convert split level to colonial convert split level to colonial

Thoughtful updates, such as a cedar shake roof, an expansive dormer, and a glass-panel front door, transformed the home's previously lackluster exterior. The trend these days is to minimize , and cottages do just thatkeeping heating and cooling costs down and making maintenance chores a breeze. The split level can be built on a sloping a sloping lot (cheaper) with more square footage under one roof (cheaper! By replacing current windows with something that let in a lot more light and are more efficient, you can bring in more natural light to the home, making the space feel bigger, and help to cut down on energy costs over time. Taken fromhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHaeHzf4iBU. 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. With a split-level house, you could have at least three bedrooms and still have plenty of space for backyard recreation. But you might be struggling to figure out what kind of paint to use on garage walls. Changing the aesthetic of the exterior of your split-level can come down to some very simplistic changes. The first staircase that leads downwards goes to either the basement or some other type of informal living space. Consider all of the pros and cons of the different types of split-level homes before making a final decision. 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. To even out the temperature all over your home, you can get furnace fans installed and get them to run at a low setting. Windows can look simple at first glance, but they actually play a major role in the entire feel of the home. bryan@jonespierce.com. Zillow (Canada), Inc. holds real estate brokerage licenses in multiple provinces. 442-H New York Standard Operating Procedures New York Fair Housing NoticeTREC: Information about brokerage services, Consumer protection noticeCalifornia DRE #1522444Contact Zillow, Inc. 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. By working with siding styles and stonework, the creative homeowner can transform his bland home into something beautiful. 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. 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. 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. Its also nice if you just prefer to have everything on one level. Split Levels and Split Foyers became popular in the United States in the 1970s. You can make changes to your existing landscaping, or create one if you currently dont have any. It can be difficult to downsize and there are challenges with smaller spaces ,storage etc. This allows you to adjust the temperatures separately to even them out. The homeowners are enthusiasts of residential modern architecture and wanted to update their 1960s split-foyer home with a modern design. People want more bedrooms, more bedrooms, more bedrooms at the expense of the communal space. 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. The top floor typically features taller ceilings and houses the main rooms, such as the kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms, dining room, and living room. Consider this if you are more concerned about maintaining an even temperature in your home than the expenses that it can lead to. Aside from these two requirements, the design work involved aesthetics: enhancing the front faade with a modern architecture and high quality materials. Sadly, youre limited to these three choices. Horizontal sliders can also provide a more modern look. Given the limited space that split-level homes are known for, you might wonder if expansion is possible at all. 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. Our specialists are currently reviewing your case and will get back to you shortly. Since they are built vertically, that can mean that split-levels have more square footage in the yard. 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. A very simple way of updating the look of a traditional split-level is to add some bling to the design. Our primary goal was to re-imagine the main level of the home and create an open flow between the space. We wont keep you guessing for so long you can make additions to a split-level home, despite the space constraints. This results in a stark contrast, especially when the differences are very obvious. | All rights reserved. Unlike standard split homes, there isnt a functioning middle level with split foyer houses. 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. Houzz Pro: One simple solution for contractors and design pros, Split-Level Main Floor Remodel in West Seattle. Please seek the services of a legal, accounting or real estate professional prior to any real estate transaction. 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. Add a deck or patio, or even extend your house if space permits. #OvercomingObstaclesScholarship: Lets Put Mental Health on the Agenda and Change the Narrative on Social Media Together! Surprisingly, this style of home was developed not due to aesthetic reasons but out of necessity. Here are some concepts and ideas you can use for your own home. link to What Kind Of Paint For Garage Walls. Landscaping is new. The homeowners are enthusiasts of residential modern architecture and wanted to update their 1960s split-foyer home with a modern design. The Art Deco designed home was made popular during the Roaring Twenties. Discovery of King Tuts tomb, as well as a surging industrial revolution inspired a generation of flat roofs, smooth, rounded walls and vibrant colors. Bi-Level or Split-Level Remodeling Tips For Homes Built in the 1970s. The landing is presented upon entering and the choice to go up or down stairs must be made immediately. Split level homes have a bit of an outdated look to them that has fallen out of favor in the ultra-modern or ultra-rustic home landscape. Taking inspiration from the typical ranch home, split-level homes were designed to maximize the very limited space available in suburban neighborhoods, while being budget-friendly for families to afford or construct. Design-wise, it is also much easier for you to work with new home additions that are placed at the back. While some styles create space with doors, the colonial does it with staircase. Notice the symmetry and 2 level design. Construction by CG&S Design-Build. 