A split level remodel usually focuses on four areas: opening the kitchen and living space on the main level, reworking the cramped entry and half-flight stairs, reorganizing the upper bedroom level, and making the partly below-grade lower level dry, bright and usable. Because walls near the stairs often carry loads from the floors above, a structural review comes before any wall is removed.

Split-level homes, with three or four staggered floors connected by short flights of stairs, line the streets of many Northern and Central New Jersey suburbs. They were built for a different way of living, with a formal living room up front, a closed kitchen and a family room tucked half a level down.

Today, owners of these homes often like their neighborhoods and their lots but feel boxed in by the layout. A well-planned remodel can keep the house's footprint and change how it lives.

Start at the Entry

In many split-levels, the front door opens onto a small landing with stairs going up and down immediately. There is little room for coats, no real foyer and often a dark first impression.

Common fixes include enlarging the landing where the structure allows, replacing solid half-walls with open railings, adding a coat closet or bench in a nearby wall, and improving daylight with a larger front window or a sidelight. Because the stairs are the hinge of the whole house, any change here affects every level.

Open the Main Level With Care

The main level usually holds the living room, dining room and kitchen, often separated by walls. Opening them is the most requested change in a split level home renovation, and it is also where structure matters most. In a split-level, the walls around the kitchen and along the stairs frequently support the upper bedroom level, and the stair openings themselves already interrupt the floor framing. A structural engineer determines which walls are bearing and what is needed to remove or open them, such as a flush or dropped beam, new posts and footings below. The beam's depth affects ceiling lines, and its supports may land in the lower level, so the design for both floors should be coordinated. Ductwork and plumbing in the walls being removed must also be rerouted. When a full opening is not practical, a wide cased opening, a half wall with storage, or a peninsula can connect the kitchen to the living space while keeping necessary structure in place. The goal is better sight lines and circulation, not removing every wall.

Rethink the Upper Level

The bedroom level of a split-level often has a small hall bath and bedrooms of similar size. A remodel can combine two small bedrooms into a primary suite, enlarge the hall bath by borrowing closet space, or add laundry near the bedrooms instead of two half-flights below.

If more space is needed, split-levels can sometimes grow upward over the garage or lower wing. That decision depends on the structure below and local height limits.

Make the Lower Level Livable

The lower level of a split-level usually sits partly below grade. It is often the family room, sometimes with a laundry, powder room or garage access. It can also be the dampest, darkest part of the house.

Address moisture before finishing. Check grading and gutters outside, look for signs of water at the foundation walls and slab, and confirm the floor and wall assemblies planned for finishing can handle the conditions. Larger windows or window wells can add daylight and, in a bedroom, provide required emergency egress. Ceiling height and existing ductwork may limit what is possible, so measure carefully before committing to a layout.

A Level-by-Level Planning Table

Don't Forget the Exterior

The front of a split-level can look dated even after the inside is remodeled. New siding, windows, a redesigned front entry and updated roofline details can give the house a more coherent look. Any change that adds height or extends the footprint will need zoning review, but many facade updates stay within the existing envelope.

Planning House Remodeling in New Jersey for a Split-Level

Because every level connects through the stairs, a split level remodel works best as one design, even if construction is done in stages. Changes on one level affect structure, systems and sight lines on the others.

WA Construct, westfield custom home builder recognized with 2026 MBCA Awards of Excellence, plans whole-floor and whole-home remodels across all levels before construction begins. Homeowners exploring house remodeling in New Jersey can see how that design-build approach is organized.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you open up a split-level floor plan?

Often, yes, but it depends on which walls are load-bearing and how the stairs are framed. Walls near the stairs and kitchen frequently support the upper level. A structural engineer can specify beams and supports to remove or open them, or suggest partial openings where full removal is not practical.

What is the biggest challenge in a split level home renovation?

The stairs. Every level connects through them, so changes to the entry, kitchen walls or lower level affect the structure and flow of the whole house. Planning all levels together helps avoid solving one problem while creating another a half flight away.

How do I make a split-level lower level feel less like a basement?

Start with moisture control, then add daylight with larger windows where possible, improve lighting and choose finishes suited to below-grade conditions. Opening sight lines from the main level and updating the stair connection can make the lower level feel like part of the main living space.

Should I add an addition to a split-level or remodel within it?

It depends on whether the house lacks space or simply uses it poorly. Many split-levels gain a lot from reorganizing the main and upper levels. If the household needs another bedroom or a larger family room, building over the garage or adding a rear wing may be the next step.

Do split-level remodels need permits in New Jersey?

Yes. Removing walls, changing stairs, adding bathrooms or windows and updating electrical or plumbing all require permits under the Uniform Construction Code. Exterior changes that add height or footprint also need zoning review. Your design team should prepare drawings and handle the approval steps.