At some point, everyone wants a change in their surroundings, regardless of the size of their dwelling. When you live in a manufactured home, it might initially seem like the process would be somewhat easier, especially if you have a smaller space to work with. However, there are some unique challenges when it comes to the painting process in these structures. Picking the right paint is of the utmost importance, as these homes are often in need of a different sort of product.

Most manufactured homes come equipped with vinyl walls. This doesn't necessarily affect your ability to paint over them, provided you use the right materials. Painting also has the added bonus of being cheaper than wallpapering the walls or using another alternative. What you need is paint that is compatible with vinyl or gypsum, or VOG. As the wall material in these homes is different, VOG-friendly paint will adhere to the walls in a way that other paints simply cannot.

As with any painting job, you'll need both paint and primer to complete the task. Use lower-sheen paint, as it will stick to the walls better than something excessively glossy would. This prevents the paint from peeling in the future. You'll also want to make sure before you ever start painting that the walls are clean, as paint does not stick the way it should to dirty walls; cleaner walls also prevent future chips and peels. Buy a top-quality paint and primer. This is not something you want to spare expenses for. The same goes for the brushes and rollers used, as they'll coat the walls better. Finally, paint in several sheer coats, rather than one thick one, for longer-lasting results.

Painting manufactured homes doesn't have to be excessively hard. We hope these tips will help you successfully breathe new life into your dwelling.

When you own a manufactured home, you've got a unique set of challenges to consider. Being mindful of your space makes all the difference, so consider these points for the maintenance and continued welfare of your home.

Keep the Outside Pristine

It might seem like a huge hassle to regularly wash the outside of your house, but it's not nearly as difficult or time consuming as you think. A simple trip to the local hardware store to rent a power washer for use on the exterior can restore the shine in no time.

Stop Ceiling Stains

In more enclosed spaces, there's a higher chance that you'll develop water and smoke stains on the ceiling earlier than you might have expected. Purchase some stain-blocking primer in a neutral color to coat the ceiling tiles, and you'll find it looks better for longer.

Fixture Woes

You'd be surprised to learn that many of the knobs and faucets sold in hardware stores aren't sized to fit manufactured home appliances. Be mindful of this when you go shopping. If possible, find a local supply store that caters to your specific living situation. A quick Internet search will turn up several options.

Mind Your Materials

Often, your walls will be made of different materials than traditional structures. When you purchase new paint or wallpaper, make sure what you're buying is vinyl-suitable, as this is what you'll most likely find inside your residence.

Tend to the Skirting

When the skirting around the base of your manufactured home isn't properly tended to, you'll find the results in heightened energy bills and all sorts of squeaks throughout the house. Checking it regularly ensures that it's maintained properly, and this can ease your mind about costly repairs down the line.

Living small isn't for everyone, but with a few simple tricks, you’ll find it much easier. These tips are here to help you down the road for years to come. 

So, you think your manufactured home is in need of a breath of fresh air? We've all been there, but the process of making the change can seem daunting. You don't have to go all out and make your space unrecognizable. In fact, if you're on a budget and concerned about sticking to it, you'd likely be surprised to find that there are little tweaks you can make here and there that will make a huge difference.

Fixture Updates

Start by changing out your doorknobs, switch plates, and assorted handles and faucets. All of these items can tend to look dingy over time, but they are easy and inexpensive enough to replace. With a trip to the local hardware store, you're bound to be surprised by all of the options you have.

Make Your Own Wall Hangings

By going to the local craft store, you can get all the tools to make your space feel just like new again. Consider painting your own wooden letters to hang up, or pick up some colored paper and glue to do your own paper mache. And don't worry about drilling into the walls multiple times for each hanging. Instead, consider using cute wire hangers as an alternate means of display.

Screen In Your Porch

If you've got a manufactured home with some extra space outside, adding a screen around it can make it suitable for all seasons and weather. With the addition of some inexpensive netting, you'll find that you've got a whole new room you never dreamed of before.

You don't have to break the bank to make home changes. DIY projects like these are quick, fun, and simple ways to make sure you've got the nicest house on the block. 

