This post for The Virtual Campground on simple camper makeover ideas was written by Ashley Mann of RVinspiration.com. Ashley is an RV decor expert. She currently full-times in a Keystone Fifth Wheel.
If you are looking for a way to make your RV feel more homey but don’t want to do any painting or make any changes that can’t be undone, here are some simple camper makeover ideas that will help you give your RV a personalized touch.
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1. Accessorize Your Camper
Probably the easiest way to make your RV your own is to fill it with things you love. For a unified feel, choose items in colors that complement each other and don’t clash with your RV’s colors.
If you don’t think you’re good at picking colors, try using this website to discover colors that match your furniture and other things you already own.
For example, if you start with dark brown as a base color (the color of the wood in so many RVs), you can get ideas for color combinations ranging from pastel to bright that are complementary to dark brown. Here’s an example:
In the two photos below you can see what a big difference just an area rug and some throw pillows can make in a room.
If you are stuck with a couch you hate, consider adding a slipcover. This is a very easy way to makeover your RV.
Slipcovers have come a long way since the 1990’s; some even have a separate cover for the cushions. Stuffing grippers or cut up pool noodles into the cracks can help hold it in place so you’re not constantly re-tucking.
Check out my sleeper sofa before and after I added stretch-fit slipcover. (Decorative cats are also highly recommended.)
2. Decorate your camper with decals
Adhesive vinyl decals do the camper makeover for you!
You can use them to put an inspiring quote or favorite phrase on a wall or door…
…or to create a mural….
…or to just fancy up something boring like your refrigerator!
3. Cover the cushions
This lets you match your own style while also protecting from stains and wear.
RV owner Erin Olsen came up with this easy way to make covers for hers without sewing:
The covers for the two benches shown below were made from crib sheets! Elastic sheet straps were used to keep the covers from slipping off.
The owner of this simple camper makeover, blogger Ashley Pitre, used canvas drop clothes to cover her U-shaped dining booth. She simply tucked them in around the edges and re-tucks them as needed.
She says she likes how easy they are to take off and launder.
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4. Use organizers as decor to makeover your camper.
Consider aesthetics in your quest for organization. The beige organizer in the picture of my bathroom below only cost me $8. Although, I ended up regretting not spending a little more to get something that looked nicer. Consider spending the extra money on something like the wicker one shown in the second picture.
Nice-looking organizers don’t have to be expensive, though. This storage bin was made from a cardboard box, fabric, and rope, but would look much nicer on a shelf than a plastic bin from the dollar store.
Whenever possible, use cabinets for hiding clutter-y looking things, and use walls and shelves to store nicer-looking objects.
For example, instead of storing towels in a cabinet and hanging a shoe organizer on the wall for bathroom products, turn the towels into a colorful display like this one and hide the toothpaste and deodorant in the cabinet.
5. Print some wall decor
Need some wall decor that’s cheap enough you don’t have to worry about breaking it?
Check out my Pinterest board with links to hundreds of free printable designs (including the ones below) that you can download for free. Then print and put in a cheap frame.
Swap out as the mood strikes you. Don’t want to put holes in your walls? Try a no-drill method for hanging decor instead.
I Went to the Woods Free Printable Wall Decor
Better at the Beach Free Printable Wall Decor
6. Dress up mirrors and windows
One very simple camper makeover idea that gives your RV a whole new feel is to dress up the mirrors and windows.
This lacy window film adds privacy in addition to looking pretty.
Here window film was used to decorate some cabinet door inserts.
Many RV owners seem to dislike the look of mirrored closet doors; adhesive window film is a good way to cover them up.
7. Use wallpaper in your simple camper makeover
Wallpaper is so versatile.
Not only does it come in almost any design imaginable, it can also be used to mimic the look of many things. Think brick, stone, tile, or wood plank walls.
Removable wallpaper is an option for those concerned with making changes that might affect resale value.
8. Add a peel-and-stick tile backsplash
One of the most popular DIY style upgrades in the RV community is a peel-and-stick backsplash.
This look was created using wallpaper and adhesive metal tiles.
The tiles in these next three photos are actually adhesive sheets made from a gel-like material–kind of like giant stickers, but with the look and feel of tile. (Popular brands of this type of tile include Smart Tiles and Tic Tac Tiles.)
9. Give your windows a facelift
My last style suggestion to makeover your camper is for making your window coverings fit your style. You can do this even if you don’t want to remove or damage the factory-installed cornices.
The owner of this RV hung pretty curtains under her cornices using tension rods.
Another RV owner also hung curtains using tension rods, but additionally covered her cornices by pinning fabric to them.
The cornices shown below were covered using a pretty tablecloth and staples. Excess fabric was tucked in at the edges using a butter knife.