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. 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. 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. One set of stairs leads to the upper level, while the other leads to the bottom level. The Colonial-style renovation upgraded the plain portico into a spacious covered porch, which allows room for plenty of outdoor furniture. 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. We were so excited to help these new homeowners re-envision their split-level diamond in the rough. You can also use sliding glass doors instead of a wooden door. There are 6 main split-level house designs, including standard-split, split-foyer, stacked-split, split-entry, back-split, and side-split. The floor tile in this bathroom still makes our hearts skip a beat. It also doesnt hurt to make sure that the gardening is tended. To modernize a split-level home, replace the outdated windows. The need to climb stairs tends to lower the value a little bit, which can help first-time homebuyers that are looking to break into home ownership. If you have any bedrooms not in use, transform them into one big storage room. [Living Room] Split-level homes can feel dated. 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. Make no mistake, retro is chic but split-level homes, to many, are still out of style. Commonly, however, the term is also used to denote split-level homes. Modern home designs tend to focus on lighting details. Ideal Agent: Learn the Truth About Its 2% Fees. 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. It only takes 2 minutes to fill out the form. In some parts of the country flat roofs can be a problem and need continual maintenance. The bedrooms would be upstairs, and the basement or garage would go down. To make it easier, we have put them under categories, depending on the issue you want to address. Ryan Womeldorf has more than a decade of experience writing. Youll want to arm yourself with this information so you can be prepared when flipping through listings. 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. 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). Browse through the largest collection of home design ideas for every room in your home. However, most of these homes were built on the cheap. [Hall Bathroom] Your email address will not be published. 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. Popularity for the split level style was at its greatest in the 70s after the style was featured as the Brady Bunch home. Renovated Split Level Home in Salt Lake City. None have been built since the late 1970s. Brokerage. This is partially because they are seen as being out of date. 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. The split level house design has evolved in the world of production builders following the ranch home. Updating a split-level home is hard. 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. If your home doesnt have windows on the sides, which is typical to this type, get them installed as well. Taken fromhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HE7jN7ofmeI. 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. The roof is an oft-overlooked aspect of a homes exterior, which is surprising given the size of both the visible surface area of the roof and the investment required to have a new one installed. Similar to a side split home, back split houses are divided into multiple levels. The split level or foyer offered a stacking of floors taking a much smaller footprint of land reducing the cost to build a new home. There is typically a short section of stairs that then leads to the other sections of the home. You may be used to shoveling the driveway, imagine if you had to add your roof to the list of items to shovel. I've evolved this design to where the center pullout and adjacent shelves can be adjusted up or down. But on the other hand, this may not be enough to make significant changes to your home. Most types of split-level houses will feature several staircases that lead to the different levels of the house. 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. If this fits the bill, you can construct a detached garage at the back and use the space on the side as your driveway. Snow can pile up, causing damage and its harder for rain to drain off. On terrain that is rough, rugged, or hilly, sometimes staggering the floors is the best option for building a home. A split foyer conversion is no simple renovation, but Owings Brothers Contracting is up to the task! Photo Credit: Inspiration for a transitional kitchen remodel in New York, Mid Century Modern Split Level Renovation, Inspiration for a 1960s gray floor kitchen/dining room combo remodel in Other with white walls, This house began as a typical, low-lying split-level. With recessed lighting, you can even highlight the best features in each of the different rooms. Photo and copyright by Renovation Design Group. One of the major concepts of the modern home is that it has an open floor plan. Think of Frank Lloyd Wrights Fallingwater, and take note of the contrast between perfectly smooth wall surfaces and the texture of natural stone used intermittently throughout the design. There are various shapes for the ranch style, but the main theme is that the entire house is on one levelwhich has its perks. One alternative is to re-do the exterior only; by converting the windows to a traditional colonial style (four upstairs, picture window downstairs). Connect with top-rated agents near you and save thousands on commission fees. However, from the outside, they appear like there is only one level. 