How to Remodel a Split-Level Home

Let's talk split-level homes. These houses, popular in the mid-20th century, often need a refresh to meet modern design. The chopped-up layout, dated finishes, and awkward entryways can be a challenge. This guide offers practical advice on how to remodel a split-level home into a stylish, functional living space you'll love.

Understanding the Split-Level Challenge

Split-level houses offer advantages: defined living zones, partial basements for extra light, and a larger feel than a single-story ranch. But those short staircases and segmented rooms can feel dated. This often results in a cramped entryway and a lack of flow between rooms. Split-level homes also tend to have a dining room that often feels separated from other living areas.

How to Remodel a Split-Level Home: A Comprehensive Guide

1. Brighten and Open the Entryway

The entryway sets the tone. In split levels, it's often cramped. Consider a glass front door for more natural light. You can also move the main entrance to face the driveway. Replacing the old doorway with windows improves flow and brightens the space.

A small porch addition can align the entryway with the house’s facade and boost curb appeal, minimizing the garage’s dominance. Add storage solutions inside entryway walls to hold mail and keys. This change can drastically improve the use of square footage in small foyers common in split-level houses.

2. Maximize Natural Light

Small windows are another common split-level complaint. Replacing them with larger ones instantly brightens rooms. Adding windows to blank walls and installing a door light can also make a big difference. Consider adding a variety of lighting and vanity options for bathroom remodels. Doing so can further enhance natural light and create a more open feel, making spaces feel larger. Add a fresh coat of paint with a lighter color to brighten things up. Custom lighting will create the desired atmosphere.

3. Reimagine the Kitchen Layout

Many split-level kitchens feel small. Removing non-load-bearing walls or replacing half-walls can create an open floor plan for the level kitchen. This change often creates an open concept between the kitchen and living area. If removing entire walls disrupts the kitchen layout, consider a half-wall. Use it for cabinets, a countertop, or as an under-counter space. This helps in optimizing limited square footage in split-level homes. Alternatively, add a kitchen island with seating.

Improve kitchen safety with upgrades like a range hood and exhaust fan. Consulting with kitchen scheduling professionals is a good idea, especially if you want to modernize a dated split-level kitchen.

4. Update the Exterior of Your Split Level Home

Dated siding and drab paint colors instantly age a split level. Simple updates to a home's exterior design greatly enhance curb appeal and can transform a drab red brick house. These efforts can often extend into interior design elements such as updating floors.

Start by painting the siding and/or replacing the roof. New garage doors and a fresh coat of a lighter color on the exterior will help create a modern split-level house style. Consider replacing old siding sections with vertical siding or architectural panels. Choose a more saturated, modern color, especially for red brick, while also selecting a contrasting trim and roof color.

Don’t forget regular home maintenance after your remodel. It is a crucial step in preserving the value and beauty of your home. You may also consider modern solutions such as adding custom lighting for increased visual appeal, a great color-blocked entryway design for visual intrigue, or new room sets to redesign certain rooms from top to bottom completely.

5. Create a Cohesive Flow

Split levels often feel disjointed. Tie the levels together with a consistent color palette, materials, and design style to help with transitions and maximize open-concept, high-ceiling design.

Maintain similar heights for curtains and artwork to connect separate areas. Incorporate coordinating accents, artwork, and lighting in adjacent and level spaces for symmetry. Floating living room furniture also helps create visual flow, adding more options beyond placing furniture against walls.

6. Address Those Tricky Stairs

Short staircases can be a pain point. Look for ways to make them less intrusive, such as removing railings. For hallways with lower ceilings, consider installing upward-facing light fixtures. Wood or slatted partition walls create architectural appeal. They also increase natural lighting in lower-ceilinged areas.

7. Finishing the Basement Level

Finishing a split-level basement adds functional living space. First, address any water issues. Look into improving or reconfiguring the HVAC system, especially before reviewing split-level floor plans. Moisture problems can cause serious issues later on. Consider upgrading bathroom features. A relaxing master bathroom and a stylish upstairs guest bath with a modern shower are popular choices. Rewiring or upgrading electrical systems on the main, lower, or guest floors depends on usage. Consider the square footage and intended purpose of each level when making updates. Account for any new space and whether you’re modernizing a living space, office, or bedroom on multiple floors. Remember exterior lighting.

The Finished Split-Level

Remodeling a split-level presents opportunities and challenges. By understanding these homes and addressing their quirks, you can create a great place. From open floor plans to fresh paint on level rooms, every project is a step in your home’s transformation. Don’t overlook the impact of seemingly small changes such as new door lights or incorporating hardwood flooring into your open floor plan, and remember that even built-in storage is an interior design choice.

Whether you tackle small updates or large kitchen remodels, consider factors such as how you want your dining room or even living room to tie into the design of your split-level house. Remember that using light colors can often help the overall space feel bigger, even in rooms that initially feel small. 

From updating light fixtures to opening up the space by tearing down a load-bearing wall or two, consider the different design aspects that help to personalize your split-level remodel, creating your modern solution. With planning and patience, you can transform every level of your split-level home. Whether you need a simple home renovation in Wilmington, DE, or are in search of reliable house builders in Wilmington, DE, Colonial Construction is your one-stop solution for split levels and more! Contact us today to get started.