Your adventure van is your home away from home, whether you’re taking off for the weekend or traveling full-time around the country. So, why not make it feel a little more like a home than simply a unit of transportation?
If you’re good at skilled trades, such as carpentry, electrical, plumbing, and welding, you can pretty much gut the interior of your van and start from scratch, creating a unique layout and design that works best for you and your needs.
However, we want to make things easy for you. With that being said, RV Trader is sharing a few DIY tips that anyone can do to make their Class B RV/adventure van more personalized and aesthetic.
The Walls
There are a number of peel-and-stick options available for decorating an adventure van interior that include everything from a wallpaper-like product that looks like wood, brick, or tile, to actual tile that comes in a variety of colored patterns.
Each pack of tile comes with a number of 6” x 12” self-stick rectangles that have interlocking ends to make installation easier. Simply cut each piece to size with a utility knife, peel off the backing, and stick it to the wall. No grout or caulk needed. Most kits also include a piece of matching molding you can also cut to size to give the edges of your project a professional and finished look.
Feel free to mix and match patterns. For example, you might want one pattern for the backsplash of your kitchen area, something different for your bath area, and a third option for your dining/sleeping area.
Another idea is to add plywood panels or shiplap to the walls so you can hang artwork, plant holders, or shelves. If you want to create a feeling of greater space, the panels can be painted with neutral colors like white, beige, or tan.
You can also paint or add backsplash to the walls of your RV.
The Floor
The floor is generally the most overlooked area of a conversion van, but it doesn’t have to be. Similar to the peel-and-stick tiles that can be used on the walls, a flooring version is available that simulates the look of wood or tile. Once upon a time, the sticky backing on these tiles was not very robust and the tiles would pull up after a relatively short time frame. New advancements in adhesives are making them more durable. You could also go the traditional route and swap out your flooring, though that’s typically a difficult and time-consuming project.
If you’re feeling ambitious, you could opt to put in a floating floor using interlocking strips. Each sheet is generally about four feet long and nine to 10-inches wide. Since you would likely only need a box of two for your van (depending on how much open floor space you have to cover), it wouldn’t be an expensive investment. Be sure to get something that’s water and scratch resistant to keep the appearance of your floor looking good for years to come. There are also some underlayment pads and flooring that help to reduce both thermal transfer and noise, which will help keep the inside of your van guarded from outside elements.
Next, think about adding some throw rugs to finish the look. It may sound counterintuitive to put rugs over new flooring, but they also add a layer of thermal protection, help to absorb noise inside the van to avoid an “echo” effect, and can easily be thrown in the laundry if they get dirty.
Light It Up
Another ambiance element you can add to your adventure van is lighting. You may want to add something decorative that hangs from the walls or roof to brighten up your food prep area, or you might opt to hang a string of Christmas lights that you can run around the upper edges of your walls. Be sure to use LED lights so they don’t draw too much from your battery. LED lights will also significantly cut down on the amount of heat the bulbs put off. Some lighting is available as solar, so you won’t even have to worry about where to plug them in.
Make It Your Own
Little enhancements to your adventure van make a big difference, so feel free to experiment and have some fun. Add in some throw pillows or new blankets to add a touch of extra color. Collect postcards from the spots you visit and hang them on the walls. Put a curtain between the kitchen area and your sleeping area to add the illusion of “room.” Add some extra storage space to make things easier to find. Add some accessories to give your RV a retro look.
There are dozens of things you can do to personalize your van space. Let your imagination be your guide and you’ll feel like you’re always home, no matter where you may roam. Check out these renovation tips for beginners to get started. If you’re ready to purchase your own adventure van to DIY, check out our nationwide inventory of new and used RVs at RVTrader.com.
By Barrett Baker
