Definition of Bungalow House Style

Bungalow house style is generally defined as a small or medium sized home built in the United States between 1900 and 1950. Some architects and designers classify bungalow-style homes from the exterior architectural details, such as a low pitched roof and large porch. Still others define a bungalow as a practical home offers an open floor plan and space efficiency.

Origins

Most architects agree that bungalow house style has its roots in 19th-century India. Small, native farmhouses, listed as a “Bangla,” captured the imagination of British officers stationed in India during that time. The British changed the style and size of these modest homes to suit their own needs and found that the simple, airy architecture suitable for hot climates. Bungalows soon became a popular and fashionable home style for Europeans living in tropical colonies.

A bungalow house style is typically a one-story or one and a half story home. Most show a gabled, low pitched roof, a wide porch and large columns supporting an expanded main roof. Double hung windows are common, with several boxes in the upper window and a single pane of glass below. Dormers, deep eaves and exposed beams are other distinguishing characteristics. The exterior siding varies by region. Stucco, for example, is common in California-style bungalows. Others include brick siding, shingles or lap siding.