16 Amazing Campervan Lighting Ideas

One of the things that can put people off campers is the dim atmosphere.

However, there’s no reason why the inside of your van should be dull. Not when simple lighting touches can completely boost the mood.

In this post, we go over 16 interior, exterior, and portable campervan lighting ideas.

Campervan Lighting Ideas

When you’re looking to install lighting for a campervan, the options might be too overwhelming, from lanterns to bars.

Let’s break things down for you:

Interior Campervan Lights

Since the interior is always the trickiest part, we’ll get started with it:

Recessed Lights

Recessed lights work well with low ceilings and don’t take much space, which is exactly what you’re looking for.

Most campervans will only need 4-5 fixtures along the center. On the downside, installing even one fixture can be pricey.

However, they’ll end up being your core lighting system, and they’ll last ages, so it’s worth the splurge.

Strip Lights

Strip lights make stunning accents. While some people might use it solo, it is better used as supplementary indoor lighting.

All you’ll need is an LED roll of 10 feet or so, connectors, cables, finger switches, an electric outlet, and a pair of scissors.

Products we recommend:

Snip and stick the strip to illuminate cupboards, shelves, under the bed, or even around the wardrobe area. All in all, strip lights are versatile, affordable, and easy to install.

Flexi Spotlights

Unlike the recessed lights that sit flush with the ceiling, Flexi spotlights can be bent around to direct the light where you need it the most.

Since the campervan ceiling isn’t that high, long Flexis might not be the best ceiling option, logistically.

Opt for individual units versus a whole rail setup to save space. Putting them on the walls can work, too.

Ceiling Dome Lights

The dome is a timeless classic that can eliminate the need for recess lights.

Plus, its lighting is way more diffused than most of the other options on the list, so one or two medium-sized ones will get the job done.

While there are minimalist designs out there, it might be better to go all out with a vintage-style dome—metallic fixture, tips, and all. Just go for a smaller one to avoid bumping your head.

Panel Lights

There are a whole bunch of different styles and shapes for panel lighting, but they’re all surface-installed.

They can also replace recessed lights. Yet, a lot of people tend to find their brightness a bit irritating.

Light Bars

Light bars are already one of the camper’s best friends since they work wonders as roof fixtures, but did you know they can also be used for interior lighting?

Of course, you’ll need much smaller ones, but they’ll fit in perfectly on a ceiling ridge or above the window panels.

Some of them sit flush with the wall/ceiling, while others are attached like a strip light.

Fairy Lights

Fairly lights are more or less craftsy strip lights. You can use the whole roll to decorate the wall next to your camper bed/sofa convertible, just like you would for a regular bedroom.

Alternatively, you can line it up along the ceiling to create an effortless backdrop. Keep in mind that they all serve the aesthetic way more than visibility.

Reading Lights

A reading light offers the same functionality range as a Flexi spotlight, but it’ll only work for the walls, not the ceiling.

Most of them are minimalist-looking and bendable. Plus, you can even get one that runs on a USB cable to cut the hassle with electric work.

Additionally, they’re easily removable from one spot to the other. This could be very convenient if you have a convertible bed.

Cupboard Sensor Lights

Nothing adds luxury to your camping experience like motion-activated bulbs. There’s something satisfying in having automated lights every time you open a cupboard.

Cupboard sensor lights mostly look like a lighting strip, but they’re a bit more complex to install correctly. Look for battery-operated ones to avoid messing with the electrical circuits.

Remote Control LED Lights

Remote-controlled LEDs can take almost any shape you’d like them to be. The most common are strip and fairy lights.

However, you can definitely find stick-on puck fixtures, too. You can stick a couple of those bad boys under a shelf and call it a day.

As a bonus, they can also include multi-colors. This way, you can easily switch up the van’s atmosphere with a click.

Exterior Campervan Lights

To boost your camping experience outside the van, you might need a few exterior lights. Here are a few ideas:

Awning Lights

Awning lights are a very common option for caravans and campers simply because of how convenient they are.

You can install the strip along the length of the van’s side. They usually come with hooking clips, so the installation is easy, even for beginners. Make sure to get waterproof options for safety concerns.

Porch Lights

Porch lights are much smaller than your typical awning strip. However, it usually has a wide diffusion range that makes up for it.

The nice part here is that you can get one with a detachable dimmer. This way, you have more control over the brightness level without having to switch the bulb.

Driving Light Bars

Driving lights are high-intensity automotive bars that you put on top of the van’s roof to light the road ahead.

If you’re willing to splurge a bit, you can also get a kit with a bar and floodlights. The whole setup can make your campervan look very rugged.

Remember that driving with extra lights can be illegal in some places since it can hinder the visibility of the cars in front of you.

