UPDATED: May 3, 2023
So, you’re thinking of buying a house, how exciting! When you’re poring over the listings of homes for sale, you’ll likely come across several different popular house styles, each offering a unique aesthetic, size and function.
If you’re looking for a quaint, single-family home with simple, turn-of-the-century architecture, a bungalow may be the perfect option.
A bungalow house is a one-story, single-family home, typically square in shape and generally small in square footage. It may have a second or half story built into the roof. These quaint houses are affordable options for first-time home buyers, young families looking for a starter home, seniors and people with mobility issues.
While the American bungalow was seen as a simpler style than the ornate Victorian homes that were popular before, the home still has unique characteristics compared to other styles of homes. These features are important to consider in case you’re deciding whether to buy or build a bungalow.
Here are some common characteristics of the bungalow home:
While the bungalow exploded in popularity in the U.S. in the early 1900s, it originated from South Asia, specifically the Bengal region, in the early 1600s. In fact, the name is derived from the Hindi word “bangla,” meaning “of or belonging to Bengal.”
During that time, early European sailors drew inspiration from thatched huts of Bengali farmers, modifying the style into a quick-build structure that provided shade and refuge from the country’s hot sun and sweltering climate.
As European travelers made their way back from India, they brought their love for the bungalow style with them. In 1869, the first bungalow was built in the U.K.
In the 1890s, the style came to the United States. While originally built for more vacation-style retreats in California, the bungalow would become the dominant architectural style in America for the next 40 years during what’s known as the Arts and Crafts movement, which emphasized handcrafting with natural materials. Around this time, Sears (yes, that Sears) and the Aladdin Company offered bungalow home kits in their catalogs. Once a kit was ordered, all the materials you needed would ship to your town by train to be built by local craftsmen, per the building instructions sent with the kit.
By 1930, the bungalow trend had died down and very few homes of this style were built after that decade.
The American bungalow has several variations, including:
Like all homes, there are advantages and disadvantages that are specific to this housing choice. Let’s look at a few pros and cons to help you consider if a bungalow is the right fit for you.
The pros of these bungalows include:
Like all things good, there are cons associated with bungalow houses including:
Bungalow homes are simple reminders of the Arts and Crafts movement in the U.S. and the fulfillment of the American dream of owning a home in the early 20th century. These quaint houses have a layout and structure that can make them the ideal home for first-time buyers, young families, seniors, those looking to downsize or those with mobility issues.
If you’re ready to purchase your dream bungalow, take a moment to get connected with a Rocket Homes℠ Verified Partner Agent who will help you achieve your home buying goals.
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