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Updated Split-Level Home With Vaulted Ceiling

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Today I am sharing Jim’s split level home remodel ideas with a vaulted ceiling that sold 80K over asking price in Massachusetts.  You guys, this isn’t your typical raised ranch or split level-house and today, I am showing you how to modernize a split level home interior and exterior to create a modern open concept home.

Jim bought this 1970’s split level house in the late 1990’s and sold it last summer just prior to moving in with me.

yellow split level house black shutters with garage

What is a split level house?

A split level house inside is a style in which the two floor levels are staggered. Typically you walk in the front door and there is a small entry floor space with two sets of short staircases leading to the lower and the upper level. The inside of a split level house is almost always the same in every house. 

The upper level is where the kitchen, living room and bedrooms are located. 

white and gray split level open kitchen with island

Split-level Interior

This split level home was built in the 1970’s and over the years Jim updated the entire house. Over the years, Jim added an addition and created an open concept vaulted ceiling living room. Be sure to click through to this post, “how to add a load bearing beam” to vault a ceiling. 

One of the biggest complaints today about a split level home is that the rooms are small and boxy.

There are several split level addition floor plans on Pinterest and Google but the biggest thing you can change in a split level  home is taking down the walls between the kitchen, dining and living room. Which is exactly what Jim did. 

In the picture above, there use to be a wall that separated the kitchen from the dining room and living room. 

split level house with kitchen wall removed + white kitchen cabinets with 3 windows + rustic beam mantel

When removing the kitchen wall in a split level house (or any load bearing wall), you will need an architect to construct and engineered beam that will need to be installed across the entire kitchen and living room space in order to keep your house from falling down!

How to modernize a split level interior home 

As you can see, kitchens with cathedral ceilings offer a space that feels modern and large.

split level house with open kitchen + living room + open entryway

You would never know when inside this house, that it was a split level house. 

split level house vaulted ceiling, white kitchen, stainless steel appliances, driftwood flooring

Split Level House Vaulted Ceiling 

One of the biggest features in this split level house are the vaulted ceilings with skylights that Jim installed in the kitchen living room area and the sunroom.  A ceiling remodel is one of the biggest remodeling impacts you can make in a split-level.

On a side note, if you are interested in opening up  your ceiling like this one, be sure to read this post “how to add a shiplap to a vaulted ceiling.” 

split level house open kitchen living room bay window + clock wall

Removing the kitchen wall in a split level house or raised ranch and vaulting the ceiling creates an open concept space which is conducive to today’s style of living. 

split level house with kitchen vaulted ceiling and skylights

The installation of the skylights in the kitchen provide maximum natural light which also creates a more visually appealing space. 

Split Level Addition Ideas

Down the hallway past the bedrooms, Jim decided a few years ago to open up one of the bedrooms and enclose an existing screen porch creating an open concept sunroom bar living space. A split level house addition is a great way to add more living space and increase the value of your home. Many split level homes lack a master suite so theoretically, this addition that Jim added could also used as a master bedroom. 

split level house addition sunroom + bar with wood plank walls

A split level home typically has 3 bedrooms and 1 bathroom on the upper level so when Jim decided to open up the 3rd bedroom (above where the bar is) and add on a sunroom addition (below), he lost a bedroom. 

I love the skylights in the vaulted ceiling along with the wood planks. 

sunroom with vaulted ceiling, wood plank walls and wood ceiling, brown suede sectional, patio doors
stone sports bar with rod iron leather bar stools, hardwood flooring

I love how Jim turned this bedroom into a bar area and opened up the back wall that leads to the sunroom addition creating an open concept space. 

Heading back down the hallway towards the kitchen, are 2 bedrooms and a full bathroom. 

This was Jim’s daughters bedroom below. 

green girls bedroom with ruffle waterfall curtains

A few months after Jim and I started dating, we decided to make a room for my son so he would have his own space on Friday nights when we would head to Jim’s house for the weekend.

My son typically goes to his dad’s house on Saturdays so it was nice once we made over the spare bedroom below, into a space for him.

You can see this small split level bedroom makeover before and after here. 

boys white bedroom with plaid bedding and world map on wall

I don’t have a picture of Jim’s entryway but it’s very similar to this split level entryway that we recently remodeled. The open concept stairway with metal balusters provides a clean modern style.

