How To Refurbish Your RV Without Breaking The Bank
We all love RVs, but let’s be honest: The interiors sometimes look boring or downright ugly! Unless you have a luxury RV that was created by interior designers, there’s a good chance that the decor leaves something to be desired. Plenty of RVers have run into a similar problem, so there are countless renovation ideas you can draw inspiration from.
Although most DIY projects require a bit of investment, there are some that are very budget-friendly. Recycled materials or cheap alternatives can help you save money. Just don’t cut corners on important things like appliances, plumbing, or weatherproofing!
Below, we have a few renovation ideas that you can implement in your own RV. Each project is highly flexible, so you can put your own spin on the style. They’re also pretty affordable (depending on the specific materials you use). Try a few of these out if you want to personalize your camper.
Updated flooring
Flooring is a great way to update the style of your RV. Most models come with tiles or linoleum flooring. Although these are both fine options, you can add your own style to the mix! Some people like to install custom tiles, carpet, or wooden boards.
There are plenty of peel-and-stick options available, but you can also go for the more labor-intensive route of installing each piece of flooring by hand. This gives you the freedom to create custom designs and patterns.
Custom backsplash
Backsplash is another great way to infuse your personality into an RV. You can find this decorative accent in bathrooms, kitchens, and living rooms. Again, there are plenty of pre-made options for sale. Peel-and-stick designs are common, and you can find lots of different colors, textures, and patterns.
You can also get creative and make your own backsplash at a minimal cost. The sky is the limit when it comes to materials! Consider using reclaimed wood, colorful pebbles, ceramic tiles, marbles, buttons, or anything else that you enjoy.
Wall personalization
Backsplash is one way to spice up your walls. But you can also go beyond these limited areas. Most RVs have plain walls that are neutral colors like white, gray, or brown. If you want easy renovation ideas, you can always opt for a fresh coat of paint! A new color can totally change a space, and RVs are fairly easy to paint.
There are lots of other ways to update your walls too. Wallpaper is a fun way to add new patterns and designs throughout the interior. You could also add stickers or decals. Creating an accent wall is another wonderful way to show off your style!
Ceiling tile
Many people forget about the ceiling when it comes to renovation ideas, but this area deserves a spotlight too! Ceiling tiles add color, texture, and variety to your overhead space. Some have intricate designs, while others are more simple. You can also just paint the ceiling if you want to help it blend in with the rest of the space.
Updated light fixtures
Lighting is one element that can make or break an interior design. Poor lighting makes your colors look dull and muddy. On the other hand, lights that are too harsh can make you feel like you’re in a hospital! Quality light fixtures make a huge difference, and they’re also a great way to showcase your style.
You could opt for recessed lighting, hanging lamps, exposed bulbs, string lights, accent lamps, sconces, or any combination of these! It’s even possible to make your own lampshades and light covers. This is a great opportunity to use recycled materials or crafting supplies.
Replace countertops
Every RV needs a good countertop. But your existing workspace can feel pretty out of place once you start updating other parts of the interior. Fortunately, it’s not too hard to remove your current countertop and install a stylish replacement. Popular materials include plastic laminate, stainless steel, and lightweight woods.
Just make sure you think about weight as you select your next countertop material. Heavy materials like concrete and granite can throw off your weight distribution.
Update cabinetry
Whether it’s a home or an RV, the cabinets are usually the first thing to go during a kitchen renovation. A lot of newer RVs have nice cabinetry, so you might not want to fully replace it. But sanding and repainting are always on the table! You can change the color scheme to help them better match the rest of the RV.
You can also find lots of storage options when you search for renovation ideas. As you implement these concepts, you may want to create your own shelving system, add roll-out racks, and much more.
Bar and stools
Speaking of the kitchen, let’s talk about dining and sitting space. Dinettes are all well and good, but sometimes they take up a bit too much space in the living room. Full-sized tables and chairs are also pretty bulky. So if you want something that’s low-profile but still usable, why not opt for a buffet bar and a set of stools?
This setup is pretty easy to create, especially if you remove your existing dining furniture. Just pick an unoccupied wall and install a small bar along it! You can have the stools stand on their own or attach them to the wall/bar. Some designs even create flip-up bars where the whole thing can be folded and stored against the wall.
Shelving
Every RV could use a little more storage space. One of the easiest renovation ideas is to add a few shelves or baskets throughout the floor plan. They can be drilled directly into the wall or hung with sturdy hooks. This is an easy storage solution, plus the shelving can also blend with the rest of your decorations.
Fabric crafts
Because storage space is limited in an RV, you sometimes have to make tough choices about what to bring and what to ditch. This can be hard when it comes to sentimental items like clothing, blankets, and other fabric items. Fortunately, you can recycle these into one-of-a-kind crafts to decorate your RV!
You can create custom curtains, rugs, pillowcases, quilts, and much more. These little personal touches make your RV feel like home, plus you can take the memories without completely discarding the original product.
Pet nook
Don’t forget about your four-legged friends when you’re looking for renovation ideas! Sometimes dogs and cats need their own little space in the RV as well.
Consider creating a special hideaway for them inside a closet or underneath a bed. You can install a pet door or a curtain for them. Slide-out food and water bowls are another handy idea! If you can tuck them away when they’re not in use, there’s no danger of them sliding around or spilling.
Wood burning stove
Finally, you can create a cozy, warm environment by adding a wood-burning stove to your RV. These come in all shapes and sizes, and there are plenty of compact models that would work well for an RV. There’s nothing quite like a crackling fire on a cold day! Plus, this type of heating won’t drain your battery.
You just need to be extra careful about installing and using these stoves. You may want to elevate them off the ground so kids and pets can’t reach them. There are pros and cons to wood stoves, but they can be a great addition to any RV.
Get tips from other RVers
RVers looking for valuable how-to information have learned to go to the experts. Forums such as iRV2.com and blog sites like RV LIFE, Do It Yourself RV, and Camper Report provide all the information you need to enjoy your RV. You’ll also find brand-specific information on additional forums like Air Forums, Forest River Forums, and Jayco Owners Forum.
Related articles:
