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Use these mobile home decorating ideas to make your manufactured house look more like a traditional dwelling inside. Read on!
Mobile homes can have traditional and modern interiors, you can decorate them mostly the same way. In fact, the only thing that gives them away is the lower ceiling.
If you understand the obstacles you may have and you know a few good rules for decorating small spaces, you can get great results. So after fixing up your mobile home, you can pretty it up.
The following ideas will help you get on the right track. Best of all, these ideas are affordable (in line with mobile home living.) Let’s begin.
Mobile Home Decorating Obstacles
Approach mobile home decoration with open eyes. This type of dwelling presents unique challenges such as low ceilings, little natural light, narrow spaces, VOG wall panels, and an awkward traffic flow.
Address each one by turning challenges into opportunities to create unique interiors. You can make spaces so much better through smart mobile home decorating ideas.
Regardless of the obstacles, always keep in mind that your biggest advantage is the affordability of decorating a smaller space.
Single Wide vs. Double Wide Interior Design
Single wide mobile homes tend to have narrow interiors between 14 and 18 feet – an ideal size if you move in alone or with a partner. This width ensures easy transportation using semi-trailers, so you can pay less for delivery and relocation.
Narrow room space poses decor challenges, and you have to maximize space in every decision you make.
On the other hand, a double-wide interior design has roughly twice the width. It allows greater flexibility for interior layout and more space for a family. You can have these shipped in two trailers and assembled at the destination.
Double-wide rooms are more akin to traditional homes, and you have more space to decorate, although overall, space is still limited.
Kitchen Triangle
Make sure that everything you need is within easy reach in your mobile home kitchen. You can achieve this through clever design in which the sink, the stove, and the fridge must form the corners of a kitchen triangle.
If you add the sides of this triangle, then the sum should range from 10 to 25ft. For instance, the sink may be 3ft from the stove and 4ft from the fridge, while the fridge is 5ft from the stove for a total of 12ft.
Tall Kitchen Cabinets
Since mobile homes are tiny, you need to make the most of every inch for storage. If you can’t expand horizontally, try vertical with tall kitchen cabinets.
Don’t let the space near the ceiling stay idle. Place items you rarely use on the top shelf and put essential items near the bottom for easy access.
Backsplashes
The backsplash protects the wall from moisture, so you can use the sink without worry. It also adds style to the mobile home kitchen. If yours look dated, install a new one to freshen things up.
Options include glass panels, marble pieces, porcelain tiles, wooden planks, and metal sheets. You can choose affordable options and try DIY installation to save money.
Light Sources in Each Room
Using a single light source will result in uneven brightness. Ideally, each room should have four or more sources to hit all the corners.
Different types of fixtures are available, like wall sconces, pendant lamps, recessed lamps, task lights, ceiling lights, table lamps, spotlights, and track lighting. Pick whatever suits the room’s layout, intended function, and objects of interest.
Neon Signs
In addition to the regular lights, it is also a nice idea to decorate with neon lights. Shops online offer a variety of custom neon signs, allowing you to turn your favorite text or design into a neon sign. It can create a fun and unique atmosphere in your house.
Color Choice for a Small Room
Color can change the mood in the room, as well as its perceived size. If you paint all the surfaces black, the room will feel small and scary. On the other hand, painting all the surfaces white will make them feel big and pleasant.
Choose bright, pastel colors to make your mobile home interior look modern and cozy.
You can also paint the lower half dark and the upper half-light. It makes the walls appear taller by drawing the eyes upward.
Open Floor Plans
If you want your mobile home to feel spacious, then use an open floor plan. Get rid of walls and dividers between sections of the house. Let free-flowing air and foot traffic from the living area to the kitchen and the dining area.
Stay consistent with your color scheme across the interiors for visual cohesion. Use area rugs and patterns to signify boundaries.
Living Room Space
A mobile home’s living room should encourage conversation. Find seating options that balance comfort with bulk. You need to find the right size and layout to enable the free flow of foot traffic.
Allot at least 18 inches of space between furniture so that people can easily move around. If you have a large sofa, you may have to pair it with a small coffee table to achieve the desired spacing.
White Ceilings
Mobile homes may be small, but they don’t have to be claustrophobic. One way to make them seem larger is to install a bright ceiling. Paint it white or some other light color, then add lighting fixtures to enhance the effect.
This trick is one of the quickest, easiest, and most affordable home improvement strategies. Do it as soon as you can to see the difference.