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. However, there are major differences between these two home styles. The dining room had once been the homes living room, but we had other plans in mind. The cape cod style originates in 17th century New England and was built with total practicality in mind. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Planters surrounding the home are made from raw sheet steel. 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. Many homeowners concentrate on remodeling the inside of their home and neglect to work on the exteriors as well. Have questions about buying, selling or renting during COVID-19? Another great garage door style on a modern home is a wood-look door. With proper drainage, you can keep the yard dry and clean, making it more appealing for potential suitors. This information makes it easier to coordinate with pros. Updating the look and feel of your home, including the appliances like those in the kitchen above, will dramatically change the interiors. 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. Unlike traditional home layouts, split-level homes, also referred to as tri-level, feature at least three levels that are connected by stairs. 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. Used under license. In the early 1960s, for instance, no floor plan concept seemed better suited to the demands of modern life than the split level . A very simple way of updating the look of a traditional split-level is to add some bling to the design. Most people use the terms bi-level and split-level interchangeably. Again, as with the cape cod , the siding may need regular maintenance. You can also have skylights placed on the section of your roof directly above your living space or bedrooms. After all, you dont have to spend a single cent for it. On our website, we have been getting many hits and search querys every month concerning split level renovations. Each style has unique features, but all split-level houses consist of multiple floors connected by short flights of stairs. 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. link to What Kind Of Paint For Garage Walls. Maximize this by getting larger windows for your home to allow more light inside your home during the day. This not only makes it appear to be larger, but makes it more inviting as well. There is also hardly any room for experimentation when it comes to remodeling a tri-level home. Here is more info about both split levels and colonial homes, and the pros and cons of each. Get new garage doors. 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. For example, the laundry room will most likely be on a different floor than the bedrooms and bathrooms. This floor plan features three to four floors and many sets of stairs. Rooms on the lower level are usually garages, dens, playrooms, and other informal living spaces. They feature a prominent front door, medium roofing lines for drainage and. Get Ready to Have No-Obligation Talks With Contractors, 2023 All rights Reserved Contractor QuotesDeveloped By ITVolcano. Whether youre looking to buy or build a home from scratch, you likely have a specific architectural style in mind. With millions of inspiring photos from design professionals, you'll find just want you need to turn your house into your dream home. Try painting the front door to something fresh with a pop of color involved. The short answer is that, yes, you can convert a split-level to open up the home and make it feel more modern. For some, this section seems like wasted space when you can use it as a den or mudroom. In this idea, you must pay more attention to the front door of the house. You should know the various types of split-level homes before you can consider buying or building one of your own. If you are still stumped but updating your home is something that excites you, visuals might help you picture out what you can do. This way, you can maximize the space by adjusting the alignment of furniture and fixtures. 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. 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. Breathe new life into a dated split-level with these tips you have more options than you might think! The French, Spanish, German, and Colonial Georgian are all sub types of this once dominant architectural style. We removed two walls to open up this kitchen to the adjacent dining and family room area in this classic Split Level style home. 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. Read This Before You Pay For a Flat Fee MLS Service. 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. Recessed lighting, also known as can lights, can be an excellent addition to ergonomic, modern kitchens. Plants and trees will help balance the overall look of your home and make it look much more even. It is a product that can handle any type of sloping lot and is as efficient as a house can get. 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 small, in terms of square footage . 