A split-level home creates a sense of flow and maximizes the interior space. The partial separation between downstairs and upstairs allows you to make every nook functional. For example, you can have a home gym, office, or library on the lower floor of the house. 

However, while a split-level home looks functional on the inside, it usually looks bland on the outside. The reason is that most split-level houses were built way back in the 1970s or modeled after the fad of that time. 

You can transform a split-level home with a few modern modifications. Here are some tips to make a split-level house look more modern. 

Roof Material and Color

The roof of your home does not only serve the practical purpose of protecting you from weather elements like rain, but it also serves an aesthetic function. In a split-level home, a significant part of the roof is visible. It can either boost or decrease the appearance of the house. 

Consider the color of your roof if you want to complement it with a modern home design. If you have a shingle roof, dark colors can add a contemporary style to the house. You can also consider switching to a standing seam metal roof for that purpose.

Going full-modern requires you to hide the roof entirely. This work can be quite expensive as you need a structural overhaul for it. For example, you can build walls upwards around the edge of the roof, which is a technique called parapet roofing. 

Exterior Siding

Modernizing the siding of a split-level house needs smoothing of the exterior walls. The predominant surface must be clean and smooth. If your exterior siding is T1-11, you can stucco over it to create a smooth appearance. This work should be done on the predominant surface of the exterior wall. 

The second surface of the exterior siding, which you can easily retrofit to create a significant impact, should be made of natural stone. This contrast of evenly smooth siding and the natural stone texture can confer a distinct look on your home design. The advantage of a split-level house is that this combination can be well implemented because of the home’s structural breaks. 

Windows

It is not uncommon in old split-level homes to have Colonial-style windows featuring grids divided into 12 or more mini panes. You can also find single-hung windows fitted with bottom panes. Split-level houses from the 1960s to 1980s typically had these features. 

The solution if you want to make a dated split-level home more modern is to replace its old windows. For example, fixed-glass windows can significantly add a contemporary look to your home. Casement windows with cranks or windows with horizontal sliders can also modernize the appearance of your split-level house. 

Garage Doors

Garage doors that face the street can be your best and simplest option to modernize your split-level home. It is common that we leave garage doors out of the discussion in terms of renovation. But you can transform the look of an outdated home if you replace an uninteresting garage door that does not add to the property’s curb appeal.

For example, an outdated steel garage door needs to be ditched and replaced with a modern one. You can fit your garage with a door that resembles glass and has translucent panels. Such a garage door is aesthetically appealing since lights from inside the garage can be reflected on the outside. 

You can also install a garage door with a wooden look. This design element can complement the surface of your exterior siding made of natural stone. You have to make your garage door conform to the trend of the times. 

Outdoor Lighting

New light fixtures can give a modern update to a traditional split-level home. It is common to see a modern home have well-placed outdoor lighting that adds aesthetics and function to the property. 

For example, you can install exterior lighting that accentuates either side of a recessed entryway or a forward-facing front door of your split-level house. You can also put modern lighting fixtures along the pathway to your home to make it more interesting. 

Another great idea is to add recessed lighting at the overhang of the cantilevered second floor. You can also use this type of lighting to illuminate the spaces beneath the walls. For your garage door, consider a translucent door with interior illumination or some wooden doors with accent lighting. 

Final Thoughts

These are just a few suggestions, and you can use them as inspiration when remodeling your split-level house. A split-level home has the potential to look more aesthetically appealing in many years to come than almost any other traditional design out there once you start considering the options and the modifications mentioned on this list.