Architectural Blog:
Did You Know? New Build Bungalows Are Becoming Increasingly Rare in the UK
When people think about new homes in the UK, they often picture estates filled with two-storey and three-storey houses. But did you know that new build bungalows are now a genuine rarity?
Today, bungalows account for just 1% to 1.2% of all new homes built in the UK — a dramatic fall from the 1980s, when around 1 in 6 new homes were bungalows. Despite their enduring popularity, particularly with retirees and so-called “last-time buyers”, the number of new build bungalows continues to decline.
Why Are New Build Bungalows So Rare?
The simple answer is land efficiency.
Housebuilders are increasingly focused on high-density, multi-storey developments that maximise the number of homes on a site. In comparison, bungalows require a larger footprint for a single dwelling, making them less attractive from a commercial perspective.
As a result, although there is strong demand for accessible, single-storey living, bungalows are often overlooked in favour of developments that offer a greater return on investment.
The Numbers Behind the Decline
The decline of the bungalow market is significant:
- Only 1,833 new bungalows were built in 2020, compared with 9,347 in 2000
(an 80% drop in just 20 years) - New bungalows now make up only around 1% of the total new-build market
- This is a major decrease from over 11% of new homes in 1990
- In some regions, such as London, bungalows account for less than 1% of overall property stock
High Demand, Low Supply
What makes this even more striking is that demand for bungalows remains consistently strong.
Single-storey homes are highly sought after by:
- Retirees looking to downsize without compromising on comfort
- Homeowners planning for long-term accessibility
- “Last-time buyers” wanting a home that can adapt with them over time
- Families seeking practical, flexible layouts on generous plots
Because supply is so limited, the few new build bungalows that do come to market often command premium prices.
PD Architecture: Bucking the Trend
At PD Architecture, we’re proud to be going against the national trend.
In recent years, we’ve been designing multiple bungalows across Nottingham, Leicester, Derby and Lincoln, helping clients create bespoke homes that prioritise practicality, comfort, and beautiful design.
In fact, bungalows account for far more than the national average of 1% to 1.2% of our new build, custom build and self-build home designs.
That’s because we understand the value of well-designed single-storey living — not just for today, but for the future too.
Whether it’s a contemporary self-build bungalow, a custom-designed retirement home, or a spacious family-friendly single-storey layout, we work closely with our clients to create homes that truly reflect their needs, aspirations, and lifestyle.
Designed Around the Client
Every bungalow we design is tailored to the individual brief.
The featured projects shown here are just a few examples of many, designed specifically to meet our client’s requirements and make the most of the site, layout, and surrounding context.
For us, bungalows aren’t a compromise — they’re an opportunity to create homes that are:
- Highly functional
- Future-proof
- Energy efficient
- Full of natural light
- Architecturally striking
Looking for a New Build Bungalow Design?
If you’re considering a new build, self-build or custom build bungalow, PD Architecture can help you unlock the full potential of your site and create a home designed entirely around you.
In a market where bungalows are increasingly scarce, we believe great design can make them stand out for all the right reasons.
Get in touch with PD Architecture using our free initial enquiry forms to discuss your project and discover how we can help bring your bungalow vision to life.
More about PD Architecture
PD Architecture is an Award Winning CIAT Chartered Architectural Practice, established by Paul Day BSc (Hons) MCIAT in 2004.
Specialised in residential developments our typical clients include homeowners, developers, self-builders & architects in Nottingham, Leicester and the surrounding areas. We provide architectural designs for:
– home extensions
– self builds
– new build home designs
– residential estates
We also offer outsourcing and technical services for:
– architects in Nottingham
– architects in Leicester
. . . in fact we have helped many architectural practices from around the east midlands from our offices in Nottingham and in Leicester
Please do contact us to find out what we can bring to your project, big or small, and, if you are new to our blog, please feel free to have a look around, view our Architectural Gallery and our Architectural Case Studies . . . or by all means navigate back to our homepage
PD Architecture . . . #designed4living
Architectural Blog: Custom Build Architectural Visualisation, a design defined by clean geometry and a strong architectural presence
Architectural Blog: A bespoke self-build home created for a couple in the heart of Lowdham, Nottingham, (near Burton Joyce).