Split-Level Remodel Ideas: Modernizing Seattle's Most Common 1960s–70s Home

Open up the main level

The single highest-impact change in a split-level is removing the wall between the kitchen and the living and dining areas. Most of these walls are load-bearing, so the work involves an engineered beam — sometimes concealed in the ceiling for a fully flush look — new framing, and often relocating plumbing or ductwork. It's exactly the kind of structural remodeling we do week in and week out, and it turns the choppy 1970s main floor into one connected space without adding a single square foot.

Rethink the kitchen while the walls are open

Once the wall comes down, the kitchen usually gets rebuilt around an island facing the living space — better flow, more storage, and natural light from two sides instead of one. If the kitchen is the driver of your remodel, start with our kitchen remodeling page and the 2026 kitchen cost guide for realistic Eastside numbers.

Fix the split entry

The classic split-level entry — a small landing with stairs immediately up and down — is the first thing visitors notice. Practical fixes range from widening the landing and upgrading the stair rail to borrowing space from an adjacent room for a real foyer, adding a closet, and bringing in light with a glazed door or sidelite. Small footprint, outsized first impression.

Finish the lower level properly

The daylight basement half-level is a split-level's hidden asset: it already has windows, ceiling height, and heat. Done right — insulation, moisture control, egress where bedrooms are added — it becomes a family room, guest suite, or home office wing. See our basement finishing service and the basement cost guide; a lower level with its own entrance can sometimes even become an ADU-style suite via a garage conversion.

Refresh the exterior

New siding, modern windows, a wider front porch roof, and exterior paint take a split-level from dated to contemporary without touching the floor plan. Larger window openings on the main level are a common upgrade — another structural change that pays off in light.

Do split-level remodels need permits?

Opening load-bearing walls, enlarging windows, adding egress, and any addition all require building permits and engineering in Washington cities. Review timelines differ a lot between Seattle and the Eastside — our permit timeline guide breaks it down city by city. We handle engineering and permitting as part of every structural remodel.

What does a split-level remodel cost in 2026?

A main-level transformation — wall removal, new kitchen, flooring, and paint — typically lands in full-remodel territory, while whole-home split-level remodels in the Seattle–Eastside area generally run about $100–$250 per square foot depending on scope and finishes. Our Washington renovation cost guide has current ranges for each project type.

Remodel your split-level with a local design-build team

Blue Lake Construction remodels split-levels and tri-levels across Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, Renton, and the Eastside — structural engineering, permits, and construction under one fixed-price contract. Request a free estimate and we'll show you what your floor plan can become.