| Split-level homes can come in a variety of styles from | | | | the popularity of the split remained, as can be seen |
| the split-entry to the basic split-level to the stacked | | | | through its appearance in pop culture on shows like the |
| split-level to the split-foyer. The differences, although | | | | Brady Bunch. |
| they set each one apart, are minute, as all split-levels | | | | Today, the split-level remains fairly popular, although not |
| have basically the same formula: Part of the house is | | | | as mainstream as it originally was. Other homes, such |
| raised, sitting in between the floor and ceiling of | | | | as the raised ranch and the bi-level have replaced the |
| another section. Typically, small sets of stairs lead to | | | | split, looking less noticeably like a split and more like any |
| the elevated area both from above (where you will | | | | other large (but not) house. Nonetheless, split-levels are |
| find the bedrooms and bathrooms) and below (where | | | | around today, each with its own unique design allowing |
| the basement sits). On the split level itself is often the | | | | you your choice of styles: |
| family/living room and kitchen. | | | | - Basic split - has three or four levels, with the |
| Frank Lloyd Wright is credited with creating the | | | | entryway on the middle level. This level typically holds |
| split-level, when nearly 50 years before split-levels | | | | the living room, dining room and kitchen. Bedrooms are |
| reached popularity Wright "split" one of his designs. He | | | | on the top floor, and informal areas, such as the |
| saw the prairie style's split as a way to make homes | | | | basement and garage, are below. |
| more affordable for the average American. | | | | - Stacked split-level - has at least five levels, with the |
| Unfortunately, his idea of what the average American | | | | entry way on a middle level between at least two |
| could afford was beyond the means of most, and his | | | | others. Rather than open into a room, the entryway |
| split-level notion never took off, until, that is, the | | | | leads to a foyer and two sets of stairs, which will lead |
| mid-1950s. | | | | up to a kitchen or living room and down to a |
| It was after the war. America was feeling revitalized, | | | | basement. The first bedroom is typically above the |
| giving birth to the first wave of baby boomers. People | | | | living area, and any additional bedrooms are "stacked" |
| were looking for ways to have more - more money, | | | | above that. |
| more family and more property. They wanted big | | | | - Split-foyer - has two levels and two sets of stairs |
| homes for less, so developers created the split-level, a | | | | with an entry between the two floors. The entryway |
| house that seemed to have three floors, thanks to the | | | | is a landing with steps that lead up to a living room, |
| split in the middle. | | | | bedrooms and kitchen, and down to a lower ceilinged |
| Homeowners and developers loved it. It could easily be | | | | section of the house. |
| placed on a hillside, with the garage on the downhill | | | | - Split-entry - has three or four levels, with an entry |
| side, or on a flat lot, giving an otherwise dull set of land | | | | between floors. The foyer is in a wing off the main |
| more dimension and personality. Neighborhoods were | | | | house. This typically most closely resembles a basic |
| lined with splits - each house was identical to the one | | | | split from the outside but is more like a split-foyer than |
| on either side of it and a mirror image of the one | | | | anything else. |
| across the street. As the 50s gave way to the 60s, | | | | |