How to modernize a split-level home interior
Making your split-level home more modern doesn’t just have to be interior work. There are a number of exterior modifications you can make that will also add to the modern look of your home.
You can invest in improvements like a new paint job, upgraded landscaping, and unique features such as planters and water features. All of these can help to add a touch of modern to your home’s exterior.
Paint the exterior
Painting the exterior of a split-level home can make a dramatic difference by freshening up its appearance and providing modern curb appeal. Choose a color that complements the existing stone or brick, if there is any, or opt for a neutral color such as gray, beige or white. As with all painting projects, it’s important to use high-quality paint and tools for best results. It’s also important to clean and repair any wood trim before painting to avoid unsightly cracks in the future.
Add decorative millwork elements to the exterior – like dentil moulding or window boxes – to create visual interest and richness. Incorporating some metal accents in shades of copper, silver or black may also help modernize the look of your split-level home’s entranceway. Consider replacing outdoor fixtures such as house numbers, mailboxes and light fixtures as an additional style upgrade that will add curb appeal instantly.
Replace the windows
Adding modern windows to a split-level house can be a great way to add both curb appeal and energy efficiency. Replacing the old, single-pane, aluminum framed windows with modern vinyl twin-window units will provide insulation from the elements, better air flow throughout the living space, and can even decrease your energy costs. Additionally, new windows will give your split-level home a more contemporary look that will catch the eye of potential buyers should you decide to sell.
Before selecting windows for your house, you need to consider:
- What kind of view you will have when looking out from inside the home
- What kind of view people outside your home have when looking in
Consider purchasing window treatments such as curtains or blinds for extra privacy, along with window style that fits the architecture of your home. Once you’ve gathered all this information you can start shopping for new windows!
Add a front porch
One way to modernize a split-level home is to add a front porch. This can be an economical way to improve your home’s curb appeal and make it stand out from other homes in the neighborhood. Porches can be large or small, depending on your budget, and they provide a welcoming entry point for your guests.
When deciding what type of porch you want, consider materials such as fiber cement panels, metal railings, or natural stone. You can dress up the space with potted plants and outdoor furniture to create a cozy atmosphere and choose decorations that reflect your personal style. If you’re adding a roof over the porch area, use materials such as asphalt shingles or standing seam metal roofing that complement the exterior of the house and don’t clash with its overall design.
Adding a porch is also great for increasing energy efficiency by providing additional shading for windows located near the entrance. Depending on local ordinances, it may also require less planning than an extension due to typically higher flexibility when it comes to styles and building codes in residential areas. Finally, adding a front porch gives you more living space which increases the value of your home, making it an attractive option for anyone planning to resell their property in the future.
Interior
A split-level home has unique features that can be tricky to update with a modern feel. The interior of a split-level home can be transformed by incorporating the latest trends into the design. It’s possible to give your split-level home a modern update without having to go through a full remodel.
Let’s look at some ideas to add curb appeal to this type of home:
Paint the walls
Painting the walls is a simple, yet effective way to modernize the interior of a split-level home. Choose neutral tones such as whites and beiges, as they work with most color schemes and exude a timeless feel. You can also select light grays or warm off-whites for an added warmth to your home. Opt for satin or eggshell finishes as opposed to flat paints for easy cleaning and a slightly glossy sheen.
Paint is an inexpensive way to instantly transform any space, so don’t forget to use it in high-traffic areas like hallways and kitchen nooks where décor may not be practical. If you choose bolder colors or artwork on the wall, remember that this will also entice your eyes while adding character and style to the space.
Change the flooring
Changing the flooring is one of the key elements to modernizing a split-level home’s interior, as it instantly adds a feeling of freshness. Stick with natural materials, such as hardwood, stone, or tile for best results. These materials create an upscale look that goes perfectly with both traditional and contemporary styles.
For more comfort, you can add area rugs in high-traffic areas and entryways. Area rugs are ideal when it comes to adding texture and interest to the space while also providing protection to your flooring beneath. Rugs come in an array of colors and patterns to suit any décor while transforming an old space into something new and inviting.
In spaces with sloped surfaces and different levels, use variations in colors or textures of flooring materials to draw attention away from awkward transitions between levels. When used correctly – usually with light colors – this tactic creates balance throughout the room’s various heights for a cohesive overall look.
Update the lighting
Modern upgrades can significantly enhance the interior of a split-level home. One way to make a remarkable improvement is to address the lighting. That includes updating overhead and wall fixtures, as well as adding lamps, higher wattage bulbs and dimmers.
