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Last Updated on November 21, 2024 by Paul Clayton
Table of Contents
43 RV Remodel Ideas: New Life For Your Camper
RVs come pretty packed out of the dealership. However, built according to a generic blueprint, they aren’t always able to satisfy the specific needs of RV owners. Some search for RV Remodel Ideas from friends and family to make their RVs or campers more comfortable.
Key Takeaways
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- Customization is Key: RVs have a generic design, both functionally and aesthetically, making remodeling a common practice among RV owners to tailor their vehicles to their personal needs and styles.
- Interior Improvements: Simple updates like removing unnecessary items, replacing flooring, adding curtains, and upgrading furniture can significantly improve space and comfort.
- Kitchen and Bathroom Upgrades: Upgrading cabinets, appliances, and backsplashes in the kitchen and adding items like pressure showerheads or reorganized storage in the bathroom can enhance functionality.
- Comfort in the Bedroom: Replacing mattresses, upgrading to larger beds, or installing an entertainment system can turn an RV bedroom into a cozy retreat.
- Exterior Enhancements: Adding solar panels, repainting, upgrading the awning, or improving outdoor kitchens can increase efficiency, aesthetics, and the overall RVing experience.
- DIY vs. Professional Help: Many remodeling ideas, such as reupholstering or replacing flooring, can be cost-effective DIY projects, though professional assistance may be required for more complex tasks.
In addition, RVs may be generic not only in terms of functionality but also in terms of appearance.
These two reasons often push RV owners to do significant remodeling during their RV ownership. Every RV owner will do their own thing, but one thing unites everyone—the generic nature of their RV is the cause for the remodeling desire.
If you’ve owned your RV for quite some time and are thinking about improving it, we’ve got 43 RV remodel ideas for you.
43 RV remodel ideas
Interior
Let’s start with some general tips on interior remodeling. You can do a lot here to give your RV the desired atmosphere and make it more valuable and functional. Below, we will scratch the surface of what you can do with your RV interior.
1. Get rid of the unnecessary stuff
Recreational vehicles come with a basic set of similar amenities across various models and even RV classes. Modern RVs ‘ base packages commonly include entertainment centers, dinettes, and sofas.
However, you don’t always need all the amenities the manufacturers integrate into their vehicles. Due to this, all the extra stuff you don’t need will occupy precious space in your RV.
Thus, our number one remodeling idea is to eliminate all the unnecessary items in the RV. If you don’t need the entertainment area, remove it to allow for more free RV space. Furthermore, you may use the freed-up space to add useful things to your RV.
2. Replace the flooring
If you plan to do more or less major remodeling in your RV, start from the foundation – the flooring. Since you have to remove everything from the RV when working with the flooring, it makes sense to do it first and then build new stuff.
There are many ways to remodel your floor. You may want to install some
hardwood-style laminate to create a cozier or home-like feel. You might upgrade your kitchen or bathroom tile with something more pleasant to the eye. You may even add a carpet to soften the surface under your feet!
Floor remodeling is no easy task, so you may want a professional to do it. But we’d advise you to do it yourself since you’ll save money, gain skills, and make your RV more personal.
3. Install curtains in your RV’s windows
Curtains aren’t only for design but also a functional addition to your RV. They will surely make your RV’s interior more home-like, but more importantly, they will allow you to keep things inside cool by blocking off sunlight. Plus, they will add privacy to your RV.
You can choose regular fabric curtains or window blinds. Either will do a good job blocking sunlight, so choose whichever option you like more.
4. Install a ceiling fan
Most RVs come with air conditioners and ducted systems preinstalled. However, when delivering the oh-so-needed coolness into the RV, air conditioners consume quite a lot of power when running.
A solution to this issue would be a ceiling fan. A ceiling fan doesn’t have the same cooling capacity as an air conditioner, but it consumes much less power. And when you need just a slight breeze to make yourself comfortable, why turn on the entire AC unit with its huge power requirements?
Installation becomes a problem with RV ceiling fans, though. Ceiling fan setup is quite a major project, so if you have any remodeling plans associated with your RV ceiling, do everything at once to make things easier.
You may choose a regular portable fan as an alternative to a ceiling fan. Such a fan will be cheaper and do not require any setup, although it won’t be as effective as a ceiling fan.
5. Install a digital thermostat
If you have a thermostat-compatible AC unit or ceiling fan, we suggest you install a digital thermostat in your RV. Based on the readings from the digital thermostat, your thermostat-enabled appliances will be able to adjust their performance to deliver the required cooling capacity with less power consumption.
