Generic Split level built in late 70's early 80's?

Question

Hi... we are moving to Salt Lake City and the only homes we can afford right now are the generic split level 80's homes... They are all so plain and dated... Does anyone who owns or has lived in a split level have any ideas how to make it less generic? I am going to paint the kitchen cabinets a high gloss black, install new modern handles, and instal stainless steel subway (rectangle) tiles... and the kitchen will be a deep red.. but aside from that and remodeling the bathrooms, im stumped on how to make it a little more modern. They all have those pony walls when you first walk in the front door that is along side the stairs up to the living room.. and alot of them have really ugly railings... Do you think it would be a good idea to make that a full height wall instead?

Also.. we are hoping to keep it as a rental when we buy a nicer house in about 5 years... do you think its worth our money to rebuild the deck? It will cost us about 6200 dollars, but it will add 340 sq feet of nice outdoor living space. Opinions?

Answer 1

The person who answered this question first is very correct about the air inversions in Jan and Feb...I am from the Salt Lake Area and we can have inversions for weeks at a time. I also agree about the half walls.

Really if this home is not your dream home then I would use paint color and home decor to give your home the look you want.

If you want it to be a rental at some point then ultra modern is not going to go over as well as more neutral. The deck, I believe would be a good idea for a couple of reasons, it might make it more desirable as a rental and may give added value if you ever decide to sell.

Answer 2

It really does depend on the house and which rooms. If you have the den/family room below the kitchen.....yeah, I've always hated that wall. Go to full wall.

If the wall is not for safety.....to keep people, kids, pets from falling into the lower level, remove the wall. For example the entry area half wall. Out with it!! Too confining. If you can't have an entry "room" let's not pretend.

I would caution about darkening the house too much if you are used to bright houses. Salt Lake is pretty gloomy in Jan/Feb from air inversions.

I find most hand rails and railing to be morbid. That you must keep can be painted jazzy.

Answer 3

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