Overhead lamps should be bright – but not too bright – and feature modern light fixtures in pleasing shapes such as ovals, orbs or star-bursts. Statement piece or mood lighting wall sconces will provide an inviting atmosphere and draw the eye upwards. Additionally, try repurposing an antique lamp with a contemporary shade for added charm and cozy ambiance.
When it comes to bulb wattage, keeping it around 100 is ideal for most rooms; however, for areas used for entertaining or activities such as reading you may want to choose slightly higher wattage based on your preferences. Dimmers allow you to control the intensity of your lights when needed. All of these updates can make a dramatic difference in any space!
Furnishings
Bringing modern and contemporary furnishings into a split-level home can add a much-needed aesthetic upgrade. While traditional furnishings have their place, modern furniture will open the interior of a split-level home and create a feeling of space and openness.
From selecting low-maintenance materials to incorporating functional accent pieces, furnishing a split-level home in a modern style can add character and appeal.
Choose modern furniture
When designing a space in a split-level home, modernized furniture is essential to achieving the desired cozy and inviting atmosphere. Modern furniture pieces provide an opportunity to add a contemporary feel and touch of luxury to the home.
The key is to choose modern designed furniture that reflect current trends, but with timeless elements for a space that can be enjoyed for years to come. Sectional sofas in neutral colors create a cozy, inviting space for relaxation or entertaining. These can be dressed up with patterned pillows, velvet throws and area rugs. An accent chair when there isn’t enough room for sectional seating helps create an inviting atmosphere while playing up the overall contemporary design of the room.
Floating shelves make an excellent addition to add storage in a limited ground level space, while also displaying decorative items like art pieces or fun accents like bohemian baskets and colorful vases/other vessels. Upholstered benches with streamlined legs offer additional seating alongside tables topped with bold print lamps in unexpected materials or shapes like hexagons and cylinders.
Choosing furniture based on colors can help tie together the theme of your design from room to room as well as brighten up darker built-in features common among split-level homes such as wood paneling or tile flooring from decades past. Consider warm woods and fabrics comprised of muted tones paired with mid century modern style chairs for structured lines for staying true to such schemes found in traditional split-level homes yet still presenting nowadays look that appeals successfully today’s needs when it comes down to decorating their living spaces in harmony, sophistication, sophistication and lightness throughout – all depending on everyone’s individual circumstances & conditions which come along according version upon version peculiar requirement & circumstances!
Incorporate decorative accessories
Adding decorative accessories to your interior space is an easy way to make a big impact. It’s essential to consider the proportions of the room and buy items that are smaller in size than the furniture. You can mix and match various prints, colors, textures, and shapes for a one-of-a-kind style.
Place wall art at eye level to bring your walls to life. Opt for cozy throws and patterned pillows that will add flavor to your sofa while still keeping it comfortable.
Do not forget about light fixtures; they are essential in any room since they play an important role in setting the tone and mood. Choose a statement piece such as a sleek oversized lamp or a chandelier style pendant light with modern shapes such as a circle or square for added drama.
Rugs have also become a great way of transforming the look of your living space with different patterns, sizes, and colors for every taste; shag rugs are perfect if you want an inviting atmosphere.
Finally, don’t let storage areas be left behind; storage boxes can give your home an effortless update while holding all your miscellaneous items out of sight when not in use!
Add plants and artwork
Adding plants and artwork is an effective way to modernize a split-level home interior. Plants are an inexpensive way to instantly create a more inviting atmosphere. Choose plants that are low maintenance, such as cacti, succulents, and other hardy varieties.
Furthermore, designating specific accents in the home with art or plants can add a unique look that makes people feel comfortable and relaxed in the space. Select artwork that conveys your personal style but not too strongly – bold pieces can be overwhelming in small spaces. A well-positioned painting or print will draw attention to the spaces you want to focus on and make your house feel lived-in without feeling cluttered.
Additionally, adding plants to larger areas of your split-level home will soften the interior with hints of green throughout. Strategically placing large potted plants near seating areas can really enhance the living area of your home while creating a warm atmosphere.
Landscaping
Adding curb appeal to a split-level home can be a great way to modernize the interior of the house. Landscaping is one way to achieve this goal. Landscaping can help draw attention to the home, making it more appealing to potential buyers or visitors. The right type of landscaping can also increase your property value.
One of the ways to modernize a split-level home with landscaping is by using h beams for retaining walls. These are steel or concrete beams that are used to retain soil and prevent erosion. By adding h beams to your landscaping design, you can create levels in your yard, which can be visually appealing and add depth to your landscape.
Not only do h beams provide structural support to your landscaping design, but they can also be used as a decorative element. You can choose h beams in a variety of colors and textures to complement the style of your home and landscape. H beams can also be used to create unique features, such as raised garden beds or outdoor seating areas.
