14 RV Tips And Ideas For A Simple Renovation

Having a home that goes with you wherever you go is great. That said, it’s even better if that little home actually feels like a home. Unfortunately, very few RVs feel like home right out of the factory, and older RVs can be even less comfortable as they wear out and become drab and dirty. 

This is where the RV remodel comes into play. Yes, we know, a remodel seems like a lot of work, but honestly, that doesn’t have to be the case. There are many ways to change the look and feel of your rig without putting in tons of work, and most don’t even cost much money. 

Check out the RV tips and ideas below for inspiration and get ready to make your tiny house a tiny home!

1. Create a peel-and-stick backsplash

Most RVs have a blank wall behind the kitchen and bathroom sinks. You can add some color to these areas and really improve the look of your rig by adding peel-and-stick tiles to create a backsplash. 

2. Remove that border

Many RVs—especially older models—have a wallpaper border that goes around the perimeter of the rig interior. These are never pretty and they don’t really do anything for the look of your RV interior.

If you have one of these, we recommend starting your remodel by getting rid of it. Use a hairdryer to heat the paper, peel it off using a putty knife, and remove the sticky substance left behind using Pure Citrus orange air freshener. 

3. Add some contact paper

Contact paper is another awesome way to spruce up your RV. Little bits of colorful contact paper put in strategic places can be adorable. Meanwhile, wood grain contact paper can cover damage on cabinets and drawers if you prefer not to paint. 

4. Add a coat of chalk paint

If you do want to paint, we highly recommend using chalk paint to get the job done. This amazing paint doesn’t require any prep work, can be used on cabinets or walls, and it goes on thick, covering many blemishes.

It does require a top coat, so make sure you purchase that along with your paint. 

5. Change hardware

While working on improving the look of your cabinets, consider changing out the handles and maybe even the hinges for something more modern. Door knobs can also be changed to improve the overall look of your RV interior. 

6. Change out the bedspread

This is one of the easiest RV tips on this list and it can make a huge difference. Switching the stock bedspread for something you love can completely change the look and feel of your home-on-wheels. We recommend choosing light colors that help open up and brighten the tiny space. 

7. Get a new shower curtain

Like the bedspread, replacing the shower curtain is incredibly simple and can make a world of difference. Choose one with bright, fun colors. If your curtain is mounted to the ceiling using special hardware, simply add a tension rod to hang your new curtain in a more traditional manner.

Those with tiny RV showers might even consider an expanding rod to make their upgrade even more worthwhile. 

8. Switch your showerhead

RV stock showerheads are terrible. Not only do they have very poor pressure, they also look cheap. Improve the look of your bathroom and the quality of your shower by investing in an Oxygenics showerhead. This is a quick and easy upgrade that you’re sure to love. 

See also: RV Showerheads: Should You Make The Upgrade?

9. Hang wall decor

This tip might seem obvious, but many people overlook it. Adding some wall decor to your rig gives it character and makes it a more enjoyable place to be. Small mirrors can open the small space up, family photos make the place feel like home, and paintings you love will help you feel comfortable in your surroundings.

All of these can be hung using Command strips or Command hooks. Make sure they are mounted securely and safe for travel days.

10. Cover couches and cushions…

The vast majority of RV couches and dinette cushions are just plain ugly. Even if yours isn’t, if you’ve had your rig for very long at all, these things are probably becoming worn.

One of our best RV tips is to fix this problem by covering ugly couches and cushions. We really like these covers for dinette cushions, and a regular sofa cover should work for your RV couch. 

11. …Or replace furniture

If covering cushions isn’t going to do it for you, you might want to replace the furniture entirely. This gives you an opportunity to change your RV layout and add in things like workstations, workout areas, and even bookshelves if you wish. 

We recommend purchasing furniture that comes disassembled and putting it together inside the RV in order to avoid problems with getting it through the door. IKEA is a great place to find such furniture. 

12. Invest in a new mattress

Another thing you’ll almost certainly want to replace in your RV is the mattress. Stock RV mattresses are absolutely horrible. Sure, they’re lightweight, but they offer nothing in terms of support and are 100% uncomfortable. For this reason, one of the best RV tips we can offer is to upgrade your sleeping spot.

Read this article from RV LIFE on 5 Of The Best RV Mattresses For Quality Sleep.

13. Update the window treatments

Yet another easy way to update your RV is to change the window treatments. Most RVs have valances, and the vast majority aren’t very nice to look at. Our recommendations? Remove the valances completely and replace them with nice shades or cute curtains, or recover the valances with a different kind of fabric using a staple gun. All of these are easy jobs that anyone should be able to do. 

14. Replace the flooring

So far, all of the RV tips and ideas we’ve listed have been relatively simple. This last suggestion is actually a little bit more involved. However, it deserves a mention because it can make such an enormous difference.

Older RV floors are tired and can become stained. This is especially true of RV carpet, which gets pretty abused when you track dirt in and out of the rig every day. Replacing this flooring with vinyl wood can brighten your motorhome or trailer and make it feel like an entirely different rig. 

For instructions on how to do this, check out the video below and this article on How To Replace Your RV Carpet With New Vinyl Flooring.

One of the best parts about RVing is engaging with the community of traveling enthusiasts. iRV2 forums allow folks to chat with other RVers online, and get other perspectives on everything RVing, including products, destinations, RV mods, and much more.