Drive through almost any New Jersey suburb and you will see two house styles again and again: the split-level and the Cape Cod. Both were built in large numbers in the decades after World War II, and both can be wonderful homes. They also share a set of familiar limitations that remodeling can address well.
The split-level
Split-levels stagger floors half a level apart, with short flights of stairs connecting the living area, the bedrooms above and a lower level that is often a den or family room partly below grade.
Common upgrades:
- Opening the kitchen. Many split-level kitchens are closed off from the living and dining rooms. Removing or partially opening a wall can make the main level feel far larger. Whether a wall can come out depends on what it carries, so it needs to be assessed before planning. Our guide to planning a kitchen layout helps with what comes next.
- Reworking the lower level. The half-below-grade family room is often dated and dark. New flooring suited to below-grade spaces, better lighting and a fresh layout can make it a room people actually use.
- Updating the stair rails and landings. Split-levels have many short stairs. Updating railings and treads changes the feel of the whole house.
The Cape Cod
Classic Capes have a steep roof, a symmetrical front and an upper floor tucked under the roof slope. Many have one bathroom, small bedrooms and an upper level that was finished long ago or never finished at all.
Common upgrades:
- Making the upper floor livable. Low knee walls and sloped ceilings can feel cramped, and these rooms are often hot in summer and cold in winter. Improving insulation, adding built-in storage in the knee walls and rethinking the layout make a big difference. If your upper level is unfinished, read converting an attic into living space.
- Adding or updating a bathroom. A second bathroom upstairs is one of the most requested Cape projects, and its feasibility depends on plumbing routes and space.
- Opening the main floor. Like split-levels, many Capes have small, separate rooms that can be connected for a more open feel.
- Finishing the basement. Many Capes have full basements that can become valuable living space. See finishing a basement.
Work with the house, not against it
Both styles look best when updates respect their proportions. A Cape with oversized modern windows can look awkward; a split-level with mismatched materials on each level can feel disjointed. Good remodeling keeps the house coherent while making it work for how families live today.
If you are wondering whether to update your home or look for a bigger one, our post on remodeling versus moving may help. Palencia works in homes of every style across New Jersey, from kitchen remodels to basement and attic projects, and every project starts with a free at-home consultation.
