by Barb Hopkins

Created on: March 18, 2009   Last Updated: April 12, 2009

Updating a mobile home can be affordable and easy with the proper planning, patience, and a little know-how. Do-it-yourself projects, to transform the mobile home's look instantly, can be completed by the first-time or veteran homeowner in a single weekend for minimal cost.

Curb appeal.

Every home should have curb appeal. As people drive by or arrive for a visit, they should be greeted by a home that is clean, freshly painted or sided, and has an uncluttered lawn, garden, or driveway area. Most mobile homes do not sit on large lots; therefore, the lawn area is small in comparison to a sprawling ranch or cottage-style house. Keeping the lawn mowed and trimmed is the first step to curb appeal.

Take a good look at the outside of the mobile home. Homes that are dirty and dingy can be quickly refreshed with a simple washing. Power washers are available for rental at most home improvement stores and rent by the hour or weekend. Power-scrub the outside of the home, removing, dirt and/or mildew and then turn the washer onto the windows and screens. Make sure that the inside window is closed to avoid indoor water damage.

Replace any broken downspouts or trailer skirting. Check with the trailer park's main office regarding the skirting, as sometimes they will be able to replace broken pieces for you for little or no charge.

Landscaping.

Spruce up the outside by removing any old flowerpots, decorations, or rubbish. Add or update old planters with carefully selected flowers and greenery that are colorful, cheerful and easy to care for. Remember when adding any landscaping details, simple is best and less is more. Avoid the temptation to clutter your front garden area with gnomes, angel statues, and other garden art. If you want to add garden art, choose one piece and design the rest of the landscape to showcase that piece.

Clean decking and entrance stairs.

If the mobile home has an older wooden deck or stairs that are caked with mildew and grime, homeowners can easily brighten the wood by washing it with TSP or Trisodium Phosphate. Found in any hardware or home improvement store, a 16-ounce container costs approximately $7.99. TSP is a great product for any heavy duty cleaning. To remove the mildew from the deck and stair unit, dissolve one cup of TSP in three quarts of warm water with one quart of bleach. Be sure to wear protective glasses, gloves, and long-sleeves when working with any chemicals.

Indoor paneling and wall treatments.

Many mobile homes built in the 1970's or early

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