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Split-level homes are a suburban relic of post-WWII baby boom housing trends that began in the 1950s and were popular until the 1970s. Builders riffed on the traditional ranch house in order to squeeze more square footage into homes on smaller lots, resulting in homes with staggered levels and asymmetrical facades.
These structures can look dated by today’s standards, but you can update a split-level house exterior with new siding, paint, lighting, doors, windows, landscaping, hardscaping, and more.
Check out these ideas for ways to modernize a split-level home exterior.
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01
of 14Update or Replace Siding
Update or replace siding to give a split-level house a modern refresh. This budget-conscious remodel from Board & Vellum focused on enhancing the curb appeal of this 1970s split-level, including adding warm wood siding in strategic locations to add dimension to the facade.
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02
of 14Install New Windows
Swap out windows to modernize a split-level home. D’Arcy Jones Architects elongated existing windows on this early 1980s split-level house, and added new corner windows to create panoramic views of the neighborhood.
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03
of 14Swap Out the Front Door
Give your split-level a refresh with a new front door. Guideline Studios LLC installed midecentury modern-style double doors with lite windows, horizontal glass panels that allow natural light to penetrate the front entrance. The warm wood color adds contrast with the moody modern exterior color palette of charcoal grays and soft blacks.
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04
of 14Add or Upgrade a Patio
Update a split-level home by adding or upgrading outdoor features such as backyard patios, decks, or porches. Board & Vellum built a new concrete wall at the edge of the back patio to create a spot for summer movie nights, and added an integrated hot tub on the deck landing with new railings to upgrade the outdoor entertaining space.
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05
of 14Landscape a Sloped Backyard
If your split-level home sits on a sloped lot, use landscaping and hardscaping to give it an integrated feel. Lush plantings of varying heights soften the steps outside of this renovated split-level home from D’Arcy Jones Architects.
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06
of 14Replace the Garage Door
Replace your garage door to give a split-level home with a prominent garage an easy makeover. Coordinate door styles and finishes with the front door for a cohesive look.
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07
of 14Build a Balcony
Enhance an indoor-outdoor feel by adding a modern balcony to the upper level. Guideline Studios LLC furnished a cozy seating area for two with woven gray outdoor furniture to echo the siding and railings for a cohesive look.
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08
of 14Modernize Hardscaping
Modernize the exterior of a split-level home with hardscaping features. Create a dramatic walkway with staggered extra-wide concrete slabs that will echo the asymmetry of the home while giving the facade a more contemporary feel.
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09
of 14Freshen Up Dated Finishes
Replace dated brick or stucco with stone veneer or wood look panels to refresh the facade of a split-level house. Finish with black doors, windows, and roofing for a modern look.
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10
of 14Upgrade Outdoor Lighting
Modernize your exterior with new lighting fixtures. Black metal and glass sconces with an updated lantern shape are timeless choices, illuminating a large garage while doubling as decor.
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11
of 14Try Color-Blocking
Use color-blocking to make a feature of staggered levels. This Florida home has a coastal palette of white stucco and sky blue siding that echoes the surroundings.
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12
of 14Go With an All-White Look
Remove original shutters, add window trim, and replace siding for an all-white look that will modernize a split-home. Paint the door black and add simple front yard landscaping for a minimalist refresh that will de-emphasize the staggered facade.
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13
of 14Enhance Landscaping
Not all split-level houses were built in the suburbs in the middle of the 20th century. Staggered levels both inside and out allow builders to adapt homes to hillside locations and uneven lots, like this Los Angeles property that is outfitted with retaining walls and colorful landscaping.
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14
of 14Change the Roof Color
Modernize a split-level home with a new roof. This new build has a prominent gray roof that ties the staggered levels together and echoes the neutral color palette of the home exterior.
How to Modernize a Split-Level Home Interior
- Create continuity with a cohesive color palette. This will detract attention from irregular shaped rooms and staggered levels.
- Upgrade entryways to create a modern foyer rather than just a pass-through space.
- Remove dated features like heavy stair railings on half flights of stairs and replace them for a more contemporary feel.
- Take advantage of high ceilings to showcase large-scale art or wall decor.
- Knock down walls to create less segregation between spaces.
- Renovate lower levels to maximize square footage, adding space such as a guest suite, media room, home gym, playroom, or mud room.
- Replace original windows with large modern windows to let in more natural light.
- Update interior lighting with recessed can lights, integrated LED lighting, and modern fixtures to balance darker corners.
- Renovate kitchens and bathrooms to reflect current lifestyles and aesthetics.
- Upgrade HVAC and other systems to maximize energy efficiency.
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