Guide to Revamping Your 1970’s Split Level Home
Is your 1970s split-level home stuck in the past? The wood paneling, closed-off rooms, and dark colors might make your space feel smaller than it truly is.
Many homeowners find these older homes hard to update without costly changes to the basic structure. You’re not alone in this challenge.
A well-planned update can turn your dated split-level into a bright, open, and functional home that fits today’s living needs. With the right changes, you can keep the charm while adding modern touches that work for your family.
This guide will show you simple yet effective ways to refresh your split-level home. We’ll cover room-by-room tips, budget-friendly options, and smart design choices to help you love your home again.
Understanding the 1970s Split-Level Layout
The 1970s split-level home divides living spaces across multiple half-floors connected by short staircases.
This design creates distinct zones for social, private, and utility areas, using land efficiently by building both up and down. While the divided layout presents challenges for modern updates—as many walls are structural—it also offers benefits by naturally separating spaces for different activities.
When updating, focus on connecting spaces visually with consistent colors and materials, widening doorways where possible, and using lighter colors to brighten enclosed areas.
These small changes can improve the flow while respecting the home’s original structure.
Preserving the Charm: Key Architectural Features
Split-level homes from the 1970s have unique features worth keeping. The sloped rooflines, large windows, and wood details give these homes their special look.
- Sloped rooflines that create visual interest and a distinctive profile
- Large windows that bring natural light into many rooms
- Wood paneling and trim that add warmth and texture
- Open floor plans that connect living spaces
- Sunken living rooms that create cozy gathering spaces
How to Adopt 1970s Style in Split-Level Interiors?
Mix vintage furniture with modern touches to honor the home’s history while making it comfortable for today’s living.
1. Updating the Exterior: Curb Appeal Revamp
The outside of your split-level home sets the tone for what’s inside. Mix materials like stone with brick to update the façade while keeping costs down.
Replace old siding with modern options, and install new windows and doors for better looks and energy savings. Plant in tiers to match your home’s levels, using low-maintenance options that highlight the structure.
Make the entry more welcoming with a wider path, better lighting, and perhaps a small covered area. Build decks or patios that work with the terrain, not against it.
Choose a three-color paint scheme to highlight the home’s best features and bring its look into this century.
2. Modernizing the Interior Design
Split-level homes can shine with updates that respect their past while looking forward. Small changes often work better than total remakes.
1. Mixing Old and New
- Wood paneling: Paint in soft whites or grays
- Furniture: Pair mid-century with clean-lined modern pieces
- Lighting: Update with simple, well-made designs
- Tiles: Use vintage-inspired patterns in modern ways
2. Fresh Design Touches
- Color base: Choose neutrals for walls and floors
- Add color: Through items you can easily change
- Open spaces: Replace some closed cabinets with open shelving
- Less is more: Reduce clutter with fewer, meaningful items
- Natural elements: Use plants to connect to the outdoors
3. Honoring the Past
- Smart home: Hide modern tech in vintage-looking switches
- Tech spaces: Build them to blend with existing rooms
- Kitchen updates: Improve function but keep similar layout
- Room flow: Keep divisions but improve sight lines
Key tip: The best updates feel natural, not forced. Find what made these homes special when built, then highlight those features while making the space work for today.
3. Embracing Color and Patterns
The 1970s gave us bold colors and striking patterns. Today, we can use these elements in smaller doses for a modern home with vintage flair.
| Color/Pattern | Usage Tips | Where to Apply | Balance Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mustard Yellow | Use as accent only | Pillows, art, small furniture | Pair with white, gray, navy |
| Burnt Orange | Apply in small doses | Lamps, vases, kitchen tools | Mix with beiges and tans |
| Earthy Browns | Choose warm tones | Wood furniture, floors | Add cream or off-white walls |
| Olive Green | Select muted versions | Plants, textiles, accents | Balance with light woods |
| Geometrics | Pick one scale size | Rugs, curtains, wall art | Limit to one focal piece |
| Florals | Choose updated styles | Accent pillows, framed art | Keep backgrounds simple |
| Color Blocking | Use 60-30-10 rule | Main, secondary, accent | Use similar undertones |
| Wood Tones | Mix light/medium | Furniture, trim, decor | Limit to 3 wood tones per room |
Updating Furniture and Fixtures
1. Low-profile sofas with tapered legs: Furniture pieces that sit closer to the ground with thin, angled legs that perfectly capture the mid-century modern look typical of when split-level homes were popular.
2. Round tables: Circular surface pieces that help balance the many straight lines and angles found throughout split-level homes, creating visual harmony in these spaces.
3. Simple pendant fixtures: Ceiling lights that hang down on cords or chains that update a space without overwhelming it.
5. Sleek, minimal hardware: Cabinet and drawer handles with clean lines and simple shapes that replace ornate or dated pulls, instantly modernizing kitchens and bathrooms.
6. Hidden storage furniture: Functional pieces like ottomans, coffee tables or beds with compartments that help manage belongings in the sometimes limited space of split-level homes.
Mistakes to Avoid When Revamping a 1970s Split-Level Home
- Preserving Character While Updating: Don’t strip away all vintage charm in pursuit of trends. Original wood paneling, conversation pits, and distinctive railings can be refreshed rather than removed.
- Working With, Not Against, Split-Level Design: These homes have natural divisions that create distinct zones. Embrace this architecture instead of fighting it with forced open concepts that compromise structural integrity.
- Balancing Old and New Elements: Avoid jarring contrasts between ultra-modern additions and original features. Seek complementary pieces that honor the home’s era while providing contemporary function.
- Overlooking Energy Efficiency: Many 70s homes lack proper insulation. Address these practical concerns while maintaining aesthetic appeal.
- Removing Too Much Color: The era embraced bold colors. Rather than defaulting to all-white spaces, consider updated versions of period-appropriate palettes.
Alternative Ideas: Updating the Split-Level Home
1. Style Fusion: Blend 70s elements with Scandinavian simplicity or industrial accents for a fresh yet respectful update.
2. Eco-Conscious Upgrades: Install energy-efficient windows with retro frames. Source vintage furniture for restoration rather than buying new.
3. Tech Integration: Hide modern devices behind period-appropriate cabinetry. Use smart lighting to recreate warm 70s ambiance.
4. Functional Updates: Transform underutilized half-levels into reading nooks or home offices. Choose energy-efficient appliances in warm tones.
5. Celebrate Original Features: Enhance sunken rooms with comfortable seating. Refinish original hardwood rather than replacing it.
Conclusion
Fixing up your 1970’s split level home brings both joy and value. We looked at key ways to update these classic houses – from opening floor plans to adding modern fixtures and fresh paint schemes.
Remember to keep what works while changing what doesn’t. Small steps like updating light fixtures or big ones like kitchen overhauls all add worth to your home.
Before you start, make a clear plan. Know your budget, timeline, and which changes matter most. Get help from pros when needed, especially for structural work.
Your split level can become the perfect mix of vintage charm and today’s comforts. The best part? You’ll create a space that fits your needs while honoring the home’s basic style.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is It Hard to Sell a Split-Level Home?
No, split-level homes aren’t hard to sell. They appeal to many buyers who like their unique layout, extra space, and often lower price compared to newer homes. Good updates can help them sell faster.
2. What Architectural Style Is a Split-Level House?
A split-level house is a multi-story home with staggered floors connected by short staircases. It typically has three levels with main living areas, bedrooms, and basement spaces at different heights.
