Bungalow, craftsman, foursquare, victorian — with over 150,000 houses in the city, Portland features a variety of unique and beloved home architectural styles.
Our design and remodeling team has been updating and constructing Portland homes of all styles since 2002. There’s so much to love about Portland architecture — we just can’t seem to pick a favorite home style. Can you?
Bungalow
Bungalows are truly one of the most iconic local architecture styles. These storybook homes were built entirely with wood around the 1920s . Though many original bungalows still exist, modern builders and homeowners have been constructing brand new homes in the classic bungalow style. These homes are typically 1.5 stories tall and feature…
• A low-pitched roof
• Wide eaves and exposed rafters
• A covered front porch with chunky columns under the roof extension
You’ll find Bungalows sprinkled throughout Portland, but they are especially prevalent in neighborhoods like Ladd’s Addition, Sunnyside, and Richmond.
Since many Portland bungalows are quite old, homeowners are often interested in making updates to fit their modern needs. We’ve helped many homeowners remodel their bungalows to include…
• An open floor plan
• Brand new kitchen with modern appliances and countertops
• Updated bathrooms
Craftsman
The name “craftsman” comes from the earth 19th century Arts and Crafts architectural movement. During this time, architects were excited about creating homes featuring handcrafted artistry, like custom built-ins and exposed beams.
These homes are essentially larger versions of a bungalow (many have a hard time telling them apart) and are especially prevalent on Portland’s east side.
This is noticeable in the key features of a craftsman:
• Wood constructions
• Exposed beams
• Various built-in features, like bookshelves, cabinets, etc.
• Covered porch
• Typically 2-stories tall
American ranch
The ranch home was first built by California architects in the 1930s and was inspired by the one-story designs on Spanish ranchos in the Southwest. From the 50s to early 70s, the ranch style was one of the most common types of homes in America.
The Portland ranch home has an open floor plan on a single level. However, we’ve helped many homeowners remodel their Ranch style homes with a basement or even daylight basement to give more room.
There’s a lot to love about these homes as the rooms are typically very large and flow freely into each other. Plus, with all their windows it’s easy to get great natural light throughout the home.
Many homeowners don’t love the original mid-century material choices or appliances in the kitchens and bathrooms. We’ve remodeled these types of homes, tearing out orange carpet and outdated kitchens, breathing new life into the space.
For those who love the mid-century modern interior design, these homes offer a great opportunity to lean into this popular design trend.
Mid-century modern split level
The split-level design is another mid-century home. It’s designed similar to a contemporary ranch style but in a split level configuration.
This style was popular with homebuyers in the 1950s for its efficient use of space. Today, homebuyers are drawn to its unique characteristics and unique and charming mid-century design.
Since this style splits up the home into 2 (and up to 4!) livable floors into smaller narrow spaces, some people find the style too closed off. Homeowners will often invest in an open floor plan home remodel to create larger rooms and a more free-flowing space.
Portland foursquare
Named for its cubic look, the foursquare is a classic Portland style and is typically found in inner neighborhoods like Buckman and Brooklyn. This architectural style originated in the 1800s and was popular until the 1930s. It was one of the first modern home styles in Portland and was very popular among the upper-middle class.
Today, foursquare homes are known for being very well built and offering lots of space. These homes are quite distinct, recognizable for their cubic look, full-width front porch, and hipped roof. They are typically 2 floors (sometimes 2.5) and feature a staircase and living room in the front, dining and kitchen in the back.
With its uniform appearance, we’ve found foursquare homes to be excellent candidates for a glamorous interior design remodel. Because the architecture and layout is so organized, spicing it up with modern features, decor, materials, and appliances can help it really stand out.
Victorian
Largely influenced by the gothic styles of Queen Victoria’s England, victorian homes look like dollhouses for humans. These homes were built with the mindset that homes should be beautiful above all else.
Victorian homes were constructed between 1830-1910 and today often feature bright paint, elaborate trim, and wood or stone exteriors. This style also features…
• Asymmetrical shape
• Colorful exterior
• Textured wall surfaces
• Steep, multi-faceted roof
Thanks to their elaborate, decorative, and old style architecture, many homeowners like to modernize the interior while staying true to the original style. We often help freshen and brighten up Victorian homes, opening up rooms and highlighting their vaulted ceilings and original molding.
For those who want to bring an even more modern approach, we’ve found Scandanavian decor and style looks great in these types of homes.
Make your house feel like home
These are just a few of the many unique architectural home styles we see here in Portland. There’s truly something for everyone.
No matter the century or architectural style your home, you deserve to love it. At Mosaik, we help homeowners remodel and update their homes to fit their needs while staying true to the original architecture.
Whether you want to update one room, add onto your home, or need help styling your interior, we can help. We have experience working on all types of home styles in the Portland area and are here to help. Let’s talk!