Let’s take a look at how to use landscaping to modernize a split-level home:
Plant trees and shrubs
Planting trees and shrubs will create a pleasing frame for your split-level home and help to increase its curb appeal. Introduce trees that have attractive foliage in the summer months – such as a mature ornamental pear tree or an evergreen magnolia. Plant low-maintenance shrubs such as Spirea and Rhododendron to brighten up the garden further.
It is important to note that these larger features need to be balanced out with ‘filler plants’ such as small flowering perennials, ornamental grasses or colorful annuals in order to show off the architectural elements of your home.
Add walkways and paths
Walkways and paths add structure and visual interest to outdoor landscaping designs. Opt for a modern hardscaping material, like concrete or stone pavers, to elevate the curb appeal of your split-level home. Consider adding a meandering path or a front yard patio to break up the exterior look of your house. Sidewalks should gently combine the front entrance with other parts of the yard providing connections between different areas.
Add plantings such as low-growing ground covers along pathways to soften them up and accent their beauty.
Install outdoor lighting
Outdoor lighting is a great way to modernize a split-level home’s exterior and provide extra safety when navigating steps. One of the key elements of landscape lighting is creating mood and ambiance—one look isn’t likely to give you both. For example, using warm lights around an outdoor patio can be inviting, while cool lights in the landscaping will draw attention without feeling overwhelming.
Think about where accent lighting can add interest, such as illuminating an outdoor garden or entertainment area. When it comes to installing outdoor lighting on a split-level home, the stairways and landings should be one of the first areas considered because they are often the most difficult parts of any split-level home to navigate at night. Pathway lights at ground level can also help uplift dark areas while providing additional security.
Uplighting facing upwards is another great option that directs light into trees or other architectural features to create more visual interest in the evening hours. Great uses for uplighting include illuminating interesting architectural features, highlighting textural elements in planting beds or outlining walkways. Likewise, downlighting radiates light away from lanterns and sconces down walls and other surfaces for a soft glow effect. Spotlights are used for pinpointing specific features or providing large amounts of illumination into small spaces such as seating areas on decks and patios for reading or entertaining guests outdoors at night.
Finishing Touches
When modernizing a split-level home interior, the final touches can make all the difference. Whether it’s painting, new furniture, or decorative accessories that all tie together, the finishing touches can really help to add curb appeal and give your split-level home a refreshed, modernized look.
Let’s explore how adding the right finishing touches can help to modernize your split-level home interior.
Install window treatments
Window treatments are an easy way to add both decorative and functional features to any room. Installing roller shades, blinds or curtains will help you control how much natural light gets into the space. Many varieties of blackout and light filtering treatments are available, which makes it a breeze to adjust the amount of light in a room or block out the sun completely for optimal napping conditions.
Installing window treatment is also an easy way to add decorative flair around your home. Soft pastel colors, fun prints and full-length panels can breathe life into any room. If you’re looking to modernize your split-level home interior, consider installing heavier drapes made from luxurious fabrics such as velvet or silk for a fashionable upgrade that adds texture and elegance to any living space.
Add outdoor furniture
Adding outdoor furniture to the exterior of a split-level home is an effective way to instantly boost its curb appeal. Outdoor furniture can produce an inviting space for homeowners and visitors alike, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The style of outdoor furniture should be chosen to complement the architecture of the home, with pieces that are modern in design and high quality in materials.
Think beyond the traditional patio set when considering options for outdoor furniture. For example, rattan-style ottomans with weather-resistant fabric cushions provide comfortable seating while taking up minimal space. Weatherproof powder coated metal chairs can also bring both form and function to an exterior space, providing ample seating without compromising on style. Outdoor fire pits make great focal points for any landscape design and will help create a cozy atmosphere during those cooler nights.
Accessories like throw pillows and decorative lanterns can add the perfect finishing touches to complete the look of an inviting outdoor living area that is sure to impress your neighbors!
Hang outdoor curtains
Outdoor curtains provide a creative way to add both visual interest and modern style to your split-level home. Not only can they provide extra sun protection, by creating shady areas, but they can also improve the overall look of your exterior.
Hang curtains for any number of purposes: to zone off an outdoor living area; to give the illusion of extra space; or simply for the romantic effect of billowy fabric swaying in a summer breeze. Outdoor curtains come in many colors, textures and and styles, so you should have no problem finding one that suits your specific needs and aesthetic preferences.
If you plan on installing them yourself, it’s recommended to use a high quality stainless steel rod as they are more resistant to corrosion due to rain or sprinklers being nearby. By following these easy steps, you’ll easily be able to take your split-level home’s curb appeal up a notch!
