Mobile Home Living

Tag: Homeowner Stories

I Painted My Mobile Home Siding Black (Here’s What I Learned)
I moved back to West Virginia last year. Back into the 1978 Homette mobile home that is the reason I started Mobile Home Living. I’ve been a beach bum for the last 10 while my daughter attended a better school but she’s on her own now and I’m an empty nester that wanted to go home where people knew my name. I have a grand vision for it someday but for now it just needs to keep me warm and dry and preferably looking as good as bossible while doing it. That’s why I decided to paint my mobile home’s siding black for a cool, unique look that didn’t cost a lot.

Admittedly, this mobile home has seen better days. The metal siding I had spray painted almond over 11 years ago didn’t look terrible even though it had faded quite a bit. This paint project was going to remedy that and make a huge statement in the neighborhood without saying a word.

Lucy, I’m Home!

In my opinion, painting your mobile home’s exterior is a great place to start when you buy an older mobile home. It’s certainly the most affordable DIY project with the biggest impact and tells all the neighbors that you’re actively trying to improve the home and the neighborhood.

Inspiration and Planning

I chose black paint for the metal mobile home siding because I thought it may make my very rectangular single wide with a flat roof look more like a modern container home.

It was worth a try anyway.

Here’s what my mobile home looked like when I started:

Seemed fitting that I paint my home black being I’m a proud coal miner’s daughter in West Virginia. Coal and trees were the main features on my moodboard:

More than a year has passed since I painted my mobile home siding black and I wish I would’ve done a couple things differently. I’ve been collecting information on color theory, impact of color on energy efficiency, and other relavant topics that I’ll share. There’s a step-by-step guide about painting your mobile home black or at least darker.

A home’s exterior color can significantly impact both the look and the home’s internal temperature. The exterior color of a mobile home is more than just an aesthetic choice; it absolutely affects temperature regulation and a home’s energy efficiency.

Before we get into the science take a look at this gallery of awesome black mobile and manufactured homes:

Color Science and Factory-Built Homes

In order to talk about the impact of black paint on a mobile home we need to go over the basics of light and its reflective value.

LRV (Light Reflective Value)

There is a universal measurement for color called Light Reflective Value. LRV, or light reflective value, measures how much light a color can reflect on a scale from 0 to 100. Lower LRV (0-40) indicates darker colors that absorb more light. Lighter colors have higher LRVs (60-100) and reflect more light.

Colors with low LRV, like many grays and blacks, can be tricky as they absorb surrounding colors and light. Black can absorb up to 90% of radiant energy, also called the sun’s light rays which we know as heat.

This molecular dance of thermal energy is good if you live in the northern hemisphere but not so good for the southern. . Since black absorbs and doesn’t reflect, that heat is stuck new form of energy. This can lead to increased interior temperatures, especially in warmer climates.

Honestly, I didn’t care about the sun’s rays being absorbed too much. I live in southern West Virginia and have tall trees all around me. I haven’t measured to see if painting my mobile home siding black truly effected the cooling costs but I did notice that the house seemed a bit warmer in the evenings than it did before I painted it black.

If I had to bet money on it, I’d say the black has absolutely increased my cooling costs. I can only hope it helped me save a bit on my heating in the winter.

Black Siding and Location Factors

The location, position, and shade should be considered if you want to paint your mobile home siding black, especially if you live in the south.

Of course, you can paint your mobile home siding black if you live in Florida but expect to pay more to keep your home cool.

Black paint may not reflect solar radiation, but it does reflect a cultural shift toward more expressive color palette for home design.

Homeowners are becoming more adventurous with their design choices; Black certainly offers a way to stand out and express individuality.

Market Trend

There is a growing trend towards using darker colors for exteriors.

Psychological Effect

Black siding can lend a modern and sleek look to a mobile home, making it stand out. It pairs well with contrasting colors and vibrant landscapes. There is a growing trend towards using darker colors for exteriors, aligning with contemporary architectural designs.

Black can evoke feelings of sophistication and elegance but may also appear foreboding if not balanced with lighter trim and landscaping.

Considerations in Heating and Cooling

Black paint can cause thermal expansion and contraction issues on metal siding and skirting. That’s because black absorbs more sunlight and heat than lighter colors. This increased heat absorption can significantly affect the material it’s applied to, especially metal.

Hot Vs Cold Climates

Black siding can significantly increase cooling needs, leading to higher energy consumption and costs. Proper insulation and air conditioning are crucial for homes in the south.

In cooler regions, black siding can help reduce heating costs by absorbing more sunlight (in theory).

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Guidelines for Painting Metal and Vinyl Siding

New formulations for pain withstand the elements better and that increases its longevity and durability. I started painting the metal siding black with my $40 paint sprayer and $25can of Gliddeon Black from Walmart the next day.

Read about how I spray paintied the metal mobile home siding a few years ago.

Cleaning

Both metal and vinyl siding need to be thoroughly cleaned to ensure paint adhesion. Power washing is recommended.

Priming

Applying a primer suitable for the specific siding material is crucial to enhance paint durability.

Painting Techniques for Metal & Vinyl Siding

Metal Siding

Use acrylic or latex paint formulated for metal surfaces. Multiple thin coats are better than a single thick coat to avoid drips and ensure even coverage.

Vinyl Siding

Select paint that accommodates the expansion and contraction of vinyl. Lighter shades are usually recommended, but special formulations can allow for darker colors like black without warping.

Read our mobile and manufactured home siding guide here.

How I Painted Mobile Home Siding Black

Preparation is the Secret to Painting
- 1. Surface Cleaning: Thoroughly clean the siding to remove dirt, mildew, and old paint flakes. Use a mixture of water and mild detergent or a commercial siding cleaner.
- 2. Repair Damages: Fill any cracks or holes with appropriate sealants, allowing them to dry and cure as per instructions.
- 3. Priming: For bare metal or vinyl, apply a high-quality primer to ensure better adhesion of the paint and longevity of the finish.
Choosing the Paint
- 1. Choosing the Right Paint: Use acrylic latex paint for vinyl siding and specially formulated paints for metal that can withstand higher temperatures and resist peeling.
- 2. Application Technique: Apply paint using a roller or paint sprayer for even coverage. Multiple thin coats are preferable to a single thick layer to prevent dripping and ensure an even finish.
- 3. Drying and Curing: Allow each coat to dry as per manufacturer’s instructions before applying the next one. Curing times can vary, and adequate drying conditions must be maintained to avoid issues.
Thermal Expansion and Contraction: Effects on Metal Siding and Skirting

Black paint, especially on metal and vinyl, can cause thermal expansion and contraction issues, potentially reducing the lifespan of the siding material. This phenomenon, known as thermal shock, can lead to cracks and peeling over time.

Painting a dark color over a light vinyl isn’t advised, especially in the South because it can cause stress and warp the vinyl.

Heat Absorption and Expansion

Black surfaces heat up more because black absorbs all wavelengths of light and converts them into heat. This leads to higher surface temperatures.

As the metal heats up, it expands. Metals have a property called the coefficient of thermal expansion, which quantifies how much a material expands per degree of temperature increase.

When the temperature drops the metal cools down and contracts. This continuous cycle of expansion and contraction puts stress on the paint and the metal itself, potentially causing the paint to crack, chip, or peel.

Over time, the metal can undergo material fatigue due to the repeated stress. This can lead to warping or even structural damage in severe cases. Vinyl siding is especially prone to it which is why the experts advise against painting a light vinyl a dark color.

Paint may lose adhesion to the metal surface because the continuous movement can weaken the bond between the paint and the metal.

You can help mitigate the thermal expansion and contraction issues AND prolong the life of your mobile home’s siding by following the tips below.

Practical Advice
- Opt for paints that are designed to reflect more sunlight and minimize heat absorption.
- Regularly inspect and maintain the painted surfaces to address small issues before they become more severe.
- Ensure that the area behind the skirting and siding is well-ventilated to help dissipate heat.
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Conclusion: Should You Paint a Mobile Home Black?

My answer is yes if you live above the Mason Dixon Line and Maybe if you’re below it. They paint houses black in Greenland and Iceland for a reason. The black holds heat in the home during the cold winters.

Fortunately, we have better ways of heating and cooling our homes but relying 100% on modern conviennces isn’t smart. Older mobile homes located in the South could use a little extra insulation to offset the heat created by black siding.

Here’s a handy chart I made for you to help decide whether you should paint your mobile home siding black:

Reflective Paint Technology and Enhanced Insulation

In-depth review of existing studies on color theory, heat absorption, and energy efficiency of reflective paint technology proves promising.

