What Is a Bungalow?
A bungalow is a one-story house, cottage, or cabin. Bungalows are generally small in terms of square footage, but it is not uncommon to see very large bungalows. Bungalows were originally designed to provide affordable, modern housing for the working class.
Key Takeaways
- A bungalow is a style of house or cottage that is typically either a single story or has a second, half, or partial story, that is built into a sloped roof.
- Bungalows are typically small in terms of size and square footage and often are distinguished by the presence of dormer windows and verandas.
- Bungalows are cost-efficient, easy to maintain, and due to increased square footage versus multi-story homes, relatively easy to modify.
- On the downside, Bungalows have smaller and fewer rooms than multi-story houses, and are more vulnerable to break-ins, due tohow low they sit on the ground.
Understanding Bungalows
Bungalowsare most often one-story houses, although they often also include an additionalhalf story, usually with a sloped roof. There are various types ofbungalows, including raisedbungalowsthat have basem*nts partially above ground to let in additional sunlight. There are alsosome bungalows that branch away from the original definition by adding additional levels such as lofts and half levels. Common features of thebungalowinclude a dormer window and a veranda.
Bungalow Characteristics
Bungalows are small and easy to maintain and are therefore great homes for aging adults or people with disabilities.Theyare also cost-efficient; heating and cooling costs tend to be lower, and the property value tends to remain relatively high. Because bungalowsoccupy more square footage than multi-story homes, they tend to allow more space for modifications and additions. They also afford more privacy than most traditional homes, as they're low to the ground and the windows can easily be blocked by trees, shrubs, and fences.
On the other hand,bungalowstend 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. This means that the initial costs are higher sincethey cost more per square foot, and they also require more material for roofing.
Bungalowsalso tend to have smaller and fewer rooms extending off a larger living room, as opposed to large bedrooms or an open floor plan. Also, because they're low to the ground, they're more susceptible to break-ins; therefore, it's a good idea to invest in a home security system if you purchase abungalow.
Currently-popular Bungalow styles include California, Chicago, and the chalet.
History ofBungalows
Bungalowswere 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 18thcentury. As time progressed, a bungalow came to refer to a large dwelling, often representing high social statusin both Britain and America.
The termbungalowas we now know it –a small dwelling, typically one story –developed in the20thcentury, although its definition varies in different areas of the world. For example, in India today, the term generally refers to any single-family dwelling, regardless of how many stories it has.
In Canada and the United Kingdom, abungalowalmost exclusively refers to one-story units. Australia tends toward the Californiabungalow, a type ofbungalowthat was popular in the United States from about 1908 to 1940 and expanded abroadas Hollywood became popular and increased the desirability of American-made products.
The Californiabungalowis one to one-and-a-half stories and features a large porch, sloping roof, and Spanish-inspired details. Other types of now-popular bungalow styles include the Chicago bungalow, which has Chicago roots circathe 1910s and is typically made of brick, and the chalet bungalow, which deviates from the one-story normby having a second-story loft.
FAQs
A bungalow can be defined as a home with one to one and a half stories and a low-pitched roof. Bungalows were first developed in the 1800s and later became a popular style of residential housing in England, other nations in Europe and beyond, and then the United States during the 20th century.
What classifies a house as a bungalow? ›
What is a bungalow house? While Realtors may use the term “bungalow” to describe any small or single-level home, true bungalows are a specific style of house. Bungalow homes stand one- to one-and-a-half stories tall with inviting front porches shaded by roof overhangs held up by visible beams and rafters.
What is the best definition of a bungalow? ›
: a one-storied house with a low-pitched roof. also : a house having one and a half stories and usually a front porch.
What is the original definition of bungalow? ›
bungalow, single-storied house with a sloping roof, usually small and often surrounded by a veranda. The name derives from a Hindi word meaning “a house in the Bengali style” and came into English during the era of the British administration of India.
How many rooms should a bungalow have? ›
A bungalow is generally a small, detached, single-story home without stairs, but the building can have another partial story, attic, and a basem*nt. Sometimes called a cottage, the house usually has two to four bedrooms, one or two bathrooms and a covered front porch.
Is a bungalow still a bungalow if it has stairs? ›
Usually, bungalows are only one storey tall and do not have any stairs. On some occasions, there may be a second storey built into a sloped roof but this is rare in the UK. Originating in the Bengal area of India during Britain's colonial rule, the first bungalows in the UK arrived in the late 1800s.
Can a bungalow be a house? ›
Due to their increasing scarcity, bungalows are a popular house type for self builders and developers alike as they tend to come with a generous plot and offer comfortable ground floor living.
What is a description of the bungalow? ›
A bungalow can be defined as a home with one to one and a half stories and a low-pitched roof. Bungalows were first developed in the 1800s and later became a popular style of residential housing in England, other nations in Europe and beyond, and then the United States during the 20th century.
What do Americans call a bungalow? ›
Their characters live in American bungalows, also known as Craftsman and/or Arts and Crafts homes — typically one story, rectangular shaped, mostly brick with low-pitched roofs, generous windows, and thick porches.
What is a bungalow vs ranch? ›
Bungalows and ranches are both single story homes, so it's easy to see why they get confused. However, bungalows are almost always square in shape (versus the more popular rectangle shape for ranches) and often have steeper pitched rooflines and smaller windows.
Key Takeaways. A bungalow is a style of house or cottage that is typically either a single story or has a second, half, or partial story, that is built into a sloped roof. Bungalows are typically small in terms of size and square footage and often are distinguished by the presence of dormer windows and verandas.
What is an interesting fact about a bungalow? ›
In fact, their name comes from the Bengal region of India and modern-day Bangladesh, where this style of house originated. Bungalows were designed to keep people comfortable in the region's hot weather: the sloped roofs help keep the structure shaded and allow heavy rainfall to flow away from the home.
What is the definition of a modern bungalow? ›
Modern bungalows are just what they sound like: small single-story homes built in the contemporary architectural style of today. Much like other new builds of the 2020s, modern bungalows are usually made of popular materials like concrete and glass and feature sleek lines and sharp angles.
What does a bungalow home look like? ›
Bungalows commonly have wood shingle, horizontal siding or stucco exteriors, as well as brick or stone exterior chimneys and a partial-width front porch. Larger bungalows might have asymmetrical L-shaped porches. The porches were often enclosed at a later date, in response to increased street noise.
What is a good size bungalow? ›
The ideal size of a bungalow should be between 1,000-2,000 sq ft as it creates many open spaces as well as is a good size for young families.
What is the best layout for a bungalow? ›
To avoid deep floorplans, look to design more linear arrangements such as T-shape or L-shape plans, or to break the plan up into smaller components, which can be staggered. Another approach is a courtyard layout.
How do I know if my house is a bungalow? ›
A bungalow is a style of house or cottage that is typically either a single story or has a second, half, or partial story, that is built into a sloped roof. Bungalows are typically small in terms of size and square footage and often are distinguished by the presence of dormer windows and verandas.
What is a bungalow called in the US? ›
The American Bungalow is one of the most popular small homes ever built. It can take on many different shapes and styles, depending on where it is built and for whom it is built. The word bungalow is often used to mean any small 20th century home that uses space efficiently.
What's the difference between a cottage and a bungalow? ›
The Differences That Set Them Apart
While cottages usually exhibit steep gabled roofs adorned with dormer windows, bungalows typically showcase sloping roofs built into their structure–an iconic element of this architectural style.
Is a bungalow still a bungalow if it has a basem*nt? ›
Simply put, a bungalow is a one-storyy house. This can include houses with or without basem*nts. This means that there is no more than one level above grade, although there may be one below grade as well.