At some point, everyone gets sick of their living spaces, be it a manufactured home or a massive mansion on a hill. However, when you're living in a small space, it can seem like there isn't much you can do to breathe new life into your home. With a little creativity and elbow grease, however, you'll quickly find that you've got more options for change than you ever dreamed of.

Whiter Shades of Pale

Color is a quick and easy way to make a change, but in manufactured homes, you need to be mindful of dark colors. Darker hues will make the space look smaller, and you want your home to feel like your castle. Consider using lighter shades throughout your rooms. These colors will make it feel much more spacious, and a fresh coat of paint feels like a fresh start.

Mind the Devil in the Details

What you've got on your walls makes more of a difference than you might think. Hanging mirrors is a cheap and simple way to make any room look larger, both in terms of height and width. Make sure that you're focusing your attention on a few simple pieces rather than many little ones. Patterned and textured prints are a good alternative to wallpaper, and you can always change them when the mood strikes.

The Shape of Things

Because manufactured homes are usually rectangle-shaped, the corners can often feel harsh. Minimize this by having curvy or circular pieces of furniture, like a sofa with detached cushions and a round table in the dining area rather than the traditional rectangle. Consider stools or Papasan chairs for these reasons.

It's not hard to make your home feel brand new again. These tips are a great place to start, but don't feel limited by them. Play around with colors and styles, and take the time to make your home your own. 

If you live in a manufactured home, odds are that you have wondered how you could better utilize your space. It might seem difficult to live small without overwhelming clutter, but you might be surprised to learn that there are several steps you can take to make your limited space really count.

Shine a Little Light on the Subject

A quick and easy way to make your home feel more spacious is to leave the blinds open when it’s appropriate. You don't want to sacrifice your privacy, but letting natural light in can do wonders to make your home feel much bigger. For artificial light, consider having skinny floor lamps instead of tabletop structures or hanging fixtures.

Bigger Can Sometimes Be Better

Rather than having many small objects in a manufactured home room, consider having one or two big pieces. You'll actually manage to save floor space, and if you decide you want to rearrange your furniture, it immediately becomes a much easier process. However, be mindful of big prints on your furniture! Opt instead for simpler pieces that are either monochromatic or dichromatic for the sake of simplicity. Decorate your walls with a few big pieces rather than many small ones.

Go Up, Not Out

Make your cabinets and other similar fixtures tall instead of wide. You'll have more space if you utilize the entirety of the walls. Find ways to use the inside of cupboard doors, and try to decorate with light colors.

Your manufactured home doesn't have to feel small and cramped. These simple tips are great ways to make the most of your space. Experiment to see what works the best for you.

All homes depreciate over time if not properly maintained, but with manufactured homes, the process can sometimes move more quickly. This depreciation is similar to the way that cars can quickly lose value over time. After you have your property appraised to determine its exact worth, you can get to work on these simple yet effective tips to make your investment worth more, allowing it to fetch you more money when you someday go to sell.

Stay on Top of Repairs

One of the simplest ways to prevent your manufactured home from excessive devaluation is to always be on top of the necessary repairs and additions. When you notice something starting to go awry, rectify the situation as quickly as possible. This will prevent the problem from growing worse, and it will ultimately cost you less in the long run.

Look for Inexpensive Changes

Maintaining and increasing your home's value is not the cost proposition you may imagine it to be. It's as simple as a fresh coat of paint when the old one is showing its age or upgrading plumbing and lighting fixtures every few years. The newer the appliances, the more they are worth.

Go Green

Energy-efficient changes to your home can really go the extra mile toward saving you money on your utility bills. Add additional insulation or change out the caulking and weather stripping around the doors and windows to keep more heat in and save on monthly energy costs. If possible, install low-flush toilets and search for windows that are similarly energy-friendly.

Whatever changes you decide to make to increase the value of your manufactured home, make sure you are following all local code regulations. These tips will help ensure that you increase the curb appeal and overall value of your home.

 

Decorating a manufactured home is a unique but fun challenge. Just like in any other small home or apartment, residents want to maximize space without limiting style or their own personal flair. Thankfully, top decorators and home designers have developed foolproof methods of opening up even the most cramped space without sacrificing an inch of room. Get inspired with these four tips.

