How to Modernize a Split Level Home

1. Change the Exterior

Your home’s exterior (including faux brick or other types of lower façade) can give away its age. New siding, lower façade materials, and paint are simple split-level home renovations, but they have a huge impact.

Try these tips on how to modernize a split-level home exterior:

• Re-side one portion. When you update the siding on the taller half of your home, you can get a more modern look without overspending. Try swapping your wide horizontal siding with vertical siding, narrow lap siding, or architectural panels. Replacing siding can make a significant difference in the way your home’s exterior looks.
• Repaint the exterior. Is your house’s exterior currently painted a drab brown, tan, light blue, or yellow? For a modern look, repaint the siding in a more saturated color, such as a jewel tone. You can even paint it a color that’s more personal to you and your sense of style.
• Update the lower façade. If the lower half of your house is clad in outdated stucco, brick, or tile, it may be time for an update. Redo the lower façade using a new material like cedar clapboard or stone. Or just add landscaping to complement the existing materials.
• Consider a new roof color. One of the best tips on how to modernize a colonial home exterior is to avoid a roof color that’s too light or too close to the house color. Contrast is key for an on-trend style.
• Get new garage doors. Your garage takes up a lot of frontage, so it’s a large portion of your guests’ first impression. Search for unique, contemporary garage doors to change your home’s entire look. If replacing the garage door is out of your budget, you can always paint your garage door to add a splash of color and increase curb appeal.

2. Add Trim Outside; Adjust It Inside

Efficiency was the name of the game when your house was built, which is why the exterior and interior may both be lacking modern trim. The following split-level renovations will work for most homes in this style:

• Exterior: Add corner boards. On inside and outside corners, adding corner-board trim can modernize a split-level home at an affordable cost.
• Exterior: Add trim under the soffit. The soffit is the roof overhang on your home. When you add trim underneath and paint it a color that contrasts with your siding, it has a bold highlighting effect.
• Exterior: Frame the double front windows. If you have double front windows that feel small and far apart, frame them both to visually tie them together. You could even create a decorative accent panel between the windows that matches the trim or provides an unexpected pop of color.
• Interior: Improve molding and trim. Many split-level homes, especially those from the ’60s and ’70s, have simple molding and trim inside, often made of dark-painted or stained wood. Painting the trim a lighter color is a great way to modernize. Remove trim in some areas, like around doorways, for a starker look. 

3. Rethink the Entryway

You may be finding it difficult to brainstorm split-level entry ideas because the entryway is so … split. Does your entryway feel cramped inside and too deep-set from the outside?

Try these split-level entry ideas:

• Get a glass front door. If you’re wondering how to modernize your split-level home without a lot of effort, this is a bright solution. Our best suggestion: Ask Glass Doctor® to install beautiful, modern glass doors with impeccable service.
• Move the front door. If you want to stick with your current door style, consider moving it so it faces the driveway instead of the street. Add high-quality IGU windows where the door used to be, and you’ll have much more light!
• Add a small porch. Add a porch to the entryway nook so it creates a clean line with the front of your house. This will draw the eye to the main entrance instead of the garage.
• Build storage into the foyer wall. If your entryway is small, you can make it more practical by building in storage. In most split-levels, there’s free space behind at least one of the foyer walls!
• Update the interior flooring. Here are some excellent tips on how to modernize a split-level home interior with tile.

4. Brighten It Up

Many split-levels only have one small window per room, and the sides of the home may have no windows. When you combine this with lots of interior walls, the house often feels dark.

Consider these split-level home renovations that brighten the entire space:

• Replace and add windows. Small windows can make a home look dated. Upgrade some windows with larger ones. Think about visual symmetry from the outside and inside views while replacing windows. Add windows to the blank sides of the house and rooms where you spend the most time.
• Add a skylight or solar tubes. Bring in some natural light from above! Skylights are always a great option. Solar tubes are a modern solution that brightens a space without taking up a lot of ceiling space.
• Go for custom mirrors. Mirrors can make small, dark rooms appear both brighter and larger by reflecting whatever light is present. Custom mirrors will reflect your unique style, too!
• Install custom lighting. Lighting is one of the best ways to modernize a split-level home without engaging in a major redesign. Hire an experienced professional like Mr. Electric® (if available in your area) to help you plan and install modern lighting that’s both beautiful and energy-efficient.
• Use light paint colors. Light paint colors make small spaces appear larger. If you’re considering an accent wall to break up the light colors, check out some accent wall dos and don’ts.

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5. Knock Down a Few Walls

Some older homes feel “choppy” and disconnected due to excess walls. Though load-bearing walls can’t be removed, you can still pursue these split-level home renovations:

• Open up the kitchen. Whether your kitchen is next to the dining room or the living room, you can create a roomy, social space by knocking out part of the kitchen walls. Go for a new kitchen island in the middle or a half-wall with built-in storage.
• Shuffle doorways. Think about how you can move doorways to connect different rooms. For example, the hallway bathroom could become a master bathroom. An isolated linen closet can become a walk-in closet for an adjacent bedroom.
• Add a pass-through window. If you can’t completely open up the wall, consider adding a pass-through window between the kitchen and the dining room. This minimizes the renovation needed but still allows for easy interaction, light flow, and more openness. Plus, it can double as a stylish serving area for gatherings and meals while enhancing both connectivity and functionality. 

6. Upgrade Technology and Safety

Technology is an important part of planning how to modernize a split-level home. Safety upgrades might not be on your list yet, but this type of home comes with its own set of safety concerns.

