skip to main content

Design Dilemma entry

Split Level Entry Way Help!

3 years ago

We live in a split level and there’s barely anywhere to put coats and shoes when you walk in the door. It’s driving me crazy.

There’s no room to the left of the door without it hitting the open door. The wall to the right goes around the staircase to the master bedroom. The stairs lead down to a finished basement where there are two small landing but again, not a to of space.

I’d like to put some hooks in and a bench but not sure where I’d find the space. Any ideas out there?!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

suezbell
3 years ago
That's an awkward puzzle. My guess is that coats will end up draped over the railing eventually.

Or.

Do you have a front porch/stoop that you could enclose as an entry/foyer room with either closet or hall tree or other coat rack ?
Cait
Original Author
3 years ago
Coats always get hung there and as you can see in the photo, my husband leaves his boots there as well.

There is a front stoop. I hadn’t thought about extending the room. Here’s the outside.
Related Discussions
Help Remodel This Split Level Farm House
Q
Comments (30)
I think you have a real handle on what you want but a decision this big needs people you don't know and never will's opinion. Support and agreement is good and these folks know there stuff but it's your place you will live there. You never mentioned budget but for the kitchen I don't believe your prices include labor, electrical and plumbing, do they? I do know some people that paid more for the kitchen remodel around here that you can buy a simple tired home for. 12X14 sunroom. I was in the sunroom business and didn't want one for my home, sweltering in summer and stone cold in winter. Yes you can heat and cool them and watch those utility bills skyrocket. They look to be initially inexpensive but once you factor in added utilities it is more cost effective to extend with traditional construction with a large focal window. They will tell you they will appreciate the value of your property greater than traditional construction but now that they have been in fashion for a while they can actually be a deal killer. We are looking at homes and don't want anything to do with a sunroom. Glass is glass, the greatest heat loss is through the glass in a home, until they invent a high insulating glass that is affordable that is simply a fact. R-3 per pane, maybe, you do the math. Full thermal break or not. No one would build a room and put in R-6 of insulation in a wall. Sorry I know you are focused on the kitchen but thought I might give you my spin on sunrooms.
...See More
Please HELP! me make sense of this design: Shingle Style Split Level?
Q
Comments (16)
You have small windows on a large house. Yes I think there is not enough light coming into the house. I will ask our architect friend about widening the guest bathroom by 6" and replacing the entry door to 36" (from the current 32"). That should create a 3' x 4' clear area between the toilet and vanity. The shower door is currently 30" wide and the shower has a 36" diameter space inside the walled area. The plan is to use a curb-less shower design. That's all fine but it's an obstacle course to get around the toilet to the shower and there is not enough room on the shower side to get in and out of the shower. A wheelchair needs 60" turning radius. And go watch people sometime who use walkers and how hard it is to maneuver. This bathroom as drawn will NEVER be friendly for those with disabilities. Look others have been treading lightly. JDS who is an excellent architect in your neck of the woods tried to say it nicely and so did Casey. I'll be more blunt. It's not a very good design as it is now. Now having said that, I will say I feel your frustration. I've been adjusting and changing my plan for a year now, partly because of zoning miscues, partly because we just decided to add more land and mostly because I started on here like you with a very poor elevation that read nothing like the craftsman I wanted. Of course my needs are different than yours. My house is in SW FL and this is our forever house in that we're both in our 60's already. Here's the thread that gives links to all my threads (second post down): Link to the Saga of Cpartist's craftsman home And here's the link to the latest since we bought additional land: Cpartist's latest saga My point being to take all the offered advice and really think through what you need and want. It can only get better if you're open to changing what is there. Also one other thought. I might be wrong but I was under the impression that underground garages are harder to keep dry, etc?
...See More
Mixing glass and spindle baluster in split entry way. Would you?
Q
Comments (9)
You are required to have a continual hand rail that goes the distance of the entire stair and wraps the corner between the upper flight and lower flight. There is no inexpensive way to do that with glass. It’ll be difficult enough to be code compliant with wood. Additionally, split levels aren’t nearly a modern enough architectural home style to be putting in glass or cable anything. They are traditional style homes that should keep their traditional details. They look fractured and disjointed when you try to make them look like a downtown loft.
...See More
HELP Split entry way decor??
Q
Comments (10)
Sometimes it's good to see what others have done. What's with the Spanish candelier? It's a split level and it's naturally contemporary in style. Adding texture to the wall with batten strips could be interesting. Adding a wainscoting could cut the height of the walls visually A shelf and mirror or hooks and bench like you see below is an option also. I don't think the walls should remain simply white.
...See More
suezbell
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Create a new room by creating a wall at the front of what is now porch and move your front door into that wall and create a cased opening where the front door is now located.

