Split-level houses are easy to recognize: short flights of stairs divide the floors into staggered levels. That layout creates both problems and opportunities in the kitchen, which is often closed off from the rooms half a level away. This guide gives you practical ideas for a split-level kitchen remodel, from opening the layout to storage, surfaces and lighting.
What is a split-level house?
The split-level house became popular in the middle of the 20th century. Short flights of stairs divide it into several levels: usually a main living level with the kitchen, a bedroom level above it and a lower level with a family room. The design adds living space without enlarging the footprint, which suits smaller lots.
Design considerations
A split-level kitchen remodel has to be planned around space and flow. The kitchen usually sits next to the living and dining areas on the same level, so the plan has to decide how open those rooms should be to each other. Settling the layout early lets you move appliances and fixtures where they work best.
An open kitchen and dining area
An open kitchen is a popular choice in split-level homes because it makes the space feel larger and connects the cook with the rest of the family. Removing a wall, or part of one, between the kitchen and the dining or living room achieves that, but first you have to know whether the wall is load bearing and plan the support it carries.
Function and style together
A kitchen has to work as well as it looks. Plan the work triangle between the sink, the range and the refrigerator, so cooking and moving around the room are easy.
Key remodeling ideas
These ideas do the most to make a split-level kitchen more open, modern and practical:
Open up the space
Many split-level kitchens are closed off from the rest of the house. Removing walls to create an open plan connects the kitchen with the dining and living rooms and lets in more light. Have a professional confirm which walls are load bearing, because a wall that carries load needs a new beam and posts to come out.
Modern appliances
New appliances improve how the kitchen works and looks. Energy efficient models cost less to run, and connected appliances, such as an oven you can control from your phone, suit a modern kitchen.
Islands and peninsulas
An island or a peninsula adds counter space and storage. In an open layout, an island also becomes a gathering spot and a soft divider between the kitchen and the living area.
A two-level island adds prep space on one side and a lower seating or dining counter on the other, so it can double as a table.
Custom cabinetry
Custom cabinets make the most of every inch in a split-level kitchen. Size them to the room and choose features that improve storage: pull-out drawers, a lazy Susan in the corner cabinet and heights that suit you. Pick materials and colors that match the rest of the design, from sleek modern finishes to classic wood.
Flooring
The floor changes how the whole space feels. In an open split-level plan, choose a floor that can continue from the kitchen into the rooms beside it. Hardwood and good quality laminate are durable choices.
Large-format tile and polished concrete give a more modern look. Whatever you choose has to stand up to the traffic of a busy kitchen.
Features and materials to consider
The right features and materials make a big difference in how a split-level kitchen looks and works. Removing or changing some upper cabinets, for example, can open the room up with little construction.
Smart kitchen technology
- Smart appliances: a refrigerator that helps manage grocery lists or an oven you can control from your phone.
- Integrated systems: lights, sound and temperature controlled from one hub or a phone app.
Lower impact materials
- Sustainable wood: cabinets made from sustainably harvested or reclaimed wood.
- Recycled content: countertops and backsplashes made with recycled glass or other recycled material.
- Low VOC paint: paint with fewer volatile organic compounds helps indoor air quality in a kitchen.
Hard-wearing surfaces
- Quartz countertops: durable, low maintenance and available in many colors and stone-like patterns.
- Large-format porcelain tile: tough, stain resistant and made to look like wood, stone or concrete, for floors and backsplashes.
Lighting
- LED lighting: under-cabinet or toe-kick LED strips add soft light and make the counters easier to use.
- Automated lighting: motion sensor lighting turns on and off by itself, so you never have to reach for a switch with full hands while you cook.
- Task lighting: pendants or track lights over the work areas, aimed where you need them.
Flexible storage
- Modular storage: units that can be adjusted or rearranged, which helps in the unusual layouts of split-level kitchens.
- Pull-out units: pull-out cabinets and racks make deep or narrow cabinets useful.
- Adjustable shelves: shelves you can move to fit items of different sizes.
In a smaller split-level kitchen, use the walls and the height of the room:
- Vertical storage: cabinets that run to the ceiling and open shelving.
- Built-in seating: a breakfast nook with storage under the benches.
- Reflective surfaces: glossy finishes and mirrors to make the space look larger.
Get help updating your split-level kitchen
A split-level remodel has its own challenges, from load bearing walls between levels to stairs beside the kitchen. Whether you want an open floor plan, a modern kitchen or a layout that flows better, work with a team that understands how these houses are built. Our page Kitchen Remodeling Across the Greater Seattle Area explains how we design, permit and build a new kitchen. For a real example, the Split-Level Whole Home Remodel with a Marble Fireplace opened walls on the main floor with temporary shoring and gained a white kitchen with an island. More kitchens are in the Kitchen Remodeling Portfolio Across the Greater Seattle Area.
Volcano Builders was founded in February 2021 by Bar Unger, who brings 20+ years of experience in the trade. From our main office in Bellevue we have completed over 200 projects across the Greater Seattle area, from small updates to whole home remodels.
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