Split decision? 20 tips for modernizing your split-level home

If you’re the proud owner of a vintage 1950s- to 1970s-era split-level home, congratulations! The high ceilings, compact designs, functional basements, and natural light common to that style have much to offer. However, this style can be dated and it can also be more compartmentalized. If you’re yearning for a more modern and more open-concept home, you have options.

With years of experience in updating split-level homes throughout Minnesota suburbs, Titus Contracting knows how to take your midcentury home into the modern era, without sacrificing the unique character of your home. Keep reading our blog to explore 20 tips for modernizing your split-level home in Minnesota.

How to Update and Modernize a Minnesota Split-level Home

So the style isn’t ideal to your current needs? No problem. Split levels can relatively easily be renovated to become more open, functional, and modern. As a bonus - their multiple levels design often allow owners to continue living on-site while renovations are taking place.

20 Tips for Modernizing a Split-level Home

Over the years, we’ve learned the best ways to refresh your space in your Minnesota split-level. Here is a collection of some of our favorite options to consider if you’re ready to modernize your split-level:

1. Open Up Your Space — Remove non-weight-bearing interior walls on the ground floor to create an open floor plan between the kitchen, dining room, and living room. This helps let in ample amounts of light to brighten the space and make it feel bigger.
2. Substitute Islands for Counters — An island between the kitchen and dining area may create additional work and gathering space. Using an island instead of a wall and counter opens up the space, makes it feel much bigger, and lets in more light.
3. Use Half Walls Rather than Full Walls — To slightly separate your kitchen from the rest of your living area, you may wish to retain a half-wall with built-in storage or display space, a glass barrier, or a railing.
4. Add Depth and Space — Add cathedral ceilings to the ground floor and play around with wall spacing. The wider your entryway, the larger your home will feel when guests first walk in.
5. Extend or Build a Foyer — Build a foyer on the street-facing side to add usable space and visual interest. The bane of a split-level home is a cramped entryway. However, building a foyer or adding to your space will open it up immensely.
6. Build Additions to Your Split-level Home — Build a master suite, guest bedroom, or sunroom onto any end of your home where it makes sense. If you have spare room in the back or on the sides, run with it.
7. Play with Natural Lighting — Add windows to the sides of the house — and perhaps skylights to the living and dining rooms — to optimize natural light. Allowing as much light in as possible will make your split-level home appear so much bigger.
8. Enlarge and Upgrade Windows — Replace existing single-hung or other old-style windows with bigger, sleeker, more energy-efficient models — perhaps casement, fixed-glass or horizontal slider varieties. Consider a grid pattern or similar design for visual interest.
9. Get Rid of Excess Staircases — Where possible, remove half-staircases and repurpose the space that’s revealed. If any other weird areas aren’t practical, take them out as well.
10. Swap Out Carpets for Modern Flooring — Replace carpeting with newer-style wood flooring. Carpeting is severely outdated, and simply making the switch to hardwood or luxury vinyl tile is a huge win for your modern split-level goal.
11. Warm Up Your Living Space — Add a fireplace to the living room to make it feel more cozy. This also creates a focal point and allows you to take a modern twist on the design.
12. Convert Your Garage into Extra Space — Convert the existing garage into a bedroom and/or expanded family room, then build a new garage at the rear of the site. Another option to try is creating a living space above your garage and utilizing that space.
13. Update Your Heating and Cooling System — Eliminate different temperatures at different levels by modifying the forced-air heating system to create separate heating and cooling zones with their own thermostats.
14. Replace Garage Doors — Replace old-style garage doors with more modern choices such as translucent flat panels, especially if they’re front-facing. If your doors look old, that’s going to instantly age your split level.
15. Use Porches to Extend Your Space — Heighten curb appeal with a covered open porch to serve as your entrance on the street-facing side, incorporating columns as focal points. The space could protect visitors from harsh Minnesota winters and other extreme weather while providing an outdoor seating area. 
16. Add Walkways — Add a sidewalk that connects your front entrance with the street. This simple addition can take a multitude of different designs and can spruce up the overall appearance as guests walk up.
17. Utilize Driveway Updates — Add a driveway turn-around at the back of the house that doubles as play and patio space. Redoing your driveway can also help to revitalize the appearance of your home. A fresh driveway always looks better than the crumbling remains that come with years of use.
18. Play with Exterior Textures — Upgrade exteriors with stucco, cedar, natural stone, or other modern-looking surfaces, perhaps adding details such as trim, trellises, a pergola, or shutters. Vary the color, pattern and/or texture of the materials used for visual interest.
19. Modernize Your Roofing — Replace roofing with a darker color and/or a contemporary material such as standing seam metal. This offers an instant upgrade because it immediately replaces any outdated roofing and brightens your home’s overall appearance.
20. Create a Four-season Porch — To create additional gathering space, add a four-season porch and/or deck to the back of the home, perhaps incorporating storage underneath.

Services for Updating a Split-level Home in Minnesota

After reading our 20 tips for modernizing your split-level home in Minnesota, you’re probably realizing that with a little work, even the most dated split-level home can turn into an attractive, modern, and highly functional living space. And the team at Titus would love to show you how easy it can be. We’ll create a customized renovation plan that meets your aesthetic and budgetary requirements.

If you want to quickly and easily renovate your space to refresh and modernize your split-level home, our expert team at Titus Contracting can help you get started. Contact us today to discuss your ideas and put them into action.

Send us a note with your contact information and we’ll follow up, or give us a call at 952-746-7817 to talk now!

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Titus Contracting is a full-service remodeling company offering commercial and residential construction. We have an office in Burnsville, Minnesota and work throughout the Twin Cities.