Understanding Bungalow
The bungalow gets its name from the Hindi word "bangla," referring to houses built in the Bengal style — low, single-story structures with wide verandas suited to the hot climate. British colonists adapted the form and brought it to the West. In America, the bungalow movement peaked between 1900 and 1930, driven by the Arts and Crafts movement's emphasis on handcraftsmanship, natural materials, and simple living. The Craftsman bungalow, popularized by architects Gustav Stickley and Greene & Greene, became the defining American version with its tapered porch columns on stone piers, exposed rafter tails, built-in cabinetry, and extensive use of natural wood. Bungalows were democratic architecture — affordable, beautiful, and available through mail-order catalogs from companies like Sears, Roebuck and Aladdin. Today, bungalow neighborhoods are cherished for their walkability, human scale, and architectural character.
Bungalow in Interior Design
Bungalow interiors celebrate craftsmanship and natural materials. Original Craftsman bungalows feature built-in bookcases, window seats, plate rails, wainscoting, and inglenook fireplaces — architectural details that modern homeowners prize. The open floor plan (revolutionary for its era) typically flows from a front living room through a dining room to a kitchen, with bedrooms tucked to the side. Interior woodwork — often Douglas fir, quarter-sawn oak, or redwood — was traditionally stained rather than painted, creating warm, rich interiors. Modern bungalow renovations balance preserving original character (keeping built-ins, restoring woodwork, maintaining proportions) with updating kitchens and bathrooms. Design styles that complement bungalow architecture include Craftsman, farmhouse, Arts and Crafts, and modern organic.
