If you are the happy new owner of a retro split level home and looking to bring it into the modern era, you are in luck. They have much to offer with their high ceilings, condensed designs and gorgeous natural lighting, which makes bringing this old school design into the 21st Century a dream.
Here are some tips and tricks to consider to get you started on creating your dream split-home today.
Choose an open floor plan
As a design that originates from the 1970s, when open floor planning wasn’t as popular as it is today, a simple first step to modernizing your split level house is to create this open flow in your home.
For instance, tearing down a kitchen wall and installing a kitchen island makes the home feel more open and connected. Not only that, you will be able to entertain guests with ease because you now cook and interact with your guests while they sit comfortably in the dining room.
Want to create an even better transformation while still keeping the aesthetics? A great design idea is to replace normal railings with glass and use light colours to maintain the open feel.
Open floor plans in a split-level home aren’t restricted to the main floor. You can also tear down a wall between two bedrooms on the upper level and build a master suite.
Take advantage of the foyer
Designs typically range from a standard side to a stacked split, however the normal split-level home design has an entryway that leads straight to the main floor.
This design organically creates high foyers that homeowners can accessorize to create a warm and welcoming space as soon as guests enter the home.
Foyers have a habit of becoming cluttered very easily, so homeowners should start by throwing away possessions that aren’t necessary and create alternative storage methods to create order and put a stop to clutter-build up.
For example, install a few strategically placed hooks or a coat rack for storing general outwears and umbrellas. Create a designated space for guests to remove and leave their dirty shoes by adding a fashionable bench and a basket or two.
As soon as storage is organized, install some lights, like a statement chandelier to infuse some style and luxury in the area or create a picture gallery or hang a tasteful painting on a wall to create visual attraction in the space.
Daring wallpaper can boost the vibe without being too distracting or cluttering the foyer with the least impact.
Take inspiration from the 50s and 60s
Split-level houses became the rage in the 1950s and 60s when the retro style hit the limelight. This design has recently made a huge comeback, so if you are drawn to eccentric colours and experimenting with fun patterns then the retro vibe might be just the thing for you in your split home.
This approach will give home owners the ability to add a modern flare to this old school design while keeping it trendy and fashionable.
Don’t choose bare walls, choose exciting colours like lime green or crimson red, or pick a wallpaper with a funky design. Add a shaggy rug and chairs of interesting shapes, with cushions that add a pop of colour, to obtain a daring design in your living room. And no retro home is complete without a kitchen featuring black and white checkered tiles!
But be careful when diving into the retro aesthetic! Using bright colours, interesting patterns and quirky furniture might overwhelm an area if not used wisely.
Play around with the stairs
A fun feature of split level home design options is the number of short flights of stairs that take you to different areas of the house. This blank canvas is just waiting to be adorned, and the good news is that there are countless ways to do this.
In keeping with the retro vibe, stairs could be decorated with different colour paint leading to different levels, or painted in alternating light and dark hues to create contrast. Adding a brightly painted wall or interesting wallpaper on the landing where two different areas of the house meet will draw immediate attention.
Final thoughts
There is a reason that split level homes were so popular in the 60s. Home owners can enjoy the splendour of space in their home without the need to own a huge piece of land. This innovative design creates unending design opportunities and gives owners the chance to make their space one they will truly love everyday.