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. However, this staggered design is not ideal for the elderly or individuals with disabilities. The outside is often another story. To recap, split-level homes have three distinct levels that are accessed via short sets of stairs. 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. 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. Skylights are a great modern addition that can bring a split-level home into the 21st century. 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. They wanted an open, spacious, airy feeling to this floor. You can see the appeal here. Step inside the house and youll see polished flooring, shiny appliances, freshly-painted walls, and so much more. The Cape Cod is truly a no frills style home. The exterior of a split-level home is whats giving away its age. The idea with the Split level is that you can accommodate a large family on a modest budget. Before we dive too deeply into the types of split-level homes, its important to know the distinguishing features of split-level houses. 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. This can be confusing to those who dont know the difference. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service. 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. Again, the main advantage to this type of split level is the fact that there arent a ton of staircases that separate the floors. You need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and make final decisions before the work starts. Tri-level homes usually have small hallways that connect the garage and the main living space. You can also place raised garden beds if you want to disguise the slope of the land. Split-level homes are built in a simple style that lends itself well to many different appearances: Tudor, Victorian and ranch. 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. There are 6 main split-level house designs, including standard-split, split-foyer, stacked-split, split-entry, back-split, and side-split. You can use this hallway as a small mudroom and storage space for stuff you usually take with you when you go out. In most cases, the garage will sit on the ground level and the bedroom area will be stacked above it. At twilight the house comes aglow with warmth. Despite all that youve read about them being outdated, split-level houses do have some positives to them. Or, maybe youre considering one of many types of split-level homes. This open-plan layout made the space look a lot bigger. Foyers in split-level homes typically contain the linen closets, coat racks, and other storage. In these instances, the floor plan will usually be designed by an architect to suit the specific topography of the lot. With a regular split-level, when you enter, you can either go up or down. Perhaps the most popular home style in America today is the ranch. Renovations are also one of the best times for you to declutter. The original 1950s split level was expanded and completely reworked. So, that means sprucing up the curb appeal becomes important. Most of the time, they are downright ugly. As a result, everything should be carefully thought out; you have to keep in mind that all the floors are interconnected. More information The lower level, on the other hand, has lower ceilings and is partly below ground level. Use landscaping to your advantage. It is not Zillow's intention to solicit or interfere with any established agency relationship you may have with a real estate professional. Zillow, Inc. holds real estate brokerage licenses in multiple states. When you open the front door, you are led to a distinct foyer or entry space. They are close to town, and they have a reasonable cost basis, due to their older look. The kitchen and dining room are on a separate floor from both the bedrooms and living room. Split-levels, also sometimes called "tri-levels," are an architectural dead end that were built in abundance from the 1930s to the 1970s. Bi-levels were popular in the era of splits, as developers would offer new homes in four configurations: colonials, splits, bi-levels or ranches. Even better, that natural light will light up just about every corner of the room. Look for ideas in your neighborhood. This style of home is good for entertaining,and there is a nice separation of space, which creates a deeper sense of separation. What Companies Offer the Lowest Real Estate Fees? Open front porches and stone features are common on the craftsman. This browser is no longer supported. 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. The floor plan is generally a story and which is popular everybody loves a big deep front porch. 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. This type of split-level home boasts four or five levels and numerous sets of stairs. 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. . With a sultry black hex on the floor and a dimensional geometric tile on the walls we set the stage for a calm space. 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. 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 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. Brick steps lined with lush landscaping beckon guests toward the entrance. 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. 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. We have an office that is the envy of the neighborhood. Additionally, if you plan on constructing a home on an uneven or hilly property, a split-level home is often the ideal choice. Exterior accessories such as light fixtures and house numbers can make a huge difference. He loves to blog about construction, plumbing, and other home topics.