Modern Basement Ideas
Ideas for Split Level House Renovations
Most people who renovate a split-level house want to update and modernize it. Therefore, these renovations are projects to finish unfinished or partly finished areas, open up the main floor, update the kitchen, add bathrooms to the main floor and/or to the upper level.
The main floor of a split level usually consists of living room, dining room, kitchen and possibly a bedroom. Many people want to create more openness. This can certainly be achieved by removing some of the walls between rooms, but you will need to be sure you know which walls are load-bearing walls that cannot safely be removed.
Either removing the wall, or opening up the wall by carving out the upper portion and putting in a counter will create more openness between the kitchen and the dining room. It will open up the area and make it feel more spacious. Removing the wall between the living room and dining room can also open up that area and make it more conducive to entertaining, as well as making it feel more informal.
Many split level homes have an unfinished bottom level. Finishing this area is really no different from finishing any basement. It will be importantto check on ceiling height early in the planning stages of the project. You may want to plan on removing the floor and digging down a couple feet, to make your basement area more spacious and avoid the problem of low ceilings. You can get a quick estimate of the cost to finish an unfinished basement in a typical split-level home from any professional remodeling contractor..
Most split level homes were not built with a bathroom on the main floor. You have to go upstairs to the bedroom level, or downstairs to the basement/ recreation room/ laundry room to use the bathroom. Many homeowners would like to add at least a half-bath or powder room on the main floor for the comfort and convenience of guests or for elderly or disabled family members, butetermining the location of the new bathroom is a challenge in most split levels.
Ideally, you want to locate the new bathroom next to, above, or below existing plumbing. This way you can connect directly to the existing pipes. However, depending on the floor plan, of your house, this might not be workable. Before you run pipes to a new bathroom on the main floor, thinking that you will connect into the bathroom downstairs, you have to think about the ceiling height of the floor below (if there is one). If the lower level has lower ceilings than the main level, then you might have to think about where you can run pipes without making the lower level unusable and/or unattractive due to low hanging exposed pipes.
Adding a bathroom on the bedroom level is also a very popular renovation with win split level home owners. Many split level homes have only one bathroom on this floor. There’s usually no bathroom in the master bedroom. Or, if there is one, it is usually very small. Again, you will probably want to try to build the new bathroom close to existing plumbing if possible, ideally right next to the existing bathroom, but remember that no matter where you locate it, it will take away space from your master bedroom.
Enlarging a master bathroom in a split level might mean that you’ll wind up wanting to enlarge the entire master bedroom, which will mean enlarging the entire top level. This will require an architect as well as a professional remodeling contractor. Remodeling projects like this take organization and planning. You cannot just jump into them. Although split level homes present some unique challenges to remodelers, don’t let this stop you. With careful planning, a creative design, a clear idea of what you want to change and why and attention to detail, most of the changes you might want to make can be not only possible, but realistic and practical. They can modernize your home and make it more livable and enjoyable without breaking your bank account.
About the Author
Find local residential construction contractors, articles, videos, and unique home decor products. Home renovation, home remodeling, kitchen and bathroom renovation contractors.
COD: Modern Warfare2 – Estate Takedown(Veteran & Solo) [tutorial]
|
|
Mixing Races: From Scientific Racism to Modern Evolutionary Ideas (Johns Hopkins Introductory Studies in the History of Science) $11.33 This book explores changing American views of race mixing in the twentieth century, showing how new scientific ideas transformed accepted notions of race and how those ideas played out on college campuses in the 1960s.In the 1930s it was not unusual for medical experts to caution against miscegenation, or race mixing, espousing the common opinion that it would produce biologically dysfunctional of… |
|
|
Catholic Child’s First Communion Bible (The Rise of modern religious ideas in America) $11.43 Maroon gift edition features padded simulated leather cover, gold edges, and a Communion Certificate Page. Gift boxed. Format: 96 pages. Size: 4.50x 6 Publisher: Malhame… |
|
|
Modern Polystyrene Decorativre Ceiling Tiles #R-60 Can Be Glue on Any Flat Surfase,over Popcorn,insulation!suspended Ceiling 20×20. $3.69 Decorative Quality Styrofoam INSULATED ceiling tiles can be glue over any flat surface and over secure POPCORN with ceramic tile mastic adhesive, also known as or sometimes referred to as mastic, which is a white acrylic latex adhesive, which will bond ceramic tiles to structurally sound secure dry flat surfaces. It is excellent for setting ceramic tile over drywall and therefore excellent for app… |
|
|
Drop in Ceiling Tile #208 24×24 White Matt Plastic Can Be Glue on Clean Smooth Flath Serface, Also Can Glued Over Secure Popcorn Ceiling with Overlaping Edges Ul Fire Rated.tape On,glue On,staple On,nail On!very Cheap. $8.29 Faux Decorative modern Beautiful & quality ceiling tile 24″x24″ Plastic, wall covering, ceiling covering, easily installed with adhesive glue/contact cement. Tin like appearance at a much more affordable price. These drop in ceiling tiles could be installed in the standard T-bar grids, and glue to a ceiling,wallcoverings will instantly & elegantly transform your kitchen or any room! INSTALLATION… |
|
|
LeapFrog Leapster Learning Game SpongeBob SquarePants Saves the Day $9.95 A brand-new restaurant in Bikini Bottom means competition for the Krusty Krab. SpongeBob has an idea to save the day — he’ll make a new, improved Krabby Patty sauce that will win back customers. Play five action-packed learning games that teach more than 45 essential skills as you help SpongeBob collect ingredients, create the sauce and test it on Patrick. Requires Leapster Multimedia Learning Sy… |
