There are all kinds of interesting architecture styles in Portland. From a traditional Tudor to the very American ranch, we’ll take a look at the kinds of homes you’ll see most frequently in Portland. Not only is it fun to know about different architecture styles in Portland, but it’s also useful the next time you buy or rent a home.
Cape Cod
Cape Cod homes are between one and two levels high. They’re low buildings, with steeply pitched rooflines that can include dormer windows and end gables. They also usually have large chimneys. Cape Cod homes are practical; they have very little ornamentation.
These simple, classic homes originated in New England, all the way back in the seventeenth century. Most Cape Cod homes were between the 1930s and 1950s in a revival Cape Cod style. These homes are still popular, affordable, and very practical.
Cape Cod House
Cape Cod House
Colonial
Colonial homes are stately two-story homes. They’re usually rectangular and very symmetrical in design. They often have pillars or pilasters over the front entry and long, shuttered windows. They also often have grand staircases and formal entryways.
Colonial homes were built for a long time—from the late 1800s to the mid 1950s. There are many different types of colonial homes, each with their own flavor. These include Dutch, French, Georgian, German, Mid-Atlantic, and Spanish colonial styles.
Colonial House
Dutch Colonial House
Craftsman/Bungalow
Craftsman homes have a solid, comfortable feel. The have wide, low roofs and overhung porches. They often come with fireplaces and craftsman touches like built-in shelving or cabinetry. They almost always have detailed stone or woodwork. And they often have mixed materials throughout.
Bungalow homes are very similar in style and feel to craftsman homes, but they’re usually on the smaller side. Bungalows are one of the most iconic architecture styles in Portland.
Craftsman homes were popular from the end of the nineteenth century into the 1930s. The style has also had numerous revivals since that time. The craftsman movement focuses on homes as works of art, not just functional dwellings, so it’s a style that architects and designers keep coming back to.
Craftsman House
Craftsman Bungalow
Craftsman Bungalow
Bungalow
Ranch
Ranch homes are sprawling homes with open layouts. The common areas are the focal point of these homes, and they have a very minimalist design. These single-story homes are often L-shaped or U-shaped. They have a long and low roofline, large windows, and sliding doors that open onto a patio.
This architectural style originated in the United States, and ranch homes became very common during the 1950s and 1960s. Ranch homes also became cheap, bland, and boring toward the end of the 1960s, so many people got tired of them. Custom ranch homes built in the 1970s began to incorporate interesting details again, and ranch homes are still very popular today.
Ranch House
Ranch House
Tudor
Tudor homes invoke thoughts of Old England. They are usually built with visible timber designs on the outside, which are purely decorative. They also frequently have steeply pitched roofs, ornamental windows, elaborate chimneys, and embellished doorways. Tudor interiors have large common areas and spacious bedrooms.
These homes were typically built from the 1920s to the 1940s, often for the wealthy people of the city. Tudor homes went out of favor after World War II—a renewed sense of patriotism meant that more people wanted homes that looked more American than Tudor homes do.
Tudor House
Tudor House
Victorian
Victorian homes are typically very decorative. They often include textured shingles, balustrades, fretwork, and heavy, detailed ornamentation. You’ll also see steeply pitched roofs, front porches, balconies, and multiple stories. Interiors often include high ceilings and beautiful, ornate woodwork.
These highly decorative homes were typically built from the late 1800s through 1910 or so. There are several different styles of Victorian homes, each built during different time periods.
Architecture Styles in Portland
If you dream of living in a particular kind of house, be sure to check out our listings or give us a call at (503) 283-1900! We’re always happy to help you find the home of your dreams. And for everyone else, take a little more notice of all of the fun architecture styles in Portland, now that you know what they are. We love the variety in this city!