A mobile home community in Arizona tested a new reflective black paint designed to minimize heat absorption. We know the idea is sound because it’s been used to seal flat mobile home roofs for decades. You may know it as Kool Seal. Results indicated a significant reduction in internal temperatures, demonstrating the efficacy of such technologies in mitigating traditional drawbacks of black siding.¹

In Florida, a pilot project incorporating advanced insulation techniques in homes with black siding showed promising reductions in energy costs. Homes equipped with these insulation techniques maintained a stable indoor temperature despite external heat influences.²

I think that when it comes to mobile home siding, don’t be afraid to break the mold. We’re already breaking a mold by living in a mobile home so what’s one more?

Whether you choose a calming blue, a lively green, a bold red, a classy burgundy, or a chic gray, you’re choosing to express your unique style and personality. Might as well pick a color that speaks to you!

As always, thank you for reading Mobile Home Living. Have you painted your mobile or manufactured home a darker color? We’d love to add it to our gallery! Contact me in the comments below.

Sources:
November 3, 2024
This 1978 Mobile Home Remodel is One of Our Favs
This 1978 mobile home remodel is a personal favorite of mine for a few reasons. Of course, it’s a beautiful home and the remodel was well done but there are a couple more things that will keep this home in my top 5 favorite remodels of all time.

This was one of the first homes I ever shared and Kathy, the owner, was kind enough to let me interview her and feature her home. I will always be thankful for her kindness.

When I first started this blog I wanted to share beautiful mobile homes. I had just purchased an older single wide and couldn’t find a whole lot on the subject when I Googled it. There was some scattered content around the web, obviously, but I didn’t find a single resource that was specifically for us. Remember, this was before Pinterest.

Another reason I deemed this 1978 mobile home remodels one of my all time favs is far more personal. This Homette is pretty much my own home! It’s 95% similar. The only difference is the post in the living room and the kitchen layout.

Kathy’s remodel taught me what is possible with my own mobile home. She has given me a perfect picture and a ton of inspiration for what my home. I will always appreciate that.

1978 Mobile Home Remodel – Kathy’s Interview

Kathy is so generous and friendly that she has answered several questions for me about her 1978 mobile home remodel. She is a true gem and a great advocate for mobile home living!

One thing I have always thought to be true, Kathy confirmed even more for me: People that live in mobile homes are absolutely the friendliest and most down to earth people you can find.

There’s no pretentiousness, no snobbishness and no one tries to be something they are not. Mobile home owners know the secret to a happy and healthy life: live simply and comfortably and don’t try to keep up with Jones’s.

We all need a little help when it comes to remodeling a mobile home. There are endless decisions to make: paint color, flooring type, countertop material, and lighting design are just a few basic decisions. Not to mention the stain color, the wall treatments, and the decor.

Remodeling a mobile home can overwhelm you quickly!

Seeing how others have updated and remodeled their mobile homes helps tremendously. Here’s a great opportunity to learn from someone who has transformed her 1978 single wide into a beautiful home.

Exterior Updates

This mobile home is a 14×60 Homette that was manufactured in 1978. It has some updates but for the most part it had not been very well cared for – let’s say it was very much lived in.

1978 Homette Before The Remodel.

1978 Mobile Home Before The Remodel.

This 1978 Homette had a ton of potential and Kathy knew it. That’s why she scooped it up quickly and began a 14-week remodel that gave the home a completely new look.

On the agenda for the exterior was painting the metal siding on the mobile home, building new decking, installing new doors and windows, painting and updating the fencing, and landscaping.

New Windows And Painted Siding And Skirting.

Can you remember the names of the colors you used on the exterior and interior?

All Benjamin Moore. The main exterior is Kingport Gray. The exterior trim is Fairview Taupe.

The stain that you used on your patio and steps is a gorgeous color. What brand/color? Any special tips on applying stain?

Benjamin Moore as well. The exterior deck and stain is Natural. The front steps are pressured treated 2×6’s in hemlock and white fir. The boardwalk and deck are douglas fir in 2×6’s all stained with the same stain. I love the color too!!

Tips on staining is to wait till Springtime or late Summer. The wood soaks up the stain.

New Decking, Windows, And Steps.

New Fencing And Landscaping.

New Front Door.

The exterior of the 1978 mobile home remodel completed:

Adding Windows to Take Advantage of the View

If the view from your deck looks like this you probably want to take advantage of it as much as possible. Kathy’s 1978 single wide had an end kitchen but it didn’t take advantage of this view enough. So, Kathy had a few more windows added in the corner of the kitchen.
The end kitchen had a small window above the sink but as you can see there was plenty of room to add another window.

Windows were added on the end wall and the side wall so that the view could be seen from the dining room table.

The beautiful view from the dining table.

Kitchen Before and After

You painted your kitchen cabinets. Any tips you can give us on how you did it? Any steps you added or special products you used?

It’s actually Bleeker Beige Gloss from Benjamin Moore. The walls in the cabin are Linen White from Benjamin Moore. I think it makes a rich contrast.

Coincidentally, the first thing most people say when they take the tour is that they love the cabinet color.

Living Room Before and After

I understand that your little cabin was not in the best of shape when you bought it, reeking of smoke and dog. How did you go about getting the odors out? Any tips?

Well, I thought I could just paint it all myself but with the 14-week schedule before the cabin warming and it took me two full weekends just to paint the bathroom. I had to kick butt and find a painting company to come in.

We had no furniture so we decided to coat everything, from wall to wall and floors to ceiling.

It really helped a lot to coat the floors. I guess it sealed in the odors? Every once in a while in the hottest of summers I get a whiff of the old aroma but that is why I bought the Bath and Body Works plug-in night lights.

Now that you have finished the majority of your 1978 mobile home remodel and your little cabin is gorgeous, can you tell us what your biggest issues were or what part of the remodel brought on the most stress?

The biggest issues are clogged drains, many mousey holes, aluminum single paned windows held together by duct tape and luck. There’s also a drooping ceiling from the removal of an old wood stove piping (water had leaked in and caved in joists),

The front door was actually an interior door where a makeshift window was put.

The most stressful issues were trying to get the Little Cabin ready for a cabin warming scheduled 14 wks after purchase. Two days before the cabin warming we were driving the furniture over the pass in a utility trailer with heavy rain. Everything made it with just fine with only minimal water on the chairs (thanks to good tarping whew!).

I noticed your bathroom light is actually attached in the middle of the mirror, which would be a great way to disburse the light in a small room, how did you do that without breaking the mirror?

First of all the mirror frame in the bathroom and living room were found at a consignment shop and just coincidentally fit. (Was it destiny or maybe karma?). The mirror needed a hole drilled into it to fit the outlet.

On the first run, they actually glued the mirror to the wall but then we had an electrical problem and they came over and very carefully pried it off. I do not know how they did it without breaking the mirror but I do know that the electricians came in and ripped apart the wall.

Then the mirror guys came in and we used the molding support to hold the mirror and frame for easy removal in the future.
You hand painted your bathroom walls but in the photos, it looks like a rich wallpaper. What colors did you use, how did you get the swirls so perfect?

I painted the walls with a rusty colored stain to hide tens of drilled holes, dings and scratches. As we mobile home owners know the minute you drill a hole in the wall it puffs out and you nearly have to scrape and sand for hours to get it flat.

Adding new walls was not cost effective! So I pulled out the paint stain and hand applied swirly wigglies.

You live just 25 feet from the beautiful Wenatchee River, does that add to excessive moisture or humidity inside the mobile home? Is there anything special that needs added or done to keep your home from becoming too humid or overly moist?

We live in an arid region. It’s actually desert converted to agriculture because of the water brought into the region. Wentachee is one of the biggest apple producers in the US.
On your blog, you mention that the flooring was a real pain because nothing is ever square in an older mobile home. Any tricks you learned along the way?

Lots of cussing and trial and error!

They do not show how to lay a laminate floor in an un-square home on DIY! The second row was a bit easier and from then on we used blocks and tapped the sections together. What a pain in the ass!

I found the maple laminate at Lumber Liquidators. It was, believe it or not, $.78 a square foot.

We added the underlayment of 1/4″ of foam which added a bit of an insulation factor and cushions the walk across the floors. It has endured fabulously not one problem. Lucky ducks, we are!!
Lastly, what exactly is a dragonfly dilly dinger?

You are so funny!!!! The garden art that has the dragonfly on top!!

(You’ll see the infamous dragonfly dilly dinger on her blog)

Get more advice and inspiration on Kathy’s blog at mylittlerivercabin.blogspot.com.

As always, thanks for reading Mobile Home Living!
November 28, 2021
Gorgeous $45,000 Manufactured Home Renovation

New SUVs are going for over $50,000 these days but you can buy an older mobile home and remodel it into a beautiful home for that amount. Heather and her husband completed this $45,000 manufactured home renovation in a matter of months. You’re gonna love it!

