100 Years of Home Design: The Surprising Shift in Square Footage, Bedrooms & Bathrooms!

100 Years of Home Design: The Surprising Shift in Square Footage, Bedrooms & Bathrooms!

By Buck Huctherson, Portland Metro Real Estate Expert

🏠 How Home Design Has Evolved Over the Last 100 Years Square Footage, Bedrooms, Bathrooms – and What It Means for Buyers & Sellers Today Welcome to the blog! I'm Buck Hutcherson, Portland Metro Realtor, and today we’re diving into how homes in the U.S. — especially here in Portland — have transformed over the past century. From modest 2-bedroom bungalows to smart homes with private wellness spaces, it’s a story of evolving lifestyles, technology, and values. Let’s take a look at how the average home has changed — and what it means if you're buying or selling in today’s market.

🏠 Home Evolution in Portland & the U.S. – Then vs. Now Over the past 100 years, homes in the United States—and especially in the Portland Metro area—have grown significantly in both size and function. In the 1920s, the average home was around 1,000 square feet, featuring just 2 to 3 bedrooms and typically one bathroom. Portland’s signature Craftsman-style bungalows from this era were built with character but designed for simplicity and shared living. By the 1950s, square footage crept up slightly to about 1,100 sq ft, still with 2–3 bedrooms, but often retaining a single bathroom. This was the era of the ranch-style home, and carports or single garages became common additions in neighborhoods like Parkrose and Eastmoreland. In the 1970s, homes expanded to around 1,400 square feet, and we saw the introduction of 1.5 bathrooms, giving families more privacy. Formal dining rooms and larger kitchens began to take shape as household size grew and suburban life expanded. Jump to the 2000s, and the average U.S. home reached over 2,200 square feet, with 3–4 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms becoming the norm. This period brought open floor plans, master suites with attached baths, and multi-use living spaces—especially popular in areas like Beaverton and Tualatin. Today, in 2025, homes average over 2,500 square feet and feature 4 bedrooms and at least 3 bathrooms. In Portland, modern buyers also expect flex rooms, home offices, spa-style bathrooms, and sustainable features like solar panels, heat pumps, and EV-ready garages.

🕰️1920s–1940s: Simple Spaces, Shared Rooms In the early 20th century, homes in the U.S. and Portland were compact and efficient. Most featured: - 2 to 3 small bedrooms - 1 bathroom (if any) - Around 1,000 square feet Portland’s signature Craftsman bungalow emerged during this era—built with care, charm, and just enough room for a growing family.

🏡1950s–1970s: The Suburban Shift Post-WWII America brought the rise of the suburbs. Homes grew in both size and features: - Larger kitchens and dining areas - The introduction of garages and backyards - 3 bedrooms and up to 1.5 baths In Portland, neighborhoods like Rose City Park and Milwaukie expanded rapidly with ranch-style homes offering more indoor/outdoor living.

🛁1980s–2000s: Space Becomes Luxury The late 20th century ushered in big changes: - Homes exceeded 2,000 sq ft - Multiple bathrooms became standard - Primary suites (with private baths) became a must-have In the Portland area we saw a boom in split-level and two-story homes in places like Happy Valley Beaverton West Hills.

🌿2010s–Today: Function Flexibility Sustainability Now in 2025 modern home reflects lifestyle more than just square footage: -4+ bedrooms with flexible use (offices guest rooms workout spaces) -3+ bathrooms including en-suites spa-style retreats -Open living plus defined work-from-home zones -Eco-conscious upgrades: solar heat pumps EV-ready garages ADUs In Portland design trends favor net-zero living walkability personalized space over sheer size.

💡 Why This Matters for Buyers & Sellers

🛒Buyers: Don’t just chase square footage think about how a home supports your day-to-day life: -Do you need separate office space? -How many full bathrooms do you really need? -Would an ADU or multi-gen layout fit your goals?

🏷️Sellers: Highlight functionality updates not just stats. -Market your flex rooms -Show off energy-saving features -Stage to reflect modern needs (e.g., work-from-home zones)

📞Thinking About Buying or Selling in Portland? I’ve been helping clients navigate Portland real estate for decades I’d love to help you next.

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📱Or call/text anytime: (503)313 -9798

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