How to Modernize a Split Level Home

Split level homes are also referred to as tri-level homes. The latter nomenclature makes it easier to explain what a split-level home is. It refers to home styles with three levels without a uniform split. For instance, two floors are on one side of the house while a single level is on the other side. 

These home styles were once the order of the day due to more people looking for something bigger than a bungalow for their families without breaking a bank. It was equally unique in the days ruled by bungalows. It helped average households who couldn’t afford multiple-story homes to maximize the limited plots of land they had. This home-style was very popular from the 1950s to the 1970s.

Space efficiency, compact design, functional basement, and high ceilings are some of the beautiful things about split-level homes but then they can easily look out of time. For instance, many people complain about how the sides of the home, as well as the side of the garage, is not given proper attention, giving a highly contrasting outlook in comparison to the front of the home. Is this a concern for you? Then, you don’t have to worry. All you need to do is remodel your split-level home; fortunately, you don’t have to pack out during the renovation, thanks to the multiple levels. 

There are several things you can do to modernize a split-level home to suit your taste. They include: 

Remodeling Split level Exterior

You can modernize the exterior of your split level home by doing the following: 

Paint or repair: When remodeling the exterior of your split-level home, the first thing is to examine if a repair is required or merely painting it is enough. A neat coat of paint will make any home design look better but damaged or lose items must also be removed. 

Note: several factors have to be considered when choosing a color – trendy or timeless? Trendy colors are perfect for the moment but are often quickly phased out by another trend hence it is better to go for timeless colors to ensure you don’t incur unnecessary expenses on a repaint. You should also consider the color combinations in the surrounding homes – colors that are not too similar but are also not too different are the best.

Windows: another excellent remodeling option for your split-level home exterior is the addition of windows. Split-level home designs typically have a long expanse of siding or painting which can look quite boring. Break this up by adding windows – use the same size and style of window already in place or change everything. Adding windows will not just make the exterior of your home better but also bring in more light and enhance the value of your property. The garage also needs the addition of windows but should also have draperies to ensure your visitors don’t see the clutter as they approach the entrance of the home. 

Finally, on window addition, perfect the window exterior with stutters. 

Tweak your landscaping: landscaping is often taken for granted by many homeowners who don’t realize how important it is to the outlook of their homes. Don’t wait for your plants to be dead or overgrown before dealing with them; minimal landscaping is the trendy thing now. Plain grass, shrubs, and thin spiky plants are good examples. 

Add a porch or expand an existing porch: you can get more living space as well as the chance to get more details in your home by adding a porch. 

Reside one portion: simply changing the outlook of the siding on the taller half of your home can give you exactly what you want. For instance, vertical siding can be installed in place of horizontal siding. 

Update the lower facade: many split-level homes have outdated brick, stucco, or tile on their lower facade; using a new material or enhancing the appearance by adding a landscape to the existing materials will give you something new.

Update your roof color: the color of the roof of your split-level home should neither be too close to the color of the house nor too light. Create a great contrast for a modern outlook. 

Get new garage doors: the garage of split-level homes takes a large part of the frontage hence contributes significantly to the impression of your house. To ensure your guests have a good first impression of your home, you may need to change your garage doors. Go for contemporary doors or simply paint your current door. 

Get a glass front door: the entry of split-level homes can feel too deep-sea or too cramped inside. The addition of a glass front door is one of the easiest ways to solve this problem. 

Move the front door: it’s okay if you want to keep the current door style of your home. Just change the front door from facing the street to facing the driveway. This will make your home better, especially if you can get an IGU window in the previous position of the door to bring more light in. 

Build storage into the foyer wall: building storage into one of the foyer walls is an excellent way to make a small entryway more practical. 

General remodeling of split-level homes

Add a skylight or solar tubes: windows are not the only way to bring light into your split-level home. Solar tubes don’t need much ceiling space to brighten a room. 

Knock down some walls: diverse styles of older homes have excess walls, leading to a kind of disconnection in the house. Knocking down a few of such walls that are not bearing load is okay. They can be done in the following ways:

• Shuffle doorways: moving doorways to link different rooms will open up your home and make feel more whole than parts.
• Open up the kitchen: knocking out part of the kitchen walls can help you create a spacious, social living room or dining room. Then, you can have your kitchen in the middle with built-in storage. 

Get custom mirrors: mirrors are vital items in home decor. They create an illusion of larger spaces by reflecting the light present in the room. 

Install custom lighting: the installation of custom lighting is one of the best ways you can modernize your split-level home. 

Upgrade technology and safety: this is usually not on many people’s remodeling plan for split-level homes but it is imperative to have safety measures in place because of the peculiar safety concerns of split-level homes. Some of the safety technologies you can put in place are:

• Remodeling of the HVAC system: having several HVAC zones in place with separate thermostats will help to solve the annoying warm and cold areas common to split-level homes. It’s quite expensive option but it’s worth it if you can afford it. For people on a lower budget, a whole-house fan is an option.
• Add more smoke and carbon monoxide detectors: This is imperative because of the many separated floors and rooms in split-level homes. 

Convert your floors: tiles or wooden floorboards with plain or simple designs are modern options for your floors. However, if carpets remain your preference, shades of light gray or beige are okay. 

Remove wallpapers: wallpapers were trendy for split-level homes in the 1970s but not anymore. Plain painted walls are now the trendy things. 

Expand your living room: instead of having choking living rooms, take advantage of the extra space in your backyard to extend your living space.

Make your stairs better: the stairs of split-level homes are typical made of wooden floorboards or carpeted. To make this more modern, you can create a color contrast that makes your stairs stand out. 

Change your furniture: finally, your furniture has to complement the new modern pieces you have in place. 

Key considerations before remodeling your split-level home 

To avoid unnecessary delays or fines, do the following before going ahead with your remodeling plan:

Renovations policies and restrictions: contact your local government or neighborhood’s association to know of any existing policies or restrictions about home renovations. Houses in some areas have to maintain their facade for uniformity. 

Confirm measurements: it is imperative to confirm your split-level home’s measurements, especially when using custom-made materials. 

Budget: decide how much you want to spend on remodeling your split-level home and plan accordingly. 

Your schedule: although the renovation of split-level homes can be done anytime, it is vital that it suits your schedule. Choose a period that doesn’t interfere with your daily activities too much to allow you to check on the project.

Consult a contractor: contact a contractor to check if your plan is appropriate for a split-level home. The contractor can also clarify your budget concerns, suggesting alternative materials for the project.

Conclusion 

Remodeling or modernizing your split-level home is easier than many people say. It does not have to be a major overhaul; little tweaks here and there can make incredible differences in both how the exterior and interior of your split-level home look. A careful combination of some of the tips above will give you amazing results.