What Is a Bungalow?

A bungalow is a one-stor🍰y house, cottage, or cabin that is generally small in terms of square footage, although it is not uncommon to see very large bungalows. Bungalows were originally designed to provide affordabꦇle, modern housing for the working class.

Although bungalows are typically one-story houses, they often include an additional half-story, usually with a sloped roof. There are various t🐈ypes of bungalows, including raised bungalows with basements partially above ground to let in additional sunlight.

Some bungalows🌜 do add additional levels, such as lofts and half levels. Standard features of the bungalow include a🃏 dormer window and a veranda.

Learn more about what a bungalow is, the featu꧑res of a bungalow, and whether this home style may be right for you.

Bungalow Characteristics

Bungalows are single-level homes, cabins, or cottages. They are small and easy to maintain, making them great homes for aging adults or people with disabilities. Bungalows are als🌟o cost-efficient, as heating and cooling costs tend to be lower, and the property value tends to remain relatively high.

Common key features of a bungalow include:

• One story: Generally, bungalows have one floor, but they may have a possible half-story.
• Open floor plan: A bungalow layout is often open instead of secluded spaces.
• Low-pitched roof: Bungalows are noted for their larger, sloping roofs, which may hold another half-story of living space.
• Front porch: Spacious front porches that provide additional living space are a common feature of bungalows.
• Craftsman style: The architectural style of bungalows is typically Craftsman, which has simple features with natural materials.
• Compact layout: While bungalows generally have an open floor plan, they are also typically 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:smaller than other home styles.
• Near urban areas: Bungalows are a common home type for those who want to be close to a city in a single-family home. These homes have smaller footprints, making them more affordable in high-cost living areas.

Advantages of Bungalows

Because bungalows occupy more square footage on one floor than multi-story homes, they generally allow more space for modifications and additions. They also afford more privacy than most traditional homes, as they're low to the ground and trees, shrubs, and fences can easily block the windows. 

Downsides of Bungalows

On the other hand, bungalows tend to occupy a larger area of land than their multi-story counterparts. Since they don't extend upwards, they take up more square footage on the first floor. They may cost more per square foot and may also require more roofing material. 

Bungalows also tend to have smaller and fewer rooms extending off a larger living room instead of large bedrooms or an open floor plan. They're more susceptible to break-ins because they're low to the ground. So, consider investing in a home security system if you purchase a bungalow.

History of Bungalows

Bungalows were first built in the South Asian region of Bengal. Bungalows, which derive their name from Hindi, were first identified as such by British sailors of the East India Company in the 18th century. Over time, a bungalow came to refer to a large dwelling, often representing high social status in both Britain and America.

The term bungalow—a small dwelling, typically one story—developed in the 20th century, although 𒆙its definitio💃n varies in different areas of the world. For example, in India today, the term generally refers to any single-family dwelling, regardless of its number of stories.

In Canada and the United Kingdom, a bungalow almost exclusively refers to one-story units. Australia tends toward the California bungalow, a type of bungalow popular in the United States from about 1908 to 1940. It expanded abroad as Hollywood became popular and increased the desirability of American-made products.

The California bungalow is one to one-and-a-half stories and features a large porch, slopi꧟ng roof, and Spanish-inspired details. Other types of now-popular bungalow styles include:

• The Chicago bungalow, which has Chicago roots circa the 1910s and is typically made of brick.
• The chalet bungalow, which deviates from the one-story norm by having a second-story loft.

The Bottom Line

A bungalow is a homestyle beloved by many homebuyers. This one-story home has several advantages and disadvantages to consider, including its smaller size and one-floor layout. It can offer convenience and affordability, but it may also provide limited living space. In some cases, bungalows may be more expensive than other home styles, depending on the market demands. Weigh the pros and cons of bungalows as you determine which house may be ideal for your situation.