An example of a Four Square bungalow painted white.
In architecture, the term bungalow refers to the styles of the Prairie home, the Crafts or Craftsman bungalow, the Mission style and Four Square bungalow, all of which fall under the Arts and Crafts style made popular during the early 20th century. Each of these architectural styles has certain associated characteristics, one of those being the color palettes that complement the architecture of the homes. Does this Spark an idea?
Prairie Colors
Designed to blend in with the surrounding landscape, the architecture of the Prairie-style home employs clean lines and is built to appear as if it sprang from the ground. Paint colors used in this type of home include the colors found in the Midwestern prairies of the United States, including wheat, earthy browns, leafy greens and accents of floral reds and yellows.
Craftsman Colors
Bolder than the Prairie palette, Craftsman homes use rich greens and yellows for paint colors. In a direct response to the jewel tones of the previously popular Victorian style, the Craftsman home uses earthier shades of color paired with dark woods and stone. Use clay-color reds and pair them with creamy whites and muted yellow. Paint colors also include leafy greens with red or off-white trim.
Mission Colors
Regionally associated with the western United States, the Mission bungalow uses a color scheme that exhibits a Spanish influence. Shades of red, green, yellow and white make up the paint palette for the Mission style. Walls may be painted a subtle yellow with trims in green or red. Sunset pink is also used in Mission-style palettes, along with sunny yellows and the blue-green of ocean water.
Four Square Colors
The boxy appearance of the two-story Four Square bungalow is, like the Prairie style, at home in the Midwestern United States. The paint palette for this style is found in autumn colors. Though limited to red, yellow and brown, the three colors offer a variety of shades in warm tones, giving the simple architecture more depth and visual interest. The exterior paint color on these homes, however, is often white.
Contemporary Colors
The architecture of each of the bungalow styles was, at inception, accented by the color palette first associated with that architectural style. In contemporary times, homeowners may desire a more updated color palette, while still remaining true to the architecture. This may be achieved by choosing shades within the original palette that are lighter in tone. The forest green, for example, may be replaced by the softer, lighter sage green. The deep pink of the Mission style may give way to salmon pink and the sunny yellow may be tempered to a more sandy color.
Tags: Four Square, Four Square bungalow, Mission style, Square bungalow, United States