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At Harmony Communities, we feel strongly that each resident has a sense of home. That they come home from work and feel pride in their environment and in their place in the greater community. That families are comfortable raising children in our neighborhoods, and that couples and singles know that they belong to something bigger than their four walls. In other words, we seek to create harmony within each community, making our communities not just passable, but peaceful, safe, functional, and beautiful.

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At Harmony Communities, we feel strongly that each resident has a sense of home. That they come home from work and feel pride in their environment and in their place in the greater community. That families are comfortable raising children in our neighborhoods, and that couples and singles know that they belong to something bigger than their four walls. In other words, we seek to create harmony within each community, making our communities not just passable, but peaceful, safe, functional, and beautiful.

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Owners of manufactured homes are no different from anyone else when it comes to desiring a living space that reflects not only their personal tastes but the latest design trends. Indeed, it can be argued they prize it even more, given manufactured homes’ reduced square-feet. Either way, the goal is to ensure your environment is comfortable, contemporary and a true reflection of who you are.

With the first quarter of the year nearly complete, we can identify 2022’s leading interior design trends. Some are can’t-miss staples and others are wholly contemporary, but taken together they provide a palette that can transform your home and engage family and visitors for years to come.

Put It in Neutral: Start with a canvas upon which you can add splashes of color by opting for walls in cool shades of white, gray or beige. Gray is particularly prized as a neutral with a wider range of shades than you might think. All three neutrals serve the purpose of enabling other décor elements to serve as the room’s focal point.

Go Bold: When it does come to those splashes of color, err on the side of bright and bold. Don’t shy away from stark browns, reds or greens when it comes to accent pieces, cabinetry or tile.

Windows on the World: It cannot be stated strongly enough the value of maximizing the number of windows in your home. Simply put, the resulting flood of sunlight and other natural elements has a crucial role to play in ensuring you get optimal value from your living space. They prove downright invaluable in colder climes on those days when the sun is out but frigid temperatures make venturing outdoors unlikely. Just remember to complement those windows with stylish coverings for those moments when privacy beckons and/or to save money on your heating and cooling bills.

Wide Open Spaces: Every space feels larger when there is more room to maneuver and manufactured housing proves no exception. It’s not surprising, then, that one of the leading design trends this year finds homeowners tearing down walls and eliminating bulky furniture in favor of more open floor plans.

Double Duty: When you have only so much square-feet to work with you, you must optimize every inch – that’s a lesson we’ve all learned over the past two years as pandemic protocols have required spending more time than ever at home. The result has been the rise of the multi-purpose or flex rooms, which through the smart use of shelving, cabinets, counters and closets are doing double duty, with that home office serving alternately as your gym, library and wine cellar.

At Harmony Communities, we feel strongly that each resident has a sense of home. That they come home from work and feel pride in their environment and in their place in the greater community. That families are comfortable raising children in our neighborhoods, and that couples and singles know that they belong to something bigger than their four walls. In other words, we seek to create harmony within each community, making our communities not just passable, but peaceful, safe, functional, and beautiful.

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“In ninety percent of our properties, we upgrade or pave the roads due to potholes, alligatoring or because the roads were unpaved at the time of purchase,” said Davies. For example, when Harmony purchased Holiday Hills in Lincoln Beach, Oregon – which receives rain 300 days of the year – its first renovation was to pave the loose rock roads and install driveway pads for the 85 sites.

Read the article here.

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With a little advance preparation, you can reduce the risks of injury or property damage. Use our checklist to create an evacuation plan, emergency kit, and establish a basic understanding of what disasters your community may face. Severe weather can be stressful, but keeping your cool and having a plan can help you maintain your peace of mind.

What Severe Weather Should I Prepare For?

The most common types of severe weather are:

1. Severe Thunderstorms
2. Flooding
3. Tornados

Severe Weather Preparation Checklist

Create an Emergency Kit: A basic kit of disaster supplies should allow you to get by on your own for several days. It should be able to fit in one to two convenient containers, such as plastic bags or a duffel bag. Your kit should contain:

• At least one gallon of water per person, per day, for both drinking and sanitation
• At least a three-day supply of nonperishable food
• A battery-powered or hand crank radio to keep track of weather bulletins
• A flashlight
• A first-aid kit
• A whistle to call for help
• Medication
• Pet supplies
• Blankets
• Important documents (birth certificates, social security cards, etc.)