The creative couple purchased a 1979 double wide in Naples, Florida for less than $5,000. She nicknamed the 1979 double wide the Palm Cottage and it’s fitting. The home sits in a cute Florida park surrounded by palms and Heather turned it into a perfect little cottage.

Like most $5,000 homes, this double wide needed some work. In fact, it would need to be stripped to the studs but that didn’t scare Heather at all. As a set designer, she knew how to build and create beautiful scenes and that’s exactly what she did. In all, they paid $5,000 for the home and put about $40,000 into the renovation. Altogether, they created a gorgeous home for $45,000!

1979 Manufactured Home Had Seen Better Days

This was not a cheap manufactured
home when it was new but it was long past its prime. It had some of the most popular amenities and unique layouts available in the late 1970’s.
The original kitchen had curved counter tops, a feature Spartan Trailers made popular in the 1950’s. The globe lights and built-in appliances and pantry were found in higher-end models of that era.

Built-in range and curved counters were cool features but it needed an update.

A Complete Kitchen Remodel

Unfortunately, the kitchen had to be completely gutted. The sub-flooring had to be replaced as is the case in most older mobile and manufactured homes.

The creative couple removed the kitchen cabinets and appliances while in the process of replacing the sub-flooring.

Related: How to Replace Flooring in a Mobile Home

The kitchen after it was completely gutted:

The New Kitchen is the Star of this $45,000 Manufactured Home Renovation!

Repurposing Furniture Reduced Costs In This $50,000 Manufactured Home Renovation.

Most kitchen remodels cost $45,000 by alone. In order to keep costs down Heather repurposed dressers into kitchen counters.

Since the kitchen was a small, Heather opted out of upper kitchen cabinets. Placing shelves in lieu of upper cabinets have become a popular kitchen trend.

Stainless steel appliances brighten the kitchen.

We love everything about this kitchen!

The Hutch Stays!

The original dining room hutch was all that was kept in this $45,000 manufactured home renovation.

Heather updated the hutch with new paint, trim, and a tiled top.

Related: Awesome, but Affordable, Mobile Home Kitchen Remodeling Ideas

What does a $45,000 Manufactured Home Renovation Include?

This $45,000 manufactured home renovation included new electric, plumbing, roofing, windows, and doors. New drywall was installed on every wall and ceiling in the home.

In addition to the new kitchen, both bathrooms were completely updated as well. You name it and it was replaced in this home!

$45,000 manufactured home renovation was possible because of Heather’s creativity.

Heather isn’t just a set designer. She has been renovating homes in an effort to move up in the real estate business. But she says this $45,000 manufactured home renovation was the most fun she has ever had.

Whether it was because it was on a much smaller scale, since the home is only around 1000 square foot, or because she used thrift store or resale items, she really enjoyed creating a cottage from her 1979 double wide manufactured home.

A couple of favorite things stands out to Heather about this $45,000 manufactured home renovation. Repurposing furniture for the kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities could have been a bust but instead, they turned out amazing! She states that is her proudest DIY moment.

Her other favorite thing about this renovation is the living room. It’s a great space for relaxing and is decorated for tranquility and relaxation.

The Cottage Style Living Room Is So Cozy!

Second-hand stores can really save money and create an awesome look at the same time.

We love gallery walls!

Related: Read how to Create An Awesome Gallery Wall for Less Than $50!

Bathroom Makeover

Both bathrooms were completely gutted in Heather’s $45,000 manufactured home renovation. Before the renovation:

The bathroom before the renovation.

The bathroom after the renovation is gorgeous!

The Exterior Was Part of the $45,000 Manufactured Home Renovation, Too!

The exterior needed a little freshening up.

After the $45,000 manufactured home renovation.

The Bottom Line

All in all, this entire manufactured home remodeling project came to a little over $45,000 (and that includes the cost of the home).

With Heather’s real estate experience and obvious interior design skills, we asked her what her best piece of advice would be for someone wanting to buy an older mobile home and remodel it.

Hiring an Inspector is Important

Heather gave us some great advice. She says, “Make sure to hire an inspector before you purchase the home. Have them go through each and every item in the house and give you the condition of it all.”

Hiring an inspector is great advice. You want to be sure you know what you are getting into before you make a purchase. This article about mobile home inspections should help, too.

Big thanks to Heather for sharing her gorgeous $45,000 manufactured home renovation with us.

Have a home you want to share with us? Email us or comment below, we would love to hear from you.

Thanks for reading Mobile Home Living!

UPDATE: After we wrote this article about Heather’s $45,000 manufactured home renovation, we heard from her about the status of her 1979 home after Hurricane Irma tore through Florida. She says that their home survived the devastation with only minor damage! Unfortunately, she says the rest of their community didn’t fare as well and around 60% of the homes in her park was totally destroyed.

She says that according to her insurance agent and contractors her home survived with little damage because they had installed a new subfloor, windows, doors, as well as install new drywall over the existing paneled walls and ceilings. They also had the roof done with the heavy vinyl “roof over” system. Basically, these items served as structural protectors.

The other homes in the community that fared so well were also renovated or updated.

We are so glad to hear Heather’s home survived with only minor damage. We only wish we could say the same for all the other mobile and manufactured homes in Florida and Texas.

September 24, 2021
Charissa’s $600 Manufactured Home Kitchen Update

This charming manufactured home kitchen update only cost $600!

In the charming town of Westport, Indiana sits a 1996 Dutch double wide with a modern new kitchen. Over the years, the 2011 square foot manufactured home has been getting updates and additions to fit the family’s needs. In 2015, the family thought it was time for a modern kitchen.

It’s amazing what new paint, lights, counters, and a back splash can do to an older kitchen!

Before the Manufactured Home Kitchen Update

Charissa’s 1996 double wide manufactured home still had a great layout and plenty of storage space, it just needed to be modernized a bit and that’s exactly what she did! See the after images of her $600 manufactured home kitchen update and read her interview below.

During the $600 Manufactured Home Kitchen Update

After the $600 Manufactured Home Kitchen Update

Manufactured Home Kitchen Update Ideas on a Budget

The owners, Charissa and Todd Kearney, performed a charming manufactured home kitchen update on a budget. To keep the costs down, they did the work themselves and got creative. The homeowners said it was hard visualizing how it would look best, but the hard work clearly paid off.

Laminate Sheet Counter Tops

Charissa wanted new countertops but those are hard to find under $600 so she did the next best thing – recovered her existing countertops with laminate. For less than $150 you can find 8’x4′ laminate sheets in several styles at your local home improvement store.

The contrast of the dark counter and island to the light cabinets really makes the room stand out. The white cabinets bounce more light around which opens up the space.

Installing laminate sheeting over existing countertops requires special tools but they are not expensive and you may be able to rent them.

Learn how to install laminate sheeting over your existing countertops here (This Old House).

Updating Cabinet Hinges

Charissa and Todd had a great idea for giving a more modern look to their cabinets. After painting the cabinets white Charissa focused on the details by giving the cabinet hardware a new look, too.

Using spray paint, Charissa turned the outdated brass cabinet hardware into a modern bronze color. Taking advantage of the details can really make a space!

Beautiful Budget Backsplash

Adding a backsplash is a quick and easy way to update and personalize your cooking space. Problem is, tile backsplashes can be expensive but Charissa and Todd found a way to get the tile look without the tile price.

Related: Hate Your Backsplash? Try Peel & Stick Tiles

The couple added a sticky tile backsplash. Smart Tiles, a peel and stick tile sheeting brand, is very popular in the RV and camper world. The brand, known for being the original sticky tile option, has better reviews than the brands that follow. Smart Tiles create texture and dimension at a great price and best of all, they are easy to install. They are perfect for a manufactured home kitchen update!

A Great Example From Smart Tiles’ Website Showing The Peel And Stick Tile Sheets Used As A Backsplash.

Learn more about Smart Tiles at Home Depot. You can often find Smart Tiles on sale at Wayfair, Amazon (affiliate link), or on the Smart Tiles website.

Low-Cost Lighting

The right lighting can add style and charm to any home.Charissa and Todd added beautiful track lighting that works perfectly in this modern kitchen.

Charrisa’s Interview

Tell us a bit about yourself, your project, and your home:

My husband and I bought this new. We put it on our land and have raised 2 boys in it. We have added on a basement, family room, porch, deck, a 3 car garage, as well as a storage closet and another bedroom. (It already had 3 at 2011 sq ft).

