Soulful Bungalows
Bungalows are making a come back across the country and especially in Charlotte. Many of us have noticed the new construction bungalows popping up across town. It’s no wonder this classic architectural style is popular once again, with loads of character and practicality all in one, bungalows are stylish and have quintessential curb-appeal that beckons home buyers in any market. Originally, architectural methods attributed to what we know as the bungalow were originally developed in India. These homes were traditionally small, one-story and had a wide veranda in the front portion of the house.
In the early 1900s well through the 1920s, the bungalow style caught on across the U.S. and was made popular by mail-order advertisements like the Sears-Roebuck & Company’s Home Builder’s Catalog. Ready-to-build homes were affordable and with just a few alterations for local codes and conditions, the plans could be built using all local (regionally-specific) materials. This was the perfect solution for families who did not have access to large construction companies or builders in their immediate area! Check out the Sears Online Archives for some wonderful advertisements for build-it-yourself, mail-order homes.
As for today, there are many reasons why the bungalow is still a preferred style. For one they have a convenient floor plan featuring a sensible layout with all of the living areas (kitchen, dining, living rooms) located on the main floor. With qualities like lots of windows for lovely natural light, earthy hardwoods, practical, space-saving built-in shelving and bookcases, bungalows are accommodating and classically stylish!
Want to learn more? Check out a list of variations on the Bungalow Style.
Ranch Bungalow – This style of bungalow has all the bedrooms arranged on one side of the home with the kitchen, living, dining and family room on the other side. These homes are small in size and typically only have two bedrooms located near the back of the home.
Raised Bungalows – This style of bungalow has part of the basement above ground so that more light can enter this area of the home. A raised bungalow’s design allows an entry with a higher ceiling and many have the garage located in the basement as a drive-under garage.
Chalet Bungalow – This bungalow layout includes a second story loft, but still keeps all the main living areas on the first floor so it is still classified as a bungalow.
Craftsman Bungalow – Created during the Arts and Crafts movement, this common style includes low-pitch roof lines, a gabled or hipped roof, overhanging eaves and decorative exterior brackets. A covered front porch is another common feature of the Craftsman style. (very popular)
California Bungalow – The California Bungalow was widely popular from 1910 to 1925 and is an 1 1/2 story variation of the traditional bungalow style.
Chicago Bungalow – Another popular variation of the Traditional Bungalow, this style used brick on the exterior, has 1 1/2 stories and a full basement. This style was relatively narrow in width in order to accommodate smaller city lots.
Milwaukee Bungalow – Similar to the Chicago Bungalow, a couple differences between the two styles are this version featured a gable perpendicular to the street and white stucco on the bottom portion of the exterior of the home.
Michigan Bungalow – This Arts and Crafts style bungalow sprang up all over Detroit from 1910 to 1925 and is widely seen in this area still today.
In search of your bungalow home? Search some of these hip listings today!