Because of how expensive new RVs are, you may be better off freshening up your RV’s flooring, paint, or wallpaper to make your old RV look new–rather than splurging on a brand-new rig.
Not only will a paint refresh breathe new life into an outdated motorhome, but making small updates to your rig could boost the resale value if you’re planning to put your RV on the market.
Revamp with Paint: A Fresh Coat for a Fresh Start
While adding a few coats of paint to your RV might seem like a tall task, it doesn’t have to be. For instance, rather than repainting every square inch of walls, ceilings, and cabinets, focus on just one of these components. After all, just repainting your kitchen/bathroom cabinets is far less work than a whole-trailer painting project.
If a simple cabinet refresh isn’t enough to shave years off your RV, you may consider painting the walls, too. To minimize the work involved, a good option is to paint a single room in your RV or simply add a single accent wall–rather than painting every wall in every room.
As long as you choose a neutral, modern color, it won’t take much to make your old RV look like new.
Or, if you don’t want to go to the trouble of painting (and sign up for all the mess and prep work that goes along with it), you can update your wallpaper! You can add new wallpaper for less than $150, whereas repainting can cost upwards of $400.
Modernize Your Flooring
If you don’t feel like painting, you can also opt to focus on the flooring. RVs, especially older ones, are notorious for having cheap, outdated flooring that’s prone to stains and damage.
Depending on how old your rig is, there’s a good chance that a simple wash and shine are not enough to make your floors look clean, let alone updated.
Installing new flooring is also something you can do on a budget, as rolls of laminate flooring can cost as little as 35 to 60 cents/square foot.
Whether you prefer roll-and-stick tiles, vinyl rolls, or laminate tongue and groove flooring, they’re all fairly easy to install.
Cabinet Makeover Magic
Rather than repainting or replacing your cabinets, you can also settle for replacing the handles, knobs, and hardware on your cabinet doors. As long as the holes for your new handles and knobs match up with your current ones, you won’t need to do any extra repairs or patches. You can buy knobs and pulls on Amazon for $2 to $5 per piece.
If they don’t match up, however, you’ll need to fill in the existing holes and drill new ones, which could require a fresh paint job. In general, hardware for RV cabinet doors is similar to handles and knobs for residential cabinets, and the two are often interchangeable.
Give Your Motorhome a Deep Cleaning
When I say deep cleaning, I’m talking about a DEEP cleaning. That includes taking a sponge mop to your walls, ceilings, and cabinets and washing down your windows on the inside and outside.
You should also take some Zep Wet Look floor polish and scrub your floors like there’s no tomorrow. Next, if you have any carpet flooring or cloth furniture, rent a shampoo vac and give them a thorough cleansing.
At Lowes, for example, you can rent a shampoo vac for just $35 per day! Making an older RV look new doesn’t always mean spending lots of money; sometimes, it just requires hard work and elbow grease.
Give Your Furniture a New Look
When we bought our used RV several years ago, the first thing we did was replace the furniture—including couches, recliners, dining tables and chairs, and storage cabinets. We then replaced them with a modern couch and chair from IKEA, a few chic Amazon cabinets and shelves, and bright cushions and wall accessories to lighten up the place.
We also added an ottoman and a few small decorations, just for good measure.
By the time we were finished, our RV looked completely different despite the fact that we didn’t touch the walls, flooring, or kitchen cabinets!
Image courtesy of RV Inspiration
Declutter and Organize for Added Space
Sometimes, instead of renovating, all your RV needs is a reorganization for remodel-level results. Adding accessories like open shelving units, modern wall hooks, and stylish storage cabinets are small changes that can help an old RV look like new while serving a useful purpose.
Additionally, removing unused fixtures inside your rig will help free up things and give your motorhome more of an open floor plan.
Change Your Light Fixtures
Contrary to what you might think, you don’t have to be an electrician to swap out old light fixtures for new ones. As long as you have the power turned off and the right tools, you can get the job done yourself. For those DIYers, check out this video that outlines outlining the step-by-step process of replacing light fixtures.
If you don’t want to replace the entire fixture, you can also settle for swapping out your dull light bulbs for LED ones. LED bulbs are very efficient, and they give off a sharp, bluish light with a modern tone.
Faucets and Appliances
Once you’re finished with the lights, you can also replace your current faucets and appliances with updated ones. Most older RVs have cheap, drab faucets and appliances that tend to be eyesores.
Adding a black, copper, or stainless steel faucet, along with updated black, white, or stainless appliances will make a world of difference. During my RV remodel, we replaced our old propane stove with a stainless steel electric one, and it instantly brightened up our kitchen.
Small changes like these are what will really make a difference when you renovate and rejuvenate your RV. For RV faucet replacement ideas, check out this article.
Final Thoughts
Whether you want to make your old RV look new because you plan to continue using it or because you want to sell it, there are plenty of great ways to make it happen. Performing an RV renovation takes effort and creativity on your part, but it’s much cheaper than buying a brand-new rig.
In addition to updating your RV interior, you can also buff, wash, and wax the outside and add new door and window trim.
Once you perform your updates, you’ll want to find a safe and secure place to store it while it’s not in use. Consider using Neighbor, a peer-to-peer storage marketplace offering safe and affordable indoor, outdoor, and climate-controlled storage solutions near you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Type of Paint Should I Use for My RV?
If you decide that your walls, ceiling, or cabinets need to be painted, it’s best to use an oil-based latex paint. Don’t forget to prime the walls and ceiling first, though, with a sealgrip primer. PPG Sealgrip Primer from Home Depot and Behr Dynasty paint are some of the most effective and popular options.
Is It Worth It to Renovate an Old RV?
Renovating an old RV is worth it for several reasons. First, it will liven and brighten your living space and make your RV more enjoyable to use. Second, if you’re thinking about selling your RV, renovating it first will substantially increase the selling price.
