Bungalow Style House: A Cozy and Comfortable Place to Call Home

Modern materials make it possible to build private homes in various styles. One of the most interesting options is the bungalow house.

The first association that arises from the word bungalow is with the Indians. The bungalow was once their standard dwelling.

This structure is quite successful at coexisting with a lot of mismatched elements. There are features of European architecture, camping tents, and, at the same time, luxurious verandas in the Eastern style.

Are you interested in the charming and cozy aesthetic of bungalow-style houses?

These rustic homes have been capturing people’s hearts since the 20th century. They have a charming design. It combines timeless warmth with modern character.

Whether you want to buy an existing bungalow or build your own, understanding the intricacies of this classic home style will help you weigh your options and make an informed decision.

This blog article will cover everything you need about the bungalow-type house. From the history of its origins to who it’s for, you’ll learn all the ins and outs.

Let’s dive into the wonderful world of bungalow house style!

What Is a Bungalow Style House

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A bungalow style house is a type of architectural design. It gained popularity in the early 20th century.

Real bungalow-type houses people make only from natural components. Among the natural components for construction, we can distinguish:

• Wood;
• Natural stone;
• Bamboo.

The main color scheme has a red-brown hue. Additional decorative elements can be:

• A stone hearth or fireplace;
• Items of leather and bone
• For woven decorations, owners use linen or cotton.

Of course, every owner wants to make their home stand out. So more often than not, they add folk-inspired homemade decorations to the house. As for the modern bungalow house, owners often add natural greenery.

The structure of this type of dwelling is also quite unconventional. Usually, you can see the living room in the center.

Around the living room, the rest of the rooms are clustered. According to the rules, a bungalow house has only one floor. On one floor, you need to place all the main rooms.

Bungalow house style you can recognize from afar. All because the structure has a very recognizable outline:

• Flat roof;
• A large porch;
• A spacious veranda.

Another feature of the bungalow-style house is the very low ceilings. Also, the house is very spacious. Thus, during the construction, you need to consider this feature. Especially pay attention to this fact when planning a house in a large area.

In the bungalow house, people use a minimum amount of furniture. And in all the cabinets, shelves, and so on, people hide in built-in niches.

You will only have upholstered furniture, tables, and chairs in full view. And all these items should be very elegant. That is, monumental beds and sofas will not do.

At the same time, you should use the whole area of the room. Unoccupied free spaces are not allowed.

The entire interior of the bungalow-type house is decorated with decorative elements. This style welcomes the use of the following:

• House-woven fabrics.
• Bright knick-knacks made by our own hands
• Ethnic motifs. 

Other accessories in such a setting will simply look out of place.

This style of home is often praised for its affordability. Whether you choose traditional decor or the modern conveniences of a bungalow house, the bungalow-style home exudes timeless charm and comfort.

History of Bungalow Style Houses

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Now you know what a bungalow-style house is. But what is the history of the origin of these houses?

Why have they become so popular in the modern world? Let’s look at everything from the beginning.

The word “bungalow” originated in the province of Bengal, one of the regions of India. The word translates as “a house belonging to a Bengali.”

People built such houses for the European ruling classes. They served as temporary dwellings. Officials used them when they spent vacations in the Himalayas.

The designers of the first bungalow houses drew their inspiration from:

• Army tents;
• Cottages in England;
• Exotic Persian porches

In its original form, the bungalow style allowed the rooms to flow around one large living room. This layout remained the basic idea in the interior of the modern bungalow house. Other improvements the style received as its popularity grew.

Practical and economical bungalow house styles conquered the inhabitants of North America. They began to use this style in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

William Gibbons Preston built the first American bungalow-type house in 1879. Gradually, from the east, fashionable interiors began to spread to the west. And the most suitable place for bungalow houses was California. At that time, it was the most popular resort.

Page designed the first bungalow-style house in California in early 1890. It was built on a high foundation on a hillside. Similar houses, built in similar climatic conditions, are popular even now.

The bungalow house style used to be completely associated with closeness to nature. Today, this style has grown slightly in vogue in big cities and the suburbs.

However, until now, the simplest bungalow style has been reminiscent of the village idyll. The bungalow-type house looks modest. But it allows many families to realize the ideal dream of owning their own home.

It is a free-standing house with a cozy layout and a garden where you can spend summer days and winter vacations.

Bungalow Style House Types

Bungalow houses have a unique look. It is perfect for those who want to move away from super-modern housing styles. These cozy homes have great appeal. They make good use of small spaces.

Bungalow house styles have a number of advantages. Homeowners can choose them depending on their lifestyle.

For the most part, you can find single-story floor plans. They provide easy access to common areas and improve living processes through an open floor plan.

If you’re looking for something small but practical, bungalow houses meet these standards best. But there are also different types of bungalow houses:

Craftsman Bungalow

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The Craftsman bungalow is a pleasant but rough house style. It has strong design elements.

They borrow from the art and craft movement of the late 19th century. General characteristics of the Craftsman bungalow house style include:

• A low-pitched roof;
• Wide eaves;
• Supporting open rafter tails;
• Front, side or back porches;
• Brick chimneys. 

