When looking at bungalows for sale in your area, it’s important to consider everything you’ll need from the property. Buying a home is a big investment, so it’s worth doing your research to find the best fit for you and your budget.
Bungalows are highly sought after and their prices often reflect this. Consider how the living space will work for you and whether it provides everything you need.
Understanding the appeal of bungalows
Bungalows have many benefits, one of which is the privacy that they enjoy. Bungalows tend to have bigger plots of land around them than houses, and this creates a good amount of privacy. As bungalows are single-storey and they tend to be built in the same area, they tend not to be overlooked either.
Fewer bungalows are being built by developers, but the demand for bungalows is still very high. This means that they’re a great investment as they hold their value well.
As fewer bungalows are being built, they’ve developed something of a timeless charm about them. The large outdoor areas are highly sought after, and the homes themselves can be more affordable to heat and maintain than multi-storey properties. Additionally, many people are adapting them to create modern, open-plan living areas.
Bungalows appeal to a wide range of age groups. They’re great for families with young children as there are no stairs, and it’s easy to keep an eye on little ones. This is also a benefit later in life, as single-storey living is much more accessible if you develop mobility issues etc.
Think about everything you need to know about buying a bungalow before investing. To get you started, we’ve highlighted our top 10 features of a bungalow below.
Top 10 bungalow features
Single-storey convenience
One of the best things about living in a bungalow is having everything on one level. There’s no need to go up and down stairs to use the bathroom or to grab something you’ve forgotten. This is really useful later in life, when mobility issues may develop, but it’s also really useful for people with young children. It’s easier to keep an eye on little ones if you’re all on one level, and you don’t have the hazard of the stairs to deal with.
Bungalow architecture based on open-plan living is even better for convenience, and it’s a great way to maximise your use of space. Heating and maintenance costs are much lower in a single-storey home, and cleaning is easier and takes up less of your time.
Open floor plans
Open-plan living continues to be popular, and it’s easy to achieve this when you buy a bungalow. There are fewer supporting walls so changing the layout of the interior is much easier than within a multi-storey house. Also, as bungalows tend to have larger gardens, there’s more opportunity to extend the property to give you more internal space. You could develop a large open-plan kitchen, for example.
Open floor living is much easier for people with mobility issues too, as it keeps areas easily accessible and much safer to navigate.
Low pitched roofs
Look out for low-pitched roofs when viewing bungalows for sale. They look great, provide resistance to stormy weather, and are relatively energy efficient. Your bungalow will maintain great curb appeal and the low pitch of the roof also means that sunlight won’t be blocked from your garden space.
Maintaining the roof and gutters is much easier, and therefore more affordable, when you have a low-pitched roof on a bungalow. This is because they’re much easier to access and they’re built with fewer materials than the higher pitched roofs of taller buildings.
Skylights and expansive windows
If you’re looking at detached bungalows for sale near you, keep an eye out for ones with fitted skylights. Skylights are one of the best features of a bungalow for bringing in a lot of natural light. This makes the space feel bigger and also adds a modern touch of style to the property.
Another way people increase natural light is by fitting expansive windows. Large windows can open up the space and let the outdoors in, especially if the bungalow has a big garden. Large windows can modernise bungalows, and create a much more spacious, natural feel.
Cosy nooks and alcoves
If you prefer a more cosy feel to your home, then bungalows can be great for this too. They’re typically on the smaller side compared to the average house, and you can lean into this with your layout and decoration when you move in.
Keep an eye out for nooks and alcoves when looking at bungalows for sale. Nooks can be developed into cosy reading corners, and alcoves can show off your favourite pictures etc. Good use of lighting can help to create some beautiful cosy areas within your home so pay attention to this when looking at properties to buy.
Another benefit of cosy, smaller spaces is that they’re incredibly efficient for heating and lighting needs etc. so your bills will be lower than for the average house.
Built-in storage solutions
A great way to make the most of your space in a bungalow is to use built-in storage. If that’s already in place then it will save you time and money installing it. Built-in storage hides clutter that you don’t want out in the open and it provides more space in your rooms, making them feel bigger and more open.
