Top 73+ Awe-inspiring Bungalow House Plan Vintage Most Outstanding In 2023

Art Deco houses emerged in the 1920s, reflecting a new sense of style and modernization with its geometric shapes, chevrons, zigzags, stepped forms, and other modernist motifs. For DIYers looking to embark on a unique house plan, vintage bungalow house plans from the 1920s and modified for modern living offer an array of possibilities. From floor plans to vintage homes and cottage bungalow house plans, these vintage home plans demonstrate a unique sense of character and style.

The pleasing aesthetic of these 1920s home plans is hard to deny. Whether you’re modernizing a vintage house or designing an entirely new-build, these houses feature narrow floor plans that made them popular in urban and suburban areas. There’s also the interesting detailing that Art Deco style can bring to a home.

The beauty of classic bungalow house plans stands the test of time. These homes from the 1920s and beyond feature similar floor plans, including the Union Pacific 541, which is perhaps the quintessential bungalow design. Constructed with wood, they often include an embellished Art Deco front door and a sturdy, wrap-around porch. Many also include a dormer bedroom on the second level and a low pitched roof.

The positive attributes of these house designs wasn’t lost on the twentieth century’s architects and builders, particularly as need for urban living increased. Architects like Cliff May and Paul Revere Williams dedicated their careers to updating vintage bungalow house plans for contemporary living, adding larger floor plans while still preserving many of the traditional details of classic bungalow home plans.

The 1920s Craftsman Bungalow house plans, combined with the influence of Art Deco, offer an intriguing variation of style and design. With Craftsman-style details such as deep, strongly defined eaves, exposed rafters, and walls of windows, the typical bungalow plan can be elongated, creating narrow floor plans and taking up minimal space on a lot. Some plans include a recessed porch set between exposed beams.

Many of these plans include a single story with an Art Deco influence, typically featuring details like built-in cabinetry or corner hutch in the dining room, a small utility room in the back, and a cozy living room with a fireplace and large windows. The bedrooms often have multiple closets and space for several pieces of furniture.

Perfect for solo living in the countryside, or small to mid-size families, the vintage bungalow house design offers comfort, convenience, and efficiency. The floor plans may be updated to feature larger kitchen sizes, smaller bedrooms, and overall open concept living. Keeping the hallways, alcoves, and nooks unique and vintage-style is part of the charm.

When modernizing a classic bungalow plan, bear in mind that the resulting occupancy, which influences the cost of construction, should be lower than the occupancy of a traditional home. A larger footprint often requires additional occupancy in order to conform to building codes and regulations, which can significantly add to the expense.

From San Diego to Maine, vintage bungalow house plans of the 1920s are loved by DIYers and vintage enthusiasts who can explore floor plans and home designs for a unique selection of houses. California and the western states are known for Spanish-style bungalows, with low-pitched tiled roofs and stucco walls in warm earthy colors. And New England and East Coast states are known for their Cape Cod structures, with Dutch colonial doors and windows that open outward.

Colorful, unique, and featuring a mid-century modern aesthetic, these plans offer something distinctively different. From California style shingle houses to updated ranch houses, these vintage home plans present designs that are suited for a wide range of properties and landscaping.

Simple bungalow house plans are an easy way to achieve the classic bungalow look while simultaneously providing updated, welcoming spaces for today’s lifestyle. When searching for a simple vintage bungalow, plan to look at floor plans from multiple eras of design. From postage-stamp-sized 1920s Craftsman plans to more modern designs that expand living spaces to fill the footprint of the land, you can find convenience, comfort, and style.

The cost of construction can be kept to a minimum when the land is already large enough for a larger house. These plans also typically feature updates to plumbing, electrical, and energy-efficiency requirements, making them ideal for those looking to modernize a vintage bungalow home.

Thanks to its smaller footprint, a cottage bungalow style is often seen as an affordable form of construction, both for those looking to build as well as for older homes in need of modernizing. Plus, many simple bungalow house plans feature a cost of construction that suits a budget better than designing and building a larger, two of three-story house. Cottage bungalow style plans are also more likely to feature built-in nooks and crannies, courtyards, and overhang details that rescue each home from monotony.

When carefully preserved, a cottage bungalow house can serve as a unique form of protection in challenging climates. Single-story bungalows may include an Art Deco door, sash windows, and shutters, making them easy to spot in beach communities.

The wrap-around or “L shaped” porch is a Vintage Bungalow feature that decorates the front of the house while providing cover for the door, windows, and side ledge. These porches are popular for both renovated and modern homes. With its subtle wraparound, it allows for a comfortable area for morning coffee and a cozy place to rest the evening away.

The wrap-around porches offer an air of style to the home while providing a sense of security and privacy. Many of these bungalow house plans have either a one or two-story exterior, with large windows for light and open space. Paired with typically quaint front defensive towers, this design adds both industry character and a sense of warmth to many living spaces.

Vintage Bungalow Home Plan designs can feature more than just wrap-around-porches and quaint details specific to Art Deco style. Many of the plans have been updated to include multi-story living, two and three-story homes, and even addition features such as a basement, a bay window, an arched doorway, and more. The update options are vast and offer a modern twist to the vintage plans while keeping true to their traditional roots.

Be sure to consider the design and shape of the home when choosing a home plan. An updated vintage bungalow might feature larger bedrooms, better insulation and energy efficiency, and a larger living space. When updating a plan, ensure that all safety standards, including fire suppression, are met and the square footage is sufficient.

Thanks to its wide front porch, a vintage Craftsman bungalow can achieve an impressive look without the need of added adornment. These wide porches allow for crisp lighting and furniture combinations that exude a subtle elegance, perfect for a home looking for a uniquely vintage touch. With the use of decorative elements such as trellises, light fixtures, columns, or arched posts, it is possible to bring the outdoors in for a truly inviting look.

These wide front porches also allow for spectacular views of the wooded areas in which many Craftsman bungalows are sited. This presents opportunity for an extra level of privacy and connection with the environment that is impossible to replicate. Through proper planning, even a smaller home can achieve a large presence within its environment.