We have slowly spackled most of the rooms where the strip that separated the wallboard are. Replaced almost all of the floors where there was linoleum. We still have the original carpet which needs to be replaced but for 20 yrs old doesn’t look too bad! Seems like we have been remodeling since the day we bought it! I decided I was tired of looking at my dated kitchen that I had re-done about 12 yrs ago to a more modern kitchen.

Tools and materials used:

We bought new counter tops and paint for the cabinets and walls. New lights and handles for the cabinets.

I sprayed the hinges with bronze spray paint as they were brass looking (dated!). We also purchased sticky back tile backsplash. My husband also took 1 of the old countertops and added it to the island for us to have bar stools. We bought the laminate sheets to match the new countertop and made the new island match!

The total cost of the project:

$600 for supplies and everything we needed to do what we did! We did it all ourselves!

Any tips or tricks you learned during the project:

I learned how to be a better painter for sure!

Proudest DIY moment:

My proudest moment was when it was done and everyone who came couldn’t believe it was the same kitchen and how cheap we did it!!

Biggest challenge:

Our biggest challenge in the kitchen makeover was the island! Him adding the other countertop and figuring out how it would look the best and getting me to visualize it was by far the hardest part!

Favorite room in the home:

My new kitchen is by far my favorite room now! Ask me when my family room is done and I may change my mind!

Any advice you would give someone about buying and living in a manufactured home:

I would advise anyone buying a manufactured home to buy it with finished drywall, not the cheaper wallboard! I hate the mess of spackling!

Thanks so much for reading Mobile Home Living! There are plenty more featured homes coming up so be sure to visit often!

July 24, 2020
Affordable Manufactured Home Living Room Makeover
I’ve been a bit hesitant to share my own affordable living room makeover because it can’t compare to all the beautiful homes that are usually featured here on Mobile Home Living. However, I think the world needs more manufactured home makeover inspiration so that trumps my hesitation.

Sharing our home remodels and room makeovers, regardless of price or scale, can help other homeowners realize the potential in their older mobile homes.

Related: Making The Most Of An Open Floor Plan In A Single Wide Remodel

Our Little Home

We bought this 1978 Homette single wide 4 years ago as our first big step toward becoming debt-free. We have plans to completely gut it and build onto it without incurring any debt in the process.

Small updates and room makeovers have helped us create a comfortable and functional space while we’re saving up for the remodel. I just know it’s gonna take forever!

This entire living room makeover cost around $750 and that includes most of the furniture and accessories. We already had the TV, personal photos, accessories, and books.

Here’s what it looked like the first time we viewed the home. We bought it a week after this image was taken:

Before The Affordable Living Room Makeover.

Here’s the room after the makeover:

Inspiration and Mood Boards

The experts say that planning is the most important aspect of a makeover or remodel and I took their advice. I didn’t have much to work with so I figured I’d try to get as much as I could out of it.

Creating an inspiration board, or mood board can help a lot when planning a room makeover. Collecting pins of your favorite rooms on Pinterest can help you decide what colors and styles appeal to you. Here’s the room that inspired my living room makeover:

Here are a few websites that let you create free mood boards:
Our $750 Living Room Makeover

The first thing we did was paint the walls with the color Vintage Teal from Valspar. It was a close pick between the 3 colors below but the Vintage Teal won out with a tie-breaking vote from my daughter.

The darkest teal seemed to make the lines in the faux wood paneling disappear better than the other colors.

Zig-Zag Hallway

The hallway zig-zags were super easy to do! I painted the walls light ivory then taped off the zig-zags with high-quality painters tape. I found that the green tape with a frog on it works well and gives you a nice sharp line.

Flooring

Next, we ripped up the old carpet and installed laminate or floating floors. We chose the floating floor because the living room’s sub-flooring had been replaced but wasn’t completely level with the hallway. The floating floor is very forgiving and allowed us enough leeway to cover up the issue and transition into the hallway perfectly. A floating floor is ideal for mobile homes with slight floor level issues.

The flooring we used was Project Source from Lowe’s and cost around .79 cents per square foot.

The flooring has stood up against 2 dogs, a cat, and 3 people for close to 3 years remarkably well. It doesn’t scratch as easily as I thought it would and for the price of about $120 we were able to completely cover the entire living room and most of the hallway.

Be sure to buy extra if you do use this particular brand. Damage along the edges and around the corners accounted for about 10-15% of each box. I’ve been told more than one that it happens a lot with the cheaper laminate.

Furniture

The furniture we purchased was affordable to a fault. This sofa and chair set came from Walmart and cost $300. IIt has no cushioning – you can feel the frame when you’re sitting on it!

Joe hates it!

Lesson learned.

Interior Designer Trick: The Rule of Thirds

A large reason I chose this sofa and chair set was that it had a low height. Lower furniture heights are perfect for a small room with 7-foot ceilings. Interior designers live by the rule of thirds, meaning that your furniture, chair rails, and tables should only be as high as 1/3 of your total room height.

Learn more interior design tricks for manufactured homes here.

Next time, I’ll go with a better quality sofa. Heck, I may even spend $500.

Coffee Table

The coffee table is another Walmart find and cost $105. You can buy it here.

I love the industrial style of the table and the size was perfect for our low profile sofa and chair.

There are two things we dislike about this table: the wheels do not move so you will stub your toes and the wood is cheap. Actually, it’s not real wood at all, just particle board with a photo of wood overlaying it. Unfortunately, Scotch tape will destroy it. I was wrapping a gift one day and cut 3 pieces of tape and placed them on the edge of the table until I needed them – all 3 pieces removed the paper from the table. I was able to use a light brown watercolor pencil to repair it fairly well.

Another lesson learned!

Misc. Accessories

Shelves and Fireplace

The two shelves were purchased at Big Lots but you can buy them at Walmart for $44 here.

I painted the back in a lighter teal with acrylic craft paint. We bought the fireplace second hand from a friend for $75 and painted it white. It has a little heater with fake fire and is cozy on a cold winter evening.

Cloth Foot Rest – Poof

This bright yellow cube poof/footrest/chair/table/cat bed/pillow is the most useful thing in our whole house! When I bought it the price was $29 on Amazon but it’s now showing as $59. You can buy it here (though I’m sure you can find one a lot cheaper somewhere).

Curtains

The curtains were another Walmart find. They are light teal shears and cost $15 per pair for a total of $45. I had a light brown Moroccan style curtain that I placed between the teal on the double window.

Pillows

Pillows can really brighten up a room. These pillows were $10 and $11 each at Amazon.

Rugs

The rocket rug was a great find at a local consignment store. It was $10!

I also bought an indoor/outdoor rug from Overstock.com for $20 to place at the front door but it’s redder than orange, the color shown in the photo is not accurate at all.

You can check out my Mobile Home Kitchen Update here!

For approximately $750 I was able to give our living room a complete makeover. It’s a more modern and stylish space and I’m very happy with the way it turned out:

You should share your makeovers and updates too! As always, thank you for reading Mobile Home Living!
October 13, 2019
Easy Coastal Living in a 1988 Fuqua Double Wide Manufactured Home
Desirée and Todd are the proud owners of this 1988 Fuqua double wide manufactured home in Venice, Florida. Desirée had never been around a mobile home before and admits to having a negative opinion of them. She can remember half-joking with her husband that she would live in a mobile home park if it meant they could have their boat on the water fulltime. She actually said it more than once as their boat floated by cute little mobile homes along Florida’s intercoastal waters.

Desirée only knew of mobile homes through the stigmatized and stereotyped media so naturally, her opinion of them wasn’t favorable.

We would use the Venice boat ramp and as we’d motor through the intercoastal waters, making our way to the Gulf of Mexico, we would pass this little trailer park that was directly on the water with boat slips. Without fail I would make this comment, “I’d live in a trailer park if I could have my boat on the water!” Please understand I’m from Franklin, TN, and trailers, in general, are not a desired place to live. Basically, my comment was really more of an “I would lower my standards to have my boat right out the door and ready to go at a moment’s notice.” Little did I know that even though I’ve been very blessed with beautiful homes my whole life, this little mobile home I’d end up in would be my favorite home EVER!

Desirée Schwalbe

One could call this the best kind of irony now that Desirée and Todd Schwalbe live in a mobile home and as it turns out, she loves it. She now happily admits that after a lifetime of living in fine site-built homes this 1988 Fuqua double wide is her favorite home of all time.

Meet the Homeowners

Meet Desirée and Todd Schwalbe. She’s a private caregiver and he’s a firefighter. Both are avid divers and spearfishers and love to be on their boat or diving under it. They moved to Florida from Tennessee to enjoy their favorite hobbies and to be on the water as much as possible in Venice, Florida.
Like most home buying experiences, the Schwalbe’s house hunting experience in FL was a bit of a Goldilocks tale. The homes they were seeing were either too small, too far from water, or just expensive empty lots. Then one day, completely by chance, a stranger told Todd about a guy that had a mobile home on the water in an area they really liked.

