Double Wide Manufactured Home Remodel Creates Ultimate Entertaining Space

double wide manufactured home remodel - formal dining room

Disrepair is the best word to describe this property when Richard bought it. The bones were good in the three-bedroom home but it had suffered serious neglect. Repairs had been attempted at one point, though obviously not by a professional. Every room in the home and every structure on the property needed attention. Fortunately, Richard wasn’t intimidated. He created an entertainment powerhouse with a $12,000 double wide manufactured home remodel.

This Double Wide Manufactured Home Remodel Created an Entertainment Powerhouse

One of Richard’s primary goals was to adapt the home for a couple that likes to entertain.

In order to create the ultimate entertaining space, a few structural changes had to be made. Three bedrooms were not necessary but a nice dining area was. To remedy that problem he removed walls, and, in turn, two of the bedrooms. This allowed for a formal dining room to go right off the kitchen, a living room, and a den.

Read more about removing walls in manufactured homes here.

this 1997 double wide manufactured home is gorgeous - interior - formal dining room

Removing walls allowed for a large formal dining room, cozy living room, and den.

this 1997 double wide manufactured home is gorgeous - interior - formal dining room 2
The formal dining room is perfect for a couple that enjoys entertaining.

Richard explained, “I took most of the interior walls and doors out. I couldn’t believe the number of doors in a space that was less than 1,100 square feet, It was a total waste of space.”

Living Room

Removing the walls created a larger living room and formal dining room, both were a better use of the space for Richard.

this 1997 double wide manufactured home is gorgeous - interior - family room 2
The remodel created lots of open space.

Den

There really isn’t a single style of Richard’s gorgeous home. He has an eclectic combination but it all works perfectly together. He has used a few Ikea pieces in the home. Ikea is an affordable, but stylish, home decor store.
this 1997 double wide manufactured home is gorgeous - interior - guest room
Gorgeous space in Richard’s double wide manufactured home.

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Kitchen

Richard started the kitchen remodel by rebuilding the cabinet boxes and refinishing the cabinet fronts. A kitchen island was installed to provide informal kitchen dining space.
this 1997 double wide manufactured home is gorgeous - interior - kitchen
Kitchen islands are smart additions for most kitchens.
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Gorgeous eclectic kitchen.

See more awesome mobile home kitchens here.

The Garden Room

The previous occupants had poured a patio for a planned swimming pool in front of the house and the slab to build a garden room.
Richard collects tropical plants and this has proved to be a great place for his Brazilian Mastiff as well as his collection of orchids, figs, pineapples, and other favorites. Since the room is a manufactured home addition it is not attached to the house. Giving the room its own independent heat was perfect for the plants and a more affordable building choice. It was a win-win.
this 1997 double wide manufactured home is gorgeous - interior - living room
The garden room is beautiful!
this 1997 double wide manufactured home is gorgeous - interior - living room decor
The garden room is Richard’s favorite space. We can see why!

Smart Upgrades During the Double Wide Manufactured Home Remodel

We asked Richard what his smartest project was during this whole home remodel. He didn’t hesitate to say it was the wall and ceiling upgrades.
“The smartest thing I did was pull off the battens and hire a drywall guy to drywall the entire space.”
The contractor simply glued 3/8″ drywall over all the walls and then mudded, taped, and texturized them. He removed the popcorn ceilings and added the same wall texture.

Read our guide to updating those notorious vinyl mobile home walls here.  

The second smartest change during this double wide manufactured home remodel, in Richard’s opinion, was making the kitchen larger and creating an open floor plan. It now works for two or three with plenty of room for people to hang out and watch the cooks.
this 1997 double wide manufactured home is gorgeous - interior - kitchen and dining area
The island is a great conversation space.

Smart Flooring Options for Manufactured Homes

Richard made smart flooring choices for the manufactured home. He chose a vinyl tile that could be grouted to look like ceramic or stone. This offered flexibility and durability with the hassle or installation costs of installation.

