Craftsman Bungalow floor plans offer a classic architectural style that has remained popular for over a century. The unique appeal Craftsman Bungalow homes offer lies in their simple, functional design, quality craftsmanship, and connection to nature.
This is done through the perfect pairing of the Craftsman architecture—which features low-pitched rooflines; large, covered front porches; exposed wooden beams in the ceilings; and built-in furniture such as bookcases, benches, and cabinetry—with Bungalow-style homes. Bungalow homes are smaller than the average American home and frequently only a single story, allowing home builders to focus an ample amount of time and attention on every Craftsman detail.
Before diving into the details of designing Craftsman Bungalow floor plans, let’s be clear on what exactly it is. A Craftsman Bungalow is a small, one to one-and-a-half-story house that originated in the early 20th century as a reaction to the overly ornate Victorian architectural style. It’s characterized by its low-pitched, gabled roof, broad eaves with exposed rafters, and a front porch supported by thick, tapered columns. Craftsman Bungalow house plans highlight the use of natural materials, like stone, brick, and wood, and highlight the skills of the craftspeople who built the house.
Is there a difference between these two terms? While they’re often used interchangeably, there is a subtle distinction between Craftsman and Craftsman Bungalow styles. A Craftsman house is a broader category that covers a variety of house styles, including Bungalows, all of which share common design elements such as natural materials, exposed rafters, and a strong connection to nature.
The Craftsman Bungalow is a specific type of Craftsman house, characterized by its smaller size, single or one-and-a-half-story design, and prominent front porch.
Now that you know a Craftsman Bungalow is a subset of the Craftsman architectural style, did you know there were further subsets of those Bungalows? When you’re looking at floor plans, there are several types of Craftsman Bungalow layouts you can consider, each with its own unique features:
This is the most common type, characterized by a low-pitched roof, wide eaves, exposed rafters, and a front porch supported by tapered square columns. The exterior typically features natural materials like wood, stone, or brick.
This subtype originated in California and quickly spread across the country. It’s like the Classic Craftsman but usually has a more modest size and a simpler design, with a focus on indoor-outdoor living spaces.
Found predominantly in Chicago and the Midwest, this variation is characterized by a brick exterior, a low-pitched roof, and a full or partial-width front porch. It often has a more compact and narrower layout to fit within the city’s lot sizes.
This subtype gets its name from the small second-story “pop-up” room, which resembles an airplane cockpit. The additional room often serves as a bedroom or office and has windows on all sides, providing ample natural light and views.
Inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s Prairie School of Architecture, this type emphasizes horizontal lines and a strong connection with the landscape. It often features low-pitched roofs, wide eaves, and long bands of windows.
Of course, while each of those subsets of Craftsman Bungalow house plans has its own style, there are some architectural elements that are standard in virtually all Bungalow homes. Some of the unique features of these houses include:
While most people often associate Bungalows with a quaint, uncomplicated way of living, Bungalows have quite a few advantages for homeowners that they may not consider right off the bat. Here are a handful of the highlights of building a Bungalow that may not be immediately obvious:
Bungalows are typically single-story homes or have a partial second story, making them suitable for individuals who prefer living on one level. This feature allows for easy access to all areas of the home, both indoors and outdoors, and is especially helpful for seniors, people with mobility issues, or families with young children, as it eliminates the need for climbing stairs.
Craftsman Bungalows often feature open floor plans that create a more spacious, airy, and bright interior. This design promotes better air circulation and allows for flexible use of space, making it easier to customize the layout to meet the needs of the occupants. Additionally, the smaller size and open-air design of bungalows make them easier to maintain, both in terms of cleaning and upkeep. There is less exterior surface area to maintain, and tasks like painting or repairing the roof can be more manageable.
Bungalows are known for their strong connection with the surrounding environment. They often have large windows, porches, and patios, which allow residents to enjoy the outdoors and facilitate indoor-outdoor living. They also frequently have unique architectural details and quality, such as exposed wood beams, built-in cabinetry, and custom woodwork, which add character and charm to the home.
Bungalows are often more affordable than larger, multi-story homes. They usually require less square footage and fewer building materials, which results in lower construction costs. Additionally, their smaller footprint may lead to reduced utility costs and property taxes.
While the ideal layout for a Bungalow will vary depending on individual needs and preferences, there are some general guidelines to consider when choosing a Craftsman Bungalow floor plan. Here are several design suggestions:
The timeless appeal of the Craftsman Bungalow lies in its simple, functional design, attention to quality, and connection to nature. By understanding the unique features of this architectural style and considering the guidelines for an ideal layout, you can build a beautiful, timeless living space that reflects the enduring charm of the Craftsman Bungalow.
If you’re ready to stop reading and start browsing actual Craftsman Bungalow floor plans, America’s Best House Plans has thousands of designs ready to be built. Use our filters to narrow down your selections to see exactly what you want, whether you need an extra room for an office, or plan on having a basement. If you need any assistance with your modification choices, our customer service team is always here to help; feel free to contact us.
Our "go to guy" and company expert, Brandon is the visionary and dreamer of all we do here at America's Best House Plans. He manages quality assurance, audits existing processes for maximum effectiveness, and develops strategies to increase productivity and efficiency. With over 15 years experience in the home design industry, Brandon has a hand in every aspect of the day-to-day operations of our company, in addition to ensuring an unparalleled level of service to our customers.
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