The 1988 Fuqua double wide sat on a large private lot and the price was right. The home and property had been maintained but never updated and the bones were good. Best of all, it was right beside a deep channel with a 68-foot sidewall.

Even though Desirée had never been around mobile homes before and knew nothing about them, she could see its potential and they bought the Fuqua double wide over the phone. The next call was hiring an agent to sell their site-built home.

Luckily, Desirée and Todd sold their site-built home on its first day on the market but the new buyers needed to move in just 3 weeks. Needless to say, that ramped up the timeline for the 1988 Fuqua double wide remodel.

The 1988 Fuqua Double Wide Remodel Begins

The Schwalbes had only 3 weeks to pack up their 2,400 sq ft site-built home and remodel a 1988 Fuqua double wide enough to live comfortably while they continued to update the home.

The couple moved to Florida to be on or in the water and their home needed to reflect that love of the sea. I think they did that perfectly. I could use a few descriptive adjectives to describe Desirée’s style but modern eclectic tropical coastal beach paradise seems most fitting.

“This double wide was a time capsule! We had to quickly prioritize, moving out of one house while remodeling another one quickly.“
Desirée

The double wide had mauve carpet, oak built-ins, and mauve and blue walls. With the clock ticking, they ripped out the carpet and installed waterproof vinyl flooring. They painted all the walls and the ceilings a single color and installed new crown molding and baseboards. They had new windows installed and replaced the pink guest room bathroom vanity with a vanity found on Craigslist.

After the three weeks of remodeling, the interior of the double wide everything was done except the kitchen and the master bathroom. The exterior would be done in stages after Desirée and Todd moved in.

This mobile home living room is so cozy and welcoming.

Treasures from Far and Wide…

The kitchen was indeed a splurge but the rest of the home has a lot of affordable salvaged treasures. The turquoise chairs were $10 finds on Craigslist that Desirée painted and reupholstered.

Desirée found the dining room chandelier beside the road and gave it a new coat of paint and hung it up. She found some composite benches in a dumpster that now sits at their seawall.
Opening Up

The breakfast bar/counter design was originally a full wall but the couple turned it into a pony wall. Removing the top half of the wall created an open space floor plan.
Cool Coastal Master Bedroom

Of course the master bedroom would be as cool as the living room and kitchen. I love the color combinations. It’s a different take on tropical and perfect for a bedroom.

Guest Bedroom

Guest Bathroom

Master Bathroom

The master bathroom is just as spectacular as the rest of the home.
Once the couple settled in they had the master bathroom, the kitchen, and the exterior to finish. The master bathroom was a total gut and replace.

With the majority of our projects completed it was time to tackle the master bath. Todd ripped it out & down to the studs. The only plumbing that stayed in the same place was the vanity. The bathroom took almost 5 months to complete, but it turned out great! Subway tiles floor to ceiling in the shower & tile surrounding the walls. We used Cabinets To Go for 2 upper cabinets and the vanity base, topping it off with a remnant of Carrara Marble from Marble Technique in Venice.

Check that off the list, one big project left… the kitchen.

..and finally the kitchen

The kitchen had the popular oak cabinetry and white appliances of the era. Since a kitchen remodel was going to be so inconvenient and time-consuming the couple saved it for last. Learn how to paint mobile home cabinets here.

Here’s what the kitchen looked like when the home was purchased in 2016:
“Our vision was another light, bright, easy to clean space. We chose a light grey, flat panel cabinets & topped it with Calcutta quartz and new stainless steel appliances. It’s absolutely everything we wanted and exactly how we wanted it to look.”
Related: 15 Great Mobile Home Remodels

Fish Scale Tiled Backsplash is Awesome

I love to see creative touches that personalize a home. This fish scale tile backsplash is a perfect touch for a couple that love to dive and Spearfish. It’s just a small detail for the cabinets around the corner of the kitchen but it’s awesome!

The Fish Scale Tile Backsplash Is Awesome!

This 1988 Fuqua Double Wide Manufactured Home Exterior is Fabulous

The homeowners began the exterior remodel shortly after moving in.

Finally, it was time to shift our focus to the outside. We were moving so our boat to live on the water, but at that point, there was no boat lift on our property, so we hired a company to install a 14,000 lb lift. Next came pouring new walkways, installing pavers, and planting palm trees. Last was building our deck and having a roof to cover everything from the harsh south Florida sun. That took a bit longer since we had to apply and file for a variance to build up to 10’ of the sea wall. Once the planning committee saw our vision they were on board 100%.

The exterior before the 1988 Fuqua double wide remodel:
And after the remodel:

They Can Have The Boat In The Water At A Moment’S Notice.

Desirée planned the home to fit their lifestyle perfectly. The paved patio makes walking to and from the boat safer and cleaner. The palms offer shade for their covered patio and the boat slip allows them to keep their boat safe when not in use.

Everything is thriving at this new coastal home. Even the palm trees have grown a few feet in just a couple of years.

A Perfectly Tropical Exterior.

The Landscaping Is Perfect For A Tropical Oasis.

The landscape lighting is a treat for the whole neighborhood. The exterior has it all: tropical colors, landscaping pavers, palms, and a custom pitched awning. All the elements create a terrific tropical paradise.

Perfect Coastal Home!

Old anchors that they’ve found while diving hangs over the ramp with blue bottles. They got replaced the lattice with rope and painted the ramp with random shades of blue, green and white.
- Before
- After
Our fish cleaning station was from someone who had ripped out their kitchen and thrown everything out in their lawn to go to the dump. They said we could have anything we wanted, so we took the solid surface countertop with the bar sink and faucet, it became the perfect filet table!
A Lesson for All of Us

Desirée wasn’t lying when she told Todd she wouldn’t mind living in a mobile home if it meant they could have their boat in the water full time.

It’s easy for people to form preconceived opinions. If you haven’t been around mobile and manufactured homes it’s easy to see them in a negative light – the media and entertainment industry certainly doesn’t help anything. The main difference between Desirée and others is that she was willing to give mobile homes a chance. She saw the potential and the advantages of the property and because of that they now have a gorgeous home. She happily admits that this mobile home is her favorite home of all time. That’s a pretty awesome testimony!

Of course we will always find more projects to do, but for now, we’re just going to do what we moved to FL to do, be in and on the water!

Thank you, Desirée and Todd, for letting me share your beautiful home. You are living the life that many of us dream about and I hope you have many years of happiness in your home and on the water.

As always, thank you for reading Mobile Home Living®!
June 23, 2019
Colorful Coastal Mobile Home with Flip Flop Shutters (incl. instructions)
Life really is better in flip flops! Meet Ellen and Alex Birdwell and their colorful coastal mobile home. The newly retired couple turned a 1981 Nobility double wide into the ultimate beach house by adding color and whimsy over a foundation of classic coastal design. It’s a unique and fun home that is a perfect representation of the fun-loving creative couple. Oh, did I mention the flip flop shutters?

This Ocala, Florida mobile home’s most notable feature is the flip flop shutters but the interior is just as cool. In short, this is one beachin’ mobile home!

The Birdwells retired from lifelong careers in sales and management and dreamed of retiring closer to the beach but they didn’t want another traditional home. They had lived in a large historic home on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. They wanted a much smaller home that could give them the financial freedom to truly enjoy their retirement and the artistic freedom to create a home that was fun and whimsical. This 1981 double wide gave them both.

Downsizing into this affordable double wide for their retirement gave the couple a perfect opportunity to let their creativity shine. They gutted the entire house room by room. When the dust settled, they had a colorful coastal mobile home that is the envy of the neighborhood.

Creating a Colorful Coastal Mobile Home Room by Room

Ellen and Alex replaced all the paneling and ceiling with drywall, installed new plumbing and electrical (including lighting fixtures), and replaced every inch of flooring.

See another cool beach themed mobile home transformation here.

Ellen is an artist and crafter and Alex is a musician which explains why their home is full of creativity, color, and whimsy. However, the home certainly wasn’t like that when they first bought it.

Whimsical Beach Theme Mobile Home with Flip Flop Shutters.

Living Room Makeover

Weathered gray wood is a beach house staple so naturally, Ellen and Alex used it in the living room for both the flooring and an accent wall.

The left photo shows the home before the colorful coastal mobile home makeover. On the right, you can see how the large TV was installed on the living room wall.
The couple installed 6” x 24” Porcelain floor tiles from Marazzi Montagna in Doppel Gray available at Home Depot.

They also installed a reclaimed wood wall plank kit from GPS Design Innovations found at Lowes. After the wall covering was installed Ellen dry brushed it with white and gray paint to give it a more weathered gray color.