6. Replace the fold-out sofa
Sofas in RVs get pretty beaten up from heavy use, and you’ll need to freshen them up sooner or later. One way of doing so is to put a slipcover on them – this little addition will cover your beat-up sofa well enough and perhaps completely change how your RV interior looks.
But why not go a step further and completely replace that flip-up sofa? If the size of your RV allows, you could squeeze a full-size sofa in. This certainly will make your RV a lot cozier for its occupants.
7. Get rid of the fold-out sofa
Alternatively, if you can’t stand your fold-out sofa because it occupies precious interior space, remove it from the RV altogether. This will free up more room for other interior accessories.
There a couple of things to keep in mind with fold-out sofas, though:
- Fold-out sofas are sometimes covering heavy wiring or bare floors. If this is the case for your RV, you must think of a workaround to make the sofa’s spot look no different than the rest of the interior.
- Since fold-out sofas are often bolted into the floor, you may leave holes in the floor after removing your sofa. You must fill these holes if you don’t place something instead of the fold-out sofa.
- Make careful measurements. If the sofa can’t leave the RV, it doesn’t matter how much free room it will free up once removed.
8. Reupholster the furniture
For some people, replacing all furniture isn’t going to be realistic. New furniture isn’t cheap, after all. However, if your furniture still is in good condition, you may completely renew your RV interior by just reupholstering your furniture.
Reupholstering isn’t easy, so you may want to have it done by a professional. This may make reupholstering a bit costlier, but it is nowhere as costly as replacing all your RV furniture.
9. Replace the dinette table
Nowadays, virtually any RV has a dinette, and most people will be fine with it.
At least at the beginning. As time goes on and as you become a more experienced RVer, you may start feeling that the dinette no longer satisfies your needs. Or maybe you start feeling that your RV has an insufficient home vibe for your taste.
Consider replacing the dinette table with a regular kitchen table and a couple of chairs. Given the free room in your RV, such a setup would likely be much more comfortable than the original immobile dinette layout. Plus, the new dining area will be more reminiscent of home.
10. Convert your dinette into an entertainment center
You may eliminate it if you don’t use it often as an alternative to replacing the dinette table. This option may be viable if you frequently eat out or prefer to eat outdoors.
If your RV doesn’t already have an entertainment center, we suggest turning your dinette into one. If the layout of your RV allows it, you may use the freed-up area to extend the entertainment area, complementing it with a better sound system, a gaming console, and other things.
11. Convert your dinette into a workstation
This is another way to make your dinette more useful. If you do much of your work remotely, converting the dinette into an entire workstation may be more reasonable. Go ahead and remove the dinette to make its area more useful to you!
12. Enhance your RV with a washing machine
RVs pretty much never come with washing machines because of room constraints. Due to this, you may find yourself spending much of your vacation time doing laundry.
Why not enhance your experience with a washing machine? With the variety of sizes available on the market, it shouldn’t be too difficult to find one that fits your RV without a problem.
If you don’t need certain areas in your RV—the entertainment area, for example—you may free them up to accommodate a washing machine. With a washing machine, you’d free some additional time to enjoy your journey, especially if it is lengthy.
13. Replace your pantry
A pantry is often the most used piece of furniture in a recreational vehicle. And even though it may not make a big difference in the atmosphere of your RV, replacing the pantry can make your life more convenient.
When disassembling the old pantry, taking inventory and determining what you have at the moment and what else you need is straightforward. Once you remove the pantry, you can build a new one that fits your needs and style.
14. Bring along plants
Plants can drastically improve your RV’s atmosphere—literally and figuratively. They can noticeably enhance the air quality inside the RV and, as a nice bonus, add to its home vibe.
Before you can place pots with plants around, you may need to do another upgrade—add a couple of shelves to make room for the green companions. RVs aren’t designed to accommodate them.
Plus, you will need to consider how to safeguard the plants from the shocks of the drive – the roads out there probably aren’t the smoothest, and you also don’t want to crawl at a snail’s pace.
15. Upgrade the walls with some wallpaper
Are you feeling walled in? Then, consider enhancing your RV’s walls with wallpaper. Fortunately, it isn’t difficult to install wallpaper in an RV since a wide selection of easy-to-install wallpaper is available.
As an alternative, you may replace the entire interior paneling. This may be a better option if you were going to do it anyway. However, from a design standpoint, you probably won’t have as many options with panels as with wallpaper. If you want something flashy, wallpaper will be one of the few options.
