Split Level Entry Remodel – Before and After Tips to Modernize Your Foyer in 2025
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A split level entry remodel is one of the easiest ways to modernize your home’s first impression without changing the entire floor plan. With just a few smart updates, like replacing a half wall with railings or widening the front door, you can transform a dated 1970s foyer into a bright, welcoming space that feels fresh and current year-round.
Quick Answer: How do you modernize a split level entryway?Title
Remove the half wall, add black metal balusters, and update the front door for a brighter, more open foyer in just one weekend.
We considered a few different finishes for the balusters, white, wood-toned, even a brushed tone—but in the end, the matte black won us over for its contrast and timeless style.
Modern Split Level Entryway Ideas
Traditional split-level homes often have staircases boxed in by half walls and dim entry areas. Ours had all that, plus a dated door that barely let in light.
Here’s how we turned it around:
- Swapped the half wall for open railings
- Used sleek black balusters from Amazon
- Installed a wider front door with sidelights
- Added shiplap and vaulted the ceiling
Before, it felt tight and outdated.
Now?
The light pours in and you can see straight to the kitchen island from the door. Absolute game changer!
Our Favorite Stair Railing Kits
| Product | Best For | Cost | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Black Metal Balusters | Modern, budget-friendly look | $$ | Shop Here |
| Oak Square Handrail | Classic farmhouse style | $$ | Shop Here |
| Baluster Shoes | Polished finish with easy install | $ | Shop Here |
These combinations work great for DIYers and can scale for both entryways and full staircases.
Step-by-Step: How We Remodeled Our Split Foyer Staircase
Step 1: Remove the Half Wall
This opened the sightline and gave the entry breathing room. There were no electricals in the wall (phew), so it was a clean demo.
Step 2: Drill Holes for the Balusters
Jim spaced them every 4″ on the handrail and floor. If you’re not using shoes, go slow to avoid chips.
Step 3: Cut Balusters and Add the Handrail
We cut hollow black metal balusters to 36″ and slid them into place.
Step 4: Secure with Adhesive
Loctite adhesive helped lock everything in. No squeaks, no shifting.
Step 5: Install the Rail
You can use a chop saw to cut your hollow balusters (hollow balusters are definitely cheaper than solid!)
This part needs two people. Aligning the rail and setting each baluster takes teamwork (and a bit of patience).
DIY Staircase Supplies & Links
We used budget-friendly materials that delivered a high-end look:
Shop the Look: Shop My Amazon storefront and bundled checklist.
Split Level Entry Remodel Before and After (Photos!)
New door, brighter paint, and fresh floors made the whole first floor feel new:
- Walls: Behr Platinum
- Trim: Behr Bright White
Here is another look at the before entryway below.
We even kept the original iron railing on the other side of the staircase and painted it black. It ties everything together.
FAQ: Remodeling a Split Level Entry
Yes, in most cases. Check for electrical or structural issues first.
Depends on your city. Simple cosmetic changes often don’t, but check local codes.
The stair portion took about 3 hours. The entire entryway makeover spanned a weekend.
Absolutely! It adds light, value, and makes your home feel 10x more welcoming.
Ready to Remodel Your Entry?
Start with the half wall. It’s the quickest way to open up a split-level and it’s surprisingly simple. For more inspiration, check out how we widened our split level front door.
How to Remodel a Split Level Entryway
Equipment
- 1 Reciprocating saw
- 1 Hammer or mallet
- 1 Chop Saw
- 1 1 inch paddle drill bit
Supply List
- 1 piece Square oak handrail
- 20 Black metal balusters
- 40 Baluster shoes
- 1 tube Loctite
Instructions : Step by Step
Remove the half wall
- Check for electricity first. If you have any outlets, hire an electrician to safely relocate the wiring.
- Remove the dry wall and 2x4s with your power tools.
Add holes for staircase balusters and handrail
- Use a drill with a spade bit to create holes 4 inches apart on the floor and in the base of your new handrail.
Cut custom balusters to height
- Using your circular saw, cut your metal balusters to 3 feet tall (36 inches).
- If using baluster shoes, add them before installing.
Install balusters and handrail
- Fill the drilled holes and tops of the balusters with Loctite adhesive. Position the balusters into the holes and secure the handrail on top of the balusters.
- Remove any excess adhesive. Allow the glue to dry overnight before using.