Split Level Basement Ideas 

Jim lost the 3rd bedroom due to the sunroom and bar space addition, so he created a master suite in the lower level which was genius.

He created an open flow hallway at the bottom of the stairs and used french doors which added a feeling of openness to the space. 

This split level basement bedroom is not your typical master suite!

split level house master bedroom with fireplace in finished basement

Finishing off the lower level (or basement) in a split level home is huge as it adds so much more square foot of living space.

Check out how we refinished the basement in our other split level home we sold last year. 

split level house master bedroom with fireplace in finished basement

Basement bathroom with corner shower

The master cedar walk in closet (I don’t have a picture of it), office / 4th bedroom and laundry room are across the hallway and around towards the master bedroom bathroom. 

light brown marble tile shower with glass door

Jim even built in a small beer refrigerator in the shower.

I remember when I first saw this when we starting dating and I was like, “you have a beer fridge in the shower?” -ha.

He stocked it with my favorite Truly’s and then I knew he was a keeper 😂. 

beer refrigerator in shower

The possibilities are endless with a split level house when you start taking down walls and opening up the ceiling.  

Split-level home remodel exterior

The backyard is completely private surrounded by lush plantings, trees and vinyl fencing. 

As you enter the backyard from the paver driveway, a pretty walkway led you to the pool and massive entertaining space. 

paver walkway leading to inground pool with arbor covered greenery

Jim loves plants, shrubs and all things greenery which you can see, really made this outdoor space pop.

paver walkway leading to inground pool with arbor covered greenery
inground pool with patio and pool cabana with metal roof
inground pool with patio and pool cabana with metal roof
inground pool with patio and pool cabana with metal roof
inground pool with patio and hot tub deck
split level house backyard shed, pool cabana, green grass

There were so many cool features in his backyard from the hot tub deck, to the full cabana, firepit space and movie cabana.

Looking at all of these pictures makes me miss this place!

Jim ended up buying the neighbor’s split level house so be sure to check out the split-level home remodel exterior on that home! It’s dramatic! 

At the time Jim decided to sell the house, the market was insanely hot and the fact that he could move in with me and not have to buy something else was even better. He was able to capitalize on all his hard work over the years and the work paid off, plus some. 

Pool Cabana with Metal Roof 

inground pool with patio and pool cabana with metal roof

The Jimmy Buffet style pool cabana was such a great place to hang out, have some drinks and enjoy the pool. 

Shortly before Jim had to move out, I asked him if he was sad about leaving.

He said, “yes definitely sad but time has run its course here and there isn’t anything else I can do to this place. I am ready for a new challenge – a new house to either build or renovate.” 

Jimmy Buffet style pool cabana with red wood beams and metal roof

Needless to say, Jim had the ultimate bachelor pad ever. 

split level house backyard shed, pool cabana, green grass

Jim’s Split Level House that sold 80K over asking price was absolutely beautiful and you would never know we were in the middle of a pandemic when this sold so far over asking price.

Who would have known! 

Modernizing a split level home by removing kitchen walls, installing vaulted ceilings, add skylights and finish the basement will definitely add value to your home.

If you have been following our Instagram page and stories, you know that we recently finished renovating a different split level house next door and wow, it came out amazing! If you want to click through to our “split level house renovation page,” you can see all those related remodeling projects.

Why did Jim sell this split-level? In case you missed the marriage proposal , Jim selling his house and moving in together blog post, you can catch up on all that good stuff here. 

Do you want to see another split level home remodel?

This project was so much fun and you will not believe the inside and exterior remodel.

The inside was completely gutted, all wall between the kitchen, living and dining area were removed, vaulted ceiling added, fully finished basement and brand new open concept kitchen was installed. It’s crazy how different the exterior looks as well.

See the entire remodel here on the split level remodel page. 

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.

5 Comments

  1. Teresa Deville says:

    Beautiful remodel! Nice use of the space.

  2. This house is gorgeous! I can see why it would sell over the asking price but 80k? That’s crazy but I’m glad for your sake! lol
    The yard and pool area is just beautiful and a person wouldn’t have to do a single thing except move their furniture in!
    Congratulations!!

  3. It’s s obvious a lot of custom details went into the renovation. Everything is just lovely! Jim should be very proud of his hard work and talent.

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