The Living Room After The Tile, Shiplap, And Furniture Were Installed.
A sea of blues in the living room.

Flamingo pink wall in the hallway adds a ton of personality to an otherwise boring space.

Our Best Tips to Remodel a Mobile Home on a Budget

The Kitchen

The kitchen in the 1981 double wide was completely gutted down to the studs. The left image shows the iconic curved counters that was so popular in the 1970s and early 80s. On the right you can see how the couple took advantage of the remodel and added insulation to the sidewalls.
The Birdwells did everything themselves during their whole mobile home remodel except two things: the countertops and the heat pump. The counters are custom quartz from Central Florida Kitchen and Bath.

The new kitchen isn’t huge but it is laid out very well and has plenty of space for the couple’s gourmet creations. The pantry is definitely a useful addition.

The cabinets were bought at Lily Ann Cabinets in Clearwater, FL. They delivered the cabinets assembled and Alex and a friend installed them.

The dining room before and after:
- Before The Colorful Coastal Mobile Home Remodel
- After the remodel
Relate: Beach Theme Decor Ideas For Your Mobile Home

The Sunroom

Most homes have a lanai or sunroom in Florida. It’s a great place to enjoy the regular evening showers sand beautiful sunsets. The couple took advantage of the enclosed space and added a TV and use the window for a take-out window for those extra lazy days of retirement.
- The sunroom before
- Sunroom after!
The Takeout Window Even Has A Bell!

Ellen made all the curtains for the colorful coastal mobile home sunroom using drop cloths she bought at Walmart for $9.99.

The Sunroom Looks Like A Whole Different Home!

Colorful Coastal Mobile Home Bedroom

The walls in the master bedroom were the typical vinyl-covered panels with battens or splines every 2 feet. The couple removed all those gypsum wall and ceiling panels and installed drywall. You can see the drywall after taping on the right.

See 10 ideas to replace your own mobile home ceilings here.
After new walls, ceilings, and flooring Ellen painted the room using blues and pale greens. The master bedroom after the colorful beach theme makeover:

Making Music is Easy in the Office

The second bedroom is one of my favorites. Alex is a musician and like all musicians, he needed an inspiring place to create music. This piano themed music room should make it a little easier.

The 3D piano keys on the closet door are awesome!

3D Piano Keys On The Bedroom Closet Is Awesome.

Guest Bathroom

There are two bathrooms in the beach theme mobile home. The guest bath is colorful and whimsical and awesome!
- The sink is so cool!
- Subway tile shower in the guest bathroom.
Learn How To Remodel Your Manufactured Home Bathroom Here.

Master Bathroom

The master bathroom is even more amazing! Ellen told us that the master bathroom is both her favorite space in the beach theme mobile home and one of her proudest DIY projects.

Alex and Ellen made use of every bit of space by designing a curved vanity that utilizes every inch of floor space and counter space.

Here you can see the countertop getting built on the left. On the right is the finished tiled countertop.
The master bathroom has a glass paneled walk-in shower that was bought from Houzz. Alex told us that the biggest challenge during the entire beach theme mobile home remodel was lowering the bathroom floor for the walk-in shower. He had less than 1/16” tolerance to make the two tiles line up.

Beach Theme Mobile Home Exterior Updates

The exterior updates are just as cool as the interior – it has flip flop shutters! It doesn’t get more beachy or whimsical than that!

The metal siding on the 1981 double wide was in decent condition so they simply painted it a basic white and gave it beach blue accents.

The flip flop shutters are a perfect addition to the home but the blocked skirting is pretty awesome too!

The Flip Flop Shutters Are Perfect For This Beach Theme Mobile Home.

Other Projects

This creative couple doesn’t just work on their own home. They create cool gnome homes out of tree stumps! Ellen also painted the golf cart in a Hello Kitty. The pink door is pretty cool, too!
How to Make Your Own Flip Flop Shutters

Alex and Ellen were kind enough to share how they created their flip flop shutters. These are such a whimsical addition to any home, especially a little beach or lake house.

Materials List for the Flip Flop Shutters

In addition to basic tools like saws, screwdriver, hammer, and such you will also need the following:
- 1/2-in x 6-in x 6-ft Pressure Treated Fence Picket
- 1-in x 3-in x 8-ft Board
- Small Rope
- Paint in the colors of your choice
Ellen had seen photos of flip flop shutters on Pinterest but couldn’t find the instructions anywhere so they had to figure the entire project out on their own. Of course, that was no problem for this creative couple.

Measure

Step one is to measure the height of your window. For the 1981 Nobility double wide the windows are 52” long.

Figure out the Cross Board Placement

Cheap fencing boards that were already prepped for outdoor use were chosen for the flip flop shutters. Alex found the 4″ wide pickets at Lowe’s for $1.10 each (6’ X 4”). Next was figuring the width.

They decided on 16″ which required 4 boards set next to each other with no space. These cheap boards are prone to warp, so Alex added 3 cross-boards to hold them together using 1” X 3” standard boards.

The hardest part of installing the flip flop shutters was figuring out where to place the cross boards on the flip flops so they would catch either a window casing stud or a cross member, or belt rail, on the perimeter of the house. Once the cross board placements were figured out, Alex put assembled four or the 6′ long by 4″ pickets side by side. This created a surface that was 16″ wide and 6′ long.

Design and Cut

Once the ‘flops’ were assembled, Ellen drew the flip flop shape free hand and Alex used a jig-saw to cut it out. You can find flip flop shaped patterns on Pinterest here.

Add Rope

Even though the weight of the flip flops was minimal, they did not want them supported by the siding alone.

Next was the rope for the ‘flip flop straps.’ There were several options but they chose polyester nautical rope since it is supposed to handle direct sun exposure.

Prime and Paint

Ellen handled the priming, painting, and overall design. She made sure the cross boards were primed too to avoid future rot.

Once that was done, they flipped the original over and made the rest.

To install the flip flops on to the mobile home they drilled a 1” hole at 10.5” from the top, made a loop in the rope, attached the two ends to a cross member and hung it.

They estimate they have a total of $120 invested in all the shutters combined. Not bad considering Mobile Home Depot wants $45 PER shutter for the same size shutter. They saved a ton of money.

Pin this image on Pinterest so others can find the colorful coastal mobile home:

This Colorful Coastal Mobile Home is Awesome

The Birdwells have turned drab into fab! They created a truly unique home that will surely give them and their neighbors a smile every single day. It’s lighthearted and whimsical without being tacky. It’s a home that will stand out and become a beloved place to take children on walks.

The Birdwells weren’t interested in spending their retirement years in a pretentious home that is uncomfortable and uptight. They want their home to be a fun, easy going, and relaxed. They certainly achieved it with their colorful beach house with cool flip flop shutters.

Thank you, Ellen and Alex, for letting us tour your beautiful and colorful coastal mobile home. You are adding a little joy to other people’s day and giving someone something to smile about which are always a gift.

Life really is better in flip flops! Thank you so much for reading Mobile Home Living®!
June 8, 2019
$500 Single Wide Goes Retro with Affordable Mobile Home Remodel
Kirk Montgomery usually reads the headlines as a TV anchor. Today, he’s making headlines after paying $500 for a 1968 Landola single wide and transforming it with his own version of an affordable mobile home remodel.

The Michigan native recently moved back to his home state to launch and anchor a 4pm newscast and needed to find a new place to live.

Being a TV anchor, Kirk was familiar with the current trend of small homes and debt-free living. He was intrigued with the flexibility that a smaller home could give him, and naturally, the smaller price tag was enticing.

This 1968 Landola Mobile Home is a Perfect Example of an Affordable Mobile Home Remodel

Kirk began his search for a new home and quickly stumbled upon an ad for a 1968 Landola single wide at an incredibly low price of $499.99. With an open mind, he contacted the sellers and found the home to be in fairly decent shape considering it had set completely empty for 7 years.

The home had just enough space and was located in a nice park with affordable lot rent. It had potential and that’s all a vintage mobile home needs when the right person gets ahold of it!

Kirk was ready for a new adventure, but was he able to handle a complete mobile home remodeling project? Could the structure really be transformed with an affordable mobile home remodel?

The answer to both questions is a resounding yes!

After a contractor’s inspection, Kirk bought the vintage mobile home. The result of his affordable mobile home remodel is absolutely amazing!

“My friends think I’m nuts.”

Since starting his affordable mobile home remodel, Kirk Montgomery has learned to deal with the friendly, yet vaguely negative, comments made by well-meaning friends.

My friends think I’m nuts! “How can you live in something so small,” they ask? I just remind them that this is bigger than the studio apartment I rented for $1500.00 a month while working in Denver, CO!