Tips
- Paint the walls a bright, light color
- Install a pendant light
- Remove old carpet and install new vinyl plank flooring
- Replace the smaller front door with a larger one
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
- Split level home remodeling project – how it all started and the home before we tore it apart
- Small 5×8 bathroom remodel with cost and how we saved money by keeping the same layout
- Kitchen demo + adding a load bearing beam between the living room, dining room and kitchen
- Split level kitchen renovation before and after (you will not even recognize it!)
- Kitchen cabinet review at the split level home and how we packed storage features into the new space
- Installing shiplap on the new vaulted ceiling in the kitchen and living room at the split level
- Opening up a load bearing wall in the kitchen
- Split level entry way foyer makeover (before and after)
- How to increase front door width and height – front door makeover
- Installing solid core interior doors for a modern look
- Split-level house exterior makeover before and after
- Why we picked black windows with white interior
- How to modernize a split level home exterior
- Finished basement vinyl floor plank installation
- Split level front door ideas
- BONUS – See another split level home that sold 80K over asking price
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.
Great remodel!! What color paint is the wall and trim, looks so bright and clean! Thank you… 🙂
Hi, thank you! The wall color is Platinum and trim is bright white by Behr
Looks awesome! Definitely open up the space!
Would love to see a blog post on how you decorated your split level foyer entryway! We have the exact same entry way set up and I’ve been struggling on functional aspects while still looking nice. Google and current searches aren’t giving me much!
It looks so good!!!! I love how bright and open it is. MY best friend in elementary had this exact layout, so popular back then 🙂
Love this design! Could you tell me the size of your trim that was used around your windows along with your baseboards and doors. Thank you!
sorry just seeing this. It’s a craftsman style trim 3-5″
Thanks so much for posing this! We remodeled our split level home using your idea. We love our new entry and open floorplan. We also added a large family room and deck off of the back. We changed the roof peak and added a front door peak. Love it!
wow that’s so cool!!! I would love to see some pictures if you want to email me at jessica (at) fourgenerationsoneroof (dot) com
Your house looks beautiful, but I have a question. We have a house with a similar floor plan. We took out the wall between the living room and kitchen, and our stairway originally had a black iron railing instead of a half wall. Well with the new open concept floor plan, we were struggling to find places to put the furniture and TV in the living room. We ended up building a half wall just to have a place for the entertainment center. My question for you is: where do you plan to place your living room furnishings? What are you going to put there, that looks good as you are coming up the stairs?
yes open concept is a trade off for traditional styling of furniture against a wall but honestly, the back of the sofa (pulled off the baluster wall) looks totally fine as you walk up the stairs 🙂 I don’t like the back of the sofa right up against the balusters so pulling it out a bit allows some room to breath and keep the balusters from looking cluttered as you walk up the stairs.
id love to see how furniture was.placed after this split level remodel. I have the same layout and I’m struggling to see how I’d lay it out. Also I’d love to know what the SQ footage of each room before the remodel was. although ours is set up the same it’s super tiny I think…. I’ve been trying to figure out how to remodel this home for 4 years now and I absolutely love this design I just don’t know if our space is big enough to justify sinking that kind of money into it…
Hi, sorry for the delay, your comment was in my spam box! We actually sold this house so I do not have an pictures of it with furniture but I would have put the back of a couch along the balusters but not right up against it (leave some breathing room) BUT if you have one sofa, I would put that in front of the window and put 2 small accent chairs in front of the balusters OR just one accent chair. Either way, I personally think the wall along the stairway looks better with balusters and is a huge improvement to any split if opening it up to a light and airy feel is what you are going after 🙂 I do have one-on-one consultations as well available if that is something you are interested in. You can book here https://stan.store/fourgenerationsoneroof/p/book-a-11-call-with-me-5z649
Beautiful remodel! I just purchased a home with a super similar layout in central Mass. Any chance you can share the construction company that did that kitchen/living room?
Looks great! I just purchased a property with a very similar floor plan in central Mass . Any chance you will share the construction company that did this job so I can reach out?
Jim did all of the work in this house, depending on what part of Mass you are in, he may have availability.
We’ve got approximately same house, and put a greenhouse off the entry with transom window! Is this now the kitchen dining room? You put the dining table to the left? Or where is the dining area? Is your living room now at the end of the hall? We actually airbnb out our downstairs, and so the area you see in this is our kitchen, dining and living room which is really kind of a squeeze, but it works out great for our purposes…
we actually eliminated the dining room in this house which allowed us to add a large island with buffet wall. The dining room is hardly used so it made sense for this house.