convert split level to colonial

With a regular split-level, when you enter, you can either go up or down. Even better, adding a skylight has a ton of benefits from every aspect: economical, functional, and aesthetic. If you are working with a limited budget, even a fresh coat of paint can dramatically change the look of your home. Any split-level modernization project should look very closely at ways to make those exterior walls smooth. Ryan Womeldorf has more than a decade of experience writing. Rooms on the lower level are usually garages, dens, playrooms, and other informal living spaces. You can use this hallway as a small mudroom and storage space for stuff you usually take with you when you go out. Unlike standard split homes, there isnt a functioning middle level with split foyer houses. 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. 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. The outdatedness of a split-level home isnt specific to the interior. The content on this site is not intended to provide legal, financial or real estate advice. 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 entire house was remodeled, plus we designed a screened porch and patio / fire pit for the rear yard. Ranches tend to be easier to maintainparticularly on the outside. One set of stairs leads to the upper level, while the other leads to the bottom level. Use landscaping to your advantage. This type of split-level house will have at least three sections but may have more. Split Foyer Renovation - Owings Brothers Contracting Raised ranch homes flip the expected configuration upside-down. Colonial Homes A typical colonial style home. Split-level exteriors tend to be a bit bland. The ranch has no stairs, the entire house is on one level. Consider this if you are more concerned about maintaining an even temperature in your home than the expenses that it can lead to. 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 this fits the bill, you can construct a detached garage at the back and use the space on the side as your driveway. The Difference Between Raised Ranch and Split-Level Renovated Split Level Home in Salt Lake City. By even changing out those outdated windows for something modern and new, it can really change the look of the home. 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 classic faade of a split-level home is very simple. Therefore, we thought it would be a good time to revisit strategies to turn the split level monster into a piece of architecture. Tri-level homes already look unbalanced and adding extensions to its sides makes it look even more unbalanced if not done properly. Aside from these two requirements, the design work involved aesthetics: enhancing the front faade with a modern architecture and high quality materials. You can also have skylights placed on the section of your roof directly above your living space or bedrooms. Thats some Brady Bunch vibes you have going on there. Typically, this is done to the main living space and bedrooms. Side split homes are one of the most common types of split-level houses and are the specific style portrayed on the classic TV show The Brady Bunch.. We added a new garage, laundry, master bedroom and bath and 1/2 guest bath on that same level. But times have changed, and modern garage door designs can transform the look of the front of your home. Split Foyer Conversion to Two Story Exterior - YouTube There is typically a short section of stairs that then leads to the other sections of the home. Colonial Home Style The colonial style is associated with the style of building used from the 17th to the 19th century, particularly in colonial America. However, from the outside, they appear like there is only one level. Light colored paint will reflect light better and gives a brighter feel to the interiors of any home. The trend these days is to minimize , and cottages do just thatkeeping heating and cooling costs down and making maintenance chores a breeze. From cramped split-level to a generously apportioned neoclassical 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. 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. Magazine pictures of modern homes tend to make them look almost sterile; recessed lighting offers more light without it becoming impractical. Anything you do on any floor of a split-level home will affect the other floors. The Hardest Home Styles to Change and Maintain - Real Estate Witch As prices in close-in suburbs inch toward the stratosphere, split-levels are often the only house types left that younger buyers can afford. Split-Level | Remodeling Your email address will not be published. And thats probably because so many of them were built during the 1970s. Dark colors tend to work well with shingle roofs, and the potential to switch to a standing seam metal roof should also be considered. Living Rm & Foyer Before Building Up Front Door Raised Lower Level Transformed The lower level of this 1970's split foyer consisted of a bedroom, dated laundry/kitchen area, storage, and family room. 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. The problem is that it may not be the easiest of plans to execute. The first staircase that leads downwards goes to either the basement or some other type of informal living space. The split level house design has evolved in the world of production builders following the ranch home. 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. Again, split-level homes tend to struggle with natural lighting. However, the major disadvantage is the fact that you must climb multiple sets of stairs to reach each individual level of the home. There are many sub types of the Colonial style, with each world power at the time putting its own unique stamp on this traditional style. 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. And voila! 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. 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. Whole House Remodeling This home was transformed from a split-foyer into a french colonial. He's an authority on the Florida real estate market, as well as selling a house by owner. 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. 