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Split Level Home Remodel Ideas Before & After

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Want to modernize your dated split level home? Our 1970s split-level was transformed into a modern, open-concept home through strategic remodeling. By removing walls and adding cathedral ceilings, we created a spacious, contemporary living space perfect for todays modern living style.

Let’s take a tour of our split level before and after throughout the remodeling process.

split level exterior remodel with white board and batten siding, black windows and garage
split level home remodel ideas with garage

What Is A Split Level Home

A split level home is a type of house characterized by multiple levels or floors that are staggered in a way that typically divides the living spaces into separate sections. These sections are usually connected by short staircases, creating distinct levels within the same structure.

split level exterior remodel with white board and batten siding, black windows and garage

I have found that depending on what part of the country you live in, a split level house is sometimes referred to as a bi-level or tri-level home.

The split level house I am sharing today has a basic floor plan that features two sets of short stairways directly as you walk in the front door. One set of stairs leads to the basement and the other set of stairs leads to the main level of the home.

Are Split Level Homes Making A Comeback?

Split-level homes were popular back in the 1960s and 1970s due to their affordability and many times, in a culd-a-sac location.

In Massachusetts, you will find several great neighborhoods full of older split level and cape cod style homes.

Now, several years later, they are in the price bracket for many first time home owners or young families and modernizing them to accommodate a more modern look and open floor plan has been increasingly popular.

Our 1970’s Split-Level Remodel

The first thing Jim tackled was the home’s exterior adding new vertical siding, larger windows and new exterior doors.

1970s split level home remodel before and after

Split Level Home Remodel Exterior

The before exterior of our split level home was original to 1970s featuring wood siding, original windows and doors.

1970s-split-level-exterior-remodel-before-and-after
split level house remodel

The back of the house before we remodeled, did have a “newer-ish” deck that appeared to be 20 years old but needed a lot of TLC.

split level house with cedar deck brown siding

We added a new roof, new black windows, new white board and batten siding, a new wider and taller front door, installed an accent roof above the front door, removed several dead trees and installed a new driveway.

split level remodel with black windows and white board and batten siding before and after
split level home remodel ideas before and after

Visit each blog post below to see the exterior of the home before and after.

1970s split level home exterior remodel

Split Level Home Remodel Interior

Curious about modernizing the interior of a split-level home? One of the easiest ways to modernize a traditional split level house is to remove the load bearing wall between the kitchen and living room.

Kitchen Remodel

Our split level interior was typical of a 1970s home with the main level having small boxy rooms and a narrow hallway leading to the bedrooms.

1970s split level house kitchen wall with dining room and living room
1970s split level house kitchen wall with dining room and living room

Below, you will see that we removed the load bearing wall in the kitchen between the dining room and kitchen as well as crafted a vaulted shiplap ceiling.

split level kitchen remodel with island and vaulted ceiling
split level kitchen remodel idea featuring an open floor plan

Here is another view of the kitchen that shows the layout of the kitchen appliances and cabinets.

1970s split level kitchen with black diamond linoleum brown cabinets

We knocked down walls to merge the kitchen, dining, and living areas into a big open space with a center island.

The addition of new windows and vaulted ceiling with skylights really increased the natural light and overall appearance inside the home.

open kitchen living room layout split level house with vaulted ceilings
split level home remodel ideas showing an open floor plan leading to the front foyer entrance

We kept the existing kitchen layout which meant we didn’t need to move plumbing for the refrigerator or stove.

I have listed all of the kitchen remodeling projects below where you can see each project step by step.

Split Level Home Remodel Entryway 

The existing split level entryway as you walk in the front door, is typically very small with two sets of short stairs leading to the upper level and lower level of the home.

split level entryway with white iron stair rail

One of the best ways to modernize a split level front entrance is to remove the foyer wall and install new black stair balusters opening up the living space to the entrance.

We enlarged the front door and installed a new Craftsman style door with sidelights and a transom to allow more natural night into the home.

open split level stairway with black metal balusters, blue walls, vaulted ceiling
Creating a split level entryway that has an open concept is a great way to modernize your entrance
open split level stairway with black metal balusters, blue walls, vaulted ceiling
our split level entryway open concept now lets you see the kitchen and living room from the front door

Visit the two blog posts below to see exactly how we modernized the entryway.

