
A split-foyer is a typical layout inside many split and raised ranch homes. Upon entering, you are faced with a set of stairs going up, and one going down. The foyer itself is often very small, with barely enough room to shut the door behind you. People who have homes with this setup may want to enlarge the foyer to make it more useable.
Full Answer
What are the differences between split foyer houses?
Unlike standard split homes, there isn’t a functioning middle level with split foyer houses. The top floor typically features taller ceilings and houses the main rooms, such as the kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms, dining room, and living room. The lower level, on the other hand, has lower ceilings and is partly below ground level.
What to do with a split foyer entrance?
The split foyer entrance and all the gables definitely created a challenge. The solution: We incorporated exposed cedar beams and exposed cedar roof rafters with a mahogany tongue and groove ceiling to give the entry a warm and different feel.
What does a split-level house look like?
Placement of the family room, kitchen, dining room, bedrooms, and bathrooms can all vary in this style. From the outside, this type of split-level house looks like a tri-level home but it’s technically bi-level, with a distinct wing for the entry.
What kind of House is a side split?
Side Split If you prefer a home that still separates the living space from the bedrooms, but doesn’t require a full flight of stairs to reach, you may consider a side split style house. This type of split-level house features multiple levels that are visible from the home’s exterior.
What is split foyer style?
What percentage of new homes were split level in 1975?
Why is the sandbox so popular?
What does "Happy Days" mean on split level?
What is the upper level of a split foyer?
Will baby boomers downsize?
Who is the architect of split visions?
See 2 more

What is a split level foyer?
This style of house is also known as a "split foyer". This is a two-story house that has a small entrance foyer with stairs that "split"—part of a flight of stairs go up (usually to the living room, kitchen, and bedrooms) and part of a flight of stairs go down (usually to a family room and garage/storage area).
What is the difference between a split level and a split foyer?
Split-level homes tend to have staggered levels of living space." One type of split-level home called a split-foyer home usually has a main foyer with split levels above and below the entry level. "In our market, we refer to a 'split-foyer' as a 'split-entry,' because it's just that," Barnes says.
Why are split foyer homes hard to sell?
Split-level homes are harder to sell because of a combination of the age of their owners and the age of the actual houses. A large older population trying to sell many split-level homes creates abundant supply, while their dated decor combined with wear and tear lowers demand.
Is a split foyer the same as a raised ranch?
While some use the term split-level to describe a raised ranch style, the true raised ranch style has only two levels, while a split-level home has three stories or more.
Does a split foyer have a basement?
Yes, split-level homes do have basements and garages. Upon entering a split-level home, you'll usually see one staircase leading up to bedroom levels, and another staircase leading down to the basement level. The basement floor is level with the driveway, and often features a laundry room or living area.
How do you update a split foyer house?
Consider these split-level home renovations that brighten the entire space:Replace and add windows. Small windows can make a home look dated. ... Add a skylight or solar tubes. Bring in some light from above too! ... Go for custom mirrors. ... Install custom lighting. ... Use light paint colors. ... Remove walls.
Are split-level homes outdated?
The design is no longer considered modern, but it is still practical for many of today's buyers. Here's a look at how the split-level came to be, and why it still deserves respect.
Are split-level homes a good investment?
Buying a split-level house can get you great value for your home buying dollar in the current market. There is no shortage of homes built in the 60s or 70s, so you can likely find an affordable option that makes for a great investment.
Are split-level homes making a comeback?
Split-level houses are making a solid comeback in the housing architectural world with new designs and modifications. First becoming popular in the 1950s, they were most loved for the space they provided for large families.
Why are split-level homes so popular?
The split-level blueprint allows for more separation between downstairs and upstairs than other home designs and is great for those who want to have an office, gym, or hobby space downstairs. The money-savvy might even rent out a downstairs bedroom to a roommate.
What is the point of a raised ranch?
A raised ranch is a ranch-style house that's been set on a foundation that allows living space below the main level, usually in the form of a basement halfway below grade with a bathroom and/or laundry room, and sometimes a garage.
What are the different types of ranch houses?
Different types of ranch homesCalifornia ranch. This is the style that May originally designed, and it typically features Spanish architectural influences. ... Raised ranch. ... Split-level ranch. ... Storybook ranch. ... Suburban ranch. ... Pros. ... Cons.
What are the types of split-level homes?
Split-level homes come in different shapes and sizes. They are distinct from bi-level houses, and their common feature of multiple, often short, staircases leading to different levels is a familiar design. The most common types of split-level homes are traditional, split-entry, split-foyer, side-split, and back-split.
Can you change a split foyer?
You can repair this flaw in split-level design by opening the foyer to your formal living room, removing walls or installing half-walls, or by creating clear paths to the lower den by using similar flooring in both foyer and the down stairs.
What is a 3 level split?
The three level split home is a common style avialble in Calgary's real estate market. Typically this style offers a kitchen and living space on the main floor with some bedrooms on the upper level, and a living area on the lower level. These homes are more commonly built in Calgary during the 1970-1980s era.
What is a California split-level home?
A true California split-level house consists of three or four levels of living space with the floor level of one part of the house about halfway between the floor and ceiling of the other half of the house.
What is split foyer style?
The split foyer-style house, a stalwart of 1970s design, typically features a front entryway that is between floors and faces a short staircase leading up to a main living level and another going down to a finished lower level that has plenty of natural light.
What percentage of new homes were split level in 1975?
