Split-level homes have been a popular home design choice since the 50s. This means that if you’ve recently bought one, you might think it is time for some remodeling and renovation. However, these homes usually have unique floor plans and exteriors that make remodeling a pain. To make it easier for you, here are a few tips that might help:
Think of the Exterior
Split-level houses tend to have bland exteriors. When you’re passing by, there’s usually nothing that stands out. When you’re remodeling, you might consider changing the siding and other aspects of the home’s exterior. Consider adding an exterior wall surface of stone or something smooth. This can impress visitors and give your home a fresher look than a coat of paint.
Split-level homes should also look to the grounds around them. If you don’t landscape, then your home might look a bit crooked. Think about relocating trees that are too close to give your home a sense of balance.
Changing the Layout
Split-level houses have large amounts of space. This is thanks to the fact that you have multiple levels to play with. You can have a basement and a couple of floors. The trouble is that there is no standard layout for split-level homes. If you’re upgrading, you might want to change the floor layout so that you can get the best use of the space. Remove some walls so that you can have larger rooms. Plus, you can change the purpose of a room so that you can get more use out of it.
Note that garages and basements are the usual targets of this change. Split-level homes with huge garages can be better off with a smaller one. Additionally, basements can be used for more than just storage space.
Be Aware of the Staircases
One of the things that you might notice about split-level homes is that they have several stairs. This allows access to various areas of the house and gives you more space to play with. It does present you with a great opportunity, though. If you’ve got some staircase design ideas, then this is the perfect time to implement them. Note that older split-level houses tend to be boring when it comes to the stairs. They tend to be pretty bland in design, so if you want to spice things up a bit, then you’ll have to plan it properly.
Be Careful with Expanding
You might think about adding to your current split-level home as part of the renovation. If you do, the best position for them is behind the house and not to the side. This is because split-level homes were designed to maximize space, and adding to the sides make it look unbalanced. Additionally, don’t try to add more floors since this emphasizes the differences between the levels.
Proper remodeling can turn an aging home into something you can be proud of. The tips above should help in ensuring that your remodeling efforts don’t end in a disaster. Plus, split-level homes have space for you to experiment and play with. If you’re feeling adventurous, your home can be sure to impress anyone who sees it.