What Is a Bungalow?
People think of bungalows as simple, stylish and charming — but how do you define one?
Characteristics of a bungalow
It’s true that at the most basic level, a bungalow is a one- or one-and-a-half-story single-family home.
But the term bungalow has been adopted by a growing number of designs over the years, and the definition has become more flexible.
If you’re not sure whether a home is a bungalow, here are some of the hallmark features to look out for.
Low profile on a high foundation
Bungalows feature a long, low profile and a high foundation, which typically requires front steps for entry. The original purpose of this design choice was to fit all of the living space in the house on the main floor, which simplifies the building process and makes it easier to install utilities.
Low-pitched roof
A low-pitched roof is another standard characteristic of bungalows, and helps contribute to the low profile mentioned above. The roof on a bungalow can be gabled or hipped, and usually features deep eaves. Many bungalow roofs also have exposed rafters, which are mainly for decorative purposes.
Open floor plan
Moving inside, a defining interior characteristic of a bungalow is an open floor plan. The front door typically opens up into the main living room, and most bungalows do not contain a formal parlor or sitting room.
Built-in design elements
Bungalows often feature built-ins like cabinetry as decorative accents. Many bungalow homes also contain a sizable fireplace flanked by these built-in elements — usually shelves or bookcases.
A large front porch
One of the most attractive and recognizable features of most bungalow types is a large front porch. The big porch provides more living space to help offset the bungalow’s limited square footage, and extends the open floor plan of the home into the outdoors.
Advantages of bungalows
Although bungalows may not be as spacious as some other types of homes, their compact size does come with several advantages.
More privacy
Due to their low profile, bungalows make it easy to shield the windows from prying eyes with a few strategically placed plants or shrubs. The small footprint of a bungalow also provides more space along the sides of the house compared to other styles of home, and that allows for more breathing room between neighbors.
More manageable for older occupants
Since most bungalows contain all of the living space on a single floor, they’re an ideal option for older occupants who may have mobility issues. There are few (if any) stairs to navigate, and private areas of the home like bedrooms and bathrooms are typically located close together, making for easy access.
Great for kids
As with older adults, children can often have trouble navigating stairs. The single-story layout of a bungalow reduces the risk of falls, and the open floor plan lets children who are still learning to walk move around the house more freely.
Potential for expansion
Since bungalows are typically situated on large lots, there is often room to expand the house if more space is required. As your family grows, you can add on additional bedrooms or living areas to accommodate your needs.
Excellent resale value
Because they’re small and efficient, bungalows are always in high demand: They’re perfect for new families buying their first starter home, as well as older couples who have decided to downsize.
Disadvantages of bungalows
As with most things in life, bungalows have a few disadvantages, in addition to the advantages.
They can be hard to buy
Thanks to their steady popularity, finding a bungalow for a decent price can sometimes be tricky. Since they’re in such high demand, bungalows often get snatched up off the market right away. In order to lock one down, you might need to make an offer that’s higher than the original asking price.
More expensive per square foot
Another disadvantage of bungalows is that they tend to have a higher cost per square foot than a small two-story home. Since all of the rooms are usually located on one floor, the footprint of a bungalow tends to be bigger. A larger footprint requires the home’s roofing materials to cover more real estate, which can be costly when the time comes to repair or replace the roof.
They can feel cramped
As your family grows, the compact size of a bungalow can sometimes be a challenge. Since all of the bedrooms are usually close together — and close to the bathroom — noise can become an issue as the number of inhabitants increases, particularly for anyone who’s a light sleeper.
Security issues
Although the low-profile of a bungalow is commonly seen as an advantage, for residents concerned about security issues it may be less of a pro and more of a con. Some people can feel nervous about having a bedroom at street level, especially if they’re inclined to sleep with the window open.
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