convert split level to colonial

You can also make use of that list as an inspiration for your project. The aesthetic lends itself to an imaginative use of color, glass and circles. The content on this site is not intended to provide legal, financial or real estate advice. Despite all that youve read about them being outdated, split-level houses do have some positives to them. Consider these options for altering the exterior: This isnt as simple as yes or no. 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. 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. The idea with the Split level is that you can accommodate a large family on a modest budget. Replacing old windows with a more modern style can greatly modernize your homes look. 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 warm walnut vanity and touches of brass cozy up the space and relate with the feel of the rest of the home. Again, the main advantage to this type of split level is the fact that there arent a ton of staircases that separate the floors. By even changing out those outdated windows for something modern and new, it can really change the look of the home. But the good news is that there are plenty of methods for bringing a more modern aesthetic to your split-level home. The south roof slope of the home hosts a large solar array, barely visible here. If you have any bedrooms not in use, transform them into one big storage room. For first-time homebuyers, that can mean a more realistic first-time option. The raised ranch came into popularity as land in the suburbs became more scarce and families wanted to get more of a house on a smaller piece of property. Any split-level modernization project should look very closely at ways to make those exterior walls smooth. The separation of the floors means that youll be less likely to be awakened by the sounds happening on the lower levels. 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. The biggest challenge for Sun Design Remodeling is the mid-level front door. Looking at listings and come across descriptions saying cozy ranch or colonial and wonder what differentiates thesehomestyles and what it means for livability and cost? While some styles create space with doors, the colonial does it with staircase. The Cape Cod is truly a no frills style home. On the other hand, this is not something you can do with split-level homes. This way, the new addition is not that visible from the front of your home. With that said, here are some ways that you can modernize your split-level home and make it more suited to your style preferences: While ultra-modern can mean different things to different people, it generally means getting more natural light into the home. 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. Placement of the family room, kitchen, dining room, bedrooms, and bathrooms can all vary in this style. 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. There is a large chimney in the center of the house used to keep the home warm during the harsh northeastern winters. It packs a large amount of square footage into a relatively small footprint, something growing families appreciate. Many have garages and basements, and some have both. The chimney and fireplace became mostly decorations. Anything you do on any floor of a split-level home will affect the other floors. Aside from the limited space you can work on, from the total space to the narrow hallways and short stairs, you also need to consider the function of every floor and how they would connect to the other floors in terms of their function. And voila! The Colonial-style renovation upgraded the plain portico into a spacious covered porch, which allows room for plenty of outdoor furniture. A front porch was added, siding and stone are new, as are all the windows. This can come in handy for those who want to rent their extra space out for additional income to a potential roommate. link to How To Organize A Bathroom Closet. If you can, taking a wall or two out is a great way to open up what is largely an enclosed space. Moreover, it presents serious challenges when it comes to renovating the entire space. The predominant surface is generally smooth and clean. [Hall Bathroom] The raised ranch homes and split levels became popular in the 1960s and apparently, were still being built in the 1980s. 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. You need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and make final decisions before the work starts. 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. Bi-levels were popular in the era of splits, as developers would offer new homes in four configurations: colonials, splits, bi-levels or ranches. #OvercomingObstaclesScholarship: Lets Put Mental Health on the Agenda and Change the Narrative on Social Media Together! This floor plan features three to four floors and many sets of stairs. In the case of side additions, it is vital that it blends with the existing faade, which means getting the same windows, paint color, type of roof, etc. 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. Since the house is all on one level, you will need more square footage to get privacy from other household members. 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. However, most of these homes were built on the cheap. Oftentimes, this floor will have a bedroom, bathroom, and possibly a laundry room. However, the major disadvantage is the fact that you must climb multiple sets of stairs to reach each individual level of the home. 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. These are just a few ideas, and you can use them as a simple spark of design inspiration to get you going. The big tree doesnt help at all, since it just makes the left side heavier than the other side. This is a stark contrast to homes that do not make use of this style, since their floors are independent of each other. 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. 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. Snow can pile up, causing damage and its harder for rain to drain off. Photos by Richard Pasley. 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. Glass is known to let in more light, and this allows you to save on electricity. The roof lines create an interesting look and this style never seems to be out-dated. Bryan Jones, Principal Jones Pierce Inc. An Atlanta based Architectural firm specializing in custom home transformations and custom retirement homes in fun places. The floor tile in this bathroom still makes our hearts skip a beat. [Master Suite] Popularity for the split level style was at its greatest in the 70s after the style was featured as the Brady Bunch home. Balodemas said real estate developers saw them as a way. There are 6 main split-level house designs, including standard-split, split-foyer, stacked-split, split-entry, back-split, and side-split. As a result, their homes look even more unbalanced and the new additions are blatantly obvious not a look you should strive for. A very simple way of updating the look of a traditional split-level is to add some bling to the design. Always consider even the most extreme ideas if youre planning to be in the home for a long time. With a sultry black hex on the floor and a dimensional geometric tile on the walls we set the stage for a calm space. 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 . Whether youre looking to buy or build a home from scratch, you likely have a specific architectural style in mind. 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. If done properly, this can tie in wonderfully with the natural stone sections of wall mentioned above. ), Plus it looks like a really sophisticated structure, so neighbors will be impressed (good!). On the other hand, bi-level houses have two levels that are accessed via a common entrance between the floors. In Miamis South Beach, the Art Deco style saw a resurgence in the 1980s with pastel colors. The bedrooms would be upstairs, and the basement or garage would go down. There are various shapes for the ranch style, but the main theme is that the entire house is on one levelwhich has its perks. 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.. You may be used to shoveling the driveway, imagine if you had to add your roof to the list of items to shovel. The ranch has no stairs, the entire house is on one level. The first is that they create a much better separation between the upstairs and the downstairs. It also helps to ensure that the drainage is properly taken care of. Another great garage door style on a modern home is a wood-look door. [Office] The split level house design has evolved in the world of production builders following the ranch home. This type of split-level house features multiple levels that are visible from the homes exterior. Striking Split-Level. By adding skylights into the master bedroom, it can give an entirely new dimension to the space. There are 6 main split-level house designs, including standard-split, split-foyer, stacked-split, split-entry, back-split, and side-split. You can make changes to your existing landscaping, or create one if you currently dont have any. And for split-level homes, the ideal remodel involves also the sides of the house. Whole House Remodeling This home was transformed from a split-foyer into a french colonial. A roof is far more than a utilitarian way to keep precipitation out of the house its an important design element that can make or break an exterior remodel. The dining room had once been the homes living room, but we had other plans in mind. Dark colors tend to work well with shingle roofs, and the potential to switch to a standing seam metal roof should also be considered. After all, you dont have to spend a single cent for it. Most types of split-level houses will feature several staircases that lead to the different levels of the house.