I’ve seen a few comments from vintage mobile home groups stating their displeasure when they see older mobile homes that are gutted and remodeled instead of restored back to their original state.
Apparently, the ‘true connoisseurs’ thinks everyone should have the exact same taste as they do and fail to realize that not all of us have the desire or the means to completely restore an older mobile home. Instead of commenting negatively about someones home perhaps they should recall a lesson that most of our parents taught us:
If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say it all.
Many of us just want an affordable home and an older mobile home is certainly a great way to achieve that goal. When an owner of an older mobile home decides to gut and remodel their property instead of restoring they should be applauded for their ability to see the potential in the home and respected for taking on the project. It is their home after all!
With that said, here’s a great New Moon mobile home that has been beautifully remodeled!
Beautifully Remodeled 1964 New Moon Mobile Home
This 1964 New Moon mobile home has a been completely gutted and remodeled and every inch of it is awesome! There are some great interior design tricks being followed in this home too.
This great mobile home is a perfect getaway!
You can rent this Mackinaw City, MI home at VRBO.com for around $100 per night. It’s close to a lighthouse which probably means some great fishing close by!
The home is 10 foot wide by 47 feet, for a total of 470 square feet but there is a lot packed into this small mobile home!
White is Right
Using clean white color on your walls and ceiling really opens up a space and makes it feel more spacious – it’s a great trick for any small home.
Love the Light
Ample lighting is another great idea for small homes! Use lighting on different levels of the space to create warmth and provide an appealing visual element.
See Thru the Clutter
Cabinetry with see-thru glass doors is a great way to make a kitchen seem larger. It fools the eye into looking up and creates depth in the room.
Get Cornered
A corner sink can really open up the countertop and give you lots more usable space.
Details, Details, Details
Small details like these decorative tiles on the backsplash help pull a space together. Every great interior designer knows that the small details are what makes a room great!
Kitchens and Baths 101
There’s little that can compare to a great bathroom that is well organized and lighted. If you can only remodel one room in your home consider either the bathroom or kitchen first, both rooms can make the entire home feel updated.
Read the Beginner’s Guide to Small-Space Decorating here.
This is a great remodel and I applaud the owners for going modern. Sometimes it just makes more sense to update a vintage mobile home with modern amenities and in your own style.
Who says we can’t enjoy the best of both worlds?
See More Great Remodeled Vintage Mobile Homes:
Vintage Mobile Home Remodel: 1952 Ventoura
A Vintage Mobile Home Remodel: 1958 Mayflower
Vintage Mobile Home Remodel: 1954 Spartan
As always, thank you so much for reading Mobile Home Living!
Special Thanks to Steven S. for finding this gem!
I have the EXACT same mobile home. I’ve also eliminated the 2nd bedroom as well. Also painted paneling light grey in my case throughout. And vinyl plank flooring throughout (also light grey.
Hi Jenia,
You should be able to just rent the axles from a mobile home moving company. It’s much cheaper. Of course, if you plan on using the new Moon as a camper you’d want to buy them. A RV dealer or mobile home moving company should be able to help. Best of luck!
I love how lovely it looks!! My brother has given me his exact same size and year home 1964 New Moon & he had his axles stored somewhere so he could move it later but they threw them away before he could get them. I need the buy new axles but we have no idea what bolt holes . We need 76″ axles but everywhere we go to order they ask us the size of bolt hole and distance between like 5.5 bolt circle or 5×4.5 bolt circle. Is there any possible way you can tell us? I thank you so much if you can help!
Sincerely, Jenia
Loved your article on the 1964 New Moon. We had a 10 x 55. I wished we had kept it. If you have a remodel of that size I would love to see it.
The one in the article is so similar.
Have you considered refinishing your tub instead of replacing it? Either DIY or hire it done. A friend had her’s refinished and it is beautiful.
Me too! Thanks so much for your thoughtful post. All great ideas. I’ll be in touch.
Hi Lynn!
Congratulations on the new home! I recently saw a fold-out table at Ikea that I think is perfect for small kitchens. I’ve seen them used in campers too. I’ll add the link below. I think it’s around $100 so it’s not too expensive.
Being from West Virginia, I do know a bit about living on hills and slopes..lol…Landscape timbers and cement blocks are perfect for creating ‘steps’ with gravel, river rock, and affordable perennial grasses to keep erosion at bay. Make sure you have a ditch for the water to use too. Nothing worse than a soggy slope!
Best of luck to you! I’d love to add your home on here someday!
Here’s the link to Ikea dining tables. I like the $129 Ingatorp, and the Norden for $199. Those wall-mounted dropleaf tables would work well to and they’re only $31! Man, I love Ikea!
