bi-level exterior remodeling | Bi-level converted to a colonial style home traditional-exterior Raised Ranch Entryway Raised Ranch Exterior Exterior House Remodel Home Exterior Makeover House Siding Choices Split Level House Exterior Split Entry Remodel Split Foyer Colonial Style Homes More information . However, there are major differences between these two home styles. [Dining Room] For some, this section seems like wasted space when you can use it as a den or mudroom. If possible, have your skylights customized to fit the theme of your home to complement the entire space. Back additions are also generally cheaper than top level additions to a tri-level home. The idea with the Split level is that you can accommodate a large family on a modest budget. 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. The raised ranch homes and split levels became popular in the 1960s and apparently, were still being built in the 1980s. A split-level home has a few great places to start. Add a deck or patio, or even extend your house if space permits. Split Foyer Renovation - Owings Brothers Contracting This type of construction is very common among townhouses. You can use this hallway as a small mudroom and storage space for stuff you usually take with you when you go out. The number of steps can range from as little as two to more than eight. But if extending your home is not a viable option for you, the next best thing is to gut existing rooms or sections to make certain areas bigger. 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. 7 Extraordinary Split Level House Remodel Before and - JimenezPhoto Bathroom closets are often catch-alls for anything and everything remotely related to self-care. Bi-Level or Split-Level Remodeling Tips For Homes Built in the 1970s. Making the lights more uniform and using a warmer paint color also made it look more inviting. As a visual contrast, a simple layout with distinct wooden floors replaced the old plain carpet. For people that have trouble making it up and down the stairs, the ranch style is ideal. Colonial Homes A typical colonial style home. By working with siding styles and stonework, the creative homeowner can transform his bland home into something beautiful. The L shaped ranch is a great way to incorporate a garage into the house plans. The familys living quarters are located on the main floor, on the other side of the house. Snow can pile up, causing damage and its harder for rain to drain off. Again, the main advantage to this type of split-level home is the lack of staircases connecting each level of the house. 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. A split-level home already has the structural breaks that make this kind of mix look perfect. If you were to view the home from the side or the back, youd be able to see the individual levels of the house. This is due to the fact that the sides of this type of home tend to be boringly blank youre actually lucky if you even have windows on the sides. Windows can look simple at first glance, but they actually play a major role in the entire feel of the home. The colonial style is associated with the style of building used from the 17th to the 19th century, particularly in colonial America. Replacing old windows with a more modern style can greatly modernize your homes look. That can help you save on electric costs over time. Before we dive too deeply into the types of split-level homes, its important to know the distinguishing features of split-level houses. 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. Refer to diagram below. 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. The French, Spanish, German, and Colonial Georgian are all sub types of this once dominant architectural style. Weve already explored some of the advantages and disadvantages of each individual type of split-level house. Dont be intimidated by the challenge of remodeling a split-level home it is absolutely doable, even with a small budget. If you can, taking a wall or two out is a great way to open up what is largely an enclosed space. Striking Split-Level. The top floor typically features taller ceilings and houses the main rooms, such as the kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms, dining room, and living room. So, that means sprucing up the curb appeal becomes important. The homeowners are enthusiasts of residential modern architecture and wanted to update their 1960s split-foyer home with a modern design. 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. There are some things designers typically focus on to make significant changes to this type of home, such as: If you are thinking of modifying your home but dont really have a clue where to start and how to do it, we can help you out with that. Residential inquiries: 404.446.3881 Commercial: 404.446.3882 Contact Us, Split level homes are efficient machines of 60s and 70 living, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window). 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. In todays world many people find the formal areas of a colonial to be a waste of space. The south roof slope of the home hosts a large solar array, barely visible here. Split foyer to French colonial | Articles | fairfaxtimes.com Youll want to arm yourself with this information so you can be prepared when flipping through listings. 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. Read This Before You Pay For a Flat Fee MLS Service. In todays world many people find the formal areas of a colonial to be a waste of space. You can make changes to your existing landscaping, or create one if you currently dont have any. One set of stairs leads to the upper level, while the other leads to the bottom level. We converted the original garage into a lovely little living room with a cozy fireplace. 