Finally, if you want to just remove the cornices altogether and replace them with curtains but don’t want to drill holes in the walls, adhesive hooks can be used instead for hanging lightweight cafe curtain rods. (Some people use hooks of this type successfully, but if you have a problem with the hooks falling down, I recommend using clear acrylic double sided type to stick them back up.)
Hopefully these ideas have inspired you to start your own simple camper makeover! If you would like to see more ideas like these, I invite you to visit my website, RVInspiration.com!
And be sure to check out this resource for all things RVing and travel available July 15-19 only! Learn about how to save money on your travels, RV repairs, and more! This is something you don’t want to miss. Just click here to learn more.
Click here to get The Virtual Campground’s free ebook for more RV renovation and makeover ideas!
Thank you for sharing your ideas. I would love to implement a lot of them. I have been debating using the removable wallpaper to add some fake wood pallet to the wall behind our bed. Looking forward another camping season. God Bless.
I love so many of these ideas! Thanks for sharing.
You are welcome! I hope you find them helpful.
I’ve been considering a magnetic knife rack. Will the knives stay put on some of those seriously bumpy roads?
That is a great question. I believe they will but do not have first hand knowledge. This would be a great question to ask in Forums or in our private Facebook group, The Virtual Campground. Someone is sure to have one
Yup. We haul out Truck camper over some nasty forest roads and I have never lost a knife. Or a tin storage box.
I think this was a great post! Alien tape is the answer to things moving around!
I had not heard the term alien tape. Is that a brand or type?
Great Ideas!! I am new to RV camping! Single woman doing it alone! I love all the ideas I get from the ladies on here. Great ideas with a lot of thought put into them. Thank you for your time posting and keep posting for us newbies!
Judy 🙂
Happy to share!
Some of these ideas look nice but are not practical in an RV that is often on the move as things tend to fall off the walls as you drive on uneven roads, etc. Also, if it has slides that are opened & closed routinely to create larger living area, the walls must be clear so nothing interferes with the slides movement or falls down to get trapped by the slide
The towel rack is laughable. Would be nice with nice clean towels but I sure don’t want damp towels all rolled up so they can’t dry. Will start to smell musty
Thanks for your thoughts! I agree with the towels need to be hung differently after used. The good news with this rack is it does supply hooks that might hang the towel loosely. We have things hanging on our slides, but do make sure they do not block any sliding walls. As full-timers, we likely have more things that are loose and have to be secured before moving than many, but sometimes you need your decor to be moveable to help liven up a small space.
Looks like someone was looking for negativity….
1). I see nothing in these photos that would interfere with slides.
2). There are numerous products that anchor items to countertops (I.e. toothbrush holder jars etc) much like museums use for displays. That being said, I think most people realize that loose items would need to be stowed before travel, unless secured.
3). The towel rack pictured would obviously be for clean, unused towels.
All common sense things that don’t have to be pointed out.
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Where did you get the towel rack??? I would love this in my camper
I am so sorry. Liz wrote that blog a few years ago and I haven’t been able to find any notes on it. It looks like a fairly common one that you might find at Home Deport or Bed, Bath, and Beyond.
Not any different than towels on a towel rack in a hotel….
The towel rack is for your clean, extra towels, not your dirty, used ones that need to be washed.
You need to hand those up to dry out.
I agree. We have placed hooks on our door as well as a suction hook on our shower door for small towels to give them room to dry.
Thanks for the great ideas you have shared here. This is incredible posts glad to find this.hat is someone else’s basket and I believe it was from Bed, Bath, and Beyond. Decorative cats are also highly recommended. I like the helpful info you supply for your articles.
I don’t need decorative cats. I have 2 real ones.
Excellent explanation, it’s simple & focus. Keep up the great work!
I like the helpful info you supply for your articles. Thanks for a great ideas you have shared here. This is incridible posts glad to find this.
Neat ideas even in a non-moveable home. Decorative cats are also highly recommended! Lol!
Manuela! That is hilarious! haha Thanks for stopping by the blog and leaving a comment. I hope you’re able to implement some tips!
Some great ideas, here! Thanks for sharing!
Glad we are all helping each other out! That’s what we do around here!
Love your ideas, thank you for sharing, where did the wicker hanging rack on the shower door come from?
That is someone else’s basket and I believe it was from Bed, Bath, and Beyond.
Sorry for the delay in answering!!
Where did you find the towel rack?
lol This is from someone else’s blog but I believe they bought it on Amazon!!
Love your ideas! But I had to laugh as I used the same table clothes to cover my cornices!!! Lol
How awesome and funny is that?!
So many great ideas!
Thanks Diane! The possibilities for your camper are endless!
Love love these ideas as i do everything i have seen on your website!
Wow! Thanks Jamie. Glad to have you!
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