No matter what type of RV you own, you can give it an update without sacrificing organization. Whether you’re looking to change the wall color, upgrade the bathroom, or install open shelves for storage, check out these 23 RV decorating and storage ideas to get started!
Opt for Light Paint Colors
Keep your surroundings fresh by painting the interior of your RV! Instead of dark shades, opt for lighter paint colors like neutral earth tones, white, gray, and pale blue to help brighten up your space and make your RV feel larger. Common areas to paint that can transform any space include the interior walls, ceiling, and cabinetry.
Put Up Wallpaper or Shiplap
A great RV design idea for sprucing up your space is installing wallpaper or shiplap on the walls! With the proper tools and supplies from a home improvement store, this DIY project is an easy way to make your camper van feel cozier and more stylish. For a simpler solution, opt for printed peel-and-stick wallpaper to bring pops of color into your camper and elevate the design of your RV bedroom, living room, or bathroom.
Switch Out the Window Treatments
Replacing the original window treatments in your RV with new curtains or shades can make a big difference! Go with a solid shade that matches your RV home decor or a patterned curtain to add contrast to your space. Bamboo shades are also good for blocking light while still providing texture and visual interest. Light-blocking or blackout curtains are another great option, particularly if you want help keeping temperatures cooler.
Update the Flooring
Is your RV flooring outdated or showing signs of wear and tear? Give your RV a makeover with new flooring! Choose from options like hardwood, laminate, vinyl, and tile to reflect your personal style and durability needs. Carpet is another great option if you’re looking for something with more cushion—however, you should designate a place for taking off dirty or wet shoes to prevent it from getting ruined.
Use Adhesive Tile for a Backsplash
A simple RV decorating idea for your kitchen or bathroom is to install a peel-and-stick backsplash to keep water and other liquids from damaging the wall while also making the area more pleasing to the eye. Adding a bathroom or kitchen backsplash is an inexpensive project to complete and requires minimal set-up time. Choose colors and patterns that brighten your space and match the rest of your RV’s decor style. If you decide to remodel in a different style in the future, adhesive tiles are easy to remove and replace!
Add a Heating Element
If you plan to travel in colder parts of the country, consider installing a wood stove to bring heat inside your RV. Built-in electric fireplaces are also a popular option for RVs, since they provide heat, ambience, and a homey feel without posing the risks of an open flame. These heating options are not only good focal points to have in your RV living room, but if you have a fireplace mantel, they also give you additional decorating opportunities.
Install Lighting
A benefit to RV living is the ability to use natural light to fill your home—but in the evening, you’ll still want to have cozy lighting. LED lights are a great option for RV lighting, since they save energy and emit zero heat while still providing a bright display. Some popular RV light fixtures include trendy wall sconces, statement dinette lights, or even traditional lamps—though you’ll need to make sure they won’t fall over while your RV is in motion.
Upgrade the Bathroom Fixtures
Updating your RV bathroom doesn’t have to be a huge overhaul, but it’s worth it to put some effort into customizing this space to your needs and preferences. Try replacing the faucets with more modern fixtures. Install a lightweight faucet or extendable shower head that will allow you to keep water usage low. Or if you’d rather have a bathtub, choose one based on the size of your space.
Bring in Rustic Accents
Mimic the scenic outdoors in your RV by upcycling or utilizing rustic accents! To give your camper’s living space a more natural feel, use reclaimed wood to make ceiling beams, kitchen tables, or countertops. If you need a place to store items, place them in woven storage baskets. For linens, use natural fabrics such as cotton, linen, or wool. Reusing unwanted materials is not only sustainable, but also great for transforming old products into stylish new furniture or decor pieces.
Decorate with Plants
If you want to incorporate a natural feel or boho style in your van, try accessorizing your space with different types of plants! Van plants not only help reduce stress, but they also provide an eco-friendly decor element in your RV. You don’t have to put them on the floor, either—try hanging your plants or securely placing them on shelving. Depending on how much space and natural light you have, some greenery options for your RV can include succulents, ferns, or snake plants. Or if you want the green without the upkeep, use artificial plants instead!
Choose Non-Breakable Materials
Try to avoid using breakable materials and decor in your RV, such as wine glasses, ceramic mugs, porcelain vases, or glass picture frames. If they move around while the RV is in motion, they can become damaged. Instead, opt for non-breakable decor made from materials like wood, fabric, acrylic, and plastic—and use plastic, metal, or enamel dinnerware, which is less susceptible to harm. If you do need to secure breakable decor, you can use museum wax, storage tubs, or collapsible crates.
