Portland is home to an eclectic variety of architecture styles, and Rose City residents often want to know how to renovate without losing their home’s original charm and character. Step one is working with a remodeler who has experience with Portland home styles and knows how to create a fresh space that reflects your needs and honors your home. Step two is collaborating with them to develop your design plan.
As you are explaining your vision to your remodeler, it helps to understand your home’s history. Common Portland home styles include:
- Craftsman & Bungalow
- Victorian
- American Foursquare
- Minimal Traditional
- Ranch
- Modern
See if you can pinpoint your home’s style in this guide to identifying and renovating the most common architectural styles in Portland, Oregon and beyond.
Craftsman Style Houses
American Craftsman style architecture gained popularity around the turn of the 20th century. It was largely inspired by the anti-industrial Arts and Crafts movement, which emphasized traditional craftsmanship and custom furnishings. Unlike ornate Victorian styles (which we’ll talk about next), Craftsman architecture focused on simplicity and function.
Craftsman style bungalows became especially popular — Gustav Stickley, founder of The Craftsman magazine, argued that they would give working-class families access to homes with “serious architecture.” In fact, many Portland bungalows are Craftsman style homes.
How to Renovate Craftsman Homes
Enhance the Craftsman elements that are already present. For example, if the woodwork in your home needs a refresh but you really want to preserve its original Craftsman charm, see if you can sand and stain some of it rather than painting all of it. Find ways to incorporate and/or emphasize common Craftsman features, such as:
- Handcrafted stone and woodwork
- Local natural materials, including exposed wood
- Double hung windows
- Built-in cabinets
- Wood front doors with glass panes
- Board and batten
- Mixed materials
- Neutral, earthy colors
Victorian Homes
The Victorian era, which spanned Queen Victoria’s reign (1837-1901). Much of the architecture during this period was about reviving earlier classic styles, including Gothic- and Tudor-inspired designs. Early on, classical styles from the Regency era were still common. Italianate architecture was prominent in the mid-19th century. Queen Anne style homes epitomize the later part of the Victorian era.
There is no shortage of Victorian architecture in Portland, especially in places like the Alphabet District, Lair Hill, and Southeast Portland neighborhoods like Sellwood.
How to Renovate Old Home Styles from the Victorian Era
If you’re interested in preserving the authenticity of your Victorian home, learn about the history of your house. When was it built and why? Your realtor, census records, and your designer/remodeler are good places to look for answers.
Much of Victorian style architecture emphasizes form over function, with characteristics like:
- Ornate, decorative details
- Rich colors
- Large, impressive structures
- Asymmetrical and non-traditional shapes
- Complicated, rambling floor plans, often with cozy nooks
- Sash windows and bay windows
- High ceilings and archways
- Carved woodwork
- Extravagant fixtures and furnishings
- Wide fireplaces with imposing mantles
- Wainscoting
American Foursquare Houses
Popular from the 1890s to around 1930, American Foursquare began as a direct response to the excessive adornment of the Victorian era. The style focuses on functionality, efficiency, and dignified living. American Foursquare homes are defined by their boxy shape and their four-room ground floor layout. In Portland, Foursquare houses are sprinkled throughout nearly every older neighborhood.
How to Renovate Portland Foursquare Homes
Foursquare style is all about function and comfort, so you have a lot of leeway to add modern elements and conveniences without losing your home’s old fashioned charm. Authentic Foursquare style homes often feature:
- Built-in shelving and cabinetry
- Craftsman-inspired elements, like handcrafted woodwork
- Elements of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Prairie architecture
- Grouped windows, often with window seats
- Simple motifs
Minimal Traditional Houses
Emerging in Depression-era America, Minimal Traditional style can be viewed as a stripped-down descendant of American Foursquare. Minimal Traditional houses tend to be small (one to one-and-a-half stories) and simplified, but nonetheless built with quality materials.
How to Renovate Minimal Traditional Homes
Because of their simplicity, these homes are typically perfect candidates for home additions when families need more space. Their general lack of adornment means it’s easy to add fun elements and focal points without overwhelming other details. The tricky part is to make changes in a way that blends with your home’s style. Do this by incorporating common Minimal Traditional features like:
- Good quality but simple built-ins
- Asymmetrical layouts with the front door off to one side
- Simple, rectangular floor plans
- Single- or double-hung windows
- Minimal adornment and decoration
Ranch Style Houses
Ranch style homes began to overtake Minimal Traditional ones after World War II (although the first Ranch style homes were built before the war). With a casual, Southwestern feel, Ranch style houses are usually single-story with sprawling, horizontal layouts and open floor plans, sometimes with an L or U shape. The idea is for the rooms in the home to blend into each other — even into the outdoors by way of decks, patios, and big windows.
How to Renovate Ranch Style Homes
Ranch style homes are still popular today, not only because of their retro appeal, but also because they are extremely functional. Plus, they are excellent options for universal design and aging in place remodels. There’s a good chance you’ll add value to your home if you stick to its Ranch style roots and incorporate features like:
- Picture windows
- Attached garage
- Simple, relaxed details
- Sliding glass doors leading to a deck or patio
Modern Homes in Portland
People often use the terms “modern” and “contemporary” interchangeably, but they actually mean different things from a historical standpoint.
The modern architecture movement lasted from the early 1900s to roughly the 1950s. Many different styles can be considered part of modernism, but the movement overall focused on functionalism, minimalism, and a rejection of unnecessary frills. Architecture featured the new technologies and materials of the time, such as glass, concrete, and steel. Mid-century modernism is a popular design style that evolved out of the modernist movement.
“Contemporary” refers to styles that are popular right now. Because architectural trends are always evolving, our idea of “contemporary” is too, so it’s not a static style category. Most contemporary homes borrow a lot from modern architecture, including clean lines, an open concept, and an indoor-outdoor connection. But contemporary homes tend to incorporate more warm, natural materials and are often more eclectic and free-form than modern ones.
How to Renovate Contemporary Homes
No rules here! You help shape the future of contemporary styles with every design choice you make. Here are some popular contemporary home renovation ideas to inspire you:
- Eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient appliances
- High-tech features that make life easier and more comfortable
- Unexpected shapes and layouts
- Custom features to match your individual needs and wants
What style is your home?
Are you getting ready to renovate your home and want to ensure you honor its architectural style? Square Deal Remodeling has been remodeling homes since 1992. Our award-winning designers and craftsmen have extensive experience with these Portland architectural styles and more. We would love to help you create a beautiful space that works for you and highlights your home’s unique, authentic style.
Contact us online or call us at (503) 254-4156 to get started. You can also read about our COVID-19 guidelines and safety protocols here.