Portable Campervan Lights

No matter how awesome your interior and exterior lighting is, there’s no replacing the need for portable light.

Here are the three top options to consider:

Camping Lanterns

Lanterns are stable for any camper. Not only because they make you look like you’re in an adventure movie but also because they’re wildly convenient.

While you can find ones that run on gas, it might be easier to get a battery-powered one. This way you avoid the carbon monoxide poisoning risk.

Campervan Torches

The lantern is very aesthetically pleasing to hold. Yet, a basic torch is still a must-have for any camper. It’s compact and ergonomic to hang on a wall, put in a bag, or hook on your belt.

You can either get a battery-powered or a rechargeable torch. Generally, most people would rather have one of each, but it’s all up to your preference.

Hand-Crank Lanterns

A hand-crank lantern turns mechanical energy into an electrical current. This means that you have to get the torch going manually for a minute or so to get an hour of lighting.

It might not end up being your go-to portable light, but it’s good to have as a “just-in-case” emergency tool.

Key Things to Consider When Choosing Campervan Lighting [Video]

Let’s take a look at a few factors that can help you narrow down your options:

Purpose

Before you commit to a lighting system, ask yourself what you need it for. Will you be doing a lot of reading and handy work? Or is it for a casual setting?

Once you have an answer, move on to the brightness level and color temperature.

Brightness

For a softer atmosphere, go for around 230-440 lumens for each main light fixture. More intense bulbs work better as exterior lighting. For instance, a 1000-lumen makes for a hefty flashlight.

Color Temperature

Color temperature is all about personal preference. However, if you’re looking for a cozy-camper vibe, try warmer bulbs under 3,000°K.

Efficiency

Your choice of light bulb doesn’t seem to have a major impact on the electric bill till you add up all the hours of running. For optimal cost efficiency, ditch the incandescent lights for LED or CFL.

Power Supply

You don’t always have to go through your van’s electrical wiring to get a couple of lights in. Look for USB or battery-powered options. They’ll save you a lot of time, effort, and money, but they can’t be the only source of lighting, though.

Installation Difficulty

If you’re looking for the easiest option, go for strips and fairy lights. Recessed lights, on the other hand, are challenging to install.

Quality

To balance cost and quality, you can splurge on the main lights only. For the accents, you can take the budget down a notch.

Advantages of Led Lighting

When you’re trying to save money, LED is the way to go.

Here’s why:

Energy Efficiency

On average, LED lighting technology saves 90% more energy than the traditional incandescent bulb.

Long Life

LEDs don’t only save money on the electric bill, but they also reduce the total costs by lasting 25 times as long as one incandescent bulb.

You can expect 15,000 – 27,000 hours of lighting from every LED bulb you have.

High Brightness and Intensity

Depending on your needs, you can get LED lights ranging from as dim as 300 lumens to a whopping 5000 lumens!

Low Radiated Heat

The main reason why LEDs are so efficient is that the technology cuts the amount of energy lost in the form of heat. This means that it won’t warm up your camper unnecessarily.

Durability

Besides their long lifespan, LEDs are generally more resistant to shocks and vibrations. Both of which are very common in any moving vehicle.

Exceptional Color Range

LEDs come in a lot of different intensities and temperatures. You get to choose anywhere from warm 2700°K to cool tones around 5000°K.

How to Hardwire 12V Lights in Your Campervan? [Video]

Once you know what lights suit your campervan best, it’ll be time to figure out how to hardwire them in.

Here’s how:

1. Switch off the electric supply first
2. Find a power supply terminal behind a main light fixture in the van
3. Hook a positive 14 AWG standard cable (red) and a negative one (black) to the power source
4. Run the wires through the van walls and up to the place you need the 12V lights to be
5. Hook up the lights in place in a parallel circuit
6. Connect the red cable to the positive fuse and the black to the negative with a splice connector
7. Ground the negative cables to a bus bar before closing the circuit back to the power supply

FAQs

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions regarding campervan lighting ideas:

Q: How many lumens do you need in your van?

A: Depending on the camper size, you might need around 10-20 lumens per square foot. Divide that over all the different interior lights.

Q: Where do you plug in lights for an awning on a camper?

A: If you plan on hooking up awning lights, keep the nearest power outlet free. That’s where you’ll plug the cord.

Q: How to install recessed puck lights in your van?

A: Recessed lights require drilling up circular holes in wood paneling first. You can run all the parallel circuits behind the paneling. Then get mounting screws with low-profile heads to hook the fixtures.

Q: What type of switches did you use to cut power to the solar panels, inverter, and charge controller?

A: The easiest switch to use in this case is a PV DP Isolator. For the charge controller, you can also use a MOSFET semiconductor switch.