Decorating Small Spaces Small Home Decorating Ideas No Joke! This Is a Mobile Home By Caitlin Sole Caitlin Sole Instagram Caitlin is the senior digital home editor at Better Homes & Gardens, where she covers all things home, including decorating and interior design, cleaning and organization, paint and color, home improvement, and more. She is a writer and editor with nearly a decade of interior design education and expertise. She has vast experience with digital publishing, including SEO, photoshoot production, video production, eCommerce content, print collaboration, and custom sales content. Caitlin graduated with a bachelor of journalism, with an emphasis in magazine editing, as well as a minor in textile and apparel management from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She also received a multicultural certificate. Caitlin regularly attends trade shows and industry press conferences for market research and continued education. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on April 6, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos One couple's search for their first home led them to a quirky neighborhood in California, where they fell for a double-wide in a tight-knit community of mobile homes. 01 of 13 Home Sweet Mobile Home A California couple was looking to upgrade from their one-bedroom apartment when the husband stumbled upon a neighborhood of mobile homes after a day of surfing; they were soon smitten. They decided to invest in a 1970s double-wide and quickly went to work gutting and transforming it with the help of designer Frances Merrill of Reath Design. 02 of 13 Living Large Their first feat was to create an open floor plan and a strong indoor-outdoor connection that would make the two-bedroom, two-bath home feel as large as possible. Merrill designed the sectional with two cushions the size of twin mattresses, so the homeowners could slip on fitted sheets to transform the living room into a second guest room. Open shelves circle the living room and continue into the kitchen, creating much needed storage without taking up precious floor space. 03 of 13 Go with the Flow Cladding the dated fireplace in slate gave it a much-deserved facelift. It delineates the living and dining areas from the kitchen and warms both spaces. Consistent materials—wood, slate, and natural textiles—make the house feel unified and create easy flow. 04 of 13 Warm Welcome A built-in bench turns the entry into a mudroom where guests can kick off their shoes after a walk on the beach. 05 of 13 Cooking Up Style The same slate that was used on the double-sided fireplace was used again on the countertops in the kitchen. White cabinetry keeps the look airy. 06 of 13 Work Space A built-in office nook adds function and storage to a sliver of space. Warmly stained cabinetry mimics the look of the paneling in the entry and primary bedroom. 07 of 13 Visual Expansion An airy dining table and chairs make the space feel bigger. Vertical paneling, painted white, lifts the eye so the ceilings appear higher. A dramatic light fixture provides impact without occupying too much physical space. 08 of 13 Sweet Dreams Merrill encouraged the couple to embrace the trailer park vibe by incorporating quirky design elements like the wood paneling in the mudroom and primary bedroom. They also kept to a consistent color palette of creamy oatmeal and warm gray for an effortless transition throughout the 1,500-square-foot space. Here, the color palette plays out in the form of an upholstered bed and window treatments. Red accents add personality. 09 of 13 Bathing Beauty As is elsewhere in the house, warm woods and bright whites take center stage in the primary bathroom. Plenty of reflective surfaces help to visually expand the small space. 10 of 13 Be Our Guest The guest bedroom repeats the vertical white paneling used in the living spaces. Plenty of fun accents dot the restful room, creating a space that is relaxing and inviting. 11 of 13 Outdoor Living The homeowners considered adding a third bedroom, but instead built a deck where they could entertain. Bougainvillea has started to climb up the deck slates, and the goal is to have it eventually grow across all the slates so the deck feels like its own enclosed room. 12 of 13 Take It Out Back In the yard, an outdoor living room is anchored by a fire pit on a decomposed granite patio. It's a favorite place to gather in the evenings. 13 of 13 The Floor Plan With just 1,500 square feet, the home feels a lot bigger thanks to an open floor plan and plenty of space-expanding design tricks. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit