Since its introduction in 1990, the publication has been a major spur to the revitalization of interest in homes in the bungalow architectural style and their connection to the original and contemporary Arts and Crafts movement.
In 1987, John Brinkmann moved into Twycross House, a 1914 airplane bungalow in Sierra Madre, California.
It was among the first national publications to draw attention to the strong affinities between these works and their makers and those produced in a similar spirit by Native Americans artisans, especially those inhabiting the continent's Southwest, which was undergoing rapid exploration and settlement at the turn of the 20th century.
American Bungalow now enjoys a relatively small but loyal readership and is available worldwide, although its circulation is primarily within the United States and Canada.
On January 24, 2020, editor John Brinkmann sent an e-mail to subscribers and also posted a letter on American Bungalow's website, detailing financial difficulties and offering back issues at a substantial discount, in an effort to raise funds.