Accessibility Solutions for Split-Level Homes in Wisconsin

May 17

5 min read

Split-level Wisconsin home with stairs and accessibility modifications for safer aging in place

Split-level homes are common throughout Wisconsin, especially in communities like Waukesha, Brookfield, Pewaukee, New Berlin, Hartland, and the surrounding Lake Country area. These homes can be practical, efficient, and full of character — but when mobility becomes more difficult, a split-level layout can quickly become a safety concern.

Unlike a single-story ranch home, a split-level home often has multiple short stair runs, landings, garage entry steps, basement access, and living areas spread across different levels. For someone using a walker, cane, wheelchair, or simply struggling with balance and endurance, those few steps can become a major barrier.

The good news is that many split-level homes can be made safer and more accessible with the right combination of equipment, modifications, and professional guidance.

Why Split-Level Homes Can Be Challenging

The biggest issue with split-level homes is that stairs are often unavoidable. You may enter through the front door or garage and immediately have to go up or down a short flight of steps. Bedrooms may be on one level, the kitchen and living room on another, and laundry or storage in the basement.

Common challenges include:

Short but frequent stair runs
Tight landings
Narrow stairways
Limited space at the top or bottom of the stairs
Garage entry steps without proper handrails
Basement laundry access
Poor lighting
Older railings that are loose, low, or hard to grip

Even if the stairs are only five or six steps, they can still create a daily fall risk for someone with weakness, pain, poor balance, shortness of breath, or reduced confidence.

Option 1: Stair Lifts for Split-Level Homes

A stair lift can be a great solution when stairs are the main barrier inside the home. In many split-level homes, a straight stair lift may work well if the stairway is straight and has enough clearance at the top and bottom.

A stair lift may be a good fit when:

The person can safely sit down and stand up from the chair
The stairs are straight
There is enough room at the top and bottom landings
The person needs access to bedrooms, bathrooms, or main living areas
The goal is to stay in the home longer without remodeling

For some split-level homes, more than one stair lift may be needed if there are separate stair runs going up and down from the main entry landing. In other cases, one stair lift may solve the most important access issue, such as getting from the main level to the bedroom level.

A professional assessment is important because tight landings, doors, hallway clearance, and bottom rail placement can all affect whether a stair lift is practical.

Option 2: Additional Handrails and Safer Railings

Not every split-level home needs a stair lift right away. Sometimes the first step is improving the railings.

Many older homes have only one handrail, decorative railings that are difficult to grip, or no rail at all near the garage or entry steps. Adding a second handrail or replacing an unsafe railing can make a major difference.

Handrails and railings may help with:

Balance support
Safer stair climbing
Confidence on short stair runs
Garage entry safety
Reducing fall risk
Supporting walker or cane users during transitions

For split-level homes, handrails are especially important because the stairs are used repeatedly throughout the day. A person may be able to manage the stairs now, but better railings can reduce the chance of a fall before the situation becomes urgent.

Option 3: Garage Entry Modifications

The garage entry is one of the most overlooked areas in a split-level home. Many Wisconsin homes have one, two, or three steps from the garage into the house. These steps may be narrow, uneven, poorly lit, or missing a proper railing.

Depending on the layout, garage entry solutions may include:

A grab bar near the door
A wall-mounted handrail
A small railing system
A threshold ramp
A short modular ramp
Improved lighting
Non-slip stair treads

For someone using a walker, even one step can be a problem. A garage entry assessment can help determine whether a simple railing is enough or whether a ramp or lift should be considered.

Option 4: Wheelchair Ramps

Wheelchair ramps may be useful when the main issue is getting in and out of the home. However, split-level homes can be tricky because the outside entrance may not always lead directly to the main living area.

A ramp may help when:

The person uses a wheelchair or transport chair
There are exterior steps at the front, side, or garage entry
The person cannot safely manage stairs even with a railing
The goal is safe entry and exit from the home
Temporary access is needed after surgery, illness, or rehab

In Wisconsin, outdoor ramps also need to be planned with weather in mind. Snow, ice, drainage, and landing space all matter. The ramp needs to be safe not just in summer, but during winter conditions as well.

Option 5: Vertical Platform Lifts

A vertical platform lift, sometimes called a porch lift, may be an option when there is not enough room for a long ramp. This can be especially helpful for garage entries, porches, or homes with a higher rise.

A vertical platform lift may be worth considering when:

A ramp would be too long
The person uses a wheelchair
There is enough space for the lift platform
Electrical access is available
The entry point needs a more permanent solution
The rise is too high for a practical ramp

For some split-level homes, a vertical platform lift may solve the entry problem, but it may not solve interior stair access. That is why it is important to look at the full home layout before deciding on equipment.

Option 6: Main-Level Living Adjustments

Sometimes the best accessibility solution is not equipment alone. In some cases, families may need to think about how the home is being used.

For example:

Can a bedroom be moved to the main level?
Is there a bathroom on the same level as the bedroom?
Can laundry be relocated?
Can furniture be rearranged to improve walker access?
Is there a safer entrance that should become the primary entrance?
Are there fall risks such as rugs, clutter, poor lighting, or narrow pathways?

For split-level homes, the goal is not always to make every part of the home accessible. Sometimes the goal is to make the most important daily areas safer and easier to access.

Why an OT-Guided Home Safety Assessment Helps

Every split-level home is different. Two homes may look similar from the outside, but the safest solution may be completely different depending on the person’s mobility, strength, balance, diagnosis, equipment use, and daily routine.

That is where an occupational therapy-informed home safety assessment can help.

At Four Corners Mobility, we look at more than just the stairs. We consider how someone moves through the home, where they are most at risk, what equipment they already use, and what changes would make the biggest difference.

A home assessment may look at:

Stair safety
Entry and exit access
Bathroom transfers
Bedroom access
Garage steps
Handrail placement
Ramp feasibility
Stair lift clearance
Walker and wheelchair pathways
Fall risks throughout the home

The right solution may be a stair lift, ramp, railing, vertical platform lift, grab bar, or a combination of smaller changes.

Serving Split-Level Homes in Southeast Wisconsin

Four Corners Mobility helps homeowners and families throughout Waukesha County, Milwaukee County, and surrounding Southeast Wisconsin communities make homes safer and more accessible.

We provide practical solutions for:

Stair lifts
Wheelchair ramps
Ramp rentals
Grab bars
Handrails and railings
Vertical platform lifts
Home safety assessments
Aging-in-place modifications

If you or a loved one is having difficulty safely navigating a split-level home, a home assessment can help identify the safest and most practical next step.