You’ve seen the big RV makeovers on YouTube, read the van life blogs, and stalked the Instagram profiles of renovation influencers, just for a tiny dose of inspiration. But at the end of the day, nothing seems quite right or quite your style.
The truth is that decorating your travel trailer takes a different kind of creativity. It involves more than picking out curtains and paint colors. You have to consider…
- How much does the piece of decor weigh?
- Will these decorations travel well?
- Will these design elements withstand the wear and tear on the road?
- Will your setup require constant fixing?
You don’t just need decorating ideas. You need decor inspiration that’s worthy of your humble, yet irreplaceable camper.
And that’s why we put together this list of 8 creative decorating ideas.
#1: Brighten Up Your Space with Colorful Accents
You know that neutrals make the space feel bigger and brighter–but you love color! Plus, you can’t stand how RVs on the market are drowning in the same shades of white, gray, or beige.
You’ve heard the typical suggestions–and all the tips and tricks for tastefully incorporating color into your space…
- Add a centerpiece to your table with a pop of color.
- Paint an accent wall
- Hang pictures that bring in color
- Bring in plants
Sure, those are great ideas if you’re not planning to move around. But travel trailers have to travel! You don’t want a plethora of “accent pieces” that you have to store every time you pick up and move.
While an accent wall might work, you don’t have many walls that lend themselves to being a focal point in a camper. (We’ll talk about one later.)
Hanging pictures?…Do you want to level them after every trip? I don’t. But there are ways to do visual art in a camper – we’ll get to that later.
So here’s how you accessorize your camper with color.
- Choose items that you would have and use in your RV anyway—like towels, dishes, utensils, or curtains. This way, you incorporate colors you love without stuffing your RV full of unnecessary items that just take up space in your small RV.
- Have a little accent color in every room. Sprinkle color into every room. For the bedroom, add pillows. They’re light and comfy! For the bathroom, experiment with towels, or – if you feel bold – you can paint the vanity in the accent color.
Larissa over at ThePopUpPrincess.com is the queen at this. She’ll paint cabinets, find appliances, and find curtains to pull all the colors together without overwhelming the space.
#2: Maximize Storage Space and Clear Counter Space
You knew this one was coming. When you live small, you’ll want to use every square inch of available space for custom storage…or do you?
Yes, you could accessorize with a cool spice rack that sits on your counter. Or you could add a small cabinet under your TV that leads to the small unused space under the bed in the next room. But installing cabinets and “creative storage solutions” everywhere can actually have the opposite effect, making your space feel more cluttered than it did before.
So before you put that spice rack on your counter, ask yourself. Is it more valuable to have the space or to have this accessory?
For sure, some accessories are worth keeping out – coffee maker, anyone? But some are a waste of space. You have to decide which appliances fall into which category.
Clean counters make your space feel bigger and more usable.
But how do you keep the clutter at bay?
- Everything you bring in your travel trailer must have a purpose. This means asking questions like, “Do I really need two of those?” “Can my chef knife do the same job as the paring knife?” “Do I need both?”
- Use the unseen spaces for extra storage: Every RV has storage spaces that remain out of sight (and out of mind), such as under the bathroom sink, under the beds and couches, or under the bench seating. Use these places for storage—not your countertops.
Yes, sometimes you’ll have to get creative when maximizing these hidden storage spaces. For example, you’ll need to find containers that perfectly fit the space under your couch or build an access cabinet into a used space. Those ideas (and more) come from Jill at Let’sTravelFamily.com. In fact, she literally wrote the eBook on RV storage.
#3: Infuse Nature into Your RV Decor
One of the reasons you love RVing with your family is that it gets you—and your kids—outside. Nature has a way of soothing the soul, so bring a little nature inside your RV with these fun RV-friendly options.
- Include a moss wall: Granted, this one might require a bit of a green thumb, but when you pull it off, it adds nature and texture indoors. Caitlin from DIY Cargo Trailer demonstrates a beautiful moss wall in her video here. And you don’t have to worry about it spilling soil on accident if you forget to put it away before pulling out.
- Add wood: The beauty of wood is that it’s a natural neutral that goes in any space: Wood flooring, wood paneling, butcher block countertops, natural weave wood baskets…need I go on?
These natural touches are not only visually appealing, but they connect you to the outside world.
#4: Display Your Travel Memories
Your travels are a storybook of your life, and what better way to share those chapters than by displaying your memories around your RV? A gallery wall or a dedicated memory corner can act as a collage of the places you’ve seen and the experiences you’ve cherished in your RV.
But the last thing you want is a collection of photo frames that you constantly have to readjust after every trip. Luckily, there are two solutions for this.
- Use a collage frame: A collage frame allows you to have several photos on your wall but only one frame. It also has multiple hang points, so it’s less likely to need fixing.
- Use Command strips: 3M Command strips can hold up to twenty pounds. They leave no residue, and they don’t require you to drill holes in walls. So you can hang as many pictures as you want and not worry about having to straighten everyone when you park your camper.
Pro Tip: If you’re using multiple frames, plan your layout on a large surface to get the right balance before committing to the wall.
After you’ve decided on a method, start curating your photos and mementos (such as postcards) to include in your frame. This visual anthology of your road trips is a daily reminder of the adventures that have shaped you and your family. And what a beautiful thing.