Consider these tips:

• Reconfigure the HVAC system. Split-levels are known for having annoying cold and warm areas. Ask a trustworthy HVAC professional to reconfigure the system so there are several HVAC zones with separate thermostats. If this solution doesn’t fit your budget, a whole-house fan might work for you.
• Install whole-house audio. Dance from room to room with this modern upgrade!
• Get a smart security system. While you’re modernizing your home, modernize the way you stay safe. Various smart security systems can connect with your smart home hub.
• Add more carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. With the many separated rooms and floors, you likely need more of these detectors/alarms. If you want a smoke detector that lasts, consider a hardwired smoke detector.
• Install energy-efficient lighting and window shades. Replace your old lightbulbs with smart LED lights that you can control through your phone. Automated shades are another excellent addition, and they can optimize the natural light to provide privacy and create a more comfortable living space. 
• Install a smart lock or doorbell. Increase your home security with a doorbell camera that alerts you when you have a visitor on your doorstep.
• Check on kitchen ventilation. If your range hood and kitchen exhaust fan are old or haven’t been maintained, get them checked out as you’re renovating.
• Think about mobility. If you have elderly friends or relatives, or if you’re personally becoming less mobile, be proactive so everyone can stay comfortable in your home. Learn from Mr. Handyman the many home improvements that help people age in place.

7. Modernize Your Kitchen and Bathroom

One of the best ways to modernize a split-level home is by renovating your kitchen and bathroom. These rooms tend to reveal the age of the house more than others. Modernizing just these two rooms can breathe new life into your home and add to its resale value. 

During your kitchen refresh, you can start by replacing outdated cabinetry, countertops, and appliances with modern alternatives. Installing sleek, handleless cabinets, quartz or granite countertops, and stainless steel appliances are popular upgrades. Incorporating smart storage solutions and open shelving can make your kitchen feel better than it really is. However, if you can’t do an entire kitchen remodel, consider doing smaller upgrades like refacing your cabinet doors, installing new light fixtures, or adding different hardware for a more contemporary look. 

Refreshing a bathroom in an older split-level home can make it feel bigger. Replacing the old tile with a larger, neutral-toned tile or stone can add a luxurious touch. Consider these bathroom updates as well:

• Frameless glass shower enclosures
• Wall-mounted sinks
• Floating vanities 
• Backlit mirrors
• Rainfall showerheads 

All of these can make a noticeable difference if you can’t expand the bathroom or do a major renovation. 

8. Reimagine Your Landscaping 

When deciding how to modernize a split-level home exterior, don’t forget about the landscape. Enhancing your landscape can create a modern look that complements the rest of your remodel.

• Install a pathway. You can add a concrete or stone pathway leading to your door, accompanied by low-profile lighting or plants, to make your house appear more inviting. A path like this also draws people’s eyes to your door rather than to your garage. 
• Plant native and drought-resistant plants. Selecting these plants not only makes your home more eco-friendly, but they are easier to take care of, requiring less maintenance and watering. For example, planting ornamental grass, succulents, or flowering shrubs can create a modern look that doesn’t require hours of weekend yard work. 
• Install raised planters or retaining walls. Raised greenery planters can add beauty and appeal to your landscape. Retaining walls, especially when made of stone or concrete, can frame your house and highlight any unique architectural features. The result is a sleeker exterior aesthetic. 

For help with maintaining your landscaping, consider working with The Grounds Guys® or Lawn Pride® to create a custom exterior that matches your home’s aesthetic while still being contemporary. 

9. Convert the Lower Levels of Your Home Into Functional Space

The lower levels of your split-level home often serve as the basement or den, but they can be modernized to provide more purpose and utility. When determining how to modernize the interior of your split-level home, consider these ideas:

• Create a home office. With the increasing popularity of remote work, adding a dedicated home office is an excellent idea. This addition allows you to work somewhere other than your bedroom or at the kitchen table. Now, you’ll have a dedicated space to complete all your work, and you can add ergonomic furniture and ample lighting to make it a productive space. 
• Create an at-home gym or yoga studio. If fitness is your priority, convert your lower home into a workout area. Install some rubber flooring and mirrored walls to create a modern and functional gym. If you want a more calming atmosphere for yoga, add natural textures, soft lighting, and plants. 
• Create a family room or media center. Split-level homes typically have enough space on the lower level to create a home movie theater. Get some comfortable couches, movie posters, and a projector with surround sound, and you’ll never have to head out to the movies again. 

10. Hire the Right People

Deciding how to modernize a home on your own is challenging, but it helps to have the right professionals on your side. Inviting home service experts into your home is serious. You need experienced professionals who will perform all your split-level renovations flawlessly while respecting you and your property. Neighborly® exists so you can find trusted pros all in one place. We make it easy to connect with highly skilled and trusted home service experts who bring respect and experience to your home. From carpenters to electricians to painters, we have the network you need to modernize every aspect of your space.  Additionally, every job is backed by our Neighborly Done Right Promise™. 

Discover top-rated experts you can trust to bring your home modernization ideas to life. 

Some of the Neighborly home service brands mentioned in this post may not be available in your zip code. To find out which experts are nearby, search for services in your area. Depending on current health and safety regulations in your area, some of the services mentioned in this post may not be available. Neighborly service providers will follow the latest health and safety guidelines provided by the local and state governments. Please check with your local Neighborly service provider for details at the time you need service(s).

This article is intended for general informational purposes only and may not be applicable to every situation. You are responsible for determining the proper course of action for your home and property. Neighborly is not responsible for any damages that occur as a result of this blog content or your actions. For the most accurate guidance, contact the applicable local Neighborly home service provider for a comprehensive, on-site assessment.