Bedroom Layouts In Mobile Homes: A Guide

Mobile homes are an increasingly popular choice for many, offering affordable, flexible, and customisable living spaces. Mobile homes are constructed using mass assembly techniques, with light and inexpensive materials, and are available in single-wide, double-wide, and triple/multi-wide sizes. Single-wides are the smallest type of mobile home, with 1/2 bedrooms, a bathroom, and an eat-in kitchen. Double-wides are the most common, featuring 2/3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a living area, kitchen, and washing room. Triple/multi-wides are the largest, with no width restraint, and can have 4 bedrooms, a family room, and a nursery. Mobile homes can be customised with additional rooms, such as garages, sunrooms, or extra bedrooms and bathrooms. The interiors of mobile homes can be decorated in various styles, from light and airy to rustic country, and shabby chic.

Mobile home bedroom styles

Some mobile home owners opt for a rustic country style, with natural textures and muted colours. Others go for a shabby chic look, with mixed-match furniture and cohesive white decor. You can also create a modern, simplistic look with natural shiplap, or add a pop of colour with rich reds and purples.

Mobile homes come in different sizes, which will impact the layout and number of bedrooms. Single-wide mobile homes are the smallest type, with around 600-1300 square feet of living space and usually 1-2 bedrooms. Double-wides are the most common, with 2000-2500 square feet of living space, 2-3 bedrooms, and additional rooms like a family room or nursery. Triple/multi-wides are the largest, with around 4500 square feet of living space, 4+ bedrooms, and multiple bathrooms.

If you need more space, it's possible to add an extra room to your mobile home. This is usually done by building a separate structure that is sealed to the original home, matching the dimensions and materials to create a cohesive look and feel.

Floors, walls and ceilings

The floor of a mobile home is made up of four layers. The first is a steel frame, which is usually the same as the chassis. This is followed by a cavity layer of floor joists and insulation. The third layer is a subfloor, typically made of wood or wood composite, which acts as a support base for the final floor. The most common types of flooring are wood or laminate, which may be covered with vinyl for protection and aesthetics. Carpet is also a popular choice, although it is becoming less common due to the difficulty of keeping it clean.

The walls of a mobile home are constructed in a similar way to the floors. They consist of a framework of wooden joists and supports, with a space in between that is used for insulation. The interior and exterior of the walls are then covered in panels, usually made of wood, faux wood, drywall gypsum, or vinyl. Metal panels are sometimes used, but more commonly on the outside of the home.

The ceiling cavity of a mobile home is made up of wooden bats and a ridge pole that runs down the length of the home. The design of the ceiling cavity depends on the shape of the roof and the individual model of the home. There is usually minimal attic space. The ceiling itself is made of the same materials as the walls, such as fiberboard, sheetrock, and decorative panels like popcorn ceiling boards.

Renovation Tips

If you're looking to renovate the floors, walls, or ceilings of your mobile home, here are some tips:

• When removing old flooring, consider hiring a professional flooring contractor to get the job done quickly and efficiently.
• For walls with wood paneling, you can create the look of drywall by removing the trim, priming the walls with an oil-based primer, filling in gaps with drywall mud, taping and mudding the joints, spraying orange peel texture, and finally priming the walls for paint with a latex primer.
• If your mobile home has flat roofs, consider replacing them with pitched roofs, which are more attractive, functional, and structurally sound.
• To enhance the look of your mobile home, consider adding skirting, which covers the gap between the home and the ground and can add an elegant finishing touch.
• Upgrade stock standard steps that lead to the home, and consider adding a small welcoming patio to the front.
• Install decorative window or door frames, or simply paint them a new color to improve the look of your home.

Master bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms

Types of en-suite bathrooms

There are three types of en-suite bathrooms: full, three-quarter, and half. The difference between them is the number of facilities, such as a shower, tub, sink and toilet. A full bathroom has all four components, while a three-quarter bathroom has three, and a half bathroom has two.

Space considerations

If you have a small home, an en-suite bathroom might not be the best option as it will take up valuable space in the bedroom. However, if you have a large master suite, an en-suite can be a great way to add a private and indulgent feature.

Privacy considerations

In a one-bedroom home, an en-suite bathroom may limit your privacy as guests will have to pass through your bedroom to use it.

Design ideas

If you have a large master suite and the space to accommodate an en-suite, there are many design options to choose from. You can place the bath at the foot of the bed, in a corner of the room, or by the window to take in the view. To create a sense of separation between the bedroom and bathroom, you can use a partition wall or a curtain. For a dramatic design feature, consider a raised platform for the bath.

Practical considerations

When planning your en-suite, it's important to consider the flooring, ventilation and plumbing. The area around the bath should have durable, long-lasting flooring that can withstand splashes of water. Ensure there is adequate ventilation to prevent damage to bedroom decorations or furnishings from baths or showers.

Adding an extra room

Prepare the Site:

This step may include minor excavation work to ensure that water drains away from the structure. You may also need to do some gravel or concrete work.

Framing:

Build the walls, roof, and floors of the new room using a series of boards framed together to create wall studs, floor joists, and roof beams. Ensure that the framing is equal to or better than the existing home's framing.

Run Electrical and Plumbing:

Install any necessary electrical wiring and rough-in plumbing before closing up the walls and ceilings.

Sheathe the Structure:

Cover the floor, walls, and roof of the new room with appropriate materials, such as subflooring, wall panels, and roofing materials.

Create a Seal:

Seal the gap between the original structure and the addition to prevent air and moisture leaks. This can be done using weatherstripping, flashing, backer rod, caulking, and lumber.

Install Drywall:

Sheetrock (drywall) the interior walls and ceiling of the new room.

Finish Electrical and Plumbing:

Complete the electrical and plumbing work by installing fixtures, such as light switches, outlets, and faucets.

Add Interior Finishes:

Paint or wallpaper the interior walls and ceiling, and install any necessary trim or moulding.

Add Exterior Finishes:

Finish the exterior of the new room by installing siding and shingles that match the existing home to create a cohesive look.

It is important to note that mobile home additions must have their own foundation or footers so that they can shift independently of the original structure. This means that the addition should be built completely separate from the home, with its own footers transferring its weight directly to the ground.

Before starting any construction, be sure to check local zoning codes and obtain any necessary permits and inspections. Adding an extra room to your mobile home can be a great way to gain more space without having to sell and buy a new home.

Interior layouts

Mobile homes are becoming an increasingly popular choice for people, and their interior layouts are a key part of their appeal. They can range from a simple one-bedroom single-wide to a four-bedroom triple-wide with a family room and nursery.

Single-wides are the smallest type of mobile home, typically offering a basic design with a row of rooms next to each other. This often means you have to pass through one room to reach another. A single-wide might include a combined foyer/living room/TV room, a dining room or kitchen combination, a master bedroom with an ensuite bathroom, and a small corridor leading to additional bedrooms and a bathroom.

Double-wides and triple-wides offer more flexibility in terms of layout. Double-wides, the most common type of mobile home, typically feature two to three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living area, a kitchen, and a washing room. They may also include a master bedroom with an ensuite bathroom, additional guest bathrooms, and extra rooms for entertainment or a nursery.

Triple-wides, with their larger size, can accommodate even more rooms and layout variations. These homes can have four bedrooms, family rooms, nurseries, guest bathrooms, and spacious living areas.

Mobile homes also offer the advantage of customisation. Many are built as modular units, making it relatively easy to add another room when needed. Additional bedrooms, bathrooms, sunrooms, garages, and entertainment rooms are popular choices for expansions.

Overall, mobile homes provide a range of interior layout options to suit different needs and preferences, contributing to their growing popularity as a practical and affordable housing choice.

Frequently asked questions