What Is a Split Bedroom—and Why Should You Want One? (2024)

A split bedroom is a type of bedroom found in split-level homes where the bedrooms are separated by common spaces. It offers customization opportunities, an open and central space, and improved privacy. However, it isn't a popular floor plan in the real estate market and may not be energy-conscious.

Most people think a bedroom is a bedroom no matter what house you’re in—but there are actually various types of bedrooms out there.

We all know about primary bedrooms and guest rooms, but have you ever heard of a split bedroom? And no, it isn’t a bedroom that’s split in half. It’s a floor plan that used to be popular back in the day, but it can still be found in homes today.

If you’ve ever heard of one in passing and wondered what a split bedroom is, you’re in luck. Below, we explore split bedrooms in more detail, go over the pros and cons of a split bedroom floor plan, and answer frequently asked questions.

What is a split bedroom?

Lance Thomas, principal of Thomas Guy Interiors, explains that a split bedroom floor plan has bedrooms on different sides of the house. The primary bedroom is split from the other bedrooms, typically by the common spaces of the house.

These types of bedrooms can be most commonly found in split-level homes or ones with staggered levels. Thomas says these homes were at their most popular in the mid-20th century—in the 1950s and 1960s—and were built as an offshoot of ranch-style homes.

“This floor plan is typically found in one-story homes, however, it can also include basem*nts or garages in their floor plan,” Thomas adds.

Benefits of a split bedroom plan

Split bedrooms have quite a few benefits, according to Thomas:

  • With the bedrooms not being adjacent to each other on a single side of the house, there are plenty of opportunities for customization in a split bedroom design.
  • By placing the living, dining, and great rooms between the main bedroom and other bedrooms, the home is given an open and central space.
  • With a split bedroom floor plan, you can accommodate the privacy and varied schedules of house guests more easily. Guest rooms are typically separated from the primary bedroom by the common spaces, making it easy for guests to go about their business without disturbing their hosts.

Drawbacks of a split bedroom plan

On the flip side, there are some disadvantages to a split bedroom design. Thomas notes these downsides, which touch upon resale value:

  • There aren’t that many split floor plans left. Because they were built so long ago, it’s no longer a popular floor plan for the real estate market as the style went out of fashion.
  • Split bedroom floor plans are also not energy-conscious. It might be easier to heat or cool one side of the house where all the bedrooms are as opposed to opposite sides of the house in a split bedroom floor plan.

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FAQs

What is a split bedroom, and why would I want one?

A split bedroom is a type of bedroom found in a split-level floor plan made popular in the ’50s and ’60s. It means the bedrooms in the home are separated by common spaces.

Some of the pros include the opportunity to customize the bedrooms since they’re far apart from one another, the chance to have an open and central space between bedrooms, and improved privacy.

“It’s perfect for large families sharing the space, or if you’re working from home, it creates a sense of separation from your work life and your home life,” says Thomas.

What is the proper name of a separated primary bedroom?

As mentioned, this is known as a split bedroom since it resides in a split-level home.

What is meant by a split floor plan?

“A split bedroom floor plan has bedrooms on different sides of the house,” Thomas says. The primary bedroom is split from the other bedrooms, typically by the common spaces of the house. Usually, it’s the kitchen, living room, or even a dining room, explains Thomas.

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What Is a Split Bedroom—and Why Should You Want One? (6)
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What Is a Split Bedroom—and Why Should You Want One? (7)
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What Is a Split Bedroom—and Why Should You Want One? (2024)

FAQs

What is a split bedroom and why would I want one? ›

Benefits of a split bedroom plan

By placing the living, dining, and great rooms between the main bedroom and other bedrooms, the home is given an open and central space. With a split bedroom floor plan, you can accommodate the privacy and varied schedules of house guests more easily.

What is a split room? ›

In a property with a split bedroom floor plan, the main bedroom or suite is separated from the rest of the rooms in the house. So you'll have the main bedroom on one end of the house, then the common living spaces in the middle, and the other bedrooms grouped together on the other side of the house.

What does split two bedroom mean? ›

A split bedroom floor plan is a home in which the bedrooms are not on the same side of the house. The primary bedroom is split from the other bedroom(s), usually by common areas in the center of the home like the kitchen, living room, and dining room.

What is a split plan design? ›

A split floor plan, also known as a split-bedroom floor plan, is a home style defined by the location of the property's bedrooms. In a split floor plan, other areas, such as a kitchen or living room, separate the primary bedroom from the other bedrooms in the residence.

Should children have separate bedrooms? ›

It's recommended that children over the age of 101 should have their own bedrooms – even if they're siblings or step-siblings. We know this isn't always possible. If your children share, try to have regular conversations with them about how they're feeling and allow for them to have private time.

Why you should have your own bedroom? ›

Kids with separate spaces may fight less and, according to the Sleep Foundation survey, get better sleep. Separate spaces make particular sense for siblings with large age gaps. And some time alone in one's room could help with psychological development.

What is a mini split in a bedroom? ›

Ductless mini split systems can be used to control the temperature of a single room, improving comfort and reducing energy costs. These ductless split systems have two main components: an indoor unit that is mounted either on a wall or ceiling and an outdoor unit that houses the condenser.

Can you split a bedroom in half? ›

There are three ways to divide a bedroom into two rooms: 1) traditional bedroom layout with a single bed in the middle, each side of which is partitioned by a curtain or door; 2) using a pull-out bed in one room and a standard bed in the other; or 3) using two beds, one on each side of the dividing wall.

What does a split bed mean? ›

A split king bed consists of two twin XL mattresses pushed together. A twin XL mattress is 38 by 80 inches, and two of them together are the size of a king mattress, or 76 by 80 inches. Since the beds aren't interconnected within a split king bed, partners can pick different levels of firmness for each mattress.

What does a 1 split mean in an apartment? ›

A “split” style apartment is one where the living room is used as a second or third bedroom. For instance, a 1/2 split has two bedrooms but no living room. A 2/3 split has three bedrooms but no living room…and so on.

What are splits in a house? ›

Ducted split systems use ductwork to circulate the warm air generated from your furnace, fan coil, or heat pump, and the cool air generated by your air conditioner, heat pump, or fan coil. Ductless mini split systems use small air handlers located in specific areas in your home to heat or cool that individual space.

What is split-level design? ›

A split-level house is a single-family home with multiple stories that are staggered, rather than stacked on top of one another.

What is the meaning of split building? ›

A split-level building or room has floors at slightly different heights. Parts of buildings: floors & parts of floors.

Do you need planning permission to split a bedroom? ›

Do Partition Walls Need Building Regulations Approval? In short, no, but there are some instances where you may need to acquire planning permission. You will need to get planning permission if you are building a wall which will structurally support the building.

Can you split one bedroom into two? ›

If the room is large enough you can simply separate by putting a divider wall up and add a door way. You will have two bedrooms.

Why is the master bedroom away from other rooms? ›

Back Primary Bedroom

You'll be far from the other bedrooms and will be less likely to hear street noises or people entering or leaving your home. You also won't have to worry about streetlights shining in your bedroom window when you're trying to sleep.

What does half a bedroom mean? ›

The "half bedroom" is a room like a den or study that can be used as a bedroom but it doesn't meet the definition of a bedroom by whatever local laws' definitions. That could mean it doesn't have dedicated closet space or it doesn't have windows of a certain size or other specific features. Upvote 7 Downvote.

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