16. Repaint the walls
Another way to transform the walls in your RV is to repaint them. With this option, you arguably have a little more freedom, albeit applying wallpaper may be easier than painting.
Nonetheless, changing colors could help you refresh your RV’s atmosphere. You could go further than the walls and apply new paint to any RV interior surface!
17. Remove the wallpaper border
Many people consider wallpaper borders outdated because they detract from the sleekness of the RV interior. Since wallpaper borders are useless, you could remove them if you feel that they break the integrity of your interior.
You could also go in the opposite direction if your RV interior design allows it or if you don’t like empty walls. The wallpaper border may be useless, but it can significantly add to the coziness of your RV design.
18. Hang your art collection in the RV
Empty walls are another issue that intensely bothers RV owners. Some people like things to look sleek and seamless, but others prefer more variety and fullness in their interiors.
Have a favorite art collection? Then go ahead and decorate the RV walls with it! Fortunately, you don’t have to use any nails or screws and damage your RV’s walls – removable adhesive hangers are going to do the job just fine.
To further develop your RV’s interior, you may decorate it with pictures of your family or tabletop display pieces representing your hobby. When decorating the RV interior, get creative and consider every surface in your RV as the canvas for your artwork!
19. Add mirrors
Adding mirrors relates to our previous point, but there’s more to them. While mirrors indeed make for good decorations, they enhance the atmosphere of your RV in a slightly different way.
Wall mirrors are a quick way to make your RV space feel larger and airier. And besides, let’s not forget that they have a specific function – to help you ensure you have the best face before going out!
20. Consider buying an air freshener
RV remodeling is mainly associated with cosmetic upgrades, but why limit yourself to them? While they can improve the atmosphere in the RV, an air freshener will do no worse or maybe even a much better job!
There are many air freshener options. Scented candles are popular due to their aromatizing solid properties, but some people reasonably dislike them due to the open flame. If you don’t mind sacrificing scent intensity for safety, you may use an air freshener diffuser instead.
However, one thing to note with diffusers is that they can have high maintenance costs. At the very least, you need to refill them with essential oils every once in a while. Due to this, don’t rush to buy a freshener diffuser if you are on a budget.
Kitchen
The kitchen is probably your RV’s most heavily used area, so its changes will likely be more functional than cosmetic. Occasionally, you may need to replace or refurbish some of your cabinets or appliances. However, there is plenty of design potential when it comes to kitchen remodeling.
21. Upgrade your kitchen cabinets
Kitchen cabinets have a specific function—to store food and cooking utensils—but they are also an inseparable and quite significant part of your RV’s interior design. Thus, if you haven’t treated your kitchen cabinets well for a long time, don’t neglect their importance; refresh them.
You don’t necessarily need to replace your RV kitchen cabinets outright. Cosmetic changes will likely be sufficient if they are in good enough condition. Please give them a fresh coat of paint for a start. As an alternative to painting, you may also replace the cabinets’ door pulls or decorate them with self-adhesive paper liners.
22. Replace old kitchen appliances
RVs come packed with various essential kitchen appliances. Since these appliances are used frequently, they will likely need replacing sooner or later.
Appliances, compared to other forms of remodeling, can be a very big investment. However, you should definitely monitor your appliances and get a replacement as soon as they start to work funky.
Some people may not realize that appliances can make a big difference in how their RV’s interior looks. So, if you care about looks and integrity in your RV’s design, pick appliances that fit your current theme.
23. Add new appliances to your kitchen
You could replace your old appliances and add some new ones to your RV kitchen. While a cooktop, refrigerator, and microwave may seem to be everything you would need in an RV, you could upgrade your kitchen with plenty of other things.
For example, if you are a coffee lover, you may invest in a coffee maker or an espresso machine. You might also opt for a brand-new toaster. You could also go for simpler things like improved can openers that make your life more convenient.
Again, these can be quite big investments. In addition to your budget, you would also need to consider the free space available in your RV.
24. Replace your backsplash
If your RV kitchen doesn’t have a backsplash, we strongly recommend installing one. If your old backsplash is starting to give in to time, you should definitely consider replacing it.
This remodeling task may sound expensive and difficult, but you don’t need to deal with tiles. Few manufacturers offer peel-and-stick backsplashes that look like real tile without the headache of installation and cost.
25. Add a kitchen island
A kitchen island is a simple addition that will add many countertop surfaces to your kitchen. A few RVs have kitchen islands by default, but many do not.
Given that your kitchen has a free floor room, you may want to make it more useful with a kitchen island. If you don’t have much free room in the RV, you may eliminate all the unnecessary stuff to free up some space for it.
