sub types of this once dominant architectural style. You can use plants, tall furniture, and decorative partitions. Ranches tend to be easier to maintainparticularly on the outside. You can see the appeal here. A front porch was added, siding and stone are new, as are all the windows. Sadly, youre limited to these three choices. An exterior remodel of your tri-level home may sound easy because you might believe you can just go for whatever design you want. #OvercomingObstaclesScholarship: Lets Put Mental Health on the Agenda and Change the Narrative on Social Media Together! The craftsman style home was born out of a reaction to the industrial revolution. Surprisingly, this style of home was developed not due to aesthetic reasons but out of necessity. Most people use the terms bi-level and split-level interchangeably. The first is that they create a much better separation between the upstairs and the downstairs. People want more bedrooms, more bedrooms, more bedrooms at the expense of the communal space. This is a stark contrast to homes that do not make use of this style, since their floors are independent of each other. And if you want to take it to the next level, does the KonMari method ring a bell? Despite all that youve read about them being outdated, split-level houses do have some positives to them. The second exterior wall surface, which can make a huge impact and is easily retrofitted, is a natural stone of some sort. This browser is no longer supported. In this idea, you must pay more attention to the front door of the house. The more steps you have, the more difficult snow removal is going to be in the winter months. It is the literal antithesis of the modern floorplan. Perhaps the most popular home style in America today is the ranch. That's not usually a good thing. The scope also included the living and dining rooms, plus the front entry and stairwell. 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. You can make changes to your existing landscaping, or create one if you currently dont have any. 12 /18. 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. This may involve a major structural overhaul, but its worth considering. Exterior update of a split entry, two level home with board and batten, brick wainscot, and white trim. Fixed glass is another very modern type of window, but it wont work for bedrooms that require an emergency escape and ventilation. 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. Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you. On our website, we have been getting many hits and search querys every month concerning split level renovations. Browse through the largest collection of home design ideas for every room in your home. A common configuration is having the first stairs from the entryway leading to the dining room or kitchen. Modern home styles are generally made up of two surface types. Each style has unique features, but all split-level houses consist of multiple floors connected by short flights of stairs. If you want to change the look of your home on the outside, even without doing much work on the interiors, dont worry you have some safe options available. Modern home designs tend to focus on lighting details. He loves to blog about construction, plumbing, and other home topics. To even out the temperature all over your home, you can get furnace fans installed and get them to run at a low setting. 05 of 22 Beautiful Colonial Home Renovation This allows you to adjust the temperatures separately to even them out. By working with siding styles and stonework, the creative homeowner can transform his bland home into something beautiful. Split foyer houses have two levels, with two sets of stairs. Conversely, you can consider adding in a window or two to really allow more natural light to permeate the space. 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!
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convert split level to colonial