Bungalow Style

After the fussy, parsed spaces of the Victorian house, the bungalow was an architectural revolution. Dealers in bungalow kits like Sears made professionally-designed homes widely available. Sophisticated design, the integrity of natural materials, and an easygoing style were the driving forces behind the movement.

Like the Arts and Crafts and Mission schools that influenced it, Bungalow style emphasizes artisanship, local materials, and rustic detail. Everything feels intentionally made—built-ins that look as if they grew out of the house, honest joinery, and wood left warm and visible rather than hidden under glossy finishes. Asian influences are common, particularly in the California bungalows of Greene and Greene, where delicately proportioned beams, lattice-like screens, and quiet, horizontal lines echo Japanese and Chinese traditions without ever becoming fussy.

Informality and openness are key features of the interior space. Rooms flow into one another, linked by wide cased openings, low bookcases, and half walls that define space without closing it off. Many bungalows replace the formal dining room with a breakfast nook—tucked into a bay window or beside the kitchen—often with a built-in bench, a sturdy table, and art-glass windows that turn morning light into color. There is usually no front hall, and instead of a long corridor, you step directly into the life of the house. The rough stone or brick fireplace provides the focus for the living space, anchoring the room with a broad hearth, substantial wood trim, and the quiet sense that the best conversations happen right here.

Today’s bungalows continue a living, eclectic design tradition—one that evolves gently without losing sight of its origins. Wall sconces cast a warm, domestic glow, while art glass and carefully placed stenciled decoration draw attention to the craftsmanship already present in the architecture. These details do not compete with the structure; they reveal it, highlighting wainscoting worn smooth by time, box-beam ceilings that emphasize the home’s horizontal lines, and wide wood moldings that frame the fireplace like a piece of functional sculpture.

The palette remains restrained and grounded. Quiet greens, soft creams, and muted mustard tones create a calm backdrop that allows natural materials to speak for themselves. Wood, stone, terra cotta, and brick are not treated as accents but as essential elements of the design. Abundant natural light and the thoughtful treatment of the garden as an “exterior room” dissolve the boundary between inside and out, extending the living space onto porches, patios, and shaded corners of the yard. Craft is made visible everywhere—in mortise-and-tenon furniture, hand-hammered copper fixtures, and built-in benches and bookcases that feel permanent, useful, and quietly beautiful.

Step-by-step Tutorial

Parchment colorwash

The Parchment colorwash. Creating the impression of aged walls, the Parchment finish evokes a feeling of history and old world charm. The color density varies over the finished surface and creates appearances of lightly mottled parchment. A soft and airy finish, the Parchment glaze is an ideal way to create mood and character in any room. I’ve found it to be an ideal solution for finishing irregular or textured wall surfaces.

Cabinets

Built-in shelves, bookcases, and hutches are classic Bungalow hallmarks, designed to feel permanent, practical, and beautifully integrated into the architecture rather than “added on” later. Look for honest craftsmanship in the details—mullioned cabinet doors, gently beveled glass, and simple wood hardware that emphasizes structure over ornament. Material choices often reflect regional traditions: California Bungalows frequently feature warm, straight-grained redwood, while Midwestern and East Coast Craftsman homes more commonly highlight oak with a slightly heavier, sturdier presence.

Fireplaces

A Bungalow fireplace is typically built from stone or brick and becomes the visual anchor of the main living space, grounding the room with texture, warmth, and handmade character. Many designs include wide wood trim or substantial side moldings, a sturdy mantel shelf above, and sometimes a beveled-glass mirror that reflects light and expands the sense of space. Decorative tile is often used as an accent around the firebox—crafted borders, earthy glazes, and Arts & Crafts motifs that add color while still feeling natural and restrained. Over the mantel, you may find a rustic landscape painting or a panel of scenic tiles, reinforcing the Bungalow love of nature-inspired imagery and cozy, lived-in comfort.

Furniture

Furniture in Bungalow interiors tends to be functional, sturdy, and inviting, often including built-in benches and breakfast nooks that encourage everyday gathering and conversation. Wood pieces commonly emphasize traditional joinery—mortise-and-tenon construction, visible pegs, and straightforward lines that celebrate craftsmanship rather than hiding it. Rich woods like mahogany may appear in more refined interiors, sometimes paired with tactile accents such as inlaid tiles or small panels of green marble that add a subtle note of color and handcrafted artistry.

Lighting

Lighting is typically warm and artisan-made in spirit, with Craftsman-style sconces or fixtures often placed on either side of the mantel to frame the fireplace and create a soft, welcoming glow. Prairie-style lamps—frequently featuring leaded glass panels and a brass or bronze base—bring geometric structure and a gentle stained-glass shimmer to reading corners and side tables. In cozy inglenooks and intimate seating areas, simple hanging globe fixtures are especially appropriate, offering clean shapes that feel period-correct and pleasantly understated. Accessories like hand-hammered copper candlesticks reinforce the Arts & Crafts preference for natural materials and handworked surfaces that age beautifully over time.

Windows

Bungalow rooms are known for generous natural light, so windows are often plentiful and thoughtfully arranged to brighten interiors throughout the day. Many feature multi-paned designs, commonly with larger lower panes for clear outward views and smaller upper panes that add pattern, rhythm, and a distinctly Craftsman profile. Stained-glass accents—often using Arts & Crafts motifs like stylized florals, simple geometry, or nature-inspired patterns—can be incorporated in transoms or upper sections to add color while still preserving privacy.

Floors

Flooring choices typically emphasize durability and natural texture, with wood as the primary option, complemented by tile or stone in entryways, hearth areas, and other high-use zones.

Ceilings

Ceilings often showcase exposed beams or subtle wood detailing, and in some homes you’ll find rustic log accents that enhance the handcrafted, cabin-like warmth that many Bungalow interiors aim to convey.

Walls

Wall finishes frequently include wainscoting or other wood paneling to add structure and protect high-traffic areas, sometimes paired with stenciling to introduce quiet pattern and historical character. Color palettes tend to stay grounded and earthy—muted creams, soft yellows, and gentle sage tones—creating a calm backdrop for warm woods and handmade furnishings. In some designs, materials like fieldstone or brick are used as accents to add rugged texture and reinforce the Bungalow connection to natural, locally rooted materials.