You may choose a simpler kitchen island that serves as a countertop. Installing such a kitchen island is very easy. Alternatively, you may enhance the kitchen island with an additional cooktop or freezer, though such a setup would be more difficult.
Bathroom
Bathrooms in RVs are usually very cramped, so there isn’t much you could do there. However, there are a couple of things that you could do to make your RV bathroom more convenient, no matter its size.
26. Get a pressure showerhead
The showering experience in most RVs is lackluster, and some people prefer to shower at campground bathhouses rather than in their RVs. One reason is the insufficient pressure delivered by stock RV shower heads.
An easy solution for this issue is a pressure shower head. For not so much money, this simple upgrade could completely change your showering experience. In addition, if you spend money on an RV with a shower, it would be a waste not to use it and instead to rely on campground bathhouses.
27. Upgrade your toilet
You want your RV toilet to be functional at all times. If it is about to break down, you should replace it immediately.
Replacing an RV toilet isn’t too expensive – you could get a decent plastic RV toilet for about $100. On the other hand, you may experience problems with toilet installation – if you don’t know how to do it, your toilet replacement project could make a mess in the bathroom.
Another suggestion regarding your RV toilet would be to replace its old plastic unit with a porcelain one. This will certainly be more expensive, but porcelain is more durable and makes your bathroom feel like home.
28. Reorganize your bathroom storage space
RVs come with adequate storage space, but you may have room for improvement.
For some perspective, you may remove the cabinet doors and replace them with pull-out storage bins. Add towel hangers to your bathroom if you don’t already have them. You could do many things to make your RV bathroom more convenient and storage-efficient, but whatever you do, choose upgrades that will make your bathroom more convenient for you.
Bedroom
There isn’t much to do in the bedroom unless you have a large RV with a large bedroom. However, if you find a lot of unused free room in your RV bedroom, you could do spectacular things with it.
29. Replace your mattress
Your mattress is the first thing you want to replace in your RV bedroom. RVs very often come with super uncomfortable mattresses, so this is an upgrade that you may want to do as soon as possible.
A high-quality memory foam mattress will make a huge difference. Considering RVers have to make long trips in a short time frame, the comfort and support a good mattress provides are truly invaluable.
A mattress can be quite an expensive upgrade, though. But we do think that you should not skimp on a good mattress. If you can buy a cheaper mattress now or save money and get a better mattress later, you should go for the latter.
Also, RV beds are sized differently than standard bed frames. Before buying a mattress, consider taking measurements to get the right mattress for your bedroom setup.
30. Go for a larger bed
If your RV bedroom doesn’t have extra space, you won’t be able to do this. However, if it does, you should be able to replace your bed with a larger one.
One problem you may encounter when replacing your bed is bringing the new one into the RV. Due to this, you should go for a bed that can be assembled on the spot. In addition, since beds can be quite heavy, make sure not to exceed the weight limits of your RV.
31. Add an entertainment system to your bedroom
Your RV likely has an entertainment system in the living room, but why not add another one to your bedroom? A second entertainment system will not only come in handy when you are too lazy to get out of bed in the morning. It will also allow you to watch TV or play video games if the primary entertainment system in the living room is occupied.
Exterior
The changes made on the exterior side of your RV will make the most difference for you, arguably. There is a lot of design stuff you could do on the outside to make your RV prettier, but what’s more important is that exterior modifications can make your RV much more efficient and convenient for you.
32. Switch to solar energy
RV solar panels can be a costly investment up front, but they will rather quickly pay for themselves. And besides, solar panels are nature-friendly.
Getting electrical power from solar panels is way better than getting it from a generator. First, solar panels free you from any fuel costs. Secondly, you won’t have to inhale any toxic fumes. And lastly, solar panels produce no noise while running, unlike the quite noisy RV generators.
33. Repaint your RV
Repainting is a viable remodeling option inside, and so it is outside. Your rig
may get stains that are impossible to remove even with a pressure hose, and in this case, one great option would be a new coat of paint.
Here, you have a plethora of opportunities. You may stick to the original design and not change the color scheme of your RV. Or you may give way to your imagination and create something truly personal and eye-catching.
34. Upgrade your RV awning
Your RV awning is stored away most of the time. However, it is a crucial RV equipment since it creates a shaded living space outdoors and keeps the interior cool by blocking direct sunlight.
You should monitor the condition of your delicate RV awning and replace it when necessary. If you have an older hand-cranked RV awning, consider upgrading to newer versions that deploy with a button and even have built-in LED lighting.
