For a long time, bungalows had an image problem. They were historically associated with retirement living, a place for downsizers or older generations. But recently, that perception has shifted. In fact, buyer demand for bungalows has risen significantly and online searches for new bungalows for sale are climbing steadily.
So what’s driving this change in bungalow appeal? Why are bungalows suddenly back in fashion – and are they a clever investment for the future? To answer that question, and help you discover if a new bungalow is the right property for you, we take a look at some supporting evidence.
So, what is a bungalow exactly?
A bungalow is a single storey home, often detached, with living space spread horizontally rather than stacked vertically.
But there’s also variety within the category. For example, we are often asked, “What is a dormer bungalow?” A dormer bungalow has extra living space in the roof, thanks to windows and extensions built into the slope. Think of them as the best of both worlds: ground-floor convenience with added upstairs flexibility.
You might also hear the term bungalow dormer, which refers to those same upstairs extensions. Another design variety is a split-level bungalow. Sometimes created to adapt to a sloped site, or to carve out variety with the living space, this style incorporates short flights of stairs, or even just a few steps between levels.
What is driving the demand for bungalows?
As with most housing trends, there are several reasons why the UK is seeing a revival of single storey living. We go into the main ones in detail below, but a driving factor that feeds into all of these is the presence of social media, which means an increasing number of people can share ideas and developments.
Influence from abroad
In countries like Australia, New Zealand, and the USA, bungalow-style homes are highly sought after. They’re practical for outdoor lifestyles, because they embody open-plan living and a seamless indoor-outdoor flow. But it’s not just that single tier living is popular overseas – in many areas within these places, they’re also the standard design of homes. Travellers or expats to these places see countless variations, from open-plan ranch houses to modern dormer bungalows, imparting fresh inspiration and insight into the practical benefits of this style. With so many Brits travelling, emigrating, or simply being exposed (via social media) to international property design, it’s no surprise those tastes are filtering home.
Lifestyle shifts
An outcome of the pandemic is that it has reshaped what people want in a property. All of a sudden, outdoor space, privacy, and versatile layouts matter more than proximity to city centres or towns. A bungalow ticks a lot of those boxes. Families love the safety of a stair-free home, with space for children to run in and out of the house easily, and professionals working remotely like the flexibility of a larger plot.
Scarcity adds desirability
Only 1% of new build homes registered in 2023 were bungalows. With so few new build bungalows coming onto the market, existing ones are becoming more coveted.
The appeal of a detached house
Unlike many terraces or semis, bungalows often sit on generous plots, providing that coveted detached home quality. This usually translates to more space, less noise, and better long-term value.
What type of buyer is well matched to a bungalow?
The easy answer is: everyone! But more seriously, let’s put a lens on the many benefits of a single storey house for a variety of people.
- Older generations appreciate the convenience of single level living, especially for mobility. But even if older buyers aren’t currently struggling with their mobility, planning for the future can give peace of mind about not having to move again, should that change.
- Families benefit from the safety of a stair-free layout, and kids can spill straight into the garden. Many buyers with a family appreciate the feeling of togetherness that a one level home offers, not to mention the outdoor space that bungalows traditionally benefit from.
- Young professionals often tell us they like the opportunity to live in a detached home without the price tag of a traditional detached two-storey house. New build bungalows, in particular, have a relaxed and luxurious open-plan feel that appeals to younger buyers.
- Anyone looking to downsize will find bungalows easier to maintain without sacrificing all-important comfort or space.
Lots of home buyers are starting to see that far from being niche, bungalows prove to be one of the most versatile home types on the housing market today.
Are bungalows more expensive than multi-storey houses?
Not neccessarily. Though the ground-floor footprint is usually larger, requiring a bigger plot of land than a similar sq ft house over two levels, the price of a bunglow will be dictated by the overall size. Buyers increasingly prefer the convenience and long-term benefits of single storey living so cost is weighted against requirements. A 4-bedroom bungalow will invariably be more expensive than a 2-bed bungalow, just as it would with a 4-bedroom home compared to a 2-bed home.
Are New Bungalows a Good Investment?
The short answer is still yes – but don’t just take our word for it. The numbers below give us a much clearer picture.
On a UK-wide level, average property prices in March 2025 were growing by 6.4% year-on-year. By June 2025, the average was lower, reflecting a slower 3.7% annual increase.
If we drill down further to just bungalows, the average price across the UK in 2024 represented a slight dip (around -1%) from the previous year, but the long-term trajectory since 2014 has been a strong upward one.
Zooming in on the North of England paints an even stronger case. In Cumberland (which includes Carlisle and Workington), average house prices have risen by 3.9% since 2024. Detached homes in the same area now sit higher than the national average, while in Carlisle specifically, detached homes hit an average of 22% more. By contrast, in Maryport, average home values sit at half the price, with modest bungalows in some neighbourhoods changing hands for much lower as of late 2024.
This comparison suggests two important things:
Bungalows carry a premium nationally (averaging above the wider property market).
- Local affordability remains strong, though in Cumbria, with entry-level bungalows available well under the UK average. But in a region where growth is higher than the national average, investors stand to make a good profit on their purchases.
- Because overall property values are rising, any property type that’s in demand and relatively scarce (like bungalows) is likely to benefit from that rising tide and is therefore a good investment.
Detached property types are seeing stronger value growth compared to flats or attached homes. Since many bungalows are detached (or at least semi-detached) and single-storey, they share some of that appeal and may capture part of that premium.
The sales premium and quicker turnover in certain markets show that buyers will pay more and move faster for bungalows. That’s a positive signal for investor confidence.
Finding New Build Bungalows for Sale Near You
The popularity of bungalows is set to stay, if not grow further. Buyer demand has risen 53% since 2004. It’s about lifestyle, practicality, and investing in the future. Whether you’re considering a classic single storey home, a dormer bungalow with extra space, or exploring options for downsizing, there’s clear momentum in this market.
If you’re searching locally for bungalows in Cumbria and Lancashire, investment opportunities do exist. We have a selection of stunning new build dormer bungalows for sale in Seaton near Maryport and a number of sleek and stylish bungalows for sale on our development, Olive Green View, Halton. Currently in the launch phase, we have a brand new development of contemporary homes at Sandsfield Way, which will include a range of new bungalows for sale in Carlisle.
Many of our developments set to launch in spring 2026 will reveal bungalows for sale in Cumbria, so keep a close eye on our coming soon section. And if you’d just like a chat about investing in a bungalow, or any new build property, get in touch, we’re a friendly bunch.