Then, create a new front porch about 6' deep -- this time in front of and all across the right front wing of the house -- entry level part of the house.

You could use one wide forward facing gable over that wing of the house with its roof ridge level with and at a right angle to the current center (left/right) ridge of the roof.

or

You could use a shed roof with a smaller gable on the roof only over the front entry ... the width of the current porch. The porch floor and steps could be made of the rounded edged treated deck lumber if you don't want to rebuild it with concrete.

When you rebuild your steps and sidewalk, instead of having them immediately turn toward the driveway, have them go straight out into the yard so that they turn only after they're closer to ending at the door of a vehicle parked in the driveway. You can use a couple of the existing steps immediately beside the driveway ( left in place and exposed but not used as steps) as place for flower pots and/or or a rectangle planter.
suezbell
3 years ago
If you don't want to build a new front porch, perhaps you could enclose only half of your porch -- enough for a walk space and a closet or coat rack or hall tree beside that -- and leave enough room to step out to a level place -- maybe 3' -4' stoop -- before going down the steps.
Cait
Original Author
3 years ago
I talked to the hubs about this tonight and he’s actually in! Thank you for the idea! I’ll keep you posted.
suezbell
3 years ago
Great. Let us know how it turns out.

Related Stories

REMODELING GUIDES Step Up Your Split-Level Spec House

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

Three off-the-rack split-level homes, three dramatically different renovations. Let your favorite be your guide

CONTEMPORARY HOMES Houzz Tour: Split-Level Home Uses Every Square Foot

A staircase connects levels that share views and light. The result is separate rooms with an open-plan feeling

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Added Space and Style for a 1960s Split Level

By John Prindle

With a new second story and downstairs suite, custom touches and midcentury pieces, this Portland family home suits 3 generations

LANDSCAPE DESIGN 10 Simple Ways to Personalize Your Front Entry

By Kerryn Ramsey

Set a welcoming tone for your home with stylish updates to your doorway, pathway and porch

ENTRYWAYS 7 Ways to Make the Front Entry Matter Again

Curb appeal: See how designers play down the garage and celebrate the front door

ACCESSORIES The Latest Ways Candles Can Take Your Space to a Cozy New Level

By Gwendolyn Purdom

Make a glowing statement at home this holiday season and beyond with these expert tips on decorating with candles

GARAGES Design Workshop: The Many Ways to Conceal a Garage

By Eric Reinholdt, Architect

Car storage doesn’t have to dominate your home's entry. Consider these designs that subtly hide the garage while keeping it convenient

KITCHEN DESIGN 10 Ways to Design a Kitchen for Aging in Place

Design choices that prevent stooping, reaching and falling help keep the space safe and accessible as you get older

THE HARDWORKING HOME Smart Ways to Make the Most of a Compact Kitchen

Minimal square footage is no barrier to fulfilling your culinary dreams. These tips will help you squeeze the most out of your space

SELLING YOUR HOUSE Kitchen Ideas: 8 Ways to Prep for Resale

Some key updates to your kitchen will help you sell your house. Here’s what you need to know

Sponsored

Traditional Hardwood Floors LLC

2 Reviews

Your Industry Leading Flooring Refinishers & Installers in Columbus

More Discussions

Custom Design for 33 Inch Bathroom Vanity-All drawer How many/height

4

Open concept kitchen - updated post with home photos and layout

9

Family room makeover! Add window treatments or no?

0

Granite countertop ideas for blue/white kitchen??

2

How should I place the prints?

2