Many new construction homes here in Salem Oregon are referred to as Craftsman. Some have elements of the Arts and Crafts movement (AKA Craftsman), but most are not Craftsman homes.

When talking about Crafstman homes, most people think of the Craftsman Bungalow, but a Craftsman doesn't have to be a bungalow and not all bungalows are craftsmans.

The first bungalows were designed by William Gibbons Preston in 1879 on Cade Cod. Bungalows were built in the early 20th century, and have the following features:

•·         Low pitched roof

•·         One and a half stories

•·         Living room is in the center of the house. This is a hallmark feature.

•·         Rooms that connect to each other without hallways

•·         Built-ins (cabinets, hutches, window seats,etc).

A bungalow is about the efficiency of the floor plan.


The turn of the century saw a shift from the more ornate Victorian homes and Greek Revival homes to a simpler and basic home. That shift was the basis for the Arts and Crafts movement. A home that is considered to be of the Arts and Crafts movement, or Craftsman will have many of the following features:

• A low pitched roof
• A natural siding such as wood, stone or stucco
• A front porch with thick, usually square but can be round, columns
• Exposed roof rafters
• Wide eaves
• Stone elements on the porch supports
• An exterior chimney made with stone rather than brick
• A lot of windows
• Open floor plans
• Ceilings with beams
• Darker woods and wainscoting
• Built-ins.

Many newer construction homes here in Salem are inspired by that movement, but don't have enough characteristics to be called a Craftsman.

Here locally, you can see examples of Craftsman homes located in Fairmount Hills, Bush Park, Englewood, Richmond, Highland, and of course the Historic District.