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. However, most of these homes were built on the cheap. Painted a crisp shade of white with black trim details, the home now boasts modern farmhouse style. 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. 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 I've evolved this design to where the center pullout and adjacent shelves can be adjusted up or down. The number of steps can range from as little as two to more than eight. And if you want to take it to the next level, does the KonMari method ring a bell? This allows you to adjust the temperatures separately to even them out. Some split-level homes have ample space at the back and on one side. 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. An exterior remodel of your tri-level home may sound easy because you might believe you can just go for whatever design you want. This results in a stark contrast, especially when the differences are very obvious. Here are some concepts and ideas you can use for your own home. To remedy this without putting up walls, visual breaks can be used. Contrast is key for on-trend style. Making the lights more uniform and using a warmer paint color also made it look more inviting. 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. People want more bedrooms, more bedrooms, more bedrooms at the expense of the communal space. The Cape Cod is truly a no frills style home. Though, split-level homes can also have more than three levels. [Office] From Home to Dream Home: Split Foyer to French Colonial This way, the new addition is not that visible from the front of your home. A split-level house is essentially a variation of the conventional ranch-style house, but split-levels make much better use of the space. The Colonial-style renovation upgraded the plain portico into a spacious covered porch, which allows room for plenty of outdoor furniture. But a few simple modifications can transform them, making them one of the best fixer-upper options. The lot needs to have a certain slope for the split level style to work. 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. For people that have trouble making it up and down the stairs, the ranch style is ideal. It only takes 2 minutes to fill out the form. The triangular shelves in the corner are quite accessible when the pullouts are extended. Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, Tudor, Cape Cod . How to Remodel a Split Level Home | Hunker Many homeowners concentrate on remodeling the inside of their home and neglect to work on the exteriors as well. Ideal Agent: Learn the Truth About Its 2% Fees. Each style has unique features, but all split-level houses consist of multiple floors connected by short flights of stairs. 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. 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. What makes split-level homes a pain to transform is because of the limits involved. Consider a new roof color. You can add a number of design elements, such as siding, tiles, wood, stone, and other decorative pieces to give it a new look. Can A Raised Ranch Home Become A Traditional Home? Tastes change; so, too, an owner's requirements of their home. Split-level remodel: exterior lighting. Zillow, Inc. holds real estate brokerage licenses in multiple states. You can use our list to help you make sure that your remodeling project will be a resounding success. The lights will stay relatively hidden and wont become a distraction, either. 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. Just because updating or remodeling this type of home is challenging doesnt mean it is impossible. The exterior of a split-level home is whats giving away its age. [Kitchen] With a split-level house, you could have at least three bedrooms and still have plenty of space for backyard recreation. The entrance is a small section that is separate from all the main floors of the home. Modern home designs tend to focus on lighting details. 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. In some parts of the country flat roofs can be a problem and need continual maintenance. One of the major concepts of the modern home is that it has an open floor plan. Horizontal sliders can also provide a more modern look. In Miamis South Beach, the Art Deco style saw a resurgence in the 1980s with pastel colors. The functionality and cost-efficiency of split-level homes made it a hit for families that prioritize practicality over aesthetics. [Living Room] Used under license. Additionally, if you plan on constructing a home on an uneven or hilly property, a split-level home is often the ideal choice. This is partially because they are seen as being out of date. But on the other hand, this may not be enough to make significant changes to your home. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service. These Before-and-After Colonial Home Exteriors Boast Stately Style Similar to a side split home, back split houses are divided into multiple levels. When you open the front door, you are led to a distinct foyer or entry space. Bathroom closets are often catch-alls for anything and everything remotely related to self-care. The problem is that it may not be the easiest of plans to execute. Both. Balodemas said real estate developers saw them as a way. 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. That's not usually a good thing. We can help you out with that! The chimney and fireplace became mostly decorations. Clever: Are Those Commission Savings Legit? The floor tile in this bathroom still makes our hearts skip a beat. Landscaping is new. 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. Photography by Tre Dunham, Fine focus Photography. Have questions about buying, selling or renting during COVID-19? A 1970s Bi-Level Or Split-Level Remodeling Advice Guide Split Levels and Split Foyers became popular in the United States in the 1970s. 