#5: Create a Custom Headboard
At the end of an adventurous day, your bedroom is a safe haven for relaxation and rest aplenty (whether it be your RV bedroom or your bedroom back at home). But unlike a standard room, RV bedrooms don’t normally come with a hardboard in the master. A headboard adds extra weight and takes up space–but it’s also the focal point of most bedroom layouts.
So, customize it with your style. Renee from the YouTube channel TheFlippinTiblys recommends three easy DIY headboards that bring your style to the bedroom.
- Bring on the patterns: Find a patterned fabric that speaks to you. You can use a rug, a tapestry, or regular upholstery fabric. Then, use 3m velcro straps to secure it to your headboard space. The great part about using fabric and 3m is that you can change out your look (if you’re the type to get bored easily).
- Use natural wood: If you’re looking for another way to bring the outdoors in, consider using wood slats or paneling to create a natural headboard. Wood paneling is thin, so it doesn’t add much weight.
- Paper your walls: Check out the latest patterned wallpapers to bring that visual design element to your headboard. But remember, RV walls aren’t as well insulated as homes. So, if you use peel-and-stick wallpaper, you’ll still want to use some wallpaper glue.
It’s these thoughtful details that will create a serene and relaxing atmosphere in your bedroom.
#6 Install a Spice Wall to Optimize your Kitchen Space
You can’t bear the thought of cooking with nothing but salt, pepper, and garlic. But the reality is, you don’t have space for your spices in your RV kitchen. If you’re the spice queen, you’ll need a space for those shakers.
Here are some storage ideas to get you started.
- Create or buy magnetic spice jars: This is your most versatile option. You can add a piece of sheet metal to a bare wall, under your cabinet, or just use the side of your refrigerator. Whatever works best for you.
- Install narrow wall shelves: Functioning as a quick and inexpensive spice rank, clear, acrylic shelves keep your spices in place (and within reach) while you’re cooking. Oh, and they’re peel-and-stick, so no need to get the tools out.
RV life is full of flavor. Your food should be, too.
#7: Banish Boredom with a Brilliant Backsplash
A stylish backsplash does wonders to break up the bland walls of your camper and bring in color or texture. You can add a backsplash to your kitchen or your bathroom above the sink.
Pro Tip: Don’t use typical backsplash materials. Tile, mastic, and grout are all heavy materials. And most RVers understand that less weight means better mileage.
So here are some lightweight, RV-friendly backsplash materials:
- Peel and Stick Faux Tile Backsplash: These tiles are easy to install and have the same glossy finish as tile but without the weight.
- Vinyl Backsplash Tile: These tiles have a protective coating over their designs, which means you won’t accidentally wipe off the design during spring cleaning. Thanks to their vinyl backing, they’re also more durable.
- Metal Backsplash Tile: This is the most durable option (and the easiest to clean, too). Note that metal tile is also the best choice for behind your range, as the heat can affect the peel-and-stick adhesive.
Most hardware stores and even some supermarkets carry these options, so go find a brilliant backsplash for your RV.
#8: Create an Inviting Outdoor Space with a Firepit
The outside of your RV is just as important as the inside. You can hang solar lanterns and string lights to create an inviting ambiance (without draining your RV’s battery). You can roll out the welcome mat and set up your camp chairs. But now you need something to gather around.
Portable fire pits have come a long way in the past few years. Now, they’re compact enough to store in most pass-through storage compartments and come in a variety of sizes and fuel types.
- Tabletop stoves like the Cinder Tabletop Bowl sit on top of your table and provide enough flame for comfort (and plenty of marshmallow roasting). Typically, this type of stove uses a clean gel fuel.
- Smokeless Fire Pits like the Ranger 2.0 are perfect for campgrounds where campers are close together. But why? They direct the smoke up before it can drift into your neighbor’s campsite. These burning fire pits also provide warmth and cooking space if you’re looking to grill out.
Keep in mind that some campgrounds don’t allow you to bring fire pits or have open fires. So always check before you strike that match.
Summary
With these camper decor ideas, you’re well on your way to creating your personal oasis on the road. But there’s something else you need to think about.
After you put all of this hard work into your RV renovation, how do you plan to protect your investment (aka the rig that you’ve put so much money and time into)? Are you going to park it in your backyard and hope nothing falls on it, allowing the sun’s UV rays to dry and rot your roof into white chalk?
There’s a better way. And it won’t cost you an arm and a leg.
Neighbor is a peer-to-peer RV storage marketplace, offering RV storage up to 50% cheaper than traditional storage options.
With Neighbor, you can find RV storage options in all 50 states. You may even find storage spaces in your very own neighborhood. Find listings (from pre-screened hosts) nearest you!
Frequently Asked Questions
How Can I Brighten My RV Interior?
Use a light wall color and then add colorful accessories like throw pillows, small rugs, and lively bedding. Adding indoor plants also brightens up your fifth wheel’s interior space.
How Do You Make an RV Homey?
To make your fifth wheel feel more like home, try hanging curtains, adding extra lamps, and installing dimmers for a cozy atmosphere.
What Colors Make Your RV Look Bigger?
Choose lighter colors such as neutral earth tones, whites, grays, and pale blues to make your RV look bigger. When applied to interior walls, ceiling, and cabinetry, these colors can brighten up the space. Also, consider adding a mirror to give the illusion of space. That’s something any DIY mommy can do.
Can I Really Transform My RV With Just a Few Simple Changes?
Yes! You can definitely transform your RV with just a few simple changes, such as adding colorful accents and adhesive art or reducing clutter on your counters.
