Bungalow

A bungalow is a small, typically single-family house with a low profile, broad eaves, and a prominent veranda or porch. The design emphasizes horizontal lines, open interior spaces, and a close relationship between indoors and outdoors. Common features include a single-story or one-and-a-half-story layout, a low-pitched roof, a wide verandah, built-in cabinetry, and the use of natural materials such as wood and brick.

The term originates from the Hindi-Urdu word bangla or Bengali bangalo meaning a Bengal house; it entered the English language in the 19th century to describe modest, semi-detached or compact houses in colonial India and elsewhere in the British Empire.

In India and other tropical regions, bungalows were typically constructed with verandahs for shade and cross-ventilation, elevated foundations and courtyards. In North America and Europe, the term was adopted in the early 20th century to describe a distinct style associated with the American Craftsman and California bungalow movements, characterized by exposed rafter tails, built-in furniture, a front porch, and an emphasis on simple, artisanal design.

Regional variations include the Australia Queenslander, a timber house on stumps with wide verandas, and the American Craftsman bungalow, often one or one-and-a-half stories.

Modern usage often refers to modest, single-family suburban houses, though the term can apply to two-story or multi-unit dwellings in some regions.