To the unfamiliar, mobile homes still conjure negative opinions. Luckily, people are quick to change their minds once they witness a successful mobile home remodel firsthand.

There’s a reason debt-free living is catching on so quickly around the country. The benefits far outweigh the negatives. You may have a couple of friends that think you’re nuts, just like Kirk, but proving them wrong is kinda fun. The extra money in your bank account is just an added bonus for choosing to remodel a vintage mobile home!

1968 Landola Before the Affordable Mobile Home Remodel

The following photos show the home’s condition when Kirk first purchased it.

The paneling and windows were original. The home was in ‘good’ condition with decent bones.

After Kirk’s Affordable Mobile Home Remodel

The finished kitchen in Kirk’s $500 1968 Landola mobile home is amazing!

Kirk combined retro styled furniture and decor elements with modern appliances and a sensible color palette. The end result is spectacular:

Muted greys were used on both the walls and the appliances and matched with a gorgeous natural stone backsplash.

Retro diamond patterns in a contrasting baby blue adds a little pop to the space.
It’s not too retro or modern – it’s a perfect balance of both.

Kirk uses the built-in breakfast bar in the kitchen as a showcase for his collector lunchboxes and kitchen gadgets.

Using a round table in a small dining area is a great way to maximize space and create flow. With all the square elements in a kitchen, a round table catches the eye quickly.

Related: Before and After Manufactured Home Remodel: It’s a Mod, Mod World

Living Room

Kirk’s living room is beautiful! Ample light helps make the small room feel larger. Low furniture with clean lines help make the ceiling seem higher and creates balance.

Light blue and grey with lots of white is a great color combination – light bounces throughout the room while the grey furniture creates weight to the space.

The wall-mounted ventless fireplace acts as an accent wall and gives the room balance against the large television.

Related: Beginner’s Guide to Small-Space Decorating

Bathroom

Using aluminum diamond plate metal panels over the bathroom walls is an ingenious and creative way to update a bathroom.

We’ve seen sheet metal used in kitchens and bathrooms before but this is a first for the diamond plate.

As long as the seams are sealed well the metal acts as water-proofing in the bathroom, a smart thing to have in vintage mobile homes. Sub-flooring is often made from OSB, a product that quickly swells and bows whenever a bit of water reaches it.

Related: Mobile Home Bathroom Guide

This bathroom has a great retro/geek/tech style!

Kirk didn’t forget the exterior during his affordable mobile home remodel.

The 1968 Landola single wide sits in a beautiful park! With the bright yellow trim, it won’t be hard to tell new visitors which home is yours, that’s always a plus in larger mobile home parks.

Related: 14 Great Mobile Home Exterior Makeover Ideas for Every Budget

Total Cost of Kirk’s Affordable Mobile Home Remodel

Kirk spent approximately $10,000 on the home and the remodel thus far. That’s not a bad deal for the gorgeous home above!

This $10,000 price includes the following:
- The Home (1968 Landola Single Wide)
- New Laminate Hardwood Flooring
- New Hot Water Heater
- Lots of Paint (to cover the very dark paneling in every room)
- New Stone Backsplash
- Brand New Appliances (including full-size washer and dryer)
- Replaced 17 Windows (energy efficient)
Future plans include insulating the plumbing better and replacing the bathtub and toilet.

Related: Affordable Single Wide Remodeling Ideas

The Secret to a Successful Mobile Home Remodel on a Budget

Over the years, we’ve noticed that the most successful and affordable mobile home remodels have three things in common:

Creativity and Resourcefulness

Being creative and resourceful is important when attempting to remodel a vintage mobile home. You will likely need to use material or products in a way the manufacturer did not intend.

For example, Kirk used diamond metal panels on his bathroom walls. This added waterproofing to a room that is easily damaged by water. It also created a great conversation piece, all at an affordable price.

Seeing the Potential in a Home

Having the ability to see the potential that a vintage mobile home has is just as important as creativity and resourcefulness.

Seeing a space and imagining what it can become and then envision the steps it will take to create that space is a handy talent to have when updating a 40-year-old mobile home. Imagination is always an asset!

Having the Right People Helping

Lastly, having a good team helping you is a great resource to have when attempting an affordable mobile home remodel. Whether it’s just one person or ten, hired or free, every bit of help you can find will make your affordable mobile home remodel a success.

Kirk’s Interview

Getting advice from fellow mobile homeowners that have completed an affordable mobile home remodel projects is a big goal here at MHL. Remodeling a vintage mobile home is intimidating so every tip we can get is appreciated.

Kirk was gracious enough to answer a few questions:

Any tips or tricks you learned during the project?

I learn something new every day! I probably should have started with updating the plumbing pipes and electrical systems first, then went into the cosmetic stuff. I was anxious to move in and wanted it comfortable right away though!

Related: Plumbing In Manufactured Homes: The Basics

Proudest Room?

I think the kitchen turned out the best. It’s a great mix of retro styling with modern upgrades.

Future Plans?

I’ve only been doing this a few months so this is all a work in progress. The central air doesn’t seem to be working well so I need to check into that. Future projects will be replacing the skirting around the home, painting the exterior, and reinstalling all the awnings and shutters. Adding some nice landscaping, too.

Favorite room in the home?

Living Room is cozy, modern, and has lots of light!

The advice you would give someone about buying and living in a mobile home?

Well, honestly, if I had to do it again I may have waited for something in the $3000.00 range that didn’t need as much work. That way, I could have spent the rest of the money on cosmetic stuff.

Thanks so much for letting us share your gorgeous home, Kirk! And thank you for reading Mobile Home Living!
May 12, 2019
1952 Ventoura Mobile Home Remodel

Some people have the coolest stuff! Diane, a writer and blogger at the wonderfully entertaining blog called ‘Tales From a Sears House‘ is one of those people. She has an eye for detail and naturally surrounds herself with unique items. Diane, and her husband Doug, not only live in a 1939 Sears Kit House but they also own a vintage mobile home. Oh, and they have really cool collections of vintage cameras and picnic baskets along with other unique home decor and furnishings. There are neat things all around them!

Vintage Mobile Home Remodel – Beach Style

One of the couple’s cool things, the mobile home, received a complete remodel. Astonishingly, the couple somehow completely transformed the Ventoura mobile home in less than two years. Diane mentions buying the home and land for around $38,000 on June 29, 2012, and you can see by the photos that they wasted little time. The home has been completely updated and remodeled and is a beautiful example of the endless possibilities that mobile homes have.

The setting couldn’t be more beautiful or perfectly situated. The property directly borders a picturesque wetland and yet the ocean is only one block away. Diane states the property sits in Kitts Hummock, a sleepy rural area on the Delaware Bay.

Here’s the vintage mobile home before the remodel:

Below you can see the enclosed porch that sits on the opposite side of the addition.

The couple’s main priority on June 29, 2012, was to replace the shingles on the addition and paint both the interior and exterior. Of course, as in any vintage mobile home remodel, even the smallest of projects can lead to a whole lot more. Still, the couple handled the entire remodel like champs, making the impossible possible time and time again.

The Heart of the Home

Kitchens are the heart of any home, especially in many mobile home designs. Many mobile home layouts put the kitchen in the middle of the home. This layout is usually coupled with a nearby bathroom which allows for a simple plumbing system to support both rooms. Ventoura used a similar design in 1952 when they built this home.

Doug and Diane were able to gut the entire kitchen and replace practically everything in the room, including the plumbing for less than $1000.

They replaced everything; beadboard walls, countertops, sink, appliances and ceiling. The end result is amazing!

Living Room Love

The addition on the mobile home serves as a living room. A small window opening between the kitchen and living room helps connect and open up the space. Here’s the living room when they first purchased the home:

And here’s the living room after:

Dashing Dining Room

The dining room is at the end of the mobile home, where the living room would normally be had the addition not been built. Here you can see the space when the couple first purchased the home and then after they completely gutted it.

The dining room after Diane and Doug performed their DIY magic:

Beautiful Bedroom

Since this is a 1952 Ventoura mobile home space is fairly limited. These homes were built to be transported easily and conveniently. The bedroom layout is very typical of an early 1950’s model mobile home – small but with ample storage. Here’s the bedroom before the makeover:

The bedroom after the makeover:

The bathroom also received a grand remodel!

The enclosed porch also got a makeover.

Extremely Awesome Exterior

Last, by certainly not least, is the exterior of the home. As we saw in the first few images, the home was painted in a calm cream and surrounded by overgrown vegetation. The brush was cleaned up and the entire property got a couple coats of paint. The finished look is certainly indicative of the beach!

