Split Level House Interior Design Tips: Decorate With Success
Posted by EdmontonRealEstate .ca on Wednesday, March 9th, 2022 at 6:38am.
Inspired by ranch-style homes of the pre-war era, split-level homes are housing units with staggering levels. Instead of the usual flight of stairs in most architectural designs, split-level homes often feature multi-level living areas connected by a short set of stairs. The front door opens to an entryway with stairs that lead to the communal living areas. Another set of stairs leads to an upper level with bedrooms, while another leads to the basement. Some may even have additional levels with more rooms.
Split levels maximize vertical space, allowing homeowners to create spacious homes on limited square footage. They also allow better space separation to create privacy and are more cost-efficient than most designs. Because they often spot large picture windows and have minimal ornamentation, split-level homes are also pretty easy to design into magazine-worthy living spaces. Keep reading to learn about the best design ideas for split-level homes to get you started on styling your dream home today.
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Consider an Open Floor Plan
Too many walls can make a space feel cramped and outdated. Thankfully, split-level homes are multi-levelled, meaning walls aren't strictly needed to define the space. Homeowners can embrace zoned-living and open floor plans to create room and maintain privacy.
For instance, knocking down kitchen walls and replacing them with a kitchen island makes the main floor feel larger, modern, and more connected. It also makes entertaining your guests a breeze because homeowners can do the dishes or cook while interacting with people in the living area.
To create an even better transition and maintain aesthetic appeal, consider lowering the living area or adding a dining table between areas. Swap railings with glass panels and use bright colours to make the space feel open. Open floor plans in a split-level home aren't limited to the main floor. One can also take down a wall between two bedrooms on the next level to create a master suite.
Take Inspiration From the Retro Vibe
Split-level houses hit the limelight in the 1950s and 60s, just as retro-style interiors became popular. This design is steadily making a comeback, so those who love bright colours and playing around with patterned decor should consider going retro in a split-level home. Doing so will allow homeowners to give a modern twist to the design's true essence while remaining trendy.
Instead of plain walls, go with Pantone colours such as fluorite green and mustard yellow, or use retro vintage wallpapers to create eye-popping walls. Bring in flashier rugs and moulded chairs or midcentury furniture to achieve that rebellious retro vibe from the 1960s in a living room. Black and white checkered tile floors paired with bold accents in areas like the kitchen will instantly remind homeowners of the 1950s every time they step into the room.
In a nutshell, there are nearly endless ways to create retro vibes in a split-level home. Although retro decor creates lively interiors, it involves using bright colours, different patterns, fabrics, and textures that can easily overwhelm a space if one isn't careful.
Make Use of the Foyer
Even though designs range from a standard side to a stacked split, the typical split-level home design features an entryway leading directly to the main floor. This design naturally creates tall foyers homeowners can decorate to create welcoming vibes to the space from when a guest walks through the door.
Because a foyer can quickly become cluttered, homeowners should begin by getting rid of things they don't need and create innovative storage solutions to organize and prevent future clutter-build up. For instance, strategically mount a couple of hooks or a rack for umbrellas, coats, and general outwears. Place a basket or two for dirty shoes and a stylish bench to create a spot for shoe wearing and removal.
Once storage is sorted, hang a statement chandelier to inject some style and class in the area or set up a picture gallery on one wall to create visual interest in the space. Consider a bold paint job to uplift the vibe without overwhelming or cluttering the foyer for minimal impact.
Have Fun with the Stairs
Split-level houses feature multiple flights of short staircases leading to different areas. These stairs are like a blank canvas awaiting decoration, and the best part is that there are countless ways to spruce them up. A bright or multi-coloured paint job for stairs leading to or from a level with neutral and dark hues will create contrast and make the stairs more appealing. Alternatively, a bold-coloured accent wall on the landing where two sections of stairs meet or a photo collage will instantly draw attention to the area.
If a split-level home is older, consider going all-in and have a designer replace the old stairs and railings with more modern, visually pleasing options such as floating stairs paired with a glass-panel railing. Doing so will open up the space and make it stylish while drawing attention to the staircase area.
Consider using floor-to-ceiling copper poles or white steel railings for a simple but sophisticated look. It'll be aesthetically pleasing, unique, and, most importantly, functional. If adventurous, play around and paint each stair face in a different colour or pattern, or try out a beautiful ombre shade.
Design a Split-Level Home You'll Love
Split-level homes might be an older property type, but there's a reason they were so popular in the 60s. Neighbourhoods with split-level homes contain housing units sprawling out on a piece of land without cutting into its footprint. As a result, occupants enjoy the luxury of spacious homes even when they only own a small plot of land. Thanks to the unique design, split levels offer virtually endless decorating opportunities, enabling owners a shot at creating a space they'll genuinely love being in every day. Recently bought a split-level home and looking to give it a makeover? Don't hesitate to get started today by utilizing the ideas above.