We are renovating a terraced house from the 1960s with split-level floors. Since we want to have direct access to the garden on one level, our architect recommended a single-story extension (entrance, cloakroom, kitchen, and dining room). From there, the first split level would be reached by 7 steps. This level would include the living room, toilet, and office. One exterior wall of the original house will be removed.
At first, I thought this would be really cool, like a gallery or split-level house. Now, I’m not sure if it might be inconvenient in everyday life. You enter the living room by going up 7 steps in the dining room. The wall will be removed to create an open layout.
I would really appreciate your opinions!
At first, I thought this would be really cool, like a gallery or split-level house. Now, I’m not sure if it might be inconvenient in everyday life. You enter the living room by going up 7 steps in the dining room. The wall will be removed to create an open layout.
I would really appreciate your opinions!
Papierturm17 Oct 2025 17:00dbertig schrieb:
At first, I thought it would be really cool, like a kind of gallery or split-level house. Now I'm not so sure if it might be inconvenient in everyday life. You can only enter the living room by going up 7 steps through the dining room. The wall will be removed to make it "open." My mother-in-law lived in a somewhat similar layout: living room and kitchen, then (as far as I remember) three steps up to the entrance hall and toilet, then another five steps up to the bathroom, dining room, bedroom, and guest room.
She lived to be over 90 and managed well in this setup until shortly before the end.
Of course, it also depends somewhat on one’s physical condition. If you are mobile and steady on your feet, I believe you would manage fine. If you have difficulties, it would be a different matter.
J
Jesse Custer17 Oct 2025 17:33We have been living like this for 27 years because our house is built on a slope – the ground floor consists of the toilet/entrance plus kitchen/dining area, then 5 steps down to the living room including the conservatory. So, there are always either 5 or 10 steps leading to the next level.
It’s similar to your set-up, just reversed.
I would never want it any other way – this way you don’t get lost in a huge open space without reference points...
It’s similar to your set-up, just reversed.
I would never want it any other way – this way you don’t get lost in a huge open space without reference points...
Awesome!
Split-level homes existed back then as well and were called that too 😉
Great idea, it seems successful at first glance.
It is a split-level, and what you’re getting is really cool.
You were aware of this before buying. It’s not a new construction but was built with these 7 steps in the 1960s. You bought it—with these 7 steps. Now there are 7 additional steps in one place where they make a lot of sense. That’s great!
First of all, I think it’s good that you want level access to the garden. Many underestimate the barrier the garden presents and plan a steep staircase from a raised terrace to the garden. Others go even further and want a terrace on top of a garage with stairs down to the garden. In my opinion, you’re doing it right and family-friendly: during the day or in summer, people enjoy spending time outside and move easily between the kitchen and terrace; in the evenings or colder months, you stay in the living area.
And then you just have to take those 7 steps sometimes. It doesn’t burn off your soda or chips calories, but it’s no big deal either.
Plan the kitchen/cloakroom passage cleverly, make the staircase comfortable and perhaps a bit wider, and everything will be perfect. If you like, you can introduce the whole house including the extension. Maybe share before-and-after photos occasionally in an overall thread. I would enjoy that and so would many others here.
dbertig schrieb:
a suburban house from the 1960s with split levels.
Split-level homes existed back then as well and were called that too 😉
dbertig schrieb:
our architect recommended a single-story extension (entrance, cloakroom, kitchen, and dining room)
Great idea, it seems successful at first glance.
dbertig schrieb:
At first, I thought this would be very cool, like a kind of gallery or split-level house.
It is a split-level, and what you’re getting is really cool.
dbertig schrieb:
Now I’m not sure if it might be inconvenient in daily life. You reach the living room via 7 steps in the dining room.
You were aware of this before buying. It’s not a new construction but was built with these 7 steps in the 1960s. You bought it—with these 7 steps. Now there are 7 additional steps in one place where they make a lot of sense. That’s great!
First of all, I think it’s good that you want level access to the garden. Many underestimate the barrier the garden presents and plan a steep staircase from a raised terrace to the garden. Others go even further and want a terrace on top of a garage with stairs down to the garden. In my opinion, you’re doing it right and family-friendly: during the day or in summer, people enjoy spending time outside and move easily between the kitchen and terrace; in the evenings or colder months, you stay in the living area.
And then you just have to take those 7 steps sometimes. It doesn’t burn off your soda or chips calories, but it’s no big deal either.
Plan the kitchen/cloakroom passage cleverly, make the staircase comfortable and perhaps a bit wider, and everything will be perfect. If you like, you can introduce the whole house including the extension. Maybe share before-and-after photos occasionally in an overall thread. I would enjoy that and so would many others here.
I find the architect’s solution elegant and stylish – of course, the circulation areas (entrance/utility room/hallway) are quite generous. This may be due to the existing building’s structural layout. In my opinion, the staggered levels break up somewhat larger floor plan areas in an interesting way.
There will naturally be a visual connection between the kitchen/dining area and the living room, without a solid wall separating these spaces – more like an open gallery concept. This also allows the fireplace to be visible from the dining area. There is still a height difference of 3cm (1.2 inches) between the “gallery-living” area and the “hallway,” which the architect should level out. The kitchen workspace might be somewhat small in terms of countertop area.
There will naturally be a visual connection between the kitchen/dining area and the living room, without a solid wall separating these spaces – more like an open gallery concept. This also allows the fireplace to be visible from the dining area. There is still a height difference of 3cm (1.2 inches) between the “gallery-living” area and the “hallway,” which the architect should level out. The kitchen workspace might be somewhat small in terms of countertop area.
Thank you all for your replies, I really appreciate it! In the next few days, I will share the planned renovation with extension, complete floor plan, photos, and more.
For your information regarding the height of the steps and gallery, please find the cross-section attached. It was important to me to have ground-level access to the garden, although it’s not used very often, especially at this time of year. Not only that, but there is a one-way street running alongside the property, which is heavily used by pedestrians and cyclists. If we had planned the extension to be taller, we were concerned that the living area would be very visible from the outside. By keeping it lower, we will put up a hedge, which I think will provide more privacy.
Planning the stairs a bit wider is a very good point. I had already considered, like you often see in gardens, a wider stair that can also be used as seating next to the steps. The downside is that we have limited space in the dining room for a comfortable seating or lounging area for the children.
For your information regarding the height of the steps and gallery, please find the cross-section attached. It was important to me to have ground-level access to the garden, although it’s not used very often, especially at this time of year. Not only that, but there is a one-way street running alongside the property, which is heavily used by pedestrians and cyclists. If we had planned the extension to be taller, we were concerned that the living area would be very visible from the outside. By keeping it lower, we will put up a hedge, which I think will provide more privacy.
Planning the stairs a bit wider is a very good point. I had already considered, like you often see in gardens, a wider stair that can also be used as seating next to the steps. The downside is that we have limited space in the dining room for a comfortable seating or lounging area for the children.
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