You may also consider including a cell phone with chargers and a backup battery, dust masks, plastic sheeting for sheltering in place, and local maps. Download our printable emergency evacuation checklist here. 

Install Permanent Shutters: To protect your manufactured home, we strongly recommend installing permanent shutters on your windows. By giving your windows an extra layer of protection, you can prevent glass from breaking and wind from entering your home. Track-and-bolt shutters, steel shutters or aluminum shutters are affordable, permanent and add to your home’s security against severe weather.

In a pinch, plywood nailed over your windows can work, so long as it’s properly fitted. You may want to consider cutting and fitting plywood to your windows in advance to ensure a secure fit. You can install the plywood with a hammer and nails before a storm. 

Plan for Shelter & Evacuation: In case of emergency, what’s your exit strategy from your manufactured home? 

If you have enough time to find somewhere else to stay, designate a friend or family member’s home where you can sleep for a few nights. Remember to make plans in advance for how any pets you have will be cared for.

If you’re caught before you have time to get to a friend’s house, it’s critical to choose a shelter and low ground in case of severe winds. During tornados, winds can lift even the most securely tied mobile homes, so choosing a safe place to take shelter is key. And remember, never attempt to shelter underneath a mobile home.

Your shelter should be a designated storm shelter within your community, or an office or community building. Make sure to time how long it takes to get from your manufactured home to your shelter so you’ll have plenty of lead time to evacuate before a storm arrives.

During severe weather, most people are injured by flying debris. If you can’t get to shelter in time, make sure you know of a nearby ditch or low ground. As a last resort, you can lie down on low ground and cover your head to minimize your risk of being caught by flying debris.

Severe weather can be frightening, but when you make a plan for your manufactured home in advance, you can face weather emergencies with confidence.

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Luckily, there are ways to keep your manufactured home cool and comfortable during the warmer months without blowing your budget. With these seven tricks, you can beat the heat and enjoy all that summer has to offer.

1. Portable Fans

Portable fans are an easy and inexpensive way to keep cool air circulating in a manufactured home. Features to look for in a portable fan include the ability to change oscillation patterns or speeds, programmable timers, adjustable airflow direction, low noise output and more. Also keep in mind that fans cool people and not rooms, so turn them off when you leave the room to save energy.

2. Install Heavy Curtains

You may love the look of sheer curtains, but consider swapping them out for heavier drapes in the summer. Sheer or light curtains let in bright sunlight that can overheat your home. When you hang heavy curtains or drapes, it’s easy to close them during the day to block out the sun and keep cool.

3. Use Solar Screens

Installing solar screens or other heat reflectors over your windows is another great way to block out the sun’s heat and keep your home at a comfortable temperature. Solar screens block 65-90% of UV rays while blocking only 15-40% of visibility, so you can let the light in without heating up your home. 

4. Try a Dehumidifier

Humidity can make a hot day feel unbearable. Reduce humidity and stay dry with a dehumidifier. It’ll keep the air feeling cool and fresh in your manufactured home. 

5. Awnings

Installing awnings on the outside of your windows can make your home look more attractive and help deflect the sun. It’s two benefits in one!

6. Cook with Care

Avoid using the oven or the stove between noon and 3 p.m. to reduce heat during the hottest parts of the day. This can be a great time to bring out the grill and cook outside!

7. Open the Windows 

It sounds obvious, but many people overlook opening their windows to cool down their home. It’s a simple way to circulate air in your manufactured home and take advantage of the breeze.

You don’t have to dread hot days when you live in a manufactured home. Remember these methods to keep your home cool, and you can stay comfortable all summer long.

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At Harmony Communities, we feel strongly that each resident has a sense of home. That they come home from work and feel pride in their environment and in their place in the greater community. That families are comfortable raising children in our neighborhoods, and that couples and singles know that they belong to something bigger than their four walls. In other words, we seek to create harmony within each community, making our communities not just passable, but peaceful, safe, functional, and beautiful.

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