Do you like a SPLANCH home layout?

Do you like a splanch? Why or why not?

ETA - different ?

Message edited 7/26/2010 12:08:01 AM.

Re: Can anyone explain the layout of a SPLANCH to me?

I describe it as having a "floating" living room.

First floor: kitchen, family room, dining room

a few steps up - living room
another half flight up - bedrooms

The basement is below the living room only, and there's nothing above it.

Personally, I'm not a huge fan because the living room is so isolated, but I also know people who like it for that reason.

Re: Do you like a SPLANCH home layout?

Re: Do you like a SPLANCH home layout?

There were a lot of splanch style homes in the area I grew up in, a few of my friends lived in them. None of them really used that seperate living room. One family bulit a wall and made another bedroom, one made a short set of stairs that went into the den which made it easier to get upstairs but it also made it more crowded in the den.
We have a "great room" with the kitchen right next to it & I feel like everyone is always in the kitchen anyway when we entertain....I can't imagine getting everyone to stay up in that seperate living room.

Re: Do you like a SPLANCH home layout?

I love it...again normally the den is off the kitchen so if you have guests over that's most likely where they'll migrate too, as well as kids and family time...I love the formalness of the living room

Re: Do you like a SPLANCH home layout?

Love splanches and splits. I love all the levels. A lot of people dont, but I like them. There is plenty of room to entertain, and to me, its just feels like you have a lot of "house" if that makes sense.

Re: Do you like a SPLANCH home layout?

my aunt had one and her living room was kept very formal - but she likes that.

Re: Do you like a SPLANCH home layout?

I have a colonial splanch..seems layout the same as the others

Re: Do you like a SPLANCH home layout?

i dislike everything except for colonial/victorian layout

it was super duper important for me to have all bedrooms, etc upstairs and out of sight

but whatever works for you, do it

Re: Do you like a SPLANCH home layout?

We have one with 2 toddlers (were babies when we moved in) and DH and I both agree that we wished we looked a little more before we put a bid on this one. I don't hate it, but I don't love it.

The way they did splanch's in my area was when you walked in, you enter a large foyer, straight ahead is 6 steps to the living room, left of the foyers is what they called a bonus room (we made it into a dining room, previous home owners used it as a pool table room), to the right of the foyer is the kitchen and EIK area, laundry and garages. There is also a half bath and stairs to the basement which, as Lisa mentioned is only under the living room. The previous homeowners converted the 2 car garage into a 1 car garage so we have an extra room on the main floor. Right now we use it for storage but once we really organize everything (we are almost there) I think we decided on making it den since it is right off the kitchen. In Feb. we made the basement into the kids playroom and it is perfect for them.
In the kitchen there is another set of 6 steps that also leads up to the living room. Then right next to the top of those steps is 6 steps that goes to the bedrooms. we have 4 bedrooms and 2 full baths upstairs.

If you want to see pictures let me know.

Re: Do you like a SPLANCH home layout?

I love the splanch and DH and I really wanted to buy one. It turns out the neighborhood we fell in love with didn't have any so we settled for a regular split.

I still wish I had a splanch though.............

Re: Do you like a SPLANCH home layout?

I have a splanch and I love it and I use both rooms as family rooms. Its great because when we have alot of company, we can pop an additional table into the "living room" and voila!

Re: Do you like a SPLANCH home layout?

I grew up in a splanch and I have nothing bad to say about the layout. We didn't really use the living room that much since it was a bit isolated but it was great when we were entertaining. The home I live in now is just a one story ranch but I wouldn't mind living in a splanch again someday.

Re: Do you like a SPLANCH home layout?

Re: Do you like a SPLANCH home layout?

I grew up in a splanch, and the living room was never used.
I did babysit for a family who used it as their playroom for awhile.

Re: Do you like a SPLANCH home layout?

When we first looked at homes in 2003, I was totally in love with them and the layout. I love that "floating" living room. We actually had an offer on a splanch in Babylon, but it didn't work out.

Now, as I'm getting older and have a baby, I don't think the layout would work out for us. I would prefer a colonial or ranch home now!