15+ Captivating Ideas of a Split Level House Interior for Updated Open Floor Plans

15  Captivating Ideas Of A Split Level House Interior

Insufficient space has been a pretty common problem for us who live in a big city. That’s why building a big house in a city is nearly impossible.

If you want to design a cozy and comfortable space, a split house is your best bet.

Yet, split-level house interior isn’t the most popular.

In fact, many of us are still confused by their value and how to separate their lounging spots from their entertaining spaces.

However, we can’t deny that these unique house interiors have a personality and depth that traditional houses can never attain.

The difference of levels in the house interior usually uses a staircase to connect the rooms and levels.

Commonly, split level house interior consists of two or even three levels. It could be even more, depending on the homeowners.

The unique architectural design of split level is mostly identified with an open floor plan. It is because a split-level house interior is usually built with minimal walls or partitions.

Generally, a house interior with a flat level will look plain and basic, unless it is accentuated with an attractive interior design.

One of the beautiful interior designs is a lively and dynamic split level.

With a split-level interior, you won’t have to worry about a plain room. You could also be freer to experiment with the interior if you have various levels in a room.

These ideas below show the split-level house interior that is connected with a staircase. Usually, the separated rooms with different levels are the living room and kitchen + dining room combo. What makes each room unique is the accentuated staircase. Here are some captivating ideas of them that you can use for your open floor plans:

1. Traditional Split House Interior with a Staircase to Divide Basement and the Main Level

traditional split house interior with a staircase to divide basement and the main level
traditional split house interior with a staircase to divide basement and the main level. image © theskyisthelimitdesign.com

It seems that the basement of this house’s interior has been turned into a lovely kitchen.

Due to the lack of space, the dining room was built in the upper level, which is the main living level.

The usual typical split level features a staircase to connect the basement and the upper level.

The dining room is located at the upper level because the homeowner wanted to get a bright and airy sensation while enjoying their meal. The french doors and the windows in the dining room enable it to get a lot of light, especially during the morning.

2. Split Level and Open Floor Plan House Interior of Dining and Living Room in the Lower Area

split level and open floor plan house interior of dining and living room in the lower area
split level and open floor plan house interior of dining and living room in the lower area. image © 2-form.com

This is another example of separating the kitchen and dining room into the split level.

It seems that the kitchen is located upstairs, which is a smaller space. The dining room is basically one of the two adjoined rooms. The open floor plans in the lower area consist of the dining room and the living room.

There is no partition to separate the dining and living room, though. There is only a rug to mark the living room area.

This open floor plan is placed in the light-filled landing, so the homeowners can enjoy a sunny morning here.

The kitchen, even though it is located in the “pit”, is also filled with white and natural light, thanks to the window wall.

There is a traditionally styled staircase installed between two white walls to connect the upper and lower level. The staircase gives a touch of the traditional element in this rustic home interior.

3. Traditional Split Level House with a Touch of Modern Interior

traditional split level house with a touch of modern interior
traditional split level house with a touch of modern interior. image © johnlumarchitecture.com

If you have a traditional split-level house, you can decorate it with a color combination of sleek white and charcoal gray to add a splash of modern interior look.

When it comes to furniture pieces, you can also choose those that feature rectangular lines to create a contemporary look. This interior has it all.

It seems that the lower level is used as a small living room. On the upper level, there is a desk with some chairs around that indicate a dining room.

The upper and lower level is connected by a staircase, and they both are separated by a railing because people in the upper level can directly see the ones in the lower areas.

4. House Interior of Two Different Living Spaces with a Split Level

house interior of two different living spaces with a split level
house interior of two different living spaces with a split level. image © hunterarchitecture.com

If you have a small space, your best bet is to create an open floor plan. This way, you can give an illusion of a bigger area.

Having an open floor plan in a small space like this is quite challenging.

To achieve the best look, you could split the level. Instead of using a usual staircase, you can use small steps in the height increase. With this, you have created two different living spaces, but they are still adjoined in a similar room.

Besides using a small height increase, you can also use different flooring for the upper and lower levels of the house interior. The lower level in this house seems to have a marble tile floor, while the upper level has a wooden floor.

5. Split Level with Two Trendy Staircases as a Contemporary House Interior Design

split level with two trendy staircases as a contemporary house interior design
split level with two trendy staircases as a contemporary house interior design. image © peregrinedesignbuild.com

There are two trendy staircases in this house interior to connect the contemporary-styled split level area here.

The first staircase looks bare with only a base rail without any handrail. The second one is completed with a metal banister.

Basically, this interior looks warm and minimalist. It features a neutral color palette with a light tone wooden floor that delivers a modern look.