Hi Crystal. I just can’t get enough of your blog and all your great ideas. I looked at a single wide yesterday that has lots of storage and an actual laundry room. Needs work but I can live with it the way it is for a while. It’s on a slopey lot which might be a bit of a problem, but can landscape a bit so there’s not much maintenance. Hope you can direct me to some “How to landscape a slopey lot” posts. Also, another issue you might have in your arsenal…not much space for a table. I love your post/article on the “1964 New Moon Mobil Home.” My new kitchen is about that size but with an opening to the hallway to the left (as you look at it) of the stove area, so passing by the table and chairs can be a trip hazard. I like your solution to the small table (expandable) but am nervous about all of it. Not a big budget and lots of old bulky furniture that isn’t going to work, (I think.) Can you tell I’m anxious? lol. Help, I need all the help I can get. I’ll be ok when I get the business of it going, but you are helping with your blog and everyone’s postings. Thanks. Lynn
Perfectly stated Maria!
You make a good point about restoration versus remodeling: its theirs to do with as they like. Something else for purists to consider: not all vintage homes are suitable for restoration. I just purchased a 1968 Fleetwood single wide precisely because it isn’t worth restoring. It features MDF rather than wood paneling, aluminum wiring, a bath tub with no overflow drain, and who knows what the plumbing is like. The all-but-gut and remodel will allow me to widen door and hallways and include any other “universal design” element I wish to, to accommodate in advance any mobility needs which might arise in future. Not everything is a vintage Spartan, and not all Spartans are the mobile home equivalent of a “barn car”!
As much as I adore seeing the authentic restoration of older mobile homes, I bought my place for $ 9,000.00 cash ( 1970 12 x 40 Fleetwood) I think I’m rather clever. Used a little chunk of my 402k,because if my bills are low ,I don’t have to have a lot of money to retire). It came with no cupboard or bedroom closet(,thank you Ikea ),people are amazed and inspired to do the same. Little by little I get it just the way I like it and someday hope to share with you. It is in a Vintage Trailer Park with vintage landscaping and so very cozy. I do not think it is feasible to restore it to avocado green,but I am considering doing a retro bathroom just for fun.I enjoy your site very much and often inspired to keep at it.
Hi Debra! Thank you so much – I appreciate you commenting!
Vaulted ceilings are one of my favorite features in a manufactured home – it really opens the space up! I think the problem with them is those thin strips that cover the seams just isn’t substantial (beefy) enough so it disappears into the space. I would solve that by adding depth and dimension with those faux beams. You’d have to measure and test the space to make sure you got the right size but if you proportion it right it would add a lot to the room and give the eye something to see up there which would make the space seem larger – its a win-win! Here’s a picture I found on Houzz:
I don’t think the popcorn is an issue as long as you keep it nice and white so the shadows are minimized as much as possible. If it’s not to thick you might could find a textured paint that could even it out a bit. I wouldn’t recommend you try to remove the popcorn unless you’re prepared for a very big, messy job.
Thanks so much for reading MHL and taking the time to comment – I appreciate you!
I love this site and was thrilled to find it. I have lived in my 8 year old double wide for almost 3 years. I wish I would have bought one sooner. Problem is we are such newbies to this type of home and info is hard to find. I loved your recent plumbing article. I would like to get some info or your ideas on how to decorate a double wide that has those vaulted ceilings! And mine has the popcorn paint. Thanks for any ideas .
Very, very nice re-do. Every home is a unique reflection of the inhabitants and this one presents itself very nicely as a cozy, chic, cool place. Good job!
Great to hear from you Angie!
I’m looking forward to the day I finally get rid of my harvest yellow bathtub! We keep putting it off cause we need to build an addition but whenever we save up enough to get started something always happens. Maybe someday I’ll get rid of it!
Thanks for reading MHL and for taking the time to comment – I appreciate you!
I love this blog! I can’t believe anyone would complain about remodeling and updating older mobiles. The sad alternative is that the house sets empty, deteriorating to the point where someone decides to destroy it! My mobile was built in the early 80s. I will NOT be bringing it back to its peach and mauve glory days, thank you very much!
Thank you Esther! I appreciate you reading MHL!
I so enjoy what the owners do to make their mobeys their own!!! Keep up the good work, Crystal! I love your blog!
Thanks for reading it! I appreciate you!
Thanks for your blog
Love it!
Check it often
Absolutely love this remodel! My passion is singlewides and love seeing what homeowners do to make them wonde
rful and THEIRS!