When renovating a historic home—even if it's from the 1950s or later—
one of the biggest challenges is figuring out how to balance its original character with the necessary functional and aesthetic updates for a 21st-century house. Below, we've gathered some of the best examples of thoughtful renovations in Portland, Oregon, where architects and designers have carefully blended key Northwest architectural elements with modern features.

A Midcentury Renovation in Portland Capitalizes on Nature with Seven Doors to the Outside

Before & After: A 1954 Midcentury in Portland Is Stunningly Revived

Reinvigorating a Classic Midcentury Home in Portland

An Iconic Portland Midcentury Is Seeking a New Owner for $1.6M

A 1953 Home Is Renovated With a Kitchen Fit for a Professional Pastry Chef—and Her Family

Wood Paneling Loses its Dated Reputation With This Renovation of a 1959 Portland Gem

A Revamped 1972 Home Retains Its Northwest Modernist Charm

A Family-Run Operation Refreshes a Portland Midcentury, Now Offered at $899K

preserved the deeply-recessed entryway, a glass-walled atrium, and the home’s vaulted ceilings, but significantly revamped the top floor to create a more efficient use of space, including a new kitchen with dark-stained maple plywood cabinets, custom vanities in the bathrooms, and a spa bath in the finished lower level that could be rented out as an 800 square-foot space for extra income." layout="wide" credit="Photo: Shawn Records" photoUserId=""/>

Before & After: An Artful Update Streamlines a Portland Midcentury

For the second phase of the transformation, which wrapped in 2019, Annie Wise of Annie Wise Design stepped in for a gut remodel of the kitchen and master bathroom, with the goal of ensuring any changes remained consistent with what had already been done." layout="wide" credit="Photo: Meagan Larsen" photoUserId=""/>

Before & After: A 1950s Midcentury Abode Gets a Gorgeous Upgrade

A Marvelous Midcentury With a Bright Blue Door Hits the Market for $1.15M

A Midcentury Modern Home in Southwest Portland

A Portland Couple Renovate a 1982 RV, Turning It Into Their New Home

Nearly 80 Years Later, An Architect Rescues a Japanese-Inspired Masterwork Designed by His Father

A 1959 Home Is Carefully Restored and Renovated With An Enlarged Kitchen

A Renovated Midcentury Portland Home With Updated Landscaping and a Bold Red Door

A Portland Midcentury Remodel That Pays Homage to Its Northwest Vernacular

Before & After: It’s Hard to Believe This Sleek Modernist Sanctuary Started as a 1950s Ranch House

An Updated Brutalist Portland Condo

Photo: Ruum Media
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A 1950s Revamp With 180-Degree Views

A 1957 Home With a Guest House’s New Addition

Related Reading:

Here Are 20 of the Best Midcentury Renovations in Palm Springs

A Designer's Tips For Renovating a Midcentury Modern Interior

16 Best Midcentury Renovations in Austin Celebrating Their Retro Roots

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21 Midcentury Renovations in Portland That Maintain Their Northwest Charm