Craftsman Bungalow

The American bungalow is typically a snug residence with one story or one and a half stories. A bungalows has a wide overhanging roof and a deep porch.

The word bungalow originated in the 18th century in the Indian province of Bengal when small, one-story bangla houses were built to house British colonial authorities.

In the United States the Craftsman bungalow style was refined by the arts and crafts movement with intricate woodwork and handcrafted details. Bungalows were built in many style - Mission, Tudor, Prairie Pueblo, Chicago and Cape Cod - among others - but the Craftsman bungalow is said to be the most popular.

Distinctive features of a bungalow are:

One and a half stories with a horizontal emphasis
Most of the living spaces on the ground floor
Low-pitched, gabled roof facing the street
Wood, stone, or stucco siding
Porch with tapered posts
Wide window openings with grouped windows
Dominant fireplace and exterior chimney
Living room at the center
Connecting rooms without hallways
Built-in furniture and lighting
Beamed ceilings
Dark wood wainscoting and moldings