Craftsman Style House Guide: Historic Bungalows in Lake Worth Beach and West Palm Beach
October 1, 2026 · 8 min read · By Onias Derilus, Broker
Where Palm Beach County's craftsman bungalows cluster, how to spot one, what historic district rules mean for renovations and how to handle insurance on an older home.
A craftsman style house in Palm Beach County usually means a small 1910s to 1940s bungalow with a deep front porch, a low roof and exposed rafter tails, and the best places to find one are the historic neighborhoods of Lake Worth Beach and West Palm Beach. These homes have charm that newer builds rarely match. However, they also come with historic district rules, older systems and insurance questions. This guide explains how to spot a true craftsman bungalow, where they cluster and what to check before you buy or renovate.
Key takeaways
- Craftsman homes feature low-pitched roofs, deep eaves with exposed rafters or brackets, wide front porches and tapered square columns.
- Lake Worth Beach has six local historic districts, and West Palm Beach has 17, according to each city.
- In both cities, you need a Certificate of Appropriateness before most exterior changes to a home in a historic district.
- West Palm Beach offers a tax exemption on qualifying improvements to historic properties for up to 10 years if you apply before work starts.
- Roof age, wiring, plumbing and window protection drive insurance costs on older homes, so get quotes early.
What is a craftsman style house?
The Craftsman style came from the Arts and Crafts movement. It was a reaction to heavy Victorian decor. Pennsylvania's state historic preservation office, in its architectural field guide, dates the Bungalow and Craftsman style to 1900 through 1930. It says the style developed in California, where Charles and Henry Greene designed Craftsman bungalows as early as 1903.
The key features are easy to learn:
- A low-pitched roof, usually a gable, sometimes a hip.
- Deep, overhanging eaves with exposed rafter tails or decorative brackets.
- A wide front porch held up by tapered square columns, often on brick or stone piers.
- Double-hung windows with several panes on top and one on the bottom, such as 4-over-1 or 6-over-1.
- Natural materials and handcrafted woodwork inside and out.
In South Florida, many bungalows were built from wood frame on raised foundations, with siding instead of stucco. Some later examples mix in Mission or Mediterranean details, so you will see hybrids.
Craftsman style house neighborhoods in Lake Worth Beach
Lake Worth Beach has one of the largest groups of early cottages and bungalows in the county. According to the city, it has six local historic districts and four individually significant structures.
- Old Lucerne, the city's founding area, settled after the Palm Beach Farms Company bought land in 1912. The town incorporated in 1913.
- Northeast Lucerne and Southeast Lucerne, which the city says developed from 1915 to 1952. They sit on either side of the downtown commercial area.
- College Park, an early neighborhood that pushed the city north beyond downtown.
- South Palm Park, a 60-block residential and commercial district southeast of downtown.
- Old Town, the historic commercial core.
Expect small lots, narrow streets and a mix of wood frame bungalows, frame vernacular cottages and Mission style homes. Many have been updated, while others still need work.
According to Pure Equity's MLS data as of October 1, 2026, Lake Worth Beach had 293 active residential listings with a median list price of $436,000. Active listings had been on the market an average of 123 days. Note that Lake Worth Beach, the city, is tracked separately from the unincorporated Lake Worth mailing-address area to the west.
West Palm Beach historic districts with bungalows
West Palm Beach has 17 historic districts, nine of them on the National Register of Historic Places, plus more than 45 individually designated sites, according to the city.
Grandview Heights
Grandview Heights is a top spot for a craftsman style house in the city. It was added to the National Register on July 8, 1999, and its nomination describes an area of about 23 acres. Most of its contributing homes went up between 1914 and 1926. Craftsman bungalows are among its most common types, along with Mission and frame vernacular homes and a few Colonial Revival and Mediterranean Revival houses.
Other neighborhoods to look at
Flamingo Park is another historic neighborhood near Grandview Heights that is worth a drive. North of downtown, Old Northwood was the city's first historic district and has a range of 1920s homes. Our guide to buying in Old Northwood covers that area in depth.
According to Pure Equity's MLS data as of October 1, 2026, West Palm Beach had 2,283 active residential listings with a median list price of $315,000. That figure mixes many condos with houses, so historic single-family homes often list well above it.
Buying a craftsman style house in a historic district
Historic district rules are the big difference between a bungalow and a newer home. The rules protect the look of the street. In return, you give up some freedom to change the outside of your house.
