convert split level to colonial

For now, they are also quite affordably priced. The main level is street level so there is no need to be climbing up or down stairs with groceries etc. To modernize a split-level home, replace the outdated windows. Popularity for the split level style was at its greatest in the 70s after the style was featured as the Brady Bunch home. The aesthetic lends itself to an imaginative use of color, glass and circles. Walk in the front door at ground level, and you climb a flight of stairs to reach the living room, dining, room and kitchen level . We have an office that is the envy of the neighborhood. 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. 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. 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. The interior spaces flow. Replacing old windows with a more modern style can greatly modernize your homes look. 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. Some roof colors simply wont work with a contemporary design an old shingle roof usually looks anything but clean and smooth. Moreover, it presents serious challenges when it comes to renovating the entire space. So, that means sprucing up the curb appeal becomes important. It only takes 2 minutes to fill out the form. Taken fromhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HE7jN7ofmeI. 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. There are some things designers typically focus on to make significant changes to this type of home, such as: If you are thinking of modifying your home but dont really have a clue where to start and how to do it, we can help you out with that. A cottage is typically a one bedroom dwelling meant for travelers or people on vacation. Brick steps lined with lush landscaping beckon guests toward the entrance. If you were a fan of The Brady Bunch, then you know exactly what a split-level house is. The Colonial-style renovation upgraded the plain portico into a spacious covered porch, which allows room for plenty of outdoor furniture. Oftentimes, this floor will have a bedroom, bathroom, and possibly a laundry room. Skylights allow for natural, warm lighting to permeate the room. 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. When a home is cared for, it doesnt have that old, uncared for look that we think of with outdated homes. Split-level homes can feel dated. However, that was also the time of the post-modern "colonial" movement. How one couple converted a split-level into a home they could live with Use landscaping to your advantage. Glass is known to let in more light, and this allows you to save on electricity. Our primary goal was to re-imagine the main level of the home and create an open flow between the space. 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. This allows you to adjust the temperatures separately to even them out. 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. Split-levels are cool on the inside. The original spec was probably a steel door with very little curb appeal. Snow can pile up, causing damage and its harder for rain to drain off. 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. If you can, taking a wall or two out is a great way to open up what is largely an enclosed space. While some styles create space with doors, the colonial does it with staircase. The biggest challenge for Sun Design Remodeling is the mid-level front door. As prices in close-in suburbs inch toward the stratosphere, split-levels are often the only house types left that younger buyers can afford. Again, the main advantage to this type of split-level home is the lack of staircases connecting each level of the house. Photos by Richard Pasley. After all, you dont have to spend a single cent for it. Both. 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. If you wish to report an issue or seek an accommodation, please let us know. Convert Ranch Into Split-level Ranch (Left side of house raised) Convert Ranch Into Split-level Ranch (Middle portion of house raised) Convert Ranch Into Colonial Convert Ranch Into Split-level (Do's & Don'ts) Add Rear Bathroom Dormer to Cape Convert Cape to Colonial (Cantilevered) Add Full Rear Dormer to Cape with Dog House Dormers Updating a split-level home is hard. It can be difficult to downsize and there are challenges with smaller spaces ,storage etc. 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. Part of the reason that split-level homes feel so outdated is that they have a number of interior walls. Zillow Group is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for individuals with disabilities. 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". Modern home designs tend to focus on lighting details. A common configuration is having the first stairs from the entryway leading to the dining room or kitchen. Opting for a split-level house on a property like this allows the contractor to adjust the foundation according to the lot. 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 Difference Between Raised Ranch and Split-Level The kitchen and dining room are on a separate floor from both the bedrooms and living room. 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). 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. He's an authority on the Florida real estate market, as well as selling a house by owner. As a result, their homes look even more unbalanced and the new additions are blatantly obvious not a look you should strive for. Before we dive too deeply into the types of split-level homes, its important to know the distinguishing features of split-level houses. The major disadvantage to this style of split-level home is the middle area that has no real function at all. To even out the temperature all over your home, you can get furnace fans installed and get them to run at a low setting. If youve recently fallen in love with this type of floor plan, its worth familiarizing yourself with your options. With recessed lighting, you can even highlight the best features in each of the different rooms. Tri-level homes already look unbalanced and adding extensions to its sides makes it look even more unbalanced if not done properly. The dining room had once been the homes living room, but we had other plans in mind. Despite all that youve read about them being outdated, split-level houses do have some positives to them. 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. 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. Please switch to a supported browser or download one of our Mobile Apps. Cobb home converted from split-level ranch to farmhouse-style house - ajc You can add a number of design elements, such as siding, tiles, wood, stone, and other decorative pieces to give it a new look. And voila! 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. Weve already explored some of the advantages and disadvantages of each individual type of split-level house. A split-level home has a few great places to start. 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. 