35. Enhance your outdoor kitchen
The whole reason for RVing is to spend more time outside of the four walls of your home. And to make your outdoor pastime a little cozier for your companions, you may consider upgrading your outdoor kitchen.
And we don’t just mean adding a stovetop or sink. If the outdoor kitchen in your RV is big enough, you can easily enhance it with an entertainment system. And once you do, you won’t have to pause your meal and go inside to watch your favorite TV show.
36. Buy an RV GPS
Manufacturers have recently developed various GPS products designed specifically for RV use. With one, you will no longer have to wonder whether you’ve got enough clearance and will no longer accidentally make a wrong turn.
RV-oriented GPS units aren’t cheap, but they are worth the investment. Sure, any mobile device has access to maps, but they aren’t going to satisfy RV-specific needs. For some people, the limited functionality of mobile maps is completely alright, but others would want to have more RV-specific features to accompany them on the journey.
37. Add more oversized mirrors
If you have a motorhome, consider replacing its mirrors with bigger ones. Any motorhome will come with adequate stock mirrors, but to make your ride safer and more convenient, we’d advise you to opt for more giant mirrors.
38. Add a backup camera
To complement your new larger mirrors, you may go further and get yourself a rear camera system. Such a system will make maneuvering your RV easier and complement the vehicle’s mirrors.
Again, some RVs may come with preinstalled, but we recommend getting one if your RV does not.
One thing to note about backup camera systems is that they are useful not only with motorhomes but also with towable RVs. So, consider enhancing your RV with a backup camera system regardless of its kind.
39. Replace your windows
Your RV’s windows may also need replacement if you’ve had your motor home for quite some time. Glass windows get stained and grimy over time, while plastic windows can be easily scratched. If your windows aren’t as clear as before, it may be time to replace them.
Remember that to replace the windshield, you will most likely need the help of a professional. As for side windows, they aren’t that difficult to replace, so you could easily do it yourself.
40. Replace your tires
Bald tires look beat up and are very dangerous on the road. They don’t have the grip of brand-new RV tires, so you must always monitor your tire condition.
Regulations require that tread depth be at least 2/32 inches. Experts recommend having at least 4/32 inches of tread left in the tires. If the tread depth in your RV’s tires is approaching these metrics, consider replacing them.
In addition to the tires, you may also want to replace all the wheels in your RV. This is a good idea not only if the wheels are beat up but also if you want to change the exterior look of your RV.
41. Install electric stabilizer jacks
Some RV manufacturers equip their vehicles with electric stabilizer jacks, but most RVs come with manual ones. If your RV is one of the latter, you may want to replace your stabilizer jacks with electric ones.
The primary benefit of electric stabilizer jacks is that they can be easily adjusted with a push of a button. This increased convenience will be especially noticeable and useful when making many small adjustments to the jacks.
The same applies to your RV’s tongue jack. If your RV has an old-fashioned manual tongue jack, consider upgrading to an electric tongue jack.
42. Improve the RV suspension
Any RV has certain weight restrictions that you should not exceed when driving. If you take too much stuff on board, you may void your warranty, waive your insurance coverage, or create a dangerous situation on the road.
If you need to exceed your RV’s weight limits, you must increase its weight capacity. One way to do this is to upgrade your RV’s suspension system. You won’t add hundreds of extra pounds of carrying capacity to your RV, but you will have more room for additional weight.
43. Add an antenna to your RV
Streaming movies and music online has gained popularity among RVers, but it remains an expensive way to watch your favorite shows while on the road. Due to this, broadcast and satellite television remains the only option for many RV owners.
Some RVs come with inbuilt antennas, but if you have a cheaper travel trailer or camper, it probably doesn’t come with any. If you’ve traveled several times and lacked TV coverage in your RV, set up an antenna on the roof.
You may also want to get a satellite receiver. Satellite receivers work the same way as antennas but usually receive only paid programs rather than broadcast TV signals. Thus, a satellite receiver may extend your TV coverage if you already have an RV antenna, or it may be the only suitable option for you if the desired programs aren’t on broadcast TV.
This video has been included to clarify the topic. Credit goes to Adaline’s Home
Conclusion
Remodeling an RV transforms it from a generic setup into a personal, functional, and aesthetically pleasing home-on-wheels. These 43 ideas inspire RV owners to maximize comfort, functionality, and style, from interior tweaks to exterior upgrades. Whether making minor changes or embarking on a full renovation, the process allows you to create a unique space tailored to your travel lifestyle.
