Bungalow Style Home Guide: 5 Styles of Bungalow Houses

Bungalow style home is among the most popular home styles in the United States, and they are known for their cozy, comfortable feel and simple yet stylish design. If you are considering purchasing a bungalow-style home or want to learn more about this type of home, this guide is for you.

However, the bungalow style has become a norm for individuals seeking affordability and long-standing architectural design in a single building over the years. Depending on the style, bungalows may feature more than just one story and incorporate a blend of more complex architectural designs.

Keep reading to find out what makes this architectural style unique and why the bungalow home style is popular worldwide.

What Is a Bungalow House?

Bungalow houses are a type of house that is typically characterized by having a single story and a porch or veranda. The word “bungalow” is derived from the Hindi word “Bangala,” which means “Bengal house.” These houses were first built in India, and they were later introduced to the United Kingdom and the United States. Bungalow houses became popular in the early 1900s, and they remain a popular choice for homeowners today.

There are several reasons why bungalow houses are so popular. One reason is that they are typically very affordable. Another reason is that bungalow houses are often built on smaller lots, making them a good choice for people who want to downsize or live in urban areas. Bungalow houses also tend to be very energy-efficient, which is another plus.

If you’re thinking about buying a bungalow house, there are a few things you should keep in mind. One is that bungalow houses often have a lot of character, so if you’re looking for a modern, minimalist home, a bungalow house might not be the right choice for you. Another thing to remember is that bungalow houses typically don’t have a lot of storage space, so if you have a lot of stuff, you might want to look for a different type of house.

Overall, bungalow houses are a great choice for people looking for an affordable, energy-efficient home with plenty of character. If you’re thinking about buying a bungalow house, keep the things we’ve mentioned in mind, and you’re sure to find the perfect home for you and your family.

History of the Bungalow Home Style

The word ‘bungalow’ was derived from the Indian word Bangala meaning a part of a Bengal. If we are to trace the actual history of the bungalow home style, it was first built in India during the mid-nineteenth century by the British colonial masters. It was built by the Colonial masters for its local officers during the British colonization of India.

For the British, the idea was to build a small, informal one-story relaxation house for her traveling officers. The bungalows were designed low to the ground with wide and covered porches to protect inhabitants from the hot and dry climate. 

However, the American version of the bungalow style home didn’t come into existence until early 1900. The American Arts and Crafts movement which favored simple designs over the complex eclectic Victorian style influenced the spread of the bungalow style home in the US. Today, the bungalow style is the most dominant architectural style in the US.

5 Types of Bungalow Homes

While bungalows share a similar history, they are not entirely the same. They are not created equal and come in different variations. Below are the different types of bungalows that exist in today architectural landscape.

Craftsman Bungalow

The term craftsman bungalow is a central description of classic bungalow wherever they might be located. Typically, these type of bungalows feature street-facing gable with shingled roofs. They are also known for their visible wide, hanging eaves.

California Bungalow

California bungalow style is quite similar to the craftsman bungalow style. However, there are several noticeable differences in the type of materials used in their construction. California bungalow homes are known to feature stucco, wood, shingle, and horizontal siding in their exterior. Top architects like Charles Sumner Greene and Henry Mathis Greene created the California style homes to match the hot climate of the Southern California region.

Mission Bungalow

Featuring broad overhanging eaves with open rafter, a mission-style bungalow may come with a hipped or gabled roof style. Sometimes, a mission-style bungalow may features stucco siding and a Spanish-style tiled roof.

Tudor Revival

While the Tudor revival bungalow style may deviate from the traditional bungalow theme, it is still considered as one of the most patronized bungalow style. The Tudor revival bungalow style features more intricate architectural designs such as steeply roof with elaborate chimneys. They may also feature wall cladding, narrow windows with half timbering.

Prairie Style

Created by a set of Chicago Architects known as the Prairie School, the Prairie style bungalow features massive piers that help to support the roof of their porch, casement windows, flat chimneys, contrasting wall materials, and trims. The interior of a Prairie-style bungalow home may feature ceiling beams and horizontal woodwork.

What Are the Characteristics of Bungalows?

While it is common knowledge that bungalow homes are typically one or one-and-a-half stories high, there are still other noticeable characteristics that define the bungalow architectural style.

Exterior

• Modest front porch
• Low, open roof, typically with beams or rafters showing
• Balanced and well-proportioned, but not symmetrical, an appearance from the front

Interior

• Typically 1 or 1.5 stories
• The front door serves as the entrance to the main living space
• Features an open floor plan with no distinction of a formal parlor or sitting room
• Combines several built-ins as a means of interior decoration
• Features simple decorative accents

What Are the Benefits of Living in a Bungalow?