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. You can divert and make your main door or entryway as the focal point of your faade by installing an eye-catching front entry. To remedy this, you can install more lights all over your home; LED light is always better because it is brighter but doesnt consume much electricity. The main advantage to standard split-level homes is the clear separation between the bedrooms and the kitchen and living room. Photo Credit: Mid-Century Split Level Addition/Whole House Remodel, Front Yard We removed two walls to open up this kitchen to the adjacent dining and family room area in this classic Split Level style home. This question is important and your answer will serve as your guide when it comes to updating your home. You can certainly look on the bright side and see it as an opportunity to get more exercise in your home. What makes split-level homes a pain to transform is because of the limits involved. 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. The homeowners are enthusiasts of residential modern architecture and wanted to update their 1960s split-foyer home with a modern design. 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. William Feemster of ImageArts Photography. Step inside the house and youll see polished flooring, shiny appliances, freshly-painted walls, and so much more. 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. Used under license. The problem is that it may not be the easiest of plans to execute. Its much easier to move things in and out of the house when everything is on one level. Again, as with the cape cod , the siding may need regular maintenance. The entire house was remodeled, plus we designed a screened porch and patio / fire pit for the rear yard. You need to consider if the changes you plan to make to your home will have a negative impact in terms of your entire homes functionality. link to What Kind Of Paint For Garage Walls. That is, the middle and largest level is for the dining and living areas, the upper floor is for bedrooms, and the lowest floor is for the garage or cellar. This arrangement is built around 14" x 14" faces to increase the width of the pullouts and provides over twice the usable storage of lazy susans. 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. Thats some Brady Bunch vibes you have going on there. With standard split homes, inhabitants and visitors enter the house from the ground level. This results in a stark contrast, especially when the differences are very obvious. This is the photo of the residence building before undergoing the remodeling process. The familys living quarters are located on the main floor, on the other side of the house. They feature a prominent front door, medium roofing lines for drainage and. 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. Meanwhile, the topmost level is where all of the bedrooms and bathrooms are. Ryan Shaw. A front porch was added, siding and stone are new, as are all the windows. Jessica considers herself a home improvement and design enthusiast. Create low cabinets that can also double as window seats, which allow you to save space and makes for a unique piece. Horizontal sliders can also provide a more modern look. After all, this is what split-level homes are known for. . 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. The Hardest Home Styles to Change and Maintain - Real Estate Witch They were an off-shoot of the post-war modern movement. Your link to How To Organize A Bathroom Closet. 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. The lower demand in most markets means that they are readily available for a cheaper price than other types of homes. Drawbacks of Art DecoIn some parts of the country flat roofs can be a problem and need continual maintenance. 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. This home was transformed from a split-foyer into a french colonial While we know that the design of a split-level house can vary, many of them will have a set of stairs outside that lead to the front door instead of a flat sidewalk. In todays world many people find the formal areas of a colonial to be a waste of space. Common features of split-level houses include large living areas, low-pitched roofs, and multiple attics with ample storage space. Taken fromhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKS8AnI6Ahk. Your house payment will be lower, property taxes will be less, fewer headaches, less clutter. The Empire State Building is a glowing example of the Art Deco style and its reach for the sky ethos. One of the biggest issues plaguing split-level homes is that water can pool up at the lower points of the house. 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. ), 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. Now we know why Art Deco is popular in Miami! You can still see the garage, main level, and upper/lower split on the right. 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 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 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. The bedrooms would be upstairs, and the basement or garage would go down. At twilight the house comes aglow with warmth. Photo and copyright by Renovation Design Group. Your old garage can be converted into any living space you want. Bathroom closets are often catch-alls for anything and everything remotely related to self-care. Therefore, we thought it would be a good time to revisit strategies to turn the split level monster into a piece of architecture. 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 wont keep you guessing for so long you can make additions to a split-level home, despite the space constraints. 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. You may be used to shoveling the driveway, imagine if you had to add your roof to the list of items to shovel. 34 Incredible Before-and-After Exterior Home Remodels 7 Extraordinary Split Level House Remodel Before and - JimenezPhoto Comments (39) Oh, we added 1100 sq ft. We converted the old garage into the living room, moved the front door, made the old living room into the dining room, opened everything up and gutted the kitchen. Landscaping is new. Again, split-level homes tend to struggle with natural lighting. For the first idea, let's take a look at the picture of this traditional split-level house located in Minneapolis. Since the house is all on one level, you will need more square footage to get privacy from other household members. Split-level exteriors tend to be a bit bland. Of all split level homes, the raised ranch has the toughest exterior to deal with. Split-level homes are great for those who want to conserve the space on their property, without sacrificing room inside of the home. We loved the original built-ins in this space, and knew they needed to always be a part of this house, but these 60-year-old beauties definitely needed a little help. Wherever possible is important because some of (or all of) those interior walls could have major structural implications on the rest of the home.