How to Upgrade a Mobile Home
While a mobile home is inexpensive compared with a stick-built home, you can upgrade it inside and out with modern materials and paint. Taking time to research and determine a style, such as contemporary, mid-century modern, country, shabby chic or eclectic, speeds the process of renovating and redecorating the space.
Repurposing and reusing your existing furnishings helps control the budget.
Things You Will Need
- Home inspection
- New windows
- New siding
- Paint
- Laminate or engineered wood flooring
- Sheet vinyl flooring
- Countertops
- Appliances
- Sheer curtains
Tip
Keep the decor clean and simple for a contemporary look. Light colors expand, dark colors make a room cozy. Area rugs provide softness and warmth to the room. A low-slung sofa and chairs help minimize low ceilings. Lamps bring in much needed light and sheers over the windows allow more light into the space. Eight-inch deep, built-in bookshelves save floor space and draw the eye up, giving the illusion of height to the room. By keeping the rooms light and airy, you can visually expand the mobile home.
Warning
Electrical work should be completed by a licensed electrician.
If you are making structural changes, consult with a contractor experienced in mobile home repairs.
Use proper safety equipment, including dust masks, especially when removing carpets. Carpet is filled with dust.
Start with the Exterior
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Hire a home inspector. An inspection of the structure, plumbing, wiring and roof provides a realistic look at the amount of work that the mobile home may require to make it a safe and livable space. Old wiring in both mobile homes and vintage houses should be upgraded in order to carry the extra load of modern appliances.
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Install new energy efficient windows and new siding over the old sides if the budget allows.
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Power wash, prime and paint the outside in a neutral color scheme with a contrasting trim color. Do not forget to paint the porch.
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Plant a new landscape around the mobile home, concealing the skirting and other obvious indicators of the home's humble origins. Simple trellises or arbors with flowering vines or grapevines add a cottage look to the garden. A picket fence is also a nice finishing touch.
Refurbish and Redecorate the Interior
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Measure each room and draw a floor plan. Measure the furniture that you plan to use in your updated decor . Make paper cutouts of the furniture, to scale, so you can arrange and rearrange the furniture.
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Scrub the walls and ceiling with TSP cleanser. Wipe down with clean water.
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Spackle the little grooves in the paneling, and sand smooth. Then prime and paint with light, neutral tones to match your chosen decor.
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Remove the carpets and clean the subfloor.
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Install either laminate or engineered hardwood floors. If the budget is extremely tight, sheet vinyl is available in a wood grain that is very realistic as well as durable. Install sheet vinyl or ceramic tile in the kitchen and bathroom. Install new baseboards.
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Replace the kitchen appliances with good quality, brand-name appliances. High-end stainless steel appliances are not necessary, a simple white is clean and efficient.
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Install good quality laminate counters or granite tiles as a frugal alternative to custom granite counters.
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Sand and paint the cabinets or reface if necessary. New handles on doors and drawers dress up the kitchen.
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Decorate in your chosen style.
The Drip Cap
- While a mobile home is inexpensive compared with a stick-built home, you can upgrade it inside and out with modern materials and paint.
- Repurposing and reusing your existing furnishings helps control the budget.
- Plant a new landscape around the mobile home, concealing the skirting and other obvious indicators of the home's humble origins.
- Wipe down with clean water.
- New handles on doors and drawers dress up the kitchen.
Check out this related video from Homesteady on Youtube.
Resources
Writer Bio
With degrees in fine and commercial art and Spanish, Ruth de Jauregui is an old-school graphic artist, book designer and published author. De Jauregui authored 50 Fabulous Tomatoes for Your Garden, available as an ebook. She enthusiastically pursues creative and community interests, including gardening, home improvement and social issues.
Photo Credits
- single wide image by Andrew Orlemann from Fotolia.com
- single wide image by Andrew Orlemann from Fotolia.com
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