# What Defines a Bungalow? Characteristics and History Explained

![Bungalow: A one-story house or cabin.](https://www.investopedia.com/thmb/eiupmNM-hwfCq-nPIb9BeJGxgRw=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/bungalow.asp-final-7544353d0c1d4193ab62f8aac5859fba.png)

*— Investopedia / Tara Anand*

## What Is a Bungalow?

Bungalows are predominantly one-story homes known for their compact and cost-efficient design, often featuring dormer windows and verandas. Originally serving the working class with affordability and modern amenities, bungalows continue to be a popular choice due to their distinctive characteristics and versatility in urban areas.

### Key Takeaways

*   Bungalows are usually single-story homes renowned for their cost-efficiency and ease of maintenance, making them popular among families and aging individuals.
*   Distinct features of bungalows include their low-pitched roofs, open floor plans, and spacious front porches, often constructed in the Craftsman style.
*   Originally designed as affordable housing options, bungalows can sometimes be more expensive due to their land usage and desirable locations.
*   Bungalows originated in the Bengal region and evolved globally, with region-specific styles such as the California, Chicago, and chalet bungalows.

## Distinctive Features of Bungalows  

Bungalows are single-level homes that are small and easy to maintain, making them ideal for older adults or [people with disabilities](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/disability-insurance.asp). Bungalows are cost-efficient because they have lower heating and cooling costs and maintain high property values.

Common key features of a bungalow include:

*   **One story**: Common features of a bungalow include one floor, with 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 [smaller than other home styles](https://www.investopedia.com/amazon-is-selling-tiny-homes-for-cheap-heres-what-you-get-11726975).
*   **Near urban areas**: Bungalows suit those seeking a city-adjacent single-family home with a smaller footprint, offering affordability in high-cost areas.

## Benefits of Choosing a Bungalow 

Bungalows, using more square footage on one floor than multi-story homes, allow for easier modifications and additions. Bungalows offer more privacy because their low height allows trees and fences to easily block windows.

## Challenges and Drawbacks of Bungalow Living  

However, bungalows occupy more land than multi-story homes because they don't extend upward, using more first-floor space. They may cost more per square foot and need 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. Being low to the ground, bungalows are more prone to break-ins, so consider a home security system.

> **Fast Fact**
>
> Popular bungalow styles include California, Chicago, and the chalet. 

## Evolution and 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](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/status-symbol.asp) in both Britain and America.

The term bungalow—a small dwelling, typically one story—developed in the 20th century, 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 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, sloping 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.

## What Is the Difference Between a Bungalow and a House?

A bungalow is a type of home that is typically one story and smaller than the average-sized home. Other types of homes may be larger and have more than one story.

## Where are Bungalows Most Common in the U.S.?

Bungalow homes can be found throughout the U.S. They are often associated with California, but they can be found in any state.

## Why Are Bungalows More Expensive?

If bungalow homes in your area seem more expensive than others, it may be due to several factors. The price of a home is determined by demand, so the bungalow homes that are more expensive per square foot may be in a desirable neighborhood or have desirable features.

## The Bottom Line

Bungalows, often characterized by their single-story design and architectural simplicity, offer several benefits, including affordability and ease of maintenance. They are particularly appealing to aging adults and those with mobility challenges due to their open floor plans and single-level living. However, they can occupy a larger footprint and may have higher per-square-foot costs. Bungalows typically feature dormer windows, verandas, and Craftsman-style architecture. When considering a bungalow, weigh the advantages of cost efficiency and accessibility against potential downsides, such as smaller living spaces and increased vulnerability to break-ins.

> **Article Sources**
>
> 1.  Architectural Review. "[The Origin and Indigenisation of the Imperial Bungalow in India](https://www.architectural-review.com/places/india/the-origin-and-indigenisation-of-the-imperial-bungalow-in-india)."
>     
> 2.  Erika Esau. “[Images of the Pacific Rim: Australia and California, 1850-1935](http://www.esauboeck.com/PacRim_Chapter_4.pdf),” Page 203. Power Institute of Art, University of Sydney, 2010.
>     
> 3.  Chicago Architecture Center. “[Chicago Bungalow](https://www.architecture.org/learn/resources/buildings-of-chicago/building/chicago-bungalow/).”