Decorating Your Mobile Home
One of the most common complaints about the appearance of mobile homes is that they often look like mobile homes, both inside and out. With a little effort and a small budget, you can do a lot to improve the look of your mobile home, and make it look and feel more like a conventional house.
Most decorating improvements to the inside of your home can be accomplished by the prudent use of paint and wallpaper. The older style wall paneling reeks of the 1960s and screams out for change. Disguising the paneling with a fresh coat of paint or bright wallpaper will do wonders for your décor. To ensure a fresh and modern professional look it will be necessary to fill all of the vertical grooves in the paneling with putty or a suitable caulking. Make sure you sand the filler smooth and flush with the panel surface, and then coat the paneling with a good primer and either paint or paper it. Consider using lighter colors as they tend to make any room look larger.
Kitchen cabinets and drawers are another area where small changes can reap great results. Lightly sand the cabinet surfaces, prime them, and paint them with a light colored gloss. If you’re particularly talented, you might try simulating a new wood finish using one of the faux painting kits. 
Replacing all of the cabinet and drawer handles will also help to modernize the overall look of the kitchen. If you have enough in the budget, replacing the stove, refrigerator, and dishwasher can also make a big difference. Replacing the kitchen sink could be very expensive, but replacing the faucets with an updated set will make a positive statement.
Don’t forget the bathrooms, which are often overlooked. Consider new faucets. Replace the old towel hangers, toilet paper holders, and cabinet hardware. Repaint the cabinets if they need it, much as you did in the kitchen. Check the tile. Some may need re-grouting or simply a good cleaning. Replace any cracked tiles. Add new curtains and a fresh bright shower curtain to complete the effect.
The outside of the mobile home presents special challenges, especially on the single-wide units. Their size, shape, and certain other characteristics seem to shout “Trailer.” Hiding or disguising many of these characteristics is easy and inexpensive. One characteristic that can be improved greatly is the vinyl material that is often used to simulate a brick foundation. It fools no one, and begins to look a bit seedy after a few years in the elements. If you can afford to, remove the vinyl and replace it with real brick.
Mask the foundation with bushes and plants. Place gardening timbers around the trailer to define the planting area. Plant clusters of flowers in the front yard to provide a pleasant welcoming image for visitors. Pink flamingos are definitely out, but a small simple bird bath would add a nice touch. Redecorating your mobile home is a challenge, but it can be fun. With time and patience and a little innovation, you can create a warm pleasant home of which you can be proud.
