Ideas for Trailers

Additions

• Building an addition onto your trailer is the ideal way to expand your living space if your family has outgrown your trailer. You'll have to check your county's building permit requirements and acquire the appropriate paperwork to approve the addition. You can add a single room or several rooms to one side of the trailer. The living space can be doubled by connecting a second trailer to your existing home. You will have to knock out one side of each trailer and build a new roof over both units. Knock out several walls in each trailer to expand the size of rooms, if desired. One solution to living space that doesn't require removing any walls is to add a screened in porch to the front of the trailer, providing a space to entertain guests or relax on a nice day.

Paneling

• Wood paneling was once a widely popular choice and many older mobile homes were built with this type of walls. Paneling is less desirable in modern homes so many people try to conceal the wood. Painting is a common and inexpensive option, but because the grooves in paneling are visible through paint, it is still obvious that they are wood paneled walls. Some homeowners update to sheetrock instead. Sheetrock, or drywall, has a smooth finish, but it is hard work and may be too expensive for budget-minded families. You can fill the grooves between panels with joint compound, sand it down to a smooth finish, and then paint the wall to get the look of drywall at a fraction of the cost.

Landscaping

• Adding landscape design features to your trailer greatly increases the curb appeal of your home. Plant large shrubs such as firethorn or viburnum around the front of the trailer to conceal the hitch, a feature that only serves to accentuate a trailer's mobility. Add deep flower beds around the trailer to make it appear wider; choose taller shrubs for the back of the bed and shorter plants for the front. Install a flower-lined pathway leading to your front door to make your home seem more inviting. You can add a retaining wall to prevent soil erosion if the trailer is located near a hill. Water features such as ponds and fountains contribute to the overall tranquility of your home.

Updating Fixtures

• Manufactured homes don't always allow the homeowner options when choosing fixtures and hardware throughout the home. You can upgrade these features to make the home better suit your personal taste. Give trailer bathrooms a makeover with a new tub, toilet and vanity, or simply changing the faucets and faucet handles can make an impact. Light fixtures are available in a wide range of prices and can instantly change the mood of an entire room. Doors in trailers are often of poor structural integrity but you can switch them out for a higher quality door from your local home improvement store.