Lake Worth Beach rules
According to the city, a Certificate of Appropriateness, or COA, is a document stating that proposed work meets the Historic Preservation Ordinance and design guidelines. You must get one before exterior work begins and before the city will issue a building permit for a property in a historic district or an individually designated landmark. The city also publishes historic preservation design guidelines, so read them before you plan windows, doors or roof work.
West Palm Beach rules
West Palm Beach also requires a COA for work that will change a historic property's exterior appearance. You apply through the city's online permit portal, and the level of review depends on the project. According to the city's FAQ, paint color does not need approval, though staff will suggest period colors if you ask. However, demolition of any designated building, or any building in a historic district, needs Historic Preservation Board review.
The city also offers a tax incentive. Qualifying improvements to historic properties can be exempt from increases in city and county property taxes for up to 10 years. You must apply before you begin the work, so build that step into your renovation timeline.
Renovating a craftsman style house
Most buyers want to keep the porch, the rafters and the original windows while updating the kitchen, baths and systems. That balance is possible, but it takes planning.
- Talk to city staff early. Both cities encourage owners to discuss projects before buying materials like windows or doors.
- Repair before you replace. Original wood windows, siding and trim are often part of what makes the home historic.
- Plan for storms. Ask what impact windows or shutters the city allows in your district, since window changes often need review.
- Check for termites and wood rot. Wood frame homes need a thorough inspection, including the crawl space.
- Budget for systems. Electrical, plumbing and air conditioning may be decades old even if the house looks updated.
Interior work, such as a new kitchen, usually does not need historic review, though it still needs regular permits.
Daily life in a craftsman style house
Living in a bungalow feels different from living in a new build. The rooms are smaller. Closets are few and tight. Ceilings may be lower, and the kitchen is often the room that has changed the most over the years.
On the plus side, the porch gets real use. Neighbors walk by and stop to talk. Many streets have shade trees, and downtown is often a short bike ride away. In Lake Worth Beach, for example, several districts sit close to the shops and cafes of the old downtown.
Parking can be tight, since many lots were laid out before two-car garages. Some homes have alleys in back, which helps. Others rely on a short driveway or street parking. So check the parking setup on each home you tour.
Finally, plan for upkeep. Wood siding, porch floors and trim need paint and repair on a regular cycle in our sun and rain. If you enjoy that kind of care, a bungalow can be very rewarding. If you want zero maintenance, a newer block home may suit you better.
Insurance on older homes
Insurance is often the biggest surprise for bungalow buyers. Wood frame walls, old roofs and original windows can all raise the price. They can also limit which companies will write a policy.
Florida law offers some protection on roofs. Under section 627.7011 of the Florida Statutes, an insurer may not refuse to issue or renew a homeowner's policy solely because the roof is less than 15 years old. For roofs 15 years or older, an insurer may not refuse coverage solely because of age if an authorized inspection shows at least five years of useful life left.
Even so, get quotes during your inspection period, not after. Ask the seller for a four-point inspection and a wind mitigation report if they have them. Our guide to home insurance for older Florida homes explains what insurers look at.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if a house is a craftsman bungalow?
Look for a low-pitched roof, deep eaves with exposed rafters or brackets, a wide front porch with tapered square columns and multi-pane upper windows. Many local examples are one story and wood frame.
Do I need permission to paint a historic home in West Palm Beach?
According to the city's FAQ, paint color does not require approval. Other exterior changes, such as windows, doors or additions, generally need a Certificate of Appropriateness.
Can I add impact windows to a craftsman style house in a historic district?
Often yes, but window changes usually need review and must meet the city's design guidelines. Talk to preservation staff before you order windows.
Are historic homes harder to insure?
They can be, mainly because of roof age, wiring, plumbing and wood construction. A recent roof, updated systems and storm protection help a lot.
Sources
- Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Bungalow/Craftsman style
- City of Lake Worth Beach, Historic Districts
- City of Lake Worth Beach, Historic Preservation
- City of West Palm Beach, Historic Preservation
- City of West Palm Beach, Historic Preservation FAQs
- National Register nomination, Grandview Heights Historic District
- Florida Statutes, section 627.7011
Own a historic home in Lake Worth Beach or West Palm Beach? Buyers pay attention to original details and recent updates, and we know how to market both. Get a free home value estimate. Hunting for a bungalow? Set up new-listing alerts for Lake Worth Beach so you see historic homes the day they list.