6. Separating the Entrance from the House Interior of the Other Living Spaces by Splitting the Level

separating the entrance from the house interior of the other living spaces by splitting the level
separating the entrance from the house interior of the other living spaces by splitting the level. image © kube-arch.com

The basic layout of this split-level house separates the entrance and other living spaces.

According to the designer, the rest of the living spaces are placed in a raised area, while the lower level of this room is isolated physically from the family rooms, kitchen, and dining above.

The designer also stated that the homeowners wanted a stronger integration for the upper and lower levels, in addition to the open area on the upper level.

The lower level here is seemingly a reading room. There are stairs between both levels so the guests can enter the reading room and enjoy it before moving up to the upper level. Above, the dining room was placed far from the reading room space below, thus, creating a balcony space into the area below.

7. House Interior of Two Seating Spaces Divided by Split Level

house interior of two seating spaces divided by split level
house interior of two seating spaces divided by split level. image © dworskyarchitecture.com

There are two seating spaces in this house interior. Two of them are separated by a split level.

The lower level is basically a library living room with three huge windows to make sure the room will be filled with natural light, while the upper level is more like a dining room complete with a window wall.

Similar to the previous picture, the dining room here is also placed far from the railing separating the upper and lower level. It is meant to create a balcony area, so the people on the upper-lower can look down to the living room.

Both seating spaces are actually open floor spaces.

Dividing two rooms into an open floor plan with a split level like this will create an architecturally unique style in your interior.

8. Interior of a Music Room and an Entertaining House Space with a Split Level

interior of a music room and an entertaining house space with a split level
interior of a music room and an entertaining house space with a split level. image © ernestosantalla.com

This house interior has a lovely Mediterranean look.

There are two rooms, a music room and an entertaining space. Both have different levels and are connected with a high staircase.

The lower level is the music room, completed with musical instruments and bar stools to provide comfort. The upper level features a pool table, which clearly indicates entertainment. Both are split level.

Basically, the upper level is not actually a level. It is more like a mezzanine, a half-level, an extra space between the lower and upper levels.

We can see here that the staircase doesn’t stop at the entertainment space. It still leads to an upper level than the entertainment space.

Optimizing an extra space like this is an excellent option if you want to place some bigger furniture pieces that don’t seem to fit anywhere.

9. House Interior of Concrete the Living Room and Kitchen + Dining Room in a Split Level

house interior of concrete the living room and kitchen + dining room in a split level
house interior of concrete the living room and kitchen + dining room in a split level. image © elementalarchitecture.com

This is an ideal inspiration for a modern house interior.

The split level here includes the upper level for the open floor kitchen and dining room, while the lower level is for the living room.

To distinguish these different areas, the designer thought using a split level wasn’t enough. The flooring was also made different.

The lower level features a concrete floor that also extends to the staircase. The industrial look staircase leads to the upper level, which has a light tone wood floor.

Even though these two different levels have their own style, both have crisp white walls and similar wooden ceilings. The similarity creates a consistent look that indicates that despite the split level, basically, these areas are one big room.

10. Dividing Two Split Levels with an Open Wooden Staircase as a Modern House Interior

dividing two split levels with an open wooden staircase as a modern house interior
dividing two split levels with an open wooden staircase as a modern house interior. image © qa-us.com

Using a staircase to connect the split level area is basically a common thing. If you want to apply this idea, make sure you design the staircase uniquely.

In this picture, the staircase connecting the upper and lower level is an unusual one made of wood with a floating design.

A small staircase like this is useful as a connection to bridge two different areas. The glass is used here as a banister to create a see-through sensation.

The upper part seems like the main area of the living space. It appears to be a living room with huge glass panel windows.

From this angle, we can see that this area has an even lower level enclosed by a window.

Designing a multi-level house interior like this is highly recommended if you have limited property space.

11. Three Small Split Levels in a Scandinavian Style House Interior

three small split levels in a scandinavian style house interior
three small split levels in a scandinavian style house interior. image © joel eckstein

This house interior is perfect if you have a narrow space. Instead of building your property widely, it would be wiser if you optimize the limited space with multiple levels like this.

The first level features a wooden floor that seems to be a kitchen, judging by the island seen from this angle.

The second level is much higher. In order to access it, the designer added a Scandinavian-styled staircase, a minimalist staircase made of light tone wood without any ornamentation or decoration, and even without a handrail and a banister.

This level seems to be a library living room that looks fresh and bright, thanks to the all-white design and the tall window at the far end of the room.

From this level, there is another wooden staircase that leads to the upper level. From the shape of the ceiling on the second floor, the top-level seems to be an L-shaped room.

