Craftsman style bungalows were built in California before becoming common in other areas.
By 1920, Craftsman bungalows had been a favorite architectural style in the U.S. for two decades. They were small homes with simple floor plans designed to be more utilitarian than stylish. But, as time passed, original, unadorned Craftsman bathrooms evolved into rooms that were still practical but larger and more colorful. However, not all bungalow owners embraced the new aesthetic, and traditional designs continued to be common and remain so today.
Floors
The bathroom floor in a traditional Craftsman bungalow was covered with small, white hexagonal tiles. If your bungalow's bathroom features these original tiles, you should keep them. If, over the years, they have been covered or removed, think about replacing them. Today, this type of tile is available in many colors, and choosing colored hexagonal tile gives a nod to authenticity while adding punch to the room. By the mid 1920s, traditional white floors were giving way to colorful 4 x 4 square tiles. Choosing this type of tile gives you the option of designing a more modern Craftsman bathroom.
Walls
With the advent of the Roaring Twenties, bungalow bathrooms moved from boring to bold. Brightly colored tiles, often with black borders, replaced white painted or tiled walls. For your bungalow bathroom, choose colors authentic to the day, like orchid and green, or opt for colors that reflect your decor style. For a more traditional look, opt for walls clad in white subway tiles.
Fixtures
Original Craftsman bungalow bathrooms had claw foot tubs which remain favorites today. If authenticity is what you're looking for, install a more modern one-piece tub without legs like that which became common in the 1920s. These tubs are similar to contemporary one-piece units minus the surround. They are made of cast iron glazed with porcelain.
Traditional craftsman bungalows had simple white pedestal sinks, but a 1920's bathroom might have featured a wall-hung sink in a favorite color of the day. Pedestal sinks remain common, and, if your bathroom is small, as many bungalow bathrooms were, a pedestal sink is a good choice because it takes up less visual space. If you decide to go with a more colorful model, coordinate it with the wall and floor tiles.
The toilet in a 1920's was white, probably with an oak seat and a wall-hung water tank. Oak toilet sets are readily available today as are reproduction wall-hung units.
Lighting
A Craftsman bathroom would have been lit by sconces flanking the a mirror or a built-in medicine cabinet or from a fixture installed above it. Look for rectangular light fixtures with glass shades and nickel, brass or chrome frames or more graceful designs with round globes. Include windows in your bathroom design. Natural light was an important part of the Craftsman philosophy, and bungalow bathrooms often featured at least one window. Choose windows with clear or stained leaded glass.
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