Use Travel Photos or Souvenirs as Decor
As you travel to new places in your RV, consider using your favorite travel photos or souvenirs as decor. Frame your photos to showcase the memories you’ve made, and set them up in areas like the kitchen, living room, or bedroom. Place non-breakable souvenirs on floating shelves as decor. Collect fridge travel magnets to display in your kitchen. Use souvenir t-shirts to make a t-shirt blanket or pillow for your RV bed or couch. Or use leftover maps as wall art to create a vintage feel in your RV.
Hang Wall Art or Mirrors
Hanging a mirror in the living area of your RV helps reflect light and open up the space to make it feel larger, while artwork can add a personalized touch that makes your RV feel more homey. Be sure to stray away from heavy items or easily breakable frames—it’s best to use lightweight materials that can easily be secured to the wall with adhesive strips to prevent it from falling.
Utilize Hidden Storage in Furniture
Do you need more storage in your camper? Look for multipurpose furniture options that can provide additional storage space! A few options to consider are couches with hidden storage, an entertainment center with built-in cubbies, or a bed with cabinets underneath. You can also try using multipurpose furniture like pull-out couches, storage ottomans, or hollowed dinette benches to provide your RV with extra seating or lounging space.
Include a Vanity for Storage
If you have the room, try adding functional or hidden storage to your RV bathroom with a vanity! Bathroom vanities with mirrored medicine cabinets or under-the-sink storage are excellent options to house toiletries and cleaning supplies. Or you can use storage boxes and baskets to organize smaller items in your bathroom like soaps, toilet paper, or hand towels. Some RV owners even use vanity storage with a built-in laundry hamper to make the most of the small space!
Tweak the Toilet Space
The toilet is a necessary part of an RV, but there are ways to maximize the area and add storage space around it! You can enclose your toilet, or if you’d prefer more space to move around in, consider installing the toilet on a pull-out shelf. When not in use, the toilet can be shut away in what looks like a normal bathroom storage cabinet. Another RV storage hack is to put a shelf or cabinet above your toilet to keep toiletries organized and out of the way.
Maximize Bedroom Storage Space
Keeping your bedroom organized is key while living the nomad life. A useful RV organization idea for the bedroom is to put things in storage cabinets to keep your living space clean and tidy. Bunk beds with storage space underneath the bottom bed can be useful for stowing away blankets, sheets, books, clothes, and more. If the bed is lofted, opt for drawers, cubbies, or hidden storage below. Or you can simply put your belongings in baskets or totes under the bed for additional storage.
Create Multi-Use Areas
Planning to work on the road? Setting up a multipurpose dining and work area in your RV is highly beneficial! Consider adding a bar top, which can triple as additional kitchen counter space, a dining area, and a spacious desk you can work from. Another option is to use a Murphy desk that can fold up and out of the way when work is done!
Find a Dining Solution
Setting up an area for dining in your RV will come in handy while eating meals. A popular option is to install a longer table with stools along one of the RV’s walls or below a window so you can eat with a view! Or if you’re looking to save space in your RV, consider using a drop-leaf table at your current dinette or simply pulling a few bar stools up to your kitchen island.
Incorporate Kitchen Storage
There are many ways to add more storage to your RV kitchen! Use a kitchen island, countertop storage, collapsible counters, storage benches, or a dining set with a pull-out storage option. Within your camper’s cabinets, use dividers, expandable shelving, and pull-out drawers to keep your cookware and dishes organized.
Set Up Travel-Safe Shelving
Because space can be limited in your camper, it’s best to take advantage of vertical storage! Installing travel-safe shelves with edges or bumpers is an easy way to keep things organized and secure while living on the road. These shelves can be used to store pantry items, canned goods, books, toiletries, or small knick-knacks.
Use Magnetic Strips
Save space in your RV kitchen by attaching magnetic strips on the wall to hold lightweight household items. These strips can easily hold kitchen knives and other metal cooking utensils tools to preserve drawer and counter space. Setting up magnetic spice racks on a wall or the side of your fridge is another idea that works well for saving space while still giving you what you need to cook delicious meals.
Hang Items on Wall Hooks
Installing wall hooks in your RV is a simple space-saving storage solution! Use them to hang items like hats, keys, towels, purses, or small bags of fruit. If you want to go the extra mile, consider hanging a pegboard! This way, you can rearrange and adjust your hooks as necessary.
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