Remodel Your Split Kitchen - Where to Start

Split entry homes offer a unique multi-level layout, but kitchens tucked away on half floors can be challenging. As the heart of home life, it's key this space be both stylish and highly functional. By taking the right approach upfront, your split kitchen can be utterly transformed with the latest amenities and appealing new flow. Let's explore top tips for remodeling success.

From assessing your existing layout thoughtfully to goal-setting, storage solutions to open concepts, we'll outline everything you need to know to kickoff an amazing split kitchen revamp. Read on for insights that'll help you maximize each inch while taking these tricky split spaces from cramped and dated to fresh, flowing and modern.

Assess Your Existing Kitchen Layout and Flow

It all starts with the layout. Before touching appliances or surfaces, take time to analyze the existing kitchen placement within the split entry floorplan. Note which walls or angles make the space feel most cramped and disjointed. Observe how aisles, counters and cabinets align in terms of triangles. Check for awkward hallways or transitions between rooms.

Evaluate how the kitchen could better connect with adjacent spaces for improved flow. For example, could you open it to the dining room for easier serving? What about linking it visually to the living room or backyard patio to expand the feel? Make sure to consider both form and function during this assessment phase.

Ways to Open Up the Space

Once you've pinned down layout limitations, look for ways to open up the kitchen for better light, movement and sightlines:

• Take down unnecessary interior walls blocking views or flow
• Open up or completely remove interior doorways
• Repurpose awkward nearby coat closets or odd storage nooks
• Use a kitchen island or peninsula to define spaces with more breathing room

Removing walls and barriers between the kitchen and other rooms can make a world of difference. But focus on enhancements that best suit your split home goals and lifestyle needs first and foremost.

Determine Your Split Kitchen Remodel Goals

Now that you have a feel for the as-is space, it's time to define the purpose of your split kitchen overhaul. Outlining clear project goals keeps decisions focused and ensures the best use of your budget. Plus you'll end up with a cohesive finished product.

Consider the ways you'd most like to improve the heart of your home. Do you primarily cook elaborate meals and need enhanced prepping space? Is it important to better accommodate multiple cooks or kids underfoot? Are upgraded finishes and features a top priority to boost living quality?

Common split kitchen remodeling goals include:

• Creating more natural light
• Enhancing workflow and functionality
• Boosting storage capacity significantly
• Modernizing appliances, counters and amenities

You may aim for one or more of the above. Just be sure to articulate an intentional vision so design plans and material choices all ladder up to it.

Carefully Consider the Lighting

When tackling awkward split level spaces, lighting deserves special attention. Dark and gloomy kitchens tucked under stairs or in back corners already suffer limited natural light. Dim fixtures only exacerbate the cavelike effect.

Fortunately numerous lighting options can brighten up these areas for a lighter, more cheery and spacious aesthetic. Consider the following illuminating ideas:

• Install skylights in slanted ceiling areas
• Add extra windows and glass doors where possible
• Include recessed and undercabinet lighting
• Replace outdated light fixtures with fresh modern alternatives
• Incorporate lamps, sconces and natural light abundantly

The right lighting toolkit filled with luminosity gives the impression of a significantly larger, more inviting kitchen. Include selections at varied heights for depth and beautiful multi-dimensional appeal.

Explore Innovative Cabinetry and Storage Solutions

One of the biggest split kitchen challenges is fitting necessary storage into awkward dimensions. Base cabinet depths and heights rarely align cleanly to ceilings and walls at askew angles. Yet ample space to tuck away gadgets, dishes and pantry items remains a priority.

Unleash your design creativity here through unique cabinetry configurations and beyond:

• Custom built-in cabinets with angled edges can maximize every inch
• Carefully arranged cabinet layouts prevent wasted gaps
• Pull-out shelves and drawers optimize inside organization
• Nearby coat closets or odd hollows might be repurposed

Work closely with kitchen designers to develop storage solutions tailored to your family's needs and split home nuances. Personalized attention to critical cabinetry details makes all the difference.

Choose Multi-Functional Furniture

Cabinets shouldn't get all the storage glory. Consider incorporating specialized multi-functional furniture pieces to get the most out of split kitchens.

For example, a kitchen cart on wheels provides extra surface prep space plus concealed storage. A foldable table makes an impromptu island for additional seating -- then tucks neatly aside. Built-in or freestanding banquette seating doubles as underseat storage units. These adaptable furnishings add usable square footage in a snap.

Focus especially on transformable and multi-use furnishings given split kitchens dimensional difficulties. With some savvy selections, you really can do more with lessappropriately-sized space.

Install a Split-Level Kitchen Island

For most modern kitchens, an island ranks supreme in providing more overall function. Islands not only offer abundant countertop prep room but also tend to feature storage, overhang eating space, integrated sinks or cooktops, and design flair.

Fortunately, a thoughtfully appointed kitchen island can be just as transformational for split level homes. Peninsula-style islands fit nicely against a wall rather than floating. Or customize heights to align counters and cabinets across split floors. Islands are great for delimiting kitchen, dining and living areas too.

If an obvious wall exists between the kitchen and next room, consider open shelving instead to promote better sightlines and flow. Just ensure walkways remain wide enough for multiple cooks. The goal is enhancing functionality beyond just easing storage loss from a standalone island.

Select Finish Materials to Visually Expand

On the topic of illusion, paint and material finishes also influence spatial perceptions. As part of your split kitchen remodel, analyze the existing wall color, cabinetry, flooring, backsplash and countertop hues.

Do they optically help expand the kitchen or close it in? Dark, glossy and heavily patterned surfaces tend to make small split home kitchens feel even more compressed. Consider refreshing the palette with lighter, more subtle tones:

• Light warm gray cabinetry conveys airiness
• Neutral single-tone granite or quartz counters reflect light
• White subway tile backsplash balances white perimeter walls
• Blonde finished oak floors flow openly under lighter lower cabinets

The goal is achieving both stylish and illusion-influencing finishes that play up the luminosity. This makes the entire kitchen appear significantly more open and expanded.

Remodeling a split home kitchen brings unique opportunities if done strategically. Begin by evaluating inherent layout and lighting challenges holding back full function. Identify any walls, angles or awkward transitions obstructing ideal flow and storage capacity next.

Then look for creative ways to open up sightlines, leverage multi-purpose furnishings and optimize organization through every cabinet and niche possible. Upgrading lighting, finishes and hardware refreshed the aesthetics simultaneously. Purposeful steps taken during planning truly pay off for spaces-maximized split kitchen transformations.

By following the guidance above step-by-step, you'll gain the confidence needed to tackle this project. Soon that once-dismal kitchen will become the stunning showstopping centerpiece of your home instead. Just stay focused on your end goals, work within your home's structural realities and select materials tactfully. The rest comes together beautifully!