In the middle of a mobile home renovation? Or simply wondering what you can do right now to give your home that extra touch of mod? Then you’re in the right place! Today we’re addressing 9 dos and don’ts for on-trend mobile home style. Here are four things to shy away from and five things you totally need to do! Just ticking a few things off this list will have you well on your way to creating a home that is not only functional but also appealing and beautiful.
Do: Embrace your mobile home’s straight, clean lines
Here’s a secret: mobile homes don’t have to be boring. Just because they’re cheaper, smaller, and lack unique qualities doesn’t mean they have to be drab. Maybe you simply need to define the lines of your home. Calling attention to the simplicity of the shape is the best way to draw attention away from the fact that it’s “just a mobile home.”
Maybe you need new siding, with panels running vertically instead of horizontally. Or perhaps just upgrading the siding from craftsman grade to something a little more expensive would do the trick. Think about how you could add dimension. A two-toned effect is very popular in exterior designs, especially if you’re going for a midcentury modern look.
Paint your door a bright, fresh color. Add windows. And use the windows as a design tool. Install windows in above your front door or add smaller window above your existing windows. This not only looks completely modern, but it also gives you more natural light. And while we’re dreaming, perhaps a wall of floor-to-ceiling window is just what your home needs!
Don’t: Be afraid to make bold changes
Be original. Mobile homes don’t usually come with a lot of charming characteristics right out of the factory, so it’s up to you to add some. Changing the architecture of your home is a big (and scary) job, but it’s worth it. Is your home begging for a wrap-around porch, an attached patio, or vaulted ceilings? Then do it!
Do: Landscape
Nothing brings a home to life more than…life! Add some growing things. Plenty of trees, bushes, and flowers will do the trick. And maybe window boxes and big, bold plants scattered around the patio. How about rock gardens and walkways?
Don’t: Paint interior walls dark colors
When we say to avoid painting your interior walls dark colors, we’re not prohibiting having one or two feature walls. That’s fine. But painting all the walls dark colors (or colors that end up looking dark – such as tan) will do nothing for you. Pick colors that lighten the space up, not drag it down. Since mobile homes are small and fairly enclosed, do everything you can to make yours feel larger. And that includes painting with carefully-selected colors.
Do: Spend a little more money on window treatments
Want to make your ceilings look higher than they are? It starts with the windows. Make the windows look taller than they are, and your ceilings will reflect the change. Window treatments should always brush the floor, or even pool a little. So don’t cheap out. Spend a little more money and get the good stuff!
Don’t: Use all one texture or color
One of the first things to consider when decorating a house is where you’ll buy your furniture. The answer, for those who want on-trend style, is…everywhere! Mixing and matching pieces is the defining factor in today’s design trends. Don’t buy sets. And don’t buy everything from the same store, because that inevitably leads to boringness. For example, combining a cognac leather couch, a black and white printed chair, and an emerald green side-table is an attractive way to go by today’s standards.
And this doesn’t apply to furniture only. It applies to every decor purchase you’ll ever make. Mix things up and don’t be afraid to break out of the “matchy-matchy” stage. Truly, today, “anything goes.”
Do: Add architectural character
Here’s a quick list of possibilities to add character to your architecture:
- Beams
- Shiplap
- Wainscoting
- Interesting doors (barn doors, for example)
- And so much more!
Do: Open up doorways
Nothing like opening up a doorway to breathe new life into a home! Even if you don’t have floor space to widen doorways, heightening them might just be the thing you need. Wider and higher doorways make for a roomy feel. Plus, they may add the illusion of taller ceilings.
Don’t: Get overwhelmed!
Get out there and get ready to nail it. If you follow these tips, you will! Remember that what defines today’s design trends is effortlessness and beauty. And you’re not going to achieve either of those if you don’t have fun. Want more? Check out these nine mistakes you’re probably making when it comes to mobile home decor.
About EZ Homes Design Team
