What Is a Bungalow? Definition, Features and Types Explained

A bungalow is a one-storey house where the kitchen, living area, bedrooms and main bathroom are all on a single level. In Ontario, most bungalows also have a full basement, and they usually sit on wider lots than two-storey homes. The term also covers related styles like raised bungalows, bungalofts, backsplits and sidesplits, which mix one-level living with a few stairs.

What is a bungalow? A simple definition

A bungalow is a detached, single-storey home. Everything you need for daily life sits on the main floor, with no staircase to reach the bedrooms. Bungalows often have a low-pitched roof, a front porch or covered entry, and a footprint that spreads across the lot rather than stacking upward.

In Canada, the term is used broadly. A small post-war home in Scarborough and a large custom build in King can both be called bungalows, as long as the main living space is on one level.

Key features of a bungalow

• One main level: kitchen, living room, bedrooms and at least one full bathroom on the same floor.
• Low profile: a single storey with a roof that sits relatively close to the ground.
• Wider footprint: the home spreads out, so lots tend to be wider.
• Basement: most Ontario bungalows have a full basement, often finished.
• Easy access: fewer stairs, and in many homes, a no-step or low-step entry.

Where does the bungalow come from?

The word “bungalow” comes from South Asia, where it described a low house with a wide verandah. The style travelled to Britain and then North America in the late 1800s and early 1900s. In Ontario, bungalows boomed after the Second World War, when new suburbs filled with practical one-storey family homes.

That’s why so many GTA neighbourhoods built in the 1950s and 1960s are lined with bungalows today. For the full story, read our history of the bungalow.

Types of bungalows you’ll see in Ontario

On GTA listings, you’ll see several related styles. Here is how they compare:

Style	What it is	Stairs in daily life
Bungalow (detached)	Classic one-storey home with a basement	None on the main floor
Raised bungalow	Main floor set higher, with a bright, partly above-grade lower level	A half-flight at the entry
Bungaloft	Bungalow with a loft or partial second floor	Only to reach the loft
Backsplit	Split-level with levels stepping toward the back	Short flights between levels
Sidesplit	Split-level with levels stepping to one side	Short flights between levels
1½ storey	Main floor plus bedrooms under a sloped roof	Yes, to the upper bedrooms
Bungalow townhome	Attached one-storey home in a row or cluster	None on the main floor
Condo bungalow	One-storey home in a condo community with shared upkeep	None on the main floor

Each style has its own strengths. Raised bungalows are popular for basement suites. Bungalofts give downsizers a main-floor primary suite with guest space upstairs. Backsplits and sidesplits offer more separation between living and sleeping areas. For a deeper look at each type, see our guide to the different kinds of bungalows.

Bungalow vs other common home styles

Bungalow vs two-storey

A two-storey home stacks bedrooms above the main floor. It usually offers more space for the price, while a bungalow offers easier living and a bigger lot.

Bungalow vs ranch

“Ranch” is the American term for a long, low one-storey home. In Canada, we usually just call it a bungalow.

Bungalow vs cottage

A cottage in Ontario usually means a seasonal or recreational property, often by a lake. Many cottages are one storey, but not all bungalows are cottages.

Who are bungalows best for?

Bungalows appeal to a wide range of buyers:

• Downsizers and retirees who want to age in place without stairs.
• Young families who like having kids’ rooms close by and a big yard.
• Multigenerational households who use the basement for a separate suite.
• Investors who see potential for a legal second unit, since Ontario allows up to three units on most serviced urban lots, with permits.
• Anyone who values simplicity in cleaning, maintenance and daily routines.

The trade-offs are less separation between bedrooms and living areas and, often, a higher price per square foot of main-floor space. Limited new supply in the GTA also means good bungalows can sell quickly.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a bungalow and a house?

A bungalow is a type of house. The difference is that a bungalow has all its main living space on one floor, while other houses may have two or more storeys.

Do bungalows have basements?

Most bungalows in Ontario do. Basements are often finished as family rooms, guest space or a separate unit, though some newer or condo bungalows are built on a slab.

Is a raised bungalow a real bungalow?

Yes. A raised bungalow still has its main living space on one level. The main floor simply sits higher, which gives the lower level bigger windows.

Why are bungalows so popular?

They offer easy one-level living, wide lots and flexible basements, and they suit buyers at almost every stage of life. Few new ones are built in the GTA, which adds to their appeal.

The bottom line

A bungalow is a one-storey home with everything you need on one level, usually on a generous lot with a basement below. Its close cousins, from raised bungalows to bungalofts and split-levels, give you even more ways to enjoy easy living.

Ready to explore? Browse all bungalows for sale across Toronto, the GTA and Ontario.