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. Dont let the limited space of a split-level home hinder you from making all sorts of additions to your home. link to What Kind Of Paint For Garage Walls. This Plain Jane split foyer was given more than a facelift, it was given a whole new second-floor by constructing an addition changing its style to a Colonial. That allows for expansive decks to be put on or to simply enjoy the extra yard space for kids and pets. Updating a tri-level home is not a project that you can just DIY your way to completion. To the right of the front door is a tiny window allowing peek-a-boo views of guest arrivals from inside the daughter's closet. As a result, everything should be carefully thought out; you have to keep in mind that all the floors are interconnected. Why do you want to do a renovation of your split-level home? Consider a new roof color. I've evolved this design to where the center pullout and adjacent shelves can be adjusted up or down. You can certainly look on the bright side and see it as an opportunity to get more exercise in your home. Split-level homes tend to be small, in terms of square footage . The reason is to prevent on-foot postal carriers from having to climb stairs to deliver the mail. The front yard tree was protected and preserved through the construction period. On the other hand, bi-level houses have two levels that are accessed via a common entrance between the floors. Bi-levels were popular in the era of splits, as developers would offer new homes in four configurations: colonials, splits, bi-levels or ranches. 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. Whats not to love about a split-level home? Design-wise, it is also much easier for you to work with new home additions that are placed at the back. Split-Foyer Conversion Interior - Owings Brothers Contracting But the good news is that there are plenty of methods for bringing a more modern aesthetic to your split-level home. 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. You can also place raised garden beds if you want to disguise the slope of the land. He's an authority on the Florida real estate market, as well as selling a house by owner. People want more bedrooms, more bedrooms, more bedrooms at the expense of the communal space. As prices in close-in suburbs inch toward the stratosphere, split-levels are often the only house types left that younger buyers can afford. Dark colors tend to work well with shingle roofs, and the potential to switch to a standing seam metal roof should also be considered. Snow can pile up, causing damage and its harder for rain to drain off. The content on this site is not intended to provide legal, financial or real estate advice. We removed the walls between the kitchen, living, and dining rooms to create a large open concept space that still allows a clear definition of space, while offering sight lines between spaces and functions. [Our Clients] The split level can be built on a sloping a sloping lot (cheaper) with more square footage under one roof (cheaper! This home was transformed from a split-foyer into a french colonial Updating the look and feel of your home, including the appliances like those in the kitchen above, will dramatically change the interiors. 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. The split level came into prominence in the 1950s and 60s when returning GIs and others wanted a more grand looking home with a small budget. In most cases, the bottom level is a garage, a den, a playroom, a recreation room, or other informal living areas. A new paver pathway, planters, and landscaping add curb appeal. Split Levels and Split Foyers became popular in the United States in the 1970s. The main level is street level so there is no need to be climbing up or down stairs with groceries etc. You can still see the garage, main level, and upper/lower split on the right. Copyright 2023 Real Estate Witch Bryan Jones, Principal Jones Pierce Inc. An Atlanta based Architectural firm specializing in custom home transformations and custom retirement homes in fun places. And many of them are Colonial style, meaning that they feature grids that divide the window into 12 or more small lites, rather than larger panes of glass. [Hall Bathroom] Thats some Brady Bunch vibes you have going on there. The roof lines create an interesting look and this style never seems to be out-dated. Your old garage can be converted into any living space you want. Perhaps the most popular home style in America today is the ranch. Look for ideas in your neighborhood. Again, the main advantage to this type of split level is the fact that there arent a ton of staircases that separate the floors. 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. Consider casement windows, which feature cranks and swing out to open up. You just have less freedom to do whatever you want with it and you need to generally work with whats already there. Whereas, the upper level will have a dining room, living room, and kitchen on one side and more bathrooms and bedrooms on the other. The Difference Between Raised Ranch and Split-Level You can also turn it into your home office and place all your filing cabinets, bookcase, and other similar items there. 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. 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 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. Our primary goal was to re-imagine the main level of the home and create an open flow between the space. A split-level house is essentially a variation of the conventional ranch-style house, but split-levels make much better use of the space. 9 House Makeovers That Are Almost Unbelievable - Bob Vila Renovated Split Level Home in Salt Lake City. For the first idea, let's take a look at the picture of this traditional split-level house located in Minneapolis. Espresso Cabinets, white dekton waterfall island and countertops, rustic lvt flooring, black appliances, globe pendant lighting, retro refrigerator, wire handrail, split level master piece. 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. Tri-level homes usually have small hallways that connect the garage and the main living space. In the early 1960s, for instance, no floor plan concept seemed better suited to the demands of modern life than the split level . Photography by Tre Dunham, Fine focus Photography. 