Bungalow House Design: Less is More

Many of today’s home buyers are turning their backs on larger homes in favour of smaller, more affordable options. But opting for smaller square footage doesn’t mean lowered expectations. Buyers still expect to get the most bang for their buck possible when it comes to a home’s functionality, appearance, and features.

The solution? Modern bungalow design.

The roots of bungalow design lie in the Indian province of Bengal. A single-storey house design found there served as the inspiration for the first bungalows on this continent. The identity of the first person to design a bungalow in North America is debatable, but whoever it was sparked a phenomenon. Attractive, well-built homes tended to be out of reach for the average citizen. The introduction of the bungalow meant that was about to change.

Some Advantages
It wasn’t long before entire neighbourhoods became showcases for bungalow design. New bungalow design choices cropped up in different regions, resulting in many different styles. Common variations include raised, ranch, and chalet. One of the most popular bungalow designs to this day is the craftsman bungalow design. These homes are characterized by a careful blending of quality materials and construction. Stone fireplaces and generous porch areas are typical, creating a cozy, friendly setting.

Bungalow home designs have some distinct advantages. For one thing, containing living space within one or 1.5 storeys provides a level of convenience absent from 2-storey homes. Bungalows are also well suited for people with physical disabilities or limited mobility. Then there’s the efficiency factor; bungalow home design is geared toward rooms that flow into each other without long connecting hallways.

The external appeal of bungalows also sets them apart from their taller cousins. Every bungalow house design is characterized by a low profile, a feature that contributes to blending with surroundings rather than jutting out. This is how bungalows retain their visual appeal in virtually any geographic setting, from ocean to prairie. Bungalows have the added benefit that main-storey windows are easy to shield with shrubs or smaller trees for privacy, unlike windows on higher floors.

Despite their modest appearances, bungalows do have a controversial side. “Bungalow” is often synonymous with “single-storey home”. This rankles bungalow purists, who believe that authentic bungalows have to incorporate features such as a front porch. Semantics aside, it’s safe to say that the best bungalow designs aren’t based on a cookbook approach.

There’s no question that the bungalow is a beloved part of our culture, but the love affair between home buyers and bungalows has had its ups and downs.

Older bungalow house designs fell out of favour with some segments of the buyer market as larger bedrooms and multiple bathrooms—features not included in such designs—became commonplace.

The small kitchens found in many older models became a liability for families who wanted to use the space to socialize and entertain.

Bungalow design has evolved over time, blending classic features with modern must-haves. Builders now have a wide range of bungalow architectural designs to choose from. From traditional to innovative, the design of bungalows can be used to create a personality for a neighbourhood or planned community.

From Humble Bungalow to Modern Home
Bungalow exterior design has also kept up with the shifting preferences of homeowners. Newer models are free of outdated external details. Some designs incorporate features of the setting, such as wood or stone native to the area, adding to the home’s visual appeal.

Thanks in part to the variety of bungalow design plans that are now available, buyers who would have once gone straight to larger house styles are having a serious look. The humble bungalow has grown into a versatile, modern home without losing its charm, guaranteeing that this popular fixture on the real estate scene will be around for a very long time.

Kathy Evans is the author and Owner of DesignerPlans.ca - Designer Plans Inc. was founded in 2006 to meet the growing needs of home builders in today’s lucrative building market.

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Other articles of Interest

• Learn about Bungalow House Plans. Bungalow house plans are quickly returning as a desired home style. Bungalow house plans originally came from western areas of the United States but quickly drew interest from southern and northern area families
• Learn about exterior construction materials. As far as exterior finishing goes, the siding material that you choose is one of the biggest decisions you will have to make.