Richard is not a big fan of carpet but he found an industrial carpet tile that made sense. He found a company that sells end remnants for .99 cents per square foot and bought more than he needed in case there is a stain that can’t be removed – all he has to do is change out the tile.

this 1997 double wide manufactured home is gorgeous -master bedroom

Exterior Repairs and Updates of Double Wide Manufactured Home Remodel

To take advantage of the wooded property surrounding the home, Richard installed more windows and replaced the originals. During this phase of the remodel new exterior sheathing and better insulation was added. Both smart moves for the Western Illinois weather.
this 1997 double wide manufactured home is gorgeous - exterior view 3
New windows, roof, siding, and an addition are just some of the updates on this double wide manufactured home remodel.

To repair the leaky skylights and give the home better energy savings, Richard had a complete tear-off of the roof, three more roof vents added, additional insulation, and the leaky skylight was replaced.

this 1997 double wide manufactured home is gorgeous - interior -master bathrrom
The new skylight over the master bathroom.

We asked Richard to answer a few questions:

Any improvement, repair, or decor tips you could share with our readers?

“Always play up the disadvantages. If a wall seems too short, put a dark color on the short wall and bring the drapes up to the ceiling.
this 1997 double wide manufactured home is gorgeous - interior - family room
Notice the curtain feature separating the spaces?
  • If you need depth, put a dark color on the farthest wall.
  • Chose accent walls with no doors or windows.
  • Make sure your furniture is room-appropriate. You want to have flow and comfort. No one wants to trip over your ottoman or try and maneuver around an end table to sit comfortably. Also, you need to be able to eat and drink almost everywhere – so don’t be stuffy.

What was your biggest challenge during this double wide manufactured home remodel project? Any obstacles or things you wish you would’ve done differently?

I absolutely hate the fact the building is on a crawlspace. Definitely would have put the double wide manufactured home on a slab. I would prefer a basement or more reasonable crawlspace. However, I did buy this property as-is and it does sit on 15 piers with 5 hurricane straps. The 6 acres of lovely wooded land makes up for the installation choices. 

See our manufactured home installation and setup guide here. 

this 1997 double wide manufactured home is gorgeous - exterior view back yard
Woodland paradise.

What was your proudest DIY moment? Your favorite room?

My proudest DIY moment was finishing the garden room. Having that space as an entry, dog lounge, and plant conservatory makes a great first impression and the additional space has made all the difference.

this 1997 double wide manufactured home is gorgeous - exterior view
The garden room addition is Richard’s favorite part of the remodel.
this 1997 double wide manufactured home is gorgeous - interior - living room addition

Can you break down the cost of this double wide manufactured home remodeling project for us?

I spent a total of just under $12,000 on the entire double wide manufactured home remodel. Considering what I spent to buy the house, the total cost was significantly under what I would have spent on a new modular home.

this 1997 double wide manufactured home is gorgeous - exterior view 2
The garden room is a perfect way introduction to this gorgeous home.

Why did you choose a manufactured home? What advice would you give someone thinking of buying a manufactured home?

The home chose me. There is something so quiet, cozy, and sweet about a manufactured home. I never thought of it as living in a “trailer.”

For sure, I would recommend choosing quality materials and features over any other factors in a manufactured home. I had to replace a lot of less-than-quality materials and pieces in this home. If you can avoid that from the start by choosing better quality and longer lasting options when buying a manufactured home, go for it!
this 1997 double wide manufactured home is gorgeous - interior - living room decor 2

Summary

This is one gorgeous double wide manufactured home remodel!

This is an impressive representation of the possibilities that factory-built homes can have. A big thank you to Richard for letting us share his gorgeous home.

Do you have a double wide manufactured home remodel? We’d love to share it! Comment below and we’ll get you started.

As always, thank you for reading Mobile Home Living!

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This Post Has 3 Comments

  1. KATHY

    Just beautiful!

  2. Shirlee

    The garden room and surrounding property….Wow! Impressive re-model.

  3. Lisa@Sweet Tea N' Salty Air

    Hi Crystal, manufactured homes are the craze these days as they offer fabulous living without breaking the bank. One of the biggest setbacks here in Florida is the high cost of land leases. I am lucky enough to own the land but most manufactured homes here are land leased to the tune of 900 + monthly. Do you have any venues that make searching for land/ manufactured homes as one. Expensive land leases. Kind of defeat the purpose.