1. Mirrors

Perhaps one of the oldest tricks in the decorating world, well-placed mirrors are a guaranteed way to brighten and open up any room. Mirrors placed across from a window will best catch and reflect sunlight, helping to increase clean, natural light throughout the home. Tucking mirrors behind end tables and chests is a wonderful way to give the illusion of depth and space in a room.

2. Dramatic Art

Dynamic statement pieces are great ways to decorate a manufactured home without cluttering. Remember the cantaloupe rule: multiple decorative accents smaller than a cantaloupe will make a room look crowded. Fewer, larger pieces of dramatic art will space out a room and make it seem more expansive.

3. Draw the Eye Upward

Directing the eye upward will always make a room seem bigger. Try shelving books near the ceiling to draw the eye up, or use a vibrant paint or wallpaper on the ceiling itself.

4. Light Colors

In clothing, dark colors slim and minimize while light colors attract the eye and enhance. This same concept applies to home decor. Bright colors reflect light, making even small spaces seem more open and airy. Choosing light-colored furniture, rugs, and other accessories will brighten the room and make it feel less cramped or small.

There are so many ways to transform a manufactured home into a spacious, inviting place to live. If you are interested in learning more about the benefits of manufactured homes, contact UMH Properties, Inc. today. 

Most homeowners agree that any enhancement they can make to their property that will save them money in the long run is a good one! At the same time, most of us are looking for ways we can lessen our impact on the environment. Fortunately, there are lots of things you can do to your manufactured home that merge both of these interests. From easy changes to bigger projects, there are almost limitless ways to save yourself some money while helping the environment, too. Here are just four ideas to get you started:

1. Paint your roof. A light-colored roof reflects heat and light, lowering the inside temperature of your home. That means you can give your air conditioner a bit of a break, which translates to lower bills, all while helping to reduce smog in your area.

2. Replace outdated light bulbs. Experts say that ten percent or more of your energy bill is directly linked to lighting. With energy-efficient bulbs in place, you’ll use a fraction of that.

3. Seal your windows and doors. Your heater and air conditioner have to work extra hard to keep the temperature in your manufactured home comfortable, especially if there are leaks around windows and doors. Stop the leaks by caulking or placing weatherstrips along windows and doors, and you’ll see your energy consumption go down in no time.

4. Add insulation. Both the under-floor and roof cavities can lead to significant heat loss, which means your heater will have to work longer and harder to maintain a warm temperature. Hiring a professional to add insulation to these empty spaces can make a real difference.

The best home improvement projects are those that save you money and help the environment. There are almost limitless ways to do this at your manufactured home, from quick fixes like replacing your light bulbs, to larger projects like adding insulation. No matter your budget or level of handiness, there are plenty of options for you to try!

The holidays are here and in full swing! One of the favorite pastimes during this time of year is decorating. If you live in a manufactured home, there are a few tips you can follow to make the most of your decorating efforts. These are some our favorites:

1. Don't go too big with your tree. It’s natural to go for the biggest tree you can find, but choosing a larger than life–or larger than you–spruce will not only take up lots of valuable space, but may also looked crammed in under a lower ceiling height. Stick with a tree that’s around 5 feet tall, and it will look perfectly proportioned to your manufactured home.

2. Try white lights instead of colored ones. Light colors are known to make a room appear larger and less crowded. Choose white string lights instead of brightly colored ones to give a clean and uncluttered look.

3. Frame a mirror in lights. Mirrors are excellent home accessories that can make any room seem bigger and more open. If you're looking for a place to string those new white lights, try framing a larger mirror with them to reflect the light and open up the space.

4. Replace things instead of adding them. As you pull out all your holiday-themed goodies, take the approach of replacing things in your manufactured home instead of adding to them. So, don’t just toss those few themed pillows on the couch. Instead, take off the year-round ones and put them in storage throughout the holidays. Same strategy applies for hand towels, rugs, coffee mugs, and other things you may decorate with this time of year. This simple trick will help you cut down on clutter.

Decorating for the holidays is a fun annual tradition that’s sure to get you in the holiday spirit. Try these tips out for yourself as you decorate this year and enjoy a bright and merry holiday season!