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. Split-level homes can feel dated. . How to Modernize a Split-Level Home - Zillow Porchlight 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. Pin on House Ideas - Pinterest Its much easier to move things in and out of the house when everything is on one level. Your Do You Need an Addition or Remodel Contractor? Design-wise, it is also much easier for you to work with new home additions that are placed at the back. This not only makes it appear to be larger, but makes it more inviting as well. More square footage on a smaller lota way to separate children and parents for increased sense of independence and privacy. The warm walnut vanity and touches of brass cozy up the space and relate with the feel of the rest of the home. Lighting is one of the most important features in just about any home layout. A split level home is often a great investment, and there are lots of pros to buying one. Surprisingly, this style of home was developed not due to aesthetic reasons but out of necessity. You should know the various types of split-level homes before you can consider buying or building one of your own. 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. However, there are major differences between these two home styles. Because of all these inconveniences, consider scheduling the work at a period when its effects on your household will be most minimal. Since tri-level homes generally dont look symmetrical, adding additions to it will be challenging. Make no mistake, retro is chic but split-level homes, to many, are still out of style. Despite all that youve read about them being outdated, split-level houses do have some positives to them. Please seek the services of a legal, accounting or real estate professional prior to any real estate transaction. 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. Through out this home we brought in warm wood accents and the kitchen was no exception, with its custom floating shelves and graceful waterfall butcher block counter at the island. In most cases, these homes have a garage with the bedrooms situated directly above it on one side of the house. To even out the temperature all over your home, you can get furnace fans installed and get them to run at a low setting. Whether youre looking to buy or build a home from scratch, you likely have a specific architectural style in mind. They are close to town, and they have a reasonable cost basis, due to their older look. You can also lengthen the front stoop of your main entryway by increasing the size of your entryways canopy or roof. Give them the option of fixing up a six-story home or a split-level home, and they will more than likely choose to work on the six-story home instead. Exterior accessories such as light fixtures and house numbers can make a huge difference. A circa 1960's split-level enhanced by a 300 square foot addition, a re-configured main level floor plan and a seamlessly remade front elevation will be featured in a "Remodeled Home Tour". Whether architects like it or not, the split-level may be the "it" remodel of the future. Create low cabinets that can also double as window seats, which allow you to save space and makes for a unique piece. Aside from these two requirements, the design work involved aesthetics: enhancing the front faade with a modern architecture and high quality materials. It packs a large amount of square footage into a relatively small footprint, something growing families appreciate. Changing the aesthetic of the exterior of your split-level can come down to some very simplistic changes. Using a solid paint color ended up making the entire room look a lot more spacious than when wallpaper was used. 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. The original spec was probably a steel door with very little curb appeal. The homeowners are enthusiasts of residential modern architecture and wanted to update their 1960s split-foyer home with a modern design. Planters surrounding the home are made from raw sheet steel. Add a Floor with a Second Story Addition - SimplyAdditions.com 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. 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. Light can be the biggest factor in transforming a split-level home from an outdated space into one that looks fresh and modern. You can find the majority of colonial style houses in the northeastern and southern U.S. How to Modernize a Split-Level Home to Match Your Style - Neighborly To put it simply, the split-level home is a design from the 1950s. 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! Our primary goal was to re-imagine the main level of the home and create an open flow between the space. The major disadvantage to this style of split-level home is the middle area that has no real function at all. Again, the main advantage to this type of split-level home is the lack of staircases connecting each level of the house. Split foyer to French colonial | Articles | fairfaxtimes.com To recap, split-level homes have three distinct levels that are accessed via short sets of stairs. To modernize a split-level home, replace the outdated windows. Of all split level homes, the raised ranch has the toughest exterior to deal with. With proper drainage, you can keep the yard dry and clean, making it more appealing for potential suitors. Not to mention, the steps can be a problem for elderly visitors or even simply carrying the groceries inside. While the ranch will need more roof to cover the square footage than a multi-level house, the roof lines of a ranch are cheaper to construct, so youre still coming out ahead overall. You can also use sliding glass doors instead of a wooden door. 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! If youve seen one, youve seen them all. But the good news is that there are plenty of methods for bringing a more modern aesthetic to your split-level home. This makes the entryway quite narrow and the easiest solution is to move the storage somewhere else. The master bathroom aesthetic quickly became all about the textures. 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. Whats not to love about a split-level home? 34 Incredible Before-and-After Exterior Home Remodels Split Level Renovation Strategies - Jones Pierce Studios The roof lines create an interesting look and this style never seems to be out-dated. This type of split-level house features multiple levels that are visible from the homes exterior. Copyright 2023 Real Estate Witch It also helps to ensure that the drainage is properly taken care of. 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. Tri-level homes usually have small hallways that connect the garage and the main living space.