Comments on: what is the difference between a "cottage" and a "bungalow"?

By: richard d

richard d — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:59:59 +0000

A cottage refers to a small house, usually with a porch. A bungalow is also small but usually refers to a house with a four-sided roof. These are not hard and fast rules.
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By: Erik H

Erik H — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:33:59 +0000

North American perspective:
There is a good degree of overlap but some distinctions. A bungalow is usually from the 1870-1930 period. It would have a general horizontal feeling to it, would almost always have a covered porch and overhanging roof as a major design element. It would feature natural, native, low-tech material choices.
A cottage I think of perhaps as a bit smaller, perhaps part of an older tradition for its location. Example: a rural 16th century small house in England or Ireland could be a cottage but never a bungalow. A cottage could be in the 1950s modernist style, for example but a bungalow could not. Any home built in the 30 years could not be a bungalow, unless it strongly referenced the architecture of the pre-1930 period. Bacically: Bungalow is a style, Cottage is a detached smaller home of many, if not any, styles.
Note: in 19th and early 20th century usage, "cottage" was often used as a synonym for "rental house" or a smaller house on the same grounds as a larger one (example: guest house) of any size.
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long time historic preservationist.

By: Aries25m

Aries25m — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:50:59 +0000

I live in a cottage now and it's only big enough for one person, or possibly two people that can stand being near each other all day. A cottage, as I see it, is something of an addition to a house but it's detached. A bungalow is simply a one-story house, usually without a basement.
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