One of the main reasons you may be apprehensive of living or traveling in a camper van may be lack of space. While maintaining storage can be challenging, it is certainly possible if you are willing to get creative.
In this post, we’ll share space-saving storage ideas for your camper van conversion so that you can keep a clean, organized space that will leave you feeling relaxed and at home.
Clever van storage ideas
Camper van storage is one of the most important things to consider for your van build because of the smaller living space. Van life takes you all over and oftentimes you are miles away from civilization. You never want to worry about running out of food, water, and supplies. Being prepared is a must! You want to make sure you’re able to bring along all of the essentials you need to embark on your next adventure.
There are many clever ways to maximize the small space in your van build that may have never crossed your mind. We’ll explore more of those below.
Collapsible shelves
One extremely useful storage hack in a tiny space is collapsible shelves. Whether you’re preparing a meal in the kitchen or need a place to set your coffee cup, you’ll appreciate having a shelf nearby that can easily fold down and back up out of your way.
Sink cover
A sink cover is a must have to instantly create more storage and counter space. A lot of sink covers also double as cutting boards so you’ll want to consider what kind of material to use such as plastic, wood, or stainless steel. Having more surface space in a kitchen is always a plus when preparing meals.
This also creates more storage because you can secure small objects in your sink when you travel with your fitted sink cover on top. You never want objects flying around if you’re taking a sharp turn!
Bedside table
Need a place to set a candle, beverage, book or light? Consider a bedside table in your build. That’s right, even with limited space you can have a bedside table for unwinding at the end of the day. You can choose to build a small shelf that’s perfect for a cell phone, usb cables, a cubby for books, or a larger surface table that works great for your laptop.
This table can even be a folding table from the wall and sit over your bed. Bam! Enjoy breakfast in bed.
Magnetic knife holder
Knives are possessions you want to keep secured. When counter space is limited, it’s hard to own a knife block and you’ll want to save space in drawers. One easy and useful solution is to install a magnetic knife holder on your kitchen wall.
The magnetic knife holders come in a range of lengths so you can really customize them based off your needs. You can also find knife holders with wooden rails where the magnet is hidden inside, giving you a more blade-safe surface. Just remember to be strategic in where you place these so that knives are not hanging in your way.
Hidden shower
Let’s face it, not much feels better than a fresh shower, especially when you’ve been camping outside. You’ll be happy to know you can experience this without having to sacrifice much space with a hidden shower. These are showers that can be easily set up and then stored away when not needed.
You can use a basic shower pan that’s built into the floor and then covered with a lid when not in use. A shower head is stored in a cabinet above along with a collapsed shower curtain. Simply open the cabinet, lift the lid, and you have yourself a full shower!
Another wonderful hidden shower option can be built into a cabinet. Design a countertop that lifts off, unfold the front doors, and you have a beautiful space to shower. Not in use? Extra storage space when the cabinet doors are closed!
Hidden table
A great option for a hidden table is one that pulls out. This pullout table looks like a drawer but then extends into a table when pulled out. If you’re interested in a larger table, you could build this under your bed frame. Interested in keeping your table extra hidden? Ditch the hardware and install a table that is push-to-open.
Fold-down table
Another clever way to create more space is to build a fold-down table. These table tops are great because they don’t need any additional storage and are very quick and easy to set up and fold away. The fold-down table can be fixed to any cabinet or wall space.
The only challenge with this is your fold-down table may block some wall or storage space, so just be cognizant of that when choosing table placement.
Shoe holder
You probably don’t want a pile of shoes taking up your valuable floor space. Consider hanging a shoe holder on your doors or along the bottom of your bed. You could even use a small shoe cabinet that folds out from a nightstand. This will help keep your camper van tidy and give you a designated place to leave your shoes so you are never scrambling to find them.
Underneath the bed platform
When you begin building your van, the first place most people start is building the bed. The platform bed is one of the most standard bed designs and allows for a good amount of storage underneath. This storage area is known as the garage, where you can fit water, bikes, and other camping equipment. Keep this space organized by using crates to store larger items for hobbies. These are easy to rotate depending on the season and sport that you will need them for.
Just be mindful of overhead storage space as well. If you build the bed too high you may have more storage space underneath but wish you had more headspace.
Overhead storage bins
These storage bins are a great way to optimize space, especially over a low sitting area. These can be painted for a pop of color and keep things tucked away to allow for a tidy space. Overhead storage bins are great for keeping possessions such as electronics, food, clothes, and first aid kits. You can even use them in your headliner shelf.