In 1975, 12 percent of all new homes were some variation of the split level, reports the National Association of Home Builders. In the Midwest, a whopping 21 percent featured the upstairs-downstairs look that year.
Why is the sandbox so popular?
The design’s widespread popularity stemmed from two main factors: It maximized the square footage possible on a small or uneven lot, and it was relatively low cost, because it did not require a fully excavated basement.
What does "Happy Days" mean on split level?
Existing split-levels could be a hard sell, too. To the 21st century eye, they scream “Happy Days,” meaning they seem as dated as wide suit lapels. They also sometimes seem dark and lacking in curb appeal.
What is the upper level of a split foyer?
Traditionally, the upper level of the split-foyer floor plan contains the main living spaces -- living room, dining room, bedrooms and kitchen, while the lower level holds a family room, home office and utility/laundry room, as well as direct access to the garage.
Will baby boomers downsize?
As baby boomers downsize or upgrade, many split foyers are expected to come onto the housing market. "In the coming years, baby boomers will be moving on," says Arthur C. Nelson, director of the Metropolitan Research Center at the University of Utah. “They will want to sell their homes, and they’re hoping there are people behind them to buy [them]."
Who is the architect of split visions?
On the website "Split Visions, A Planbook of Remodeling Ideas for Split-Level and Split-Entry Houses," Battles and his co-author, architect Robert Gerloff, go into great detail about how to modernize split foyers and other split-level designs, offering specific examples of houses that have added features such as front porches, columns, window and siding treatments, shutters and decks to add visual pizzazz and lure the eye away from a sometimes monotonous profile or an overbearing set of garage doors. The Minnesota-based architects also offer plans for enlarging rooms and expanding storage space.
What Are Common Characteristics Of All Split-Level Homes?
Although each type of split-level home is different from one another, they all share the same characteristic of having multiple floors that are connected by short flights of stairs. Unlike traditional home layouts, split-level homes, also referred to as tri-level, feature at least three levels that are connected by stairs.
What is a side split house?
This type of split-level house features multiple levels that are visible from the home’s exterior. In most cases, these homes have a garage with the bedrooms situated directly above it on one side of the house.
What is split entry?
Split entry homes have, as the name suggests, an entry that is between floors. The entrance is a small section that is separate from all the main floors of the home. When you open the front door, you are led to a distinct foyer or entry space.
How many levels are there in a split foyer?
Split foyer houses have two levels, with two sets of stairs. Unlike conventional floor plans, when you walk into the front door of a split foyer home, you’ll be greeted by the two sets of stairs. One set of stairs leads to the upper level, while the other leads to the bottom level. Unlike standard split homes, there isn’t a functioning middle level with split foyer houses.
How many sections are there in a split level house?
There is typically a short section of stairs that then leads to the other sections of the home. This type of split-level house will have at least three sections, but may have more.
What is the difference between a split level and a bi level house?
To recap, split-level homes have three distinct levels that are accessed via short sets of stairs. On the other hand, bi-level houses have two levels that are accessed via a common entrance between the floors.
Why are split level homes so popular?
Split-level homes are great for those who want to conserve the space on their property, without sacrificing room inside of the home. Since split-level houses are stacked, they don’t take up as much yard space and still provide plenty of square footage vertically on the interior.
What is split foyer?
A split foyer is usually a 2 level rectangularly shaped house with the entry door and small foyer between the two levels of living space.
What are split levels called?
They have different names in other parts of the country. In some areas split levels are called “ tri-levels” and Split Foyers are called Raised Ranchers. In a split level house you usually have two sections of the house , one rectangular and one square.
What is split foyer style?
The split foyer-style house, a stalwart of 1970s design, typically features a front entryway that is between floors and faces a short staircase leading up to a main living level and another going down to a finished lower level that has plenty of natural light.
What percentage of new homes were split level in 1975?
In 1975, 12 percent of all new homes were some variation of the split level, reports the National Association of Home Builders. In the Midwest, a whopping 21 percent featured the upstairs-downstairs look that year.
Why is the sandbox so popular?
The design’s widespread popularity stemmed from two main factors: It maximized the square footage possible on a small or uneven lot, and it was relatively low cost, because it did not require a fully excavated basement.
What does "Happy Days" mean on split level?
Existing split-levels could be a hard sell, too. To the 21st century eye, they scream “Happy Days,” meaning they seem as dated as wide suit lapels. They also sometimes seem dark and lacking in curb appeal.
What is the upper level of a split foyer?
Traditionally, the upper level of the split-foyer floor plan contains the main living spaces -- living room, dining room, bedrooms and kitchen, while the lower level holds a family room, home office and utility/laundry room, as well as direct access to the garage.
Will baby boomers downsize?
As baby boomers downsize or upgrade, many split foyers are expected to come onto the housing market. "In the coming years, baby boomers will be moving on," says Arthur C. Nelson, director of the Metropolitan Research Center at the University of Utah. “They will want to sell their homes, and they’re hoping there are people behind them to buy [them]."
Who is the architect of split visions?
On the website "Split Visions, A Planbook of Remodeling Ideas for Split-Level and Split-Entry Houses," Battles and his co-author, architect Robert Gerloff, go into great detail about how to modernize split foyers and other split-level designs, offering specific examples of houses that have added features such as front porches, columns, window and siding treatments, shutters and decks to add visual pizzazz and lure the eye away from a sometimes monotonous profile or an overbearing set of garage doors. The Minnesota-based architects also offer plans for enlarging rooms and expanding storage space.