Fireplaces and hearths
Some bungalows come with a traditional fireplace and hearth, and this can really enhance the cosy vibe of a home. The sound and feel of a real fire can help with relaxation, and it provides a beautiful focal point to the room. Not only that, but it can also keep the costs of heating your home down, as you’ll need the heating less when using a fire. Fireplaces are also really useful if there’s a power cut in the winter months.
Functional layout and use of space
When looking at bungalows for sale, make sure that the layout will work for your needs. As bungalows tend to have a smaller overall area, the use of space is really important. Open floor plans are a great way to combine cooking and dining spaces, and they can sometimes incorporate living rooms too. Bungalows with too many hallways tend to feel warren-like and aren’t very accessible. However, if you have extra money to invest, you could look at renovating the inside space after buying your home.
Efficient kitchen plans
Kitchens tend to be busy, well-used rooms within the home, so when you’re viewing bungalows it’s important to give the kitchen space a lot of consideration. Does the layout work for you? Can it fit everyone in at once, or will you be bumping into each other? Bungalows can have smaller kitchens, or they may have a larger, open-plan space that combines dining areas or sofas etc. When buying your bungalow make sure the kitchen is well laid out and accessible. Or think about whether you can afford to make some tweaks (or a redesign) to it going forward.
Spacious bedrooms and bathrooms
Some bungalows are well-designed so that they have spacious bedrooms and bathrooms, which is a big plus. With everything being on the same level, some people find that they use their bedrooms much more than they would otherwise. With clever storage solutions, you can keep the spacious feel of your bedroom and bathroom so that they’re truly relaxing spaces to enjoy.
FAQs about bungalows
How does a bungalow differ from a cottage?
Bungalows are usually single-storey, detached homes, whilst cottages can have one or two floors. Cottages can be detached, or terraced, and they tend to be older, more traditional homes that are often found in rural settings.
Are bungalows more expensive than multi-storey homes?
Bungalows can be more expensive than multi-storey homes, but this is dependent on where they’re located and what the local property market is like. Bungalows tend to have larger plots and more privacy, which are highly sought-after features in a home. Also, there are fewer of them available on the market, so the price can be affected by the lack of supply compared to the demand for them.
What are the benefits of living in a bungalow?
Bungalows generally provide a lot of privacy as the neighbouring homes tend to be further away due to the larger plots that they’re built on. Single-storey living has many benefits for people with small children or mobility issues, and it’s a convenient way to live, with everything nearby. Cleaning and maintenance tend to be easier and the costs for this, and for heating, are kept lower due to the smaller space.
Is a bungalow a good option for living into old age?
Bungalows have traditionally been thought of as homes for older people because they’re so much easier to manage, clean and maintain.
Everything is close and on a single level, so it’s much easier for older people to access the bathroom and the bedrooms as they don’t have to climb the stairs to the first floor. The lack of stairs is a big benefit, as it reduces the risk of slips and falls; stairs can get harder to manage as we get older.
Can bungalows be energy efficient?
Bungalows can be energy efficient, but it’s important to check certain factors as it’s not always the case. It depends on the design of the building, whether it’s well insulated, and whether the windows are double-glazed etc. It’s certainly possible to improve the energy efficiency of a bungalow by addressing factors like these.
What should I consider when buying a bungalow?
When looking at the latest detached bungalows for sale near you, consider the layout of each one, and how that will work for you. Consider the location, how much privacy the property has, how energy efficient it is, and what the parking options are. Make a budget for any updates or improvements you might want to make to the property, to see whether it would be affordable for you.
Are there modern styles of bungalows?
Yes, there are many modern bungalows, including some with large front porches to enjoy. Whilst the number of bungalows being built has decreased, there are still some being created every year, and there are some very sleek and elegant styles out there.
Browse through the latest bungalows for sale near you to see the variety available at the moment. Get in touch with us if you’d like to view any of them or if you have any questions.