There are many benefits to living in a bungalow, including the following:

• Bungalows are typically single-story homes, which can be a plus for those with mobility issues or who prefer not to deal with stairs.
• Bungalows often have large yards, giving you plenty of space to enjoy the outdoors.
• Bungalows typically have a cozy, comfortable feel, making them ideal for relaxation.
• Because bungalows are typically smaller than other homes, they can be easier and more affordable to maintain.
• Bungalows typically have charming features that give them unique character.

If you're looking for a cozy, comfortable home with plenty of space inside and out, a bungalow may be ideal. Bungalows offer many benefits that make them an appealing choice for those who want the best of both worlds – a charming home that's easy to maintain and plenty of space to enjoy the outdoors.

What Are the Disadvantages of Living in a Bungalow?

Bungalows are often considered idyllic, quaint houses – the kind of home that’s perfect for a family. But there are some disadvantages to living in a bungalow that you should be aware of before making a move.

One of the biggest disadvantages of living in a bungalow is the lack of privacy. Because bungalows are often built close together, there’s little to no privacy between houses. This can be a problem if you have noisy neighbors or like to spend time in your backyard.

Another disadvantage of living in a bungalow is the lack of storage space. Because bungalows are often smaller than other homes, there’s less space to store your belongings. If you have a lot of stuff, you may run out of room quickly.

Finally, bungalows can be more difficult to heat and cool than other homes. Because they often have only one level, heat is less space to circulate. This can make it harder to keep your bungalow comfortable during extreme weather conditions.

Why is the Bungalow Style Popular?

With millions of bungalows scattered around the various states of the US, it is a clear indication that the bungalow style home is loved by individuals across ages, status, and race. But if you are wondering why there is a widespread love for the bungalow style, below are some of the reasons.

Suitable For Mobility

Since the bungalow style house plan features all of its living space on a single floor, this makes it great for elderly individuals and kids who may be having mobility issues. Not having to climb flights of stairs daily makes it a safe and easy to navigate.

Easy Maintenance

Bungalows are low-set properties since they are closer to the ground than other type of building designs. This makes its roof easily accessible for repair or routine maintenance. You can easily clean its gutters and mend it with the use of a simple ladder.

Privacy

Bungalow homes are typically built in large lots within suburban neighborhoods. This extra spacing provides you with more privacy from the prying eyes of your neighbors. It is common for bungalow home owners to plant shrubbery and other foliage around their property for additional covering and privacy.

How Much Does Bungalow House Style Cost?

On average a Bungalow house plan can cost around $2000 to $2,500. However, custom plans and blueprints may cost around 5-10 percent of the total home building cost. The average cost to build a bungalow style house in the US is around $600,000 depending on your home location, customizations, and square footage.

One thing you should know before building one is that a bungalow style home requires more time and expensive to build. If you are looking to build a bungalow home, you should check out some of our bungalow floor plans and designs here.

Constructing a Bungalow Home Style

Constructing a bungalow style home requires the input of a professional architect and builder. When looking to build a bungalow home, you may decide to opt for a ready-made floor plan or a fully custom-designed blueprint for your potential home.

The first step to constructing a custom bungalow home is to get a comprehensive architectural drawing set. This gives you more insight into the type of materials to be used, accurate dimensions of the floor plans, location of the elements, sections, and other construction-related information.

If you are looking for a comprehensive yet affordable Bungalow house blueprint or a customizable floor plan, then we at Archimple are here to serve you. We have several bungalow house design collections and floor plans. You can check out our bungalow home design collection to find out how we can help you achieve your dream home.

You can click the following links to learn more about what consists of our typical plan set and how we work or can be of help to you and your bungalow home building project. Remember that your home is not just an investment for the future but a reflection of your personality. So, it is important that you employ the best architectural help to make your dream home a reality.

Frequently Asked Question

What is a bungalow style home? 

A bungalow style home is a type of single-family home that typically has a single story and a porch or veranda. They are often found in beach or vacation areas, but can be built anywhere.

What are the origins of bungalow style homes? 
Bungalow style homes originated in India, where they were first built by British colonists. The word "bungalow" comes from the Hindi word "bangala", meaning "of Bengal."

How did bungalows become popular in the United States?

Bungalows became popular in the United States during the early 1900s when architects began to design them in California. This was partly due to the state's climate, which was thought beneficial for people with health problems.

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