The style, often called the California Bungalow, was most popular between 1900 and 1920 and evolved into the Craftsman movement. An offshoot, the Chicago Bungalow, appeared in the Midwest, also in the early part of the century. It’s characterized by few material details, an offset entryway, and a projecting bay on the facade.

An offshoot of the Arts and Crafts movement, bungalow designs emphasize a horizontal link between the house and the land around it. The use of natural, local materials and colors also reinforce this home-earth relationship. Overall, bungalows project a picturesque and homey feeling, both artistic and practical at the same time.

Bungalow homes have these features:
-One or one-and-a-half stories.
-Low, sloping roof either gabled (front or side) or hipped, often with wide overhangs.
-Exposed roof structure (beams, rafters).
-Exterior proportions balanced rather than symmetrical in arrangement.
-Modest front porch.
-A front stoop is a common element.
-Focus on a garden, even if small.
-Open, informal floor plan.
-Prominent hearth.
-Wood details inside.
-Built-in furniture is common throughout the house.