Accent Walls and Wood Paneling
Use accent walls to differentiate one section from another in an open floor plan. For example, you can make the living room stand out by styling the wall behind the sofa.
Paint it with a hue contrasting with the rest of the walls. Add patterns, lights, and wall art to draw the eyes. Be sure to maintain balance and symmetry.
Chandelier Size
Grab a chandelier if you want to install an eye-catching lighting fixture. Sizing is crucial since going too big will overwhelm the space, and going too small will fail to create the desired impression.
Professionals use a simple formula to guide their selections:
- First, measure the room’s diagonal length in feet from corner to corner.
- Turn this length into inches, such as 15ft becoming 15in, and you have the ideal width of your chandelier.
Mirrors
Interior designers often use mirrors to create visual illusions, much like how magicians use them in their tricks. Mirrors bounce light even better than pale walls.
They also make rooms seem a lot more spacious than they really are. Don’t hold back on using them in your mobile home. Install these on walls that are facing windows for maximum effect. You can also place them in areas that don’t get much natural light.
Vertical Storage
You are bound to collect more stuff over the years as you live in your mobile home. Soon, the original storage spaces will overflow. If the floor can’t accommodate additional shelves and cabinets, consider adding vertical storage.
Install floating shelves on blank walls for books and décor. Install hooks and holders behind doors. Use picture frames that double as jewelry organizers.
Bathroom Decoration Tips
Mobile home bathrooms may be tiny, but you can still decorate the space. Put a nice frame around your bathroom mirror to enhance its appearance.
Find things that can serve more than one purpose, such as small potted plants that add color and control humidity. Hang artwork or signages if you have reminders for your guests. Add bathroom rugs with interesting patterns.
Drapes and Curtains
Control the light coming into the rooms through drapes and curtains. Use them to keep the sun out in the morning and create a pitch-black environment at night.
Regulate the amount of natural light pouring inside while you go about your day. These window treatments can also provide more privacy.
If your mobile home has a low ceiling, install long curtains to make it seem higher.
Flooring
When installing new mobile home flooring, consider the longevity of the material. If you plan to live there for a long time, invest in something that can last for decades under heavy foot traffic.
Consider moisture and stain-resistant options for kitchen and bathroom flooring. Think about long-term maintenance, as well. Color is a matter of preference, but contrasting hues work well for the floor and the backsplash.
Furniture Choice
Every inch is crucial in a mobile home. Measure the dimensions of each room before purchasing any furniture. You need to ensure that everything fits with a good flow, so draw different layouts on paper until you are satisfied.
Modern furniture designs tend to be more compact and multi-functional — perfect for small spaces. For example, the coffee table might have deep storage spaces for your books and magazines.
How Do You Decorate the Front of a Mobile Home?
To increase the curb appeal of your mobile home, consider giving a fresh coat of paint to the exterior walls. You may also install new doors and windows if the old ones show their age.
These will improve both the appearance and the insulation of the house. Add a porch and some flower beds for a stunning façade.
Outdoor Living
As a mobile home owner, you may wish to spend time outdoors to breathe fresh air and enjoy fine weather. You could build a simple wooden deck to do all these in style.
If the region experiences a lot of rain, it’s a good idea to add a roof to this structure. Install railing throughout the perimeter for safety as well.
Porch Decoration Tips
If your mobile home comes with a porch, use every square inch of this space. Pick lightweight seating and a compact table so you can move things around as necessary.
Add a few plants to give it some life. You can even paint the porch with pastel colors to make it more inviting.
Mobile Home Additions
Mobile homes are great by themselves, but you might want to extend your living space based on your needs. Popular mobile home additions include porches and decks.
Provide separate foundations for these new structures so they can shift independently. Build these close to the house, then seal the gaps to keep the water out.
FAQ
Yes, you can put shiplap in a mobile home. It’s an inexpensive way to spruce up the look of your mobile home without spending a fortune. However, you should choose a color that matches the rest of the interior decor.
You can paint the walls in a mobile home. Choose a neutral or light shade of gray, white, or blue. This will help brighten up the entire space.
The type of wood used depends on what you like best. Pine is one of the most popular choices because it’s easy to find and relatively affordable. Other popular types include cedar, redwood, and oak.
There are many options available when it comes to the exterior of a mobile home. You can pick from vinyl siding, brick, stone, stucco, or metal. The choice depends on your budget and personal preference.
Mobile home skirting is usually made of aluminum or steel. They come in various styles and shapes, depending on your preferences. However, it is also possible to use wood, foam, vinyl, concrete, and other skirting options.
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