Can I Customize a Park Model?

There’s no shortage of ways you can customize a park model to make it uniquely your own – from adding a loft or porch to picking out your cabinets and tile colors.

Whether you’re looking to build a vacation retreat or you’re transitioning to tiny home living, you can choose from unique add-ons and features to personalize your park model.

Check out our rundown of the top ways to customize a park model with advice from Ted Hollen of Not So Tiny Homes, an independent park model retailer in California.

The answer is yes – you can add a loft to a park model! People like to use them as a playroom, den, or storage space. Some people even use it as a bedroom. Lofts will often come with one or two windows, giving it a homey feel and brightening up the entire model.

A common setup is for a loft to look out over the living room or kitchen, giving it a spacious, open concept feel. Some models come with cathedral ceilings above the living room to maximize space.

Lofts usually range in size from 80 to 160 square feet. Park models are required to be 399 square feet or less, but one of the biggest benefits of lofts is they aren’t counted in this limit. You get the extra space without having to remove square footage from other rooms.

When you’re doing comparison shopping, make sure you pick out a model that has a loft option, as some don’t offer this feature.  

You can absolutely add a porch to a park model. Porches are another one of the most popular ways that people customize these designs. The most common option is to add a front or back porch. But some park models come with a side porch or deck, and even a second-floor lookout area! Some floorplans will also offer the option to add a fireplace to the porch for maximum coziness.

Picture yourself sitting on your porch while drinking coffee, enjoying lunch with a friend, or taking in the beautiful view of a sunset on summer nights. You can also create a small garden on your porch with potted flowers or vegetable planters, adding natural beauty to your entrance.

Front porches are generally 36 to 100 square feet. Similar to lofts, porches aren’t included in the 399-square-foot limit, so you won’t have to take away space from the rest of the floorplan.

As you’re narrowing down your options, make sure to pick out a model that offers a front porch add-on because not all layouts will offer this. 

If you’re downsizing or shifting to tiny home living, storage is a key element of having a well-functioning space. There are several ways you can add storage space to a park model.

In addition to using a loft for stowing away extra items, you can add custom features to maximize storage depending on the design.

• Customize the bedroom to have storage shelves above the bed or a built-in dresser area for clothes and accessories.
• Add cabinets around the living room entertainment center for books and movies.
• Make the washer/dryer area smaller to fit more cabinets. (Use a combo washer/dryer instead of a stackable unit.)
• If the model comes with a built-in coffee station, swap it out for cabinets and drawers you can use as a pantry.
• Select a layout that maximizes storage in the kitchen with full-height upper cabinets.

One of the most fun parts of buying a park model is picking out your finishes and fixtures. After you select the floorplan and location of your park model, your independent retailer will walk you through the process of selecting colors and materials to personalize your space. Some of the most popular customization options are:

• Kitchen tile backsplash and appliance finishes
• Bathroom and kitchen cabinets
• Shower tile
• Flooring or carpet color
• Exterior siding, roof, and window trim colors

There are lots of park model floorplans you can choose from with Champion. You’ll have your pick of a wide range of layouts with different features depending on the model:

• One or two bedrooms
• Studio-style layout option
• Full-size kitchen appliances including a farmhouse sink
• En-suite bathroom
• Space for a stackable washer/dryer
• Entertainment center in the living room with an electric fireplace
• Bar seating in the kitchen
• Built-in desk or coffee station
• Tray accent ceiling in the loft
• One or two exterior entrances

For more information about our park models, find the best Champion home for you, or contact a Champion retailer in your area. You can also contact our Homebuyer & Homeowner Assistance line Monday–Saturday 8am–8pm EST at 877-201-3870, or fill out our contact form and a member of our team will reach out to you. 

Note: Not So Tiny Homes is an independently owned and operated park model retailer located in California unaffiliated with Champion Homes. Not So Tiny Homes is a wholesale customer which retails homes built by Champion Homes’s Lindsay, CA, and Corona, CA, facilities to the public.