Bathroom

The existing bathroom on the upper level was small, dated and needed to be completely gutted down to the studs.

We were able to remodel this bathroom for under $3000 by keeping the existing layout.

1970s small narrow bathroom with flower curtain

The newly remodeled bathroom is modern and fully functional in the same floor plan!

This bathroom might be small but it’s mighty packed with modern fixtures and a new closet for storage.

5x8 bathroom remodel, Calcutta Gold tile on floor and shower, blue walls, 2 panel white door
split level bathroom remodel idea of keeping the same floor plan to keep costs down

We kept the existing cast iron tub and had it “reglazed,” installed a tile shower surround, all new fixtures, flooring, sheetrock, doors and a fresh coat of paint.

Visit this post, 5×8 bathroom remodel to see all the details on cost, demolition and before and after pictures.

Bedrooms

If you are familiar with the bedroom sizes in a split level home, you know they are small.

split level 1970's brown hollow interior doors

To create a master bedroom, we opted to remove one of the closets in the largest bedroom and add on a large walk-in closet.

The closet was added onto the back part of the house, making the master bedroom more functional including a large closet.

Here is the bedroom after we removed the old bookcase and shelving, painted, refinished the floors and added on the larger closet.

2 panel solid core white interior closet doors with light green wall paint and natural oak floors
split level home remodel ideas with a closet addition in the bedroom

The new bedroom looks fresh, modern and more spacious.

Interior Doors

We installed all new solid core interior doors and painted them white. I love how the black hardware creates a nice contrast and coordinates perfectly with the wall color.

Visit this post, why we picked prehung solid core doors for all the details on our interior doors.

hallway with white oak flooring, blue walls and 2 white solid core bedroom doors
split level home remodel flooring idea

Paint Color

A fresh coat of paint was added throughout the entire home and we opted for one color to create a cohesive look. We used Behr Platinum on the walls.

Basement

Before we remodeled the basement level, the main house currently was about 1100 square feet with a very scary unfinished basement.

The unfinished basement was used for storage and had a laundry room area.

1970s split level basement unfinished

To finish the basement, Jim removed all of the existing walls, reframed the entire perimeter of the basement with 2×6 framing, framed a new bathroom with laundry room and a coat closet under the stairs.

Basement remodel with gray Rigid Core Vinyl Planking by Select Surfaces
open concept split level basement remodel

Keep in mind, light paint colors will help keep the space feeling open and airy.

split level home unfinished basement with cement floors

The newly finished basement added an additional 800+ square feet of living to the home and the new vinyl plank flooring makes it a great space for a kids playroom or additional family room.

You can see below the unfinished basement had a walk out basement door but was in need of a total revamp.

split level home unfinished basement with cement floors

One feature that we added which was a nice bonus in the basement is the stone work on the walls that encompassed the walk out basement.

Basement remodel with gray Rigid Core Vinyl Planking by Select Surfaces
finished split level basement remodel idea with coat closet under stairs

Flooring

The hardwood flooring in the house was in great shape, it just needed to be refinished.

We decided to refinish and add a light clear stain throughout the house to continue the modern farmhouse theme.

1970's split level living room and hallway
You can see the original floors were stained brown

The new lightly colored white oak flooring looks so good and coordinates nicely with the new interior doors and wall color.

Looking to see all of the home remodeling projects we did in this split level home? See them in order below.

Split Level Home Renovation Series

Meet Jessica

What started as a hobby, Jessica’s blog now has millions of people visit yearly and while many of the projects and posts look and sound perfect, life hasn’t always been easy. Read Jessica’s story and how overcoming death, divorce and dementia was one of her biggest life lessons to date.

7 Comments

  1. Wow! Your work will definitely be cut out for you but I’m positive this place will be awesome once you finish. Can’t wait to see it!

  2. Michele Taber says:

    That’s not a split-level, it’s a split-entry. Some call it a bi-level or split-foyer.
    A split-level has 3 distinct living levels. Some also call it a tri-level.

    1. Sheila Litz says:

      It is a split level, I own one and you have 2 or 3 levels, after you come into a main landing!

  3. Can you provide the ‘before’ room dimensions, please?

  4. I love the garage design! Did you happen to have a post about the garage?

    1. Hi Taryn! Thank you 🙂 I have not done a post about the garage yet which this was a good reminder to get it done! 🙂

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