Flip-top storage bench
Seating is necessary in your camper van so make sure to take advantage of creating extra storage space with a flip-top storage bench. This is fun to build because you can create a bench to match your decor and give you comfort, while simply attaching a hinge to the top so that the seat lifts up. You can store extra blankets and other supplies you want to have, but may not need to access on a daily basis.
Under-bed drawers
We briefly mentioned under the bed storage space. A great way to maintain organized storage is to install under-bed drawers. These are easy to pull out so you aren’t crawling around under the bed when needing to access things. Drawers are especially great for storing your clothes, and are convenient to pull right out as you hop out of bed.
Storage boxes attached to doors
A great product to attach is a campervan storage box to your van’s rear door. This is an exterior box, so it’s great for storing all of your things you use outdoors such as chairs, a BBQ, mud mats, etc. It’s much easier to store them on the outside so you don’t have to lug them, along with all the mud and bugs they may carry, inside!
Make sure the storage boxes or storage racks you choose are waterproof, can handle bumpy roads, and won’t be broken down in the sun or bad weather.
Under floor drawers
If you are looking to carry large amounts of equipment in your van, consider installing under-floor drawers. These are wonderful because they create a perfectly flat floor and can either open towards your van’s rear doors or side door.
Another advantage to using under-floor drawers is knowing your possessions will stay safe and secure, preventing them from being stolen or rolling around while in transit.
Broom holders
A broom can take up space if left in a corner or closet, so consider installing broom holders or fist clamps onto a wall. These will help secure your broom so it’s not falling every time you take a turn. Broom holders can also be great for storing other gear you’d like to keep easily accessible, such as flashlights.
Mesh pouches
A great way to create a little extra storage anywhere is with mesh pouches. Depending on your needs, you can use something small for items like phones and other electronics, or you can use a larger mesh pouch for clothing storage, like socks and underwear.
Mesh pouches are useful because you can see into them so you aren’t fishing around a dark drawer. You can even create a mesh hammock as a hanging fruit basket in your kitchen for extra space but also fun decor.
Decked drawer system
If you are interested in a portable storage cabinet that is extra organized and secure, consider installing a decked drawer system. These decked drawers sit above the wheel wells, giving you additional wall to wall storage space under your bed. Decked drawer systems are durable, waterproof and easily accessible so you never have to worry about damaging equipment for your camping needs.
Decked drawer systems work with most Ford Transit, Chevy Express Cargo, Mercedes Sprinters, Nissan NV Cargo, Ram Pro Master, Ford Cargo Econoline and GMC Savana Cargo vans.
Shoe organizers on backs of seats
We mentioned shoe holders above, but another great storage solution for shoes is to use a shoe organizer on the backs of seats. This keeps your camper van clean while giving you a convenient place to store shoes. You can easily swap out whatever pair you need and many shoe organizers come with clear pockets so you can always see what you’re reaching for, even when space is limited.
Campervan space saving tips
We went over clever van organization solutions to help keep your van organized and tidy. When things are hidden away, a tiny space may no longer feel so small. It’s important to also go over some additional space saving tips so you can take full advantage of enjoying every inch of your camper van.
Make use of hidden spaces
Take a good look at the inside of your camper van, floor to ceiling. You will be sure to find some nooks and crannies that you never knew were there. Make use of these extra hidden spaces to store small belongings.
Some great hidden spaces are under the front cab seats, the large compartments above the sun visors, and the compartments at the bottom of the side doors. Be sure to take advantage of the space behind the driver’s seat. You may also have small pockets of space behind sinks or alongside cabinets. Scan your walls as well for good places to hang an extra hook, holder or shelf.
Sliders are your best friend
Sliders are key when wanting to save space but keeping everything easily accessible. Keep your camper van functional with storage cupboards on sliders, perfect for spices and other pantry needs! Sliders are also great for storing heavier items, such as extra water jugs or a small fridge. Sliders work perfectly for a pull out table surface, just make sure you use heavy duty sliders to keep your surface sturdy.
Rotate winter & summer clothing
Chances are, you won’t be needing your snow boots or large winter coats in the middle of July. We suggest you rotate any clothing that you won’t be needing for a few months. A great place to store these is under the bed or under your bench seats. This will free up space for the clothing that you wear regularly.
Remove anything unnecessary
You may not realize how much you’re collecting while out on your adventures. Plan a day once a month where you’re really taking a look at everything and deciding what can go, whether it’s extra trash that may have accumulated, food that has expired, or clothing that is a little too worn. Maybe you’re hanging on to that pair of skis you got for Christmas 5 years ago but have never used.
It can feel very freeing to purge items you no longer want, need or use. You will certainly appreciate the extra space this will bring.