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. You can use our list to help you make sure that your remodeling project will be a resounding success. Taken fromhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKS8AnI6Ahk. Clients goal was to update the main floor and allow more natural light into this small-footprint home. Tastes change; so, too, an owner's requirements of their home. He's an authority on the Florida real estate market, as well as selling a house by owner. There are various shapes for the ranch style, but the main theme is that the entire house is on one levelwhich has its perks. Photo Credit: Mid-Century Split Level Addition/Whole House Remodel, Front Yard A very simple way of updating the look of a traditional split-level is to add some bling to the design. 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. 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. She grew up surrounded by constant home improvement projects and owes most of what she knows to helping her dad renovate her childhood home. The master bathroom aesthetic quickly became all about the textures. 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. Homes with two stories, or two-story homes, are built with one floor right above the other. The problem is that it may not be the easiest of plans to execute. You actually get 3 levels for living space so you really get a sense of depth being in the house. The outside is often another story. Colonial Homes Vs Split Level Homes: What is the Difference? Sadly, youre limited to these three choices. That's not usually a good thing. 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. 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. Common features of split-level houses include large living areas, low-pitched roofs, and multiple attics with ample storage space. The aesthetic lends itself to an imaginative use of color, glass and circles. Connect with top-rated agents near you and save thousands on commission fees. Perhaps youve got your heart set on a modern, contemporary, or even a Colonial-style home. Converting a Cape or Ranch to Colonial | Bethany, CT | 203-915-9972 To recap, split-level homes have three distinct levels that are accessed via short sets of stairs. 34 Incredible Before-and-After Exterior Home Remodels Though, split-level homes can also have more than three levels. Conversely, you can consider adding in a window or two to really allow more natural light to permeate the space. It is for information purposes only, and any links provided are for the user's convenience. 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. Whether architects like it or not, the split-level may be the "it" remodel of the future. Ranches tend to be easier to maintainparticularly on the outside. 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. Split-levels are cool on the inside. 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. When a home is cared for, it doesnt have that old, uncared for look that we think of with outdated homes. If you have a bigger budget, you can actually expand your home through the back. Updating a split-level home is hard. [Living Room] 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. 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. Try painting the front door to something fresh with a pop of color involved. Tri-level homes already look unbalanced and adding extensions to its sides makes it look even more unbalanced if not done properly. The problem is that it may not be the easiest of plans to execute. This browser is no longer supported. How to Modernize a Split-Level Home - Zillow Porchlight Magazine pictures of modern homes tend to make them look almost sterile; recessed lighting offers more light without it becoming impractical. Using a solid paint color ended up making the entire room look a lot more spacious than when wallpaper was used. Using bricks or decorative stones attached to the walls as accents, Adding more windows to balance out the elements of your home. You can also have skylights placed on the section of your roof directly above your living space or bedrooms. This way, the new addition is not that visible from the front of your home. And if you want to take it to the next level, does the KonMari method ring a bell? Here is more info about both split levels and colonial homes, and the pros and cons of each. Houzz Pro: One simple solution for contractors and design pros, Split-Level Main Floor Remodel in West Seattle. You can also lengthen the front stoop of your main entryway by increasing the size of your entryways canopy or roof. We loved the original built-ins in this space, and knew they needed to always be a part of this house, but these 60-year-old beauties definitely needed a little help. 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. The lower level, on the other hand, has lower ceilings and is partly below ground level. Clients were also interested in: low maintenance finishes, usage of low/no VOC materials, good indoor air quality as they lived on site during the remodel, and preserving and refinishing salvageable resources. The most significant change done to this space is removing the small room in the middle of the floor that housed the kitchen. The chimney and fireplace became mostly decorations. Split-level remodel: exterior lighting. This is partially because they are seen as being out of date. 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. 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. bryan@jonespierce.com. 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 Have questions about buying, selling or renting during COVID-19? If you have any bedrooms not in use, transform them into one big storage room. The entry has sets of stairs leading up the main floor and another set that leads to the lower level of the home. Typically, split level homes are good candidates for an architectural intervention. With a sultry black hex on the floor and a dimensional geometric tile on the walls we set the stage for a calm space. Construction by CG&S Design-Build. The classic faade of a split-level home is very simple. Exterior accessories such as light fixtures and house numbers can make a huge difference. 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.