Canadian architecture has been shaped by numerous drivers. People think of the British, French and American influences that are plain to see in Victoria, Montreal and Ottawa respectively. But there are other influences at play, too, especially in the rapidly evolving cities of Toronto and Vancouver. Bungalows offer compact living, but present a challenge when it comes to storage.
Before we delve deeper into the question of storage solutions and other pros and cons of bungalow living in Canada, it is worth taking a moment to explore their origins. Bungalows might conjure leafy English suburbs, but the word originates from 19th century Bengal. Of course, India was under British rule at the time, and bungalows were originally built as vacation homes for colonial visitors. The idea was to create compact, homely dwellings that could be built quickly and inexpensively. Of course, under those circumstances, bungalows did not need much storage space as they were not primary homes. But it wasn’t long before the building style became popular in the UK, and then in Canada.
From economic necessity to niche charm
Bungalows started to appear in great numbers in the suburbs of Toronto during the inter-war years, and construction accelerated in the late 1940s. More than 40,000 bungalows were constructed during this period and today, there are plenty of survivors in areas like Little Portugal, Corktown, Cabbagetown and North Toronto.
What were essentially recovery homes for working class families in the post war years are now considered niche investments with charming period features such as gumwood trim, etched glass doors and coved plaster ceilings. But period charm can often mask shortcomings in practicality. Storage space in bungalows is often limited to sheds and outbuildings, and given that most Canadian bungalows were built in tract developments, space for these is usually restricted. This is why most Canadian bungalow owners seek other storage solutions.
Secure rented storage is popular in Toronto
Canadian bungalow owners often use Toronto storage providers like Access Storage, keeping property stored in a nearby location that is safe and easy to access.Placingtreasured items, or things you might need from time to time, in storage might sound strange. But it is a highly practical way of reducing the clutter in day to day life, whether living in a bungalow or another smaller living space, such as one of the hundreds of high rise buildings appearing on the Toronto skyline.
Toronto’s well-publicized housing crisis has led to a wholesale shift in living habits. About 40 percent of homes in the city are apartments in multi-story blocks. Period bungalows offer a compelling alternative for those who prefer their privacy, but both types of home are compact and lack storage facilities of their own. This is why storage facilities such as the one mentioned above are popping up literally all over the city.
Their ubiquity means that residents can use a storage facility that is close to hand and can be reached in minutes. Also, storage units can typically be accessed any time. So even items that are needed regularly or at short notice can still be stored off-site without causing inconvenience.
Other factors to consider when it comes to bungalow living in Canada
When they were first built, bungalows were designed to be starter homes for young families as soldiers returned from World War Two. Today, they are a popular choice for people with limited mobility, as single or two-person households, and for those aging in place. Their efficient design and small footprint makes them economical to cool in summer and to heat in winter. However, those same factors mean options are limited when it comes to modernizing, upgrading or extending. Most were built with a living room, bedroom and small kitchen and washroom, and almost all survivors have had their attic space converted into extra rooms.
Some have been extended further, either up, out or both, but in some ways that defeats the object of bungalow living. From a practical perspective, teardown value is usually higher than the bungalow itself in Toronto’s current market conditions, so bungalows are rapidly disappearing from the cityscape. Those that remain present a glimpse of a bygone age and a simpler way of life, so it makes sense to retain and enjoy them for what they are. Just remember to find a good storage facility within easy reach to take care of the 21st century practicalities.
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