Words by Tom Westley/Salish Seaside RV Haven
With your RV parked and stowed away, it may very well be a case of ‘out of sight, out of mind’. However, what if this was an opportunity and what if there’s never going to be a better moment to give your RV a true ‘home’ makeover? This is your chance to put a personal touch to your RV, up the comfort, style, and luxury with new furniture, gadgets, art, and more.
To help you get started, we’ll share some of our favourite RV makeover starting points and tips.
Add Some Personal Touches
When it comes to putting your own stamp on your RV – and finding that all-important outlet for your personal and creative expression – you don’t necessarily have to think big. In fact, it’s often the small touches that mean the most including the ones you can look to and think, yes, that’s my RV. When it comes to possibilities, your RV is full of them including:
- Mood lighting
- Faucets
- Drawer and cabinet pulls
- Soft furnishings
- Artwork and other decorative elements
- Back splashes for the kitchen or bathroom
Punk Toad
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A New Coat Of Paint
If you’re looking for a bigger challenge, you can’t go wrong with giving your RV an interior decor revamp in the form of a new coat of paint. While painting an RV is a big job, it’s a rewarding one that can undoubtedly transform the whole profile your vehicle.
The step is to choose a colour scheme, whether its sleek neutral tones for a minimalist, modern finish or something more dramatic involving primary colours and stark contrasts. Settle for something that matches your vision for your dream home on the road.
Yet, before you start, we recommend lightly sanding the surfaces in your RV first. RV walls and cabinets are often covered in a laminate like material which can cause adhesive problems when being painted. The next step is to coat the surfaces with a primer, and then you’re ready to go.
Dwstucke
From the Ground Up
Painting isn’t the only way to dramatically change the aesthetics of your RV. In fact, installing a new floor will completely change the space.
Most units come with carpeting or select flooring, but this can often make the interior seem dated or generic. Swapping it out for stylish carpeting or even wood flooring can make a huge difference.
However, there’s one thing to keep in mind and that is the fact that real wood flooring may be too heavy for some RV weight limits. If this is the case, try a laminate option that has all the aesthetic appeal of the real thing, with a much lighter load.
Trailers of The East Coast
Exterior Shot
The interior isn’t the only part of your RV that can be given a makeover. Redesigning the exterior can be a real statement-maker to give your RV a fresh new look.
When it comes to repainting or adding to the exterior, you’re free to go as bold or as minimalist as you like. You don’t have to stop at repainting either. Adding a ‘feature window’ with a unique shape or even using repurposed materials to create a theme throughout your RV are effective ideas. At the very least it will add a stylish accent to your exterior.
Alternatively, you can glitz up your outdoor furniture set with some new chairs and tables, complemented by statement lighting in the form of either hanging metallic lights or lanterns so you can enjoy some atmospheric evenings by your RV.
Virginia State Parks
A Kitchen Fit For A King
An RV meal is not just about practicality. When you come back to your RV after a day of exploring, you want something delicious and somewhere you can gather and relax. The best way to achieve this is to give your RV kitchen its own makeover.
Some great kitchen (inside or out) ideas include:
- Stylish crockery or tableware
- Redesigning your storage options to create as much space as possible
- Investing in the latest kitchen gadgets to give you a cutting edge
Apollo Motorhomes
Some More Handy Design Tips
Some may already have a clear vision for how they to change up their RV and if that’s you, our advice is simple, follow your vision. There is no right or wrong way to decorate your RV, only the way you want things to be.
So, if you’re a stuck a little on inspiration, try following these design rules and see where your creative spark takes you:
- The rule of three: that’s white, light, and bright. By using these principles, you’ll be guaranteed to wind up with an RV space that feels open, inviting, and relaxing.
- Stick to one pattern: There’s a temptation to stuff as many ideas into a makeover as possible, especially if you’re unsure of your broader vision. However, this risks making things too busy and cluttered. Instead, go for a single type of pattern, such as a floral pattern and create a unifying, aesthetically pleasing look for your RV. Remember, sometimes less is more.
- Form Comes after Function: This is especially true for an RV so never forget the purpose is to create a vehicle that is comfortable to spend time in and exciting to take out on the road. Design your interiors around those two main principles and you can’t go wrong, just ask yourself, what is comfortable for me and what do I find exciting?
Regardless of the extent of your RV makeover, it should be fun and enjoyable with a much-anticipated outlook moving forward with the project. It’s also important to take your time, determine what it is you your RV requires and do some through research to ensure your vision becomes to reality for great experiences on the road!
Salish Seaside RV Haven is Western Canada's premier full-service Motor Home park, located on a private peninsula right in the heart of Victoria's waterfront harbour. This award-winning park is completely new, with all new services, utilities and concrete pads and can accommodate the largest of motorhomes. For more information visit www.salishseasidervhaven.com