Bungalow facts for kids

A bungalow is a type of house that is usually just one story tall, or sometimes has a second story built into a sloped roof. They often have a wide, open porch called a veranda. Bungalows first became popular in the Bengal region of South Asia, but you can find them all over the world today. The word "bungalow" actually means different things in different countries!

A bungalow home in Houston, Texas

What is a Bungalow?

A bungalow is a house that is usually low to the ground. It might have only one floor, or it could have a second floor built right into the roof. This second floor often has special windows called dormer windows that stick out from the roof. Many bungalows also feature a large, covered porch, which is a great place to relax outdoors.

Where Did Bungalows Come From?

The idea of the bungalow started in the Bengal region of South Asia. This area is now split between Bangladesh and India. The word "bungalow" comes from the Hindi word "bangla," which means "belonging to Bengal." These early homes were often simple, one-story buildings with wide verandas, designed to stay cool in warm climates.

Bungalows Around the World

Over time, the bungalow style spread to many other parts of the world. Each country adapted the design to fit its own needs and styles.

Bungalows in North America and the UK

In North America and the United Kingdom, a bungalow is usually a detached house. This means it stands on its own, not connected to other houses. Many bungalows in cities like Chicago and Houston are good examples. They are either single-story or have that "one-and-a-half" story design with dormer windows.

Bungalows in Australia

In Australia, a specific type of bungalow became very popular after the First World War. This was the California bungalow, which came from the United States. These homes often had a strong, solid look with natural materials.

Images for kids

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  Rows of bungalows in the Belmont-Hillsboro neighborhood of Nashville, Tennessee, United States

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  Colonial-era style Bungalow in Allahabad, India

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  A California bungalow-inspired style house in the Sydney suburb of Lindfield

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  A modern Indian bungalow in an affluent area near Bangalore, India.

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  The Manale Tea Bungalow, one of the oldest bungalows in Kerala, India.

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  A typical small bungalow near Moville, Donegal in Ireland.

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  Kanzlerbungalow by Sep Ruf, from 1964 to 1999 the residence of the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany in Bonn.

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  "Moonlight" bungalow (now known as the Jim Thompson cottage) is a mock Tudor-styled mansion located in the Cameron Highlands, Pahang, Malaysia. The pre-war house is still a draw for the many who have had an interest in the mysterious disappearance of Jim Thompson in the Cameron Highlands.

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  A heritage bungalow located in the heart of Singapore’s civic district. Today, the bungalow serves as part of an “urban plaza” where upmarket furnishings from Europe and America are promoted.

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  Bungalow in Britain

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  The Harriet Phillips Bungalow, an American Craftsman Bungalow in Claverack, New York

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  California Bungalow

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  A 1925 Chicago bungalow

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  Tourist water villas in French Polynesia

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  Ranch bungalow in Palo Alto, California, United States

See also

In Spanish: Bungaló para niños