12. Minimalist House Interior with a Split Level to Differ Kitchen and Living Room

minimalist house interior with a split level to differ kitchen and living room
minimalist house interior with a split level to differ kitchen and living room. image © mccoubreyoverholser.com

A minimalist house interior is what it takes if you want to achieve a modern design. This interior proves it.

The split level of the kitchen and the living room features a black and white color combination that is accentuated with a light tone wood floor. The kitchen in the lower level has a matte finish that delivers a sleek and ultra-modern look.

There is an L-shaped staircase that connects this kitchen to the upper level.

The staircase has an opening in the middle that leads to the mezzanine area. This mezzanine is used for a small living room that features black seating sets with white walls surround.

The living room has access to the staircase, so the people there can go down to reach the kitchen or go up to the upper level.

There is an overhang area that protrudes in the exterior of the house that is used for windows. A lot of windows in this split-level house enable the natural light to fill the room generously.

13. Split Level of a Kitchen and a Seating Space in the Modern House Interior

split level of a kitchen and a seating space in the modern house interior
split level of a kitchen and a seating space in the modern house interior. image © maryellenkowalewski.com

An open area of a kitchen and a dining room with a visible living room in the upper level is actually a quite common house interior design. Yet, this is a never-fail option if you want to distinguish those two areas with a different level.

Split-level rooms in this picture deliver a traditional style with a touch of a modern look.

The kitchen and the dining room area are in a perfect L-shape design.

There is a dark-colored staircase to access the upper level in this kitchen. The upper level is a living room with a classic traditional look. The balcony-style handrail is attached to the built-in wooden bookcase.

Basically, the whole area is not that large. Yet, the designer managed to make it look fit with a clear distinction between each room. The distinction used here is the metal handrail, perfectly wrapping upper and lower level in this house interior.

14. Parting a Family Room with the Rest of the Living Areas with a Split Level Mezzanine House Interior

parting a family room with the rest of the living areas with a split level mezzanine house interior
parting a family room with the rest of the living areas with a split level mezzanine house interior. image © ideco.ca

This house interior also features a mezzanine. Yet, unlike the previous pictures of the mezzanine, this one is not used for a functional room. Instead, the mezzanine is used for a small passageway to connect several enclosed rooms completed with a door.

This passageway is on the upper level, while the lower level is used for a family room.

The split level of transitional rooms like this delivers a more structured look, especially when combined with timeless elements like wood or glass.

The straight glass railing staircase links the lower level and the mezzanine. The mezzanine itself is the designer’s way to part a family room with the rest of the living areas in the house.

15. Beach Style House Interior with an Open Concept Living Room in a Split Level

beach style house interior with an open concept living room in a split level
beach style house interior with an open concept living room in a split level. image © stevelazar.com

What a spacious open floor plan!

This open area is basically two adjoined rooms that are separated by split levels.

A splitting level like this is useful to optimize space, so every corner of the room can be functionally used.

This house interior features a beach-style design, which is a perfect design for a large open concept floor like this.

The lower level is used for a living room completed with a media wall. The slate floor sets the tone for the room, making it look soft and warm at the same time.

The upper floor is a combination of a kitchen and a dining room. Combining a kitchen and a dining room with no partition like this will make the eye flow freely, creating an illusion of an even bigger room.

The upper level is marked by a wooden floor with a more traditional look.

There are three small steps that connect the lower and upper levels. These steps are an excellent alternative to a staircase that you can use if you don’t want to use too much height increase.

16. Using Split Level House Interior for a Living Room Library and a Dining Room

using split level house interior for a living room library and a dining room
using split level house interior for a living room library and a dining room. image © pearcyarchitecture.com

This is a traditional house interior with a wood element.

There are several distinguished areas in this interior, separated by split levels.

From this angle, we can see the main level that is used as a living room library. The built-in bookcase is meant as a partition between this area to other living spaces.

There are three steps leading to the upper level, which is seemingly a dining room.

On the right side, there are other steps that are used to reach the different areas behind.

Using multiple levels with a square architectural shape like this is perfect for getting privacy, as the partitions and the level difference will perfectly hide the certain spots you want to conceal from the guests.

Closing

From the pictures above, it’s clear that a split-level house is considered healthier than usual houses.

Why?

Because, commonly, the picture above shows a bright and generously light-filled room.

A lot of natural light, especially in the morning, won’t only make you healthier but also lift up your mood. Moreover, With an open space, an air circulation system is better too. This way, you can cut the electricity bill. No need to use an air conditioner if you can have an open and airy room.

Plus, the level difference in one room makes you more active. The more movement you make, the more active your body is. You can burn your calories more just by moving from one room to another that has a different level.

Good luck with your house interior remodeling project!