Other elements of a Craftsman bungalow house may include tapered porch columns, ornamentation around windows and doors, contrasting trim between trim and siding, covered porches at the front of the house with chipped walls under the porch decking, and gabled attics with small windows to add extra living space and daylight upstairs if desired. 

All of these features together give the Craftsman bungalow an attractive character. It will stand the test of time. And, of course, it will be a beautiful part of its neighborhood streetscape for years to come.

California Bungalow

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California-style bungalows are often described as box-shaped with sloping roofs. Wide roof overhangs emphasize them. This style was popular in the early 20th century, especially in Southern California. That’s where it got its name.

As a rule, it is also a single-story bungalow house style. They have simplicity, modesty, and ease of maintenance. Efficient use of space makes this type one of the best choices.

The exterior finishes can be very different. Inside, the focus is on functionality. There must be enough natural light. Interiors focus on practicality and comfort. They include cozy fireplaces and wooden floors. The California bungalow style remains popular!

Modern Bungalow

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The modern bungalow house is the perfect combination of modern style and comfort.

Modern bungalows create a feeling of warmth and, at the same time, have a simple and stylish design. You can achieve this thanks to:

• Lower-pitched roofs;
• Wide overhangs;
• Large windows;
• Dominant porches.

These homes are ideal for hassle-free living. You do not need to spend time on special maintenance.

While these homes were more common in the past because of their affordability and efficient use of space despite their large footprint, such as California bungalows, today’s modern bungalow house incarnation uses open floor plans with numerous open spaces that expand interior spaces.

It is a truly modern reflection of the style and elegance of outdoor living.

Tudor Revival

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Some people don’t know what a bungalow-style Tudor Revival house is. Many people compare this type to the classic version.

But a Tudor Revival-style bungalow is a distinctive and picturesque architectural form. You can tell this bungalow house apart because of its semi-enclosed cladding. It also has steep-pitched roofs.

Its distinctive features are also the high, narrow windows. And, of course, the house has decorative lead or stucco trim.

The design of this style takes inspiration from Tudor architecture in England. Because of its charm and unmistakable aesthetic, this style has long been popular.

Traditional building techniques characterize this bungalow-style house. Among them, you will find:

• Wooden framing;
• Metal ties;
• Stone masonry.

It reflects both historical trends and modern preferences in equal measure. Add to that a pleasing symmetry. You get a pleasing home that can give any neighborhood an old-world feel.

Prairie Style

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Prairie-style bungalow houses have distinctive flat roofs and square shapes. They also have strong horizontal lines. They incorporate distinctive architectural elements into their design, such as:

• Overhanging eaves;
• Hipped roofs. 

This unique bungalow-type house has an interesting blend of natural tones. It allows them to fit well in both urban and rural settings.

Prairie-style bungalow houses make efficient use of space. Expansive eaves offer skylights for extra light. And ground-level windows mitigate temperature imbalances inside the home. Such additions give Prairie-style bungalows great curb appeal.

Pros and Cons of Bungalow Type House

No matter which bungalow house style you choose, let’s take a close look at these features.

Each of them has its pros and cons. Then you can compare the facts and make your choice:

Pros

• Larger living space. It allows you to get more living space for your money.
• Fewer operating costs. You don’t need extra energy to heat and cool the second floor. Plus, smaller modern bungalow houses are easier to heat or cool.
• Single-story construction. That means less maintenance work. And you don’t have to expend energy to get to the second floor.
• Wide porches/patios. Open spaces for relaxing, and it will allow you to enjoy the gorgeous views outdoors. 

Cons

• Lack of privacy. You may feel unprotected in a single-story home. Especially if you have large windows or an open floor plan.
• Less storage space. Compared to two-story homes, a bungalow has less storage space. You don’t have a loft in this bungalow-style house.
• Limited design options. A single-story structure has less flexibility.
• Less protection from the elements. Winds and rain have an easier time entering a bungalow house than one with multiple stories.

Overall, bungalow-style houses offer an affordable and comfortable way to live. They provide comfort for individuals or families. If you prefer single-story homes with efficient use of space, bungalows are for you!

Evaluating all options before choosing the right one for you and your family is important. Weighing the pros and cons of each type will help you do just that!

Who Is Bungalow Style House For?

You already know a lot about bungalows. You know what a bungalow-style house is.

We’ve covered several types of bungalows. But you still need to know if this type is right for you. Then we will help you!

Bungalow-type houses are ideal for those looking for simplicity and affordability. These single-story homes can be incredibly spacious. But they also feature large porches.

This type of home is best suited for families looking for a comfortable home. It is also great for people who want to enjoy the outdoors. Either way, bungalows create an airy and cozy atmosphere.

FAQs

Wrap-Up

In conclusion, bungalow-style houses offer something unique in design and living experience. They are ideal for those looking for an affordable and comfortable home.

They provide the perfect balance of modern and traditional design. No matter your needs, there is a bungalow house style for you!

Bungalows can offer all the benefits of larger homes in a smaller package. So why not choose a bungalow-style house for your life?