10 DIY Projects That Will Improve Your RV
Traveling in an RV is a great way to explore the country and live comfortably while you do it. You have to make some compromises when you live out of a camper though, and there are always ways to make things more efficient, safe, and comfortable. To help you out, we’ve compiled 10 of the best DIY projects you can use in an RV.
Follow along with these simple ideas and see what a difference it can make in your next trip.
1. Use shoe organizers everywhere
It’s no secret that RVs come with limited storage space. When they have to fit a kitchen, bathroom, entertainment space, and sometimes multiple beds, there isn’t much room for anything else.
Luckily, you can use shoe organizers to easily expand your storage space. These items are versatile and can be hung on shower curtain rods, on the backs of doors, or even along the edge of your bed!
One of the best DIY projects you can do involves shoe organizers that encircle the edge of your bed. These provide easy storage for shoes, electronics, and other small items. All you need to do is cut the shoe organizer along each of the rows. Then you use cords and hooks to secure this string of pockets along the edge of your bed frame.
It’s easy to find hanging shoe organizers in stores. Check out this 30-pocket model from Amazon if you’re looking for a good place to start!
2. Hang things with Command Hooks and tension rods
Unused wall space is a perfect opportunity to expand your storage possibilities. Command Hooks are simple adhesive items that you can easily attach to walls. You won’t have to worry about damaging the interior or drilling new holes when you use these!
You can use Command Hooks to hang clothes, tools, cleaning supplies, etc. If you want to add curtains to a window, a set of Command Hooks and a tension rod is an easy way to make this happen!
Speaking of tension rods, buy a few of these to use around the RV as well. You can install them inside closets, cabinets, or just across empty walls when you need to hang a curtain or dry some clothes. They’re great DIY options to secure loose items.
3. Install adhesive covers over windows
RVs are designed to be comfortable living spaces that can travel to just about any environment. However, even the best RV can sometimes get overheated when you’re got sunlight pouring through the windows. When it’s too hot and too bright, consider adding some covers to block the windows.
You can use different types of covers, whether they’re reflective, insulated, adhesive, etc. I have found that this blackout window cover is one of the best of its kind and it’s easy to attach to RV windows.
One of my personal favorite DIY projects involves creating the perfect theater room. All you need to do is install covers on the windows, which will keep the room cool, dark, and perfect for a movie or TV show binge!
4. External mounts for extra gear
Storage space is precious in an RV, so anything you can do to add more room is valuable. It can be hard to transport bulky items like kayaks, skis, and bikes inside your camper. So if you’re out of space on the inside, you can always turn to the outside.
Storage racks and gear compartments are easy to install on the back and/or roof of your RV. All you need to do is drill a few holes and pick sturdy materials to serve as your frame.
You can easily increase your storage capacity, and also have the items ready for action with no need to dig through your gear. Just unhook them and start your adventure!
5. Update flooring with vinyl tiles/boards
RVs look nice when you buy them, but after a while, you might want to redecorate or freshen up the interior design. One area that can make a big change is the flooring.
Vinyl is a great DIY option for RV flooring because it’s light, cheap, and easy to install yourself. There are also lots of designs, including faux wood and stone. These CO-Z vinyl panels are a beautiful and durable option for anyone who wants to spice up their camper’s design.
6. Add non-slip pads on cabinet shelves
You’ll want to bring a good amount of food storage when you take long trips in an RV. Unfortunately, it can be a bit risky to transport food, dishes, and cooking utensils in a moving vehicle.
Most of these items will be kept in cabinets or a pantry. To help keep everything stable, try installing non-slip pads on all of your cabinet shelves. Some DIY projects take a lot of time, effort, and special tools, but not this one!
Just stick the pads down, load up your storage space, and close the doors firmly. Adding a tension rod or bungee cord might help too (just as an extra precaution).
7. Use a collapsible garbage can
Outdoor camping is great… until you gather a bunch of trash and have to haul it all the way out to the campsite dumpster. These can be hard to open and irritating to deal with. To cut down on your dumpster trips, consider using a collapsible laundry basket as a trash can.
These items are great to use outdoors, and you can find them at most stores. There are some collapsible trash cans that have been specifically designed for this purpose, but you can also easily repurpose a laundry basket.
Just pop it out, put in a trash bag, and settle into your new campsite!
8. Put glow-in-the-dark tape on steps
Speaking of campsites, it can get pretty dark at night. You don’t want to trip or stumble when you enter and exit the RV. To help improve your visibility, line the RV steps with strips of glow-in-the-dark tape.
This is a simple process, but it really makes all the difference in the world once the sun goes down.
9. Use sink and stove covers
Counter space is pretty limited in most RV kitchens. This isn’t too much of a problem if you prefer campfire cooking, but if you want to create a nice home-cooked meal on the road, you’ll quickly run out of room.
That’s where sink and stove covers can come to the rescue! These are inserts that you can buy or create. They are designed to cover the hole in your sink and/or transform the uneven surface of a stove into more countertop space.
These covers can sometimes double as cutting boards as well, so they’re multi-functional. Creating your own sink and stove covers is one of the best DIY projects for a small kitchen.
10. Magnetic tape
The final hack on our DIY projects list is magnetic tape! This is a great invention that has a lot of uses in a camper. You can use magnetic tape to secure eating utensils, office supplies, and other metallic objects.
I love to use magnetic tape to secure my spice rack! The spices are all kept in little metal jars, and the tape holds them in place. Best of all, you can install it anywhere you want!
Hopefully you were inspired by these DIY projects and will be able to use some of them in your upcoming RV adventures. Share your favorite DIY projects and tips with us in the comments below or with the community on iRV2 Forums.
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