Here’s the home during its exterior transformation:

And after the home was painted and the skirting was installed:

Here are a few other photos I found from “Tales from a Sears Home.” It’s obvious this couple is very talented in photography, collecting neat stuff like cameras and mobile homes, and remodeling those mobile homes.

The vintage camera collection on display in the couple’s Sears kit home:

The kitchen inside the Sears home:

The ocean close to the mobile home:

This is such a great vintage mobile home remodeling story! Not only is the end result amazing but it’s a great example of the endless possibilities that a vintage mobile home has. Plus, this is about as close to a mobile home jackpot as one can find – fine home, great location, and was bought at a great price.

Related: Vintage Mobile Home Restoration: Sensational 1955 Smoker Aristocrat.

All images are the property of ‘Tales from a Sears Home.” Please be sure to go visit the blog. Diane posts about all kinds of great treasures and experiences. There’s lots more images and stories about the remodel over there, plus a lot of neat projects they do – there’s something for everyone!

As always, thank you for reading Mobile Home Living!

May 6, 2019
Eclectic Farmhouse Mobile Home Remodel
This eclectic farmhouse mobile home remodel is gorgeous!

When Angela Chandler inherited an older double wide mobile home on 7 acres in Knoxville, TN, she had no intention of keeping it.

She had no intention of keeping her own home either. Angela’s initial plan was to sell the inherited property along with the small home she currently lived in and purchase a brand new home that was move-in ready. But after a few trips to the newly inherited property (and a lot of thinking), she ended up just selling her home and moving into the double wide.

It was an easy choice after realizing just how much potential the mobile home had. The 7-acres alone was reason enough to keep it. Plus, ‘new’ isn’t exactly her style.

Angela sold her house and moved into the double wide mobile home and began an eclectic farmhouse style remodel within days.

“I sold my little house and moved into the mobile home and took on the transformation full force!”

Beautiful horses, barns, and a double wide manufactured home sitting on 7 acres are Little House on the Prairie perfect.

Kitchens, Baths, and Flooring First

Angela’s ‘new’ mobile home hadn’t been updated much over the years, so it was going to take a little effort to make the home truly hers.

Like so many new owners of an older mobile home, our new mobile homeowner wanted to get the kitchen and bathroom remodeled as soon as possible. Those are pretty important things to have, after all.

While Kitchens and baths are the most expensive rooms to remodel and the most frustrating, they can make the entire house feel new and more like your own home.

Before she tackled the bath and kitchen, she needed to take care of one important thing first:

She needed to get rid of the bright red carpet that ran through the whole home!

Angela said the first thing that had to go was the bright red carpet.

The Red Carpet Had To Go!

Beautiful Hardwood

It was replaced with an engineered hardwood from the Longhouse Plank collection in European White Oak. Read about your mobile home flooring options here.

Eclectic Farmhouse Mobile Home Bathroom Remodel

After caring for that red carpet, Angela started on her master bathroom remodel. The entire room was gutted.

Black and white Bayona decorative ceramic tiles were laid, a new shower was tiled and a soaking tub was installed.

The vinyl walls in the master bath had been painted, but everything else was factory original.

She hired a professional contractor for the mobile home bathroom to remodel since the whole room was getting gutted and plumbing lines would need to be moved.

The Shower Is Simple But Beautiful.

The master bathroom is Angela’s favorite room now. She says, “It’s like my own little sanctuary and it came to life just how I wanted it to.”

In the last image, you can see a dresser that was transformed into a vanity.

Both the clawfoot tub and the vanity were bought second-hand online. Read more about mobile home bathtubs here.

Bedroom Before and After

The master bedroom makeover is just as spectacular as the bathroom!

The Master Bedroom Suite After The Bathroom Remodel But Before The Bedroom Makeover.

Every inch of the bedroom is gorgeous.

Stone Farmhouse Fireplace Makeover

She also painted every square inch of the house, including the fireplace. The stone farmhouse fireplace makeover just required paint, but painting stone is a pain.

The stone farmhouse fireplace makeover is a great example of the power of paint. The fireplace before Angela transformed it:

“If you can’t afford much, a can of paint can become your very best friend and totally transform a space.”

Eclectic Farmhouse Mobile Home Kitchen Remodel

Soon after Angela finished the bathroom remodel she began the kitchen.

Angela’s double wide mobile home kitchen was factory original. Nothing had been painted or replaced.

First, she pulled out all of the old appliances and removed the top cabinets, and covered the walls in faux shiplap using plywood cut to 8″ boards and sanded.

The upper kitchen cabinets were removed. The remaining laminate kitchen cabinets were painted.

After the upper cabinets were removed, Angela started installing 8″ boards ripped from plywood. They were sanded and then painted white.

Angela’s thriftiness continued in the kitchen. She replaced the kitchen sink with an acrylic farmhouse-style sink she found on an online second-hand site.

Lastly, she purchased new appliances and painted the remaining cabinets.

“Go with what you love!

DIY Curtain Rod

Angela created her own corner shower curtain rod out of piping from a local hardware store. Her corner shower is an odd size and she couldn’t find any curtain rods online that would work that were less than $200 and that was a no-go.

Angela went to the store, bought some metal piping and pipe fittings for under $30 and got to work. That’s one of the best things about the trendy eclectic industrial farmhouse style that has taken the nation by storm since Joanna and Chip Gaines first appeared on HGTV.

Materials and Supplies List for Eclectic Farmhouse Mobile Home Remodel
- Benjamin Moore’s Simply White paint was used throughout the entire home.
- All lighting and plumbing fixtures are from Home Depot.
- Tile flooring and shower tiles came from Floor and Decor.
- Clawfoot tub and dresser vanity were Facebook Market purchases.
- Hardwood flooring is Realwoods Flooring, Longhouse Plank Collection.
- Curtains and shower curtains are canvas drop cloths purchased from a local hardware store.
Angela’s Interview: Tips and Advice for Mobile Home Owners

I like to ask homeowners a few questions whenever we feature their homes. Mobile homeowners don’t get a lot of attention in the DIY and home decor world so every little bit of advice helps. Angela’s answer was especially helpful and thoughtful.

When asked if she had any tips that she learned during her eclectic farmhouse mobile home remodel Angela replied, “Go with what you love! I found myself trying to mimic a lot of spaces I would see on Instagram and Pinterest but in the end, it wasn’t always what I wanted for the long term. My style is very eclectic and I just learned to accept that and run with it. It’s my house, right?!”

Angela’s second tip is to shop second-hand whenever possible. She saved a ton of money by transforming a second-hand dresser into a perfect eclectic farmhouse style bathroom vanity. A new clawfoot tub can cost thousands but she got a great deal on a second-hand tub off Facebook Marketplace. She also bought the stainless steel farmhouse style kitchen sink online.

See 15 More Great Mobile Home Remodels

Remodeling Challenges

I also asked Angela what her biggest challenge was during her mobile home remodel and her answer was unique.

She said her biggest challenge wasn’t the endless painting or sanding, it was being patient throughout all the work, “I am an instant gratification type person and a remodel will definitely teach you to be patient. Take no shortcuts, if you run across a challenge during a reno, make sure it is handled the right way so that in there are no surprises in the long-term.”

Advice for New Mobile Home Owners

We asked Angela for tips or tricks she learned during her eclectic farmhouse mobile home remodel. She said paint was her

“If you can’t afford much, a can of paint can become your very best friend and totally transform a space.”

I also like to ask featured homeowners if they have any advice for anyone thinking about buying a mobile home or starting a remodel. Angela’s reply was especially thoughtful and well-said:

Don’t look at it for what it is but at what it can become. I think there is a stigma about living in a mobile home but if you put a little work and love into it and it feels like home, then that’s all that matters!

Second-Hand Savings

Angela has a knack for finding good stuff second-hand. One of her favorite places to find great deals on home improvement items is the Facebook Marketplace.

Since Angela bought so many big-ticket items second-hand, her budget went much further than most.

So far, her entire eclectic farmhouse mobile home remodel has cost about $12,000. While that may seem like a lot, keep in mind that most master bathroom remodels cost $15,000 alone.

For $12,000, Angela was able to replace all the flooring, completely gut and remodel the master bathroom (and add a tiled shower), paint every wall in the house, makeover the fireplace, give the kitchen a complete makeover and buy all new appliances. That’s not bad at all!

Follow Angela on Instagram

I found Angela Chandler on Instagram. Her profile is @eastemorycollective and I really like all the fun and uplifting things she shares. The gorgeous mobile home, beautiful barns, cute horses, cool cats, and lots of good bargains and thrifty decor finds are pretty cool too!

A big thanks to Angela for letting me share her beautiful home and thank you so much for reading Mobile Home Living®. I appreciate you!
April 21, 2019