Creating extra space for a mobile home may seem intimidating, but it can actually be quite easy. However, the possibilities of space saving ideas and methods can be virtually limitless, so I will narrow it down for 3 tips on each room of the home.
Living room:
1. Have a shelving system that runs around the room (or just along one wall) that is near the ceiling. Be sure to keep the shelf low enough from the ceiling for you to put the items on that you had in mind. This is great to put up framed pictures, and knick knacks that may be cluttering up bookcases, etc. It keeps them out of the way, but still in view, while freeing up some other space that you have.
2. You could use a nice storage chest (or refurbish an old one) and use it as a coffee table. Or if there is room under your coffee and end tables that you currently have, you could use wicker baskets underneath so that you can stash things like magazines, remotes, or extra lap quilts etc. in them.
3. There are couches made that have storage under the seats. If you have the money to purchase one this can be a great investment. Or you can also build one yourself. You can find instructions on how to build one on HGTV.com.
Kitchen:
1. Shelves, shelves, shelves. You can never have enough shelves in the kitchen. They make shelves to go on the back of your cabinet doors for spices, sponges, etc. There are shelves that go between your shelves to fit in more short items, such as canned goods.
2. There are tons of ways to de-clutter your counter-tops. If you have appliances with long cords draping everywhere, you can use twist ties to loosely hold the excess cord together (of course check the condition of the cord before doing this to prevent any electrical mishaps). Many stores carry small corner shelves perfect for those counter-top corners that can tend to be a bit hard to keep de-cluttered. Just peruse most big name hardware stores and they will have many options for counter-top space solutions.
3. If you have the floor space, a kitchen cart is a great idea. They range in size, some the size of small islands (perfect for a bar stool for extra seating at mealtimes) and others Just big enough to hold a few extra necessities. These have wheels on them so whenever you need to move it, just wheel it on over to where it needs to be.
Bedrooms:
1. An inexpensive quick way to add storage is to purchase bed risers and some storage containers made to fit underneath a bed. This is a great place to store extra linens, and out of season clothing.
2. Purchase or build a bed with one of the shelving type headboards. You can find instructions on building a bookcase headboard at Ehow.com.
3. Maximize your closet space with a great shelving system, and an over the door shoe-holder (which can hold many types of accessories other than just shoes).
Bathrooms:
1. The first thing I think of when I think of bathroom storage is the over the toilet shelves. These multi shelf systems can hold wicker baskets to keep things looking nice and tidy.
2. In the shower itself, you can use a typical shower caddy, and also there are some great corner shelf systems, as sometimes bathrooms used by more than one person could use more space than one caddy will hold.
3. The back of your bathroom door can also be utilized for storage using an over the door shelving system or over the door basket unit.