convert split level to colonial

It only takes 2 minutes to fill out the form. Skylights allow for natural, warm lighting to permeate the room. It may be a bit more difficult but it is definitely doable. The reason is to prevent on-foot postal carriers from having to climb stairs to deliver the mail. LawnStarter Full Review: Is the Uber of Lawn Care Legit? Dont be intimidated by the challenge of remodeling a split-level home it is absolutely doable, even with a small budget. Ideal Agent: Learn the Truth About Its 2% Fees. Design-wise, it is also much easier for you to work with new home additions that are placed at the back. The French, Spanish, German, and Colonial Georgian are all sub types of this once dominant architectural style. Split level homes have a bit of an outdated look to them that has fallen out of favor in the ultra-modern or ultra-rustic home landscape. The L shaped ranch is a great way to incorporate a garage into the house plans. You can add a number of design elements, such as siding, tiles, wood, stone, and other decorative pieces to give it a new look. Modern home styles are generally made up of two surface types. Modern home designs tend to focus on lighting details. You can see the appeal here. 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. The things you can do when remodeling a split-level home is not limited to what we have included in our list. As prices in close-in suburbs inch toward the stratosphere, split-levels are often the only house types left that younger buyers can afford. 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. This type of construction is very common among townhouses. Lets explore the numerous variations of this ubiquitous architectural style. Copyright 2023 Real Estate Witch 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. 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. Some split-level homes use an open-plan layout, which can feel overwhelming for some. Here is more info about both split levels and colonial homes, and the pros and cons of each. Though, split-level homes can also have more than three levels. Although this will lead to inconvenience when moving around your home, you can also get doors placed on each level to maintain the set temperature. Perhaps youve got your heart set on a modern, contemporary, or even a Colonial-style home. The raised ranch homes and split levels became popular in the 1960s and apparently, were still being built in the 1980s. Consider casement windows, which feature cranks and swing out to open up. Moreover, it presents serious challenges when it comes to renovating the entire space. Before we dive too deeply into the types of split-level homes, its important to know the distinguishing features of split-level houses. That allows for expansive decks to be put on or to simply enjoy the extra yard space for kids and pets. The problem is that it may not be the easiest of plans to execute. In todays world many people find the formal areas of a colonial to be a waste of space. And thats probably because so many of them were built during the 1970s. 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. In some places, homeowners with exterior steps will install a mailbox at street level. 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. Step inside the house and youll see polished flooring, shiny appliances, freshly-painted walls, and so much more. 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. With four or five floors, "stacked" is definitely a good name for this style. Since they are built vertically, that can mean that split-levels have more square footage in the yard. 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. Painted a crisp shade of white with black trim details, the home now boasts modern farmhouse style. That pop of color can give the right contrast to the rest of the home to make it stand out in a positive way. Use landscaping to your advantage. 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. Light colored paint will reflect light better and gives a brighter feel to the interiors of any home. Clients goal was to update the main floor and allow more natural light into this small-footprint home. 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. We utilized clean white cabinets around the perimeter of the kitchen and popped the island with a spunky shade of blue. 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 U shaped ranch gives you a ton of options for the open space in the middleyou can put a pool, front porch or a courtyard area there. The addition of Colonial-style features, from the cupola on the garage roof to the dramatic front porch supported by traditional columns, lends antique intrigue . 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! 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. fiber cement siding painted Cleveland Green (7" siding), Sweet Vibrations (4" siding), and Texas Leather (11" siding)all by Benjamin Moore window trim and clerestory band painted Night Horizon by Benjamin Moore soffit & fascia painted Camouflage by Benjamin Moore. 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. 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 . Part of the reason that split-level homes feel so outdated is that they have a number of interior walls. Both. With a split-level house, you could have at least three bedrooms and still have plenty of space for backyard recreation. Consider discarding furniture that would no longer suit your home, as well as stuff you no longer plan to use. 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. Replacing old windows with a more modern style can greatly modernize your homes look. It can be difficult to downsize and there are challenges with smaller spaces ,storage etc. This is a stark contrast to homes that do not make use of this style, since their floors are independent of each other. You can also turn it into your home office and place all your filing cabinets, bookcase, and other similar items there. If you want to go full-on modern, consider hiding the roof completely. 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. There is typically a short section of stairs that then leads to the other sections of the home. Create low cabinets that can also double as window seats, which allow you to save space and makes for a unique piece. link to What Kind Of Paint For Garage Walls. A very simple way of updating the look of a traditional split-level is to add some bling to the design. You can also use sliding glass doors instead of a wooden door. Split-levels, also sometimes called "tri-levels," are an architectural dead end that were built in abundance from the 1930s to the 1970s. Notice the symmetry and 2 level design. After all, you dont have to spend a single cent for it. The homeowners are enthusiasts of residential modern architecture and wanted to update their 1960s split-foyer home with a modern design. With recessed lighting, you can even highlight the best features in each of the different rooms. 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. As a visual contrast, a simple layout with distinct wooden floors replaced the old plain carpet. After all, this is what split-level homes are known for. Meanwhile, the topmost level is where all of the bedrooms and bathrooms are. 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. Modern home designs tend to focus on lighting details. 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. Horizontal sliders can also provide a more modern look. 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. This 1960s split-level home desperately needed a change - not bigger space, just better. This works well if your house has other trappings of colonial style. The trademarks MLS, Multiple Listing Service and the associated logos are owned by CREA and identify the quality of services provided by real estate professionals who are members of CREA. In this idea, you must pay more attention to the front door of the house. The lot needs to have a certain slope for the split level style to work. But times have changed, and modern garage door designs can transform the look of the front of your home. Now, lets take a more comprehensive look at the pros and cons of the split-level architectural style as a whole. But a few simple modifications can transform them, making them one of the best fixer-upper options. Snow can pile up, causing damage and its harder for rain to drain off. Raising the entry half a level and introducing a wrap-around elevation porch ultimately . Consider these options for altering the exterior: This isnt as simple as yes or no. Even better, that natural light will light up just about every corner of the room. 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. 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! In most cases, the bottom level is a garage, a den, a playroom, a recreation room, or other informal living areas. The chimney and fireplace became mostly decorations. This can come in handy for those who want to rent their extra space out for additional income to a potential roommate. 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. This may involve a major structural overhaul, but its worth considering. Unlike standard split homes, there isnt a functioning middle level with split foyer houses. The cape cod style originates in 17th century New England and was built with total practicality in mind. Noticing a theme yet? Another common complaint about the ranch style of home is that the outside can tend to have a boring, lackluster appeal. 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. However, that was also the time of the post-modern "colonial" movement. If there are multiple bedrooms present and you dont need some of them, merge two or more to create a bigger room. 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. For some, this section seems like wasted space when you can use it as a den or mudroom. And if those are no longer in production, good luck with how youre going to make it blend in with the rest of your home. We wont keep you guessing for so long you can make additions to a split-level home, despite the space constraints. On our website, we have been getting many hits and search querys every month concerning split level renovations. Our plan was to create an open and light filled kitchen with a design that translated well to the other spaces in this home, and a layout that offered plenty of space for multiple cooks. Consider installing solar lights on your property, particularly along the path leading to the main entrance of your home. The split level can be built on a sloping a sloping lot (cheaper) with more square footage under one roof (cheaper! Make no mistake, retro is chic but split-level homes, to many, are still out of style. Moving your furniture around to change the look of your home is usually the first step many homeowners make. The content on this site is not intended to provide legal, financial or real estate advice. You can also have skylights placed on the section of your roof directly above your living space or bedrooms. 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 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. You can divert and make your main door or entryway as the focal point of your faade by installing an eye-catching front entry. Most split-level homes that have never been updated retain the retro vibe from more than half a century ago it makes the entire house look like it should have stayed on that era. Dont let the limited space of a split-level home hinder you from making all sorts of additions to your home. 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. With proper drainage, you can keep the yard dry and clean, making it more appealing for potential suitors. 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. Updating the look and feel of your home, including the appliances like those in the kitchen above, will dramatically change the interiors. The exterior can have a look that might be considered dated. While split level homes can be gorgeous, with their high ceilings and efficient use of space, they can also seem outdated and not reflect your unique taste in design. That's not usually a good thing. The short answer is that, yes, you can convert a split-level to open up the home and make it feel more modern. There is a large chimney in the center of the house used to keep the home warm during the harsh northeastern winters. Written by Light can be the biggest factor in transforming a split-level home from an outdated space into one that looks fresh and modern. The Cape Cod is truly a no frills style home. 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. Aside from these two requirements, the design work involved aesthetics: enhancing the front faade with a modern architecture and high quality materials. This type of split-level home boasts four or five levels and numerous sets of stairs. Drawbacks of Art DecoIn some parts of the country flat roofs can be a problem and need continual maintenance. However, this staggered design is not ideal for the elderly or individuals with disabilities. If you prefer a home that still separates the living space from the bedrooms, but doesnt require a full flight of stairs to reach, you may consider a side split style house. 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 kitchen and dining room are on a separate floor from both the bedrooms and living room. However, from the outside, they appear like there is only one level. [Our Clients] It also helps to ensure that the drainage is properly taken care of. To put it simply, the split-level home is a design from the 1950s. Most of the time, they are downright ugly. Get new garage doors. Updating a tri-level home is not a project that you can just DIY your way to completion. For now, they are also quite affordably priced. Maximize this by getting larger windows for your home to allow more light inside your home during the day. The familys living quarters are located on the main floor, on the other side of the house. 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. Although you have limited remodeling options, you can still turn your home into something worthy of a spot in an architecture magazine. Each style has unique features, but all split-level houses consist of multiple floors connected by short flights of stairs. Split-level homes also provide more outside space. You can choose from stacked-split, split-foyer, split-entry, back-split, standard-split, or side-split. By sumitting this form, you agree to be contacted about your project by Homeadvisor and / or other service partners using automated phone technology and / or email. Even better, adding a skylight has a ton of benefits from every aspect: economical, functional, and aesthetic. The remodel welcomes a covered front porch that was absent in the original. The entire house was remodeled, plus we designed a screened porch and patio / fire pit for the rear yard. They are close to town, and they have a reasonable cost basis, due to their older look. 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. Photo Credit: Mid-Century Split Level Addition/Whole House Remodel, Front Yard 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. Tri-level homes already look unbalanced and adding extensions to its sides makes it look even more unbalanced if not done properly. Similar to a side split home, back split houses are divided into multiple levels. This results in a stark contrast, especially when the differences are very obvious. This makes the entryway quite narrow and the easiest solution is to move the storage somewhere else. 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. We will not contact you with anything else. I've evolved this design to where the center pullout and adjacent shelves can be adjusted up or down. Ranches tend to be easier to maintainparticularly on the outside. Some split-level homes have ample space at the back and on one side. This is a split-level home, so there were limited aesthetic options in the entryway. 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. This floor plan features three to four floors and many sets of stairs. link to How To Organize A Bathroom Closet. Commonly, however, the term is also used to denote split-level homes. Renovations are also one of the best times for you to declutter. The predominant surface is generally smooth and clean. The Empire State Building is a glowing example of the Art Deco style and its reach for the sky ethos. 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. Our primary goal was to re-imagine the main level of the home and create an open flow between the space. We have an office that is the envy of the neighborhood. And if you want to take it to the next level, does the KonMari method ring a bell? None have been built since the late 1970s. If you have a bigger budget, you can actually expand your home through the back. 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. Again, the main advantage to this type of split-level home is the lack of staircases connecting each level of the house. The more steps you have, the more difficult snow removal is going to be in the winter months. The entrance is a small section that is separate from all the main floors of the home. 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. 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. Stacked split-level. Because of their design, split-level homes can struggle to get an ample amount of natural light. It is not only the planning stage that you need to focus on the execution is equally important. There is also hardly any room for experimentation when it comes to remodeling a tri-level home. Many saw what was happening as a devaluation of human labor and an emphasis on mass production rather than individualism and hand-crafted items. These give an illusion that the areas in the open space still have divisions that separate them. 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. Landscaping is new. The lower demand in most markets means that they are readily available for a cheaper price than other types of homes. [Kitchen] Now that we are living in them, what are some split level strategies that we can use to improve the experience. In these instances, the floor plan will usually be designed by an architect to suit the specific topography of the lot. What made this transformation was raising the entrance to the main level, building out the attic space for an added level, and relocating the staircase to access all 3 levels. The front yard tree was protected and preserved through the construction period. 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. What makes split-level homes a pain to transform is because of the limits involved. Whats most important is that your home works the best for you. The original spec was probably a steel door with very little curb appeal. Even designers will readily admit that remodeling this type of home is challenging for them. Again, as with the cape cod , the siding may need regular maintenance. Brokerage. One of the major concepts of the modern home is that it has an open floor plan. Some roof colors simply wont work with a contemporary design an old shingle roof usually looks anything but clean and smooth. The most significant change done to this space is removing the small room in the middle of the floor that housed the kitchen. Split-level homes, also known as bi-level or divided-entry homes, are a very American home style. 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. Raised ranch homes flip the expected configuration upside-down. Another great idea is to replace old windows with newer ones and tearing down some of your interior walls to make space and bring in more natural light. Bathroom closets are often catch-alls for anything and everything remotely related to self-care. The major disadvantage to this style of split-level home is the middle area that has no real function at all. Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you. The roof lines create an interesting look and this style never seems to be out-dated. We converted the original garage into a lovely little living room with a cozy fireplace. 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. 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. The scope also included the living and dining rooms, plus the front entry and stairwell. Also, your current foundations wont have to support the additional weight, because these additions will have their own foundations. Again, split-level homes tend to struggle with natural lighting. 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. A cottage is typically a one bedroom dwelling meant for travelers or people on vacation. Photo: Robert Braddock. The outdatedness of a split-level home isnt specific to the interior. The split level house design has evolved in the world of production builders following the ranch home. Your link to How To Organize A Bathroom Closet. Since tri